Hello, everyone! Thanks lots for the reviews!!! And without further ado, here's chapter two for ya!

Chapter two:

The noise level in the Great Hall dropped greatly as Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster, stood up after the Sorting had been done. Everyone looked up expectantly at him.

"Before we feast ourselves on a fabulous dinner, I would like to say a few things. First, the Forbidden Forest is, as the name suggests, forbidden. Second, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has reminded me to tell you that Fizzing Whizbees, Dung Bombs and any Weasley Wizard Wheezes product are not allowed in the corridors," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling.

"Why does anyone bother to listen to that stuff anyway? I'd much rather eat," muttered Ron, earning a glare from Hermione and a disgusted look from his sister.

"You can see the five-foot list in Mr. Filch's office. Third, we will be having two Balls this year. The first ball will be held on Halloween and the second on Valentine's Day. More information on the Balls will be posted on the Notice Boards. Last, but definitely not the least, we have a new and might I add, capable Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Rei Nightshadow."

Everyone scanned the Teacher's Table but found no sign of a new face.

"Unfortunately, we won't be able to see Professor Nightshadow until tomorrow since he has some business to take care of. Oh and before I forget, Mr. Potter, please see me after dinner in my office."

Ron's head snapped up at the mention of Harry's name.

"That is all, if I'm not mistaken. Let the feast begin!"

Dumbledore clapped his hands and mouth-watering food appeared on the gold plates.

~*~*~

Nearly everyone in the Great Hall looked at Harry, wondering what he had done now. But Hermione, Ginny and Ron were thinking another thing.

"You think something's happened to the Order?" asked Ron, ignoring the food, for once.

"I don't think so. Dumbledore would have also called us if something had happened to the Order," said Ginny.

Hermione looked at Harry.

"What do you think, Harry?" she asked.

Harry shrugged absentmindedly. He was thinking about the new professor. Rei Nightshadow was a new member of the Order, although Hermione, Ron and Ginny didn't know, and he had taught Harry almost everything he knew during the summer. Harry now knew multiple kinds of martial arts and several advanced and complex spells. He looked forward to seeing his teacher again.

~*~*~

"Am I in trouble, Professor?" Harry asked Minerva McGonagall, after the feast as he followed her to Dumbledore's office.

"No, Mr. Potter, you are not. And frankly speaking, I do not know what the Headmaster wants to talk to you about," said McGonagall before Harry could open his mouth.

They reached the stone gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office a moment later.

"Extendable Ears," McGonagall said with a bit of distaste in her voice.

The gargoyle sprang to life and jumped out of the way, revealing the path to Dumbledore's office.

~*~*~

McGonagall left Harry at the door before leaving. Harry took a deep breath and opened the door, wondering what the Headmaster wanted to talk to him about.

"Professor Dumbledore?" called Harry as he entered the office.

"Ah, Harry," Dumbledore said from his desk.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" said Harry.

 Dumbledore offered Harry a seat before replying.

"Yes, Harry. I found out that you have been taking a few lessons from Rei over the summer," said Dumbledore.

Harry opened his mouth to explain but Dumbledore cut him off.

"I'm proud to hear from Rei that you've excelled quite well. These skills might come in handy sometime, Harry, for protecting people you care about. I hope you'll continue to take these lessons from Rei."

Harry nodded, thinking about the people he wanted to protect, Ron, Hermione, Sirius, Remus, Ginny and…his thoughts suddenly shifted to one raven-haired Ravenclaw.

"You've just thought of someone special," Dumbledore said suddenly, snapping Harry out of his thoughts.

Harry blushed. How did his Headmaster find out? Was he psychic or something?

"You had the same look James had whenever he thought of Lily," explained Dumbledore, somehow reading Harry's expression.

"Oh," was all Harry said.

Dumbledore glanced at the clock right on top of the door way and said, "It's getting late, Harry. I suggest you go to your dormitory and get some rest. The password is 'Valkyries'."

"Okay. Good night, Professor," said Harry before walking out of the office.

~*~*~

"Well, what did he want?" asked Ron as Harry entered the Common Room.

"Nothing important," said Harry.

"Are you sure?" asked Hermione who was standing a few feet away from Ron.

Harry nodded, then yawned.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'm going up to bed. Good night," he said.

"Wait up, mate," Ron said, following Harry up the stairs to the boys' dormitory. "You know, Harry, you can tell us whatever's troubling you. We may be able to help."

"It's really okay, Ron. Dumbledore just said some stuff about me taking lessons from Rei," Harry said sleepily.

"Who's Rei?" asked Ron with a blank expression.

Harry sighed. Ron never bothered to listen to Dumbledore's start of the term speeches.

"Professor Rei Nightshadow's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," said Harry as he changed into his pajamas.

"Oh. Is he any good?"

Harry shrugged before climbing into bed. He was about to go to sleep when Ron's voice disturbed his approaching slumber.

"What did you really do in that one hour you were gone from the compartment, Harry?" came Ron's curious voice.

"I'll tell you some other time, Ron. I'm too sleepy right now," yawned Harry.

"Fine," sighed Ron.

Harry drew his curtains around his bed before falling into a deep sleep.

~*~*~

A teen looked at himself in the mirror, his hand uncharacteristically shaking as he ran it through his messy jet-black hair. His brown eyes showed his nervousness as he took a deep breath.

"James, mate, no need to be nervous. It's only Evans after all," said a boy with the same color of hair as James Potter but straighter.

"Only Evans, Sirius? Are you crazy? I've only asked her out endlessly since third year," James said sarcastically to his best friend, Sirius.

"Don't get all sarcastic, James. That's just Padfoot showing his support," said Remus.

"Yeah," Peter piped up, nodding fervently, not wanting to be left out of the conversation.

"I'm sorry. It's just that Lily has always said no, you know? And now, she only said yes to keep me from asking her out again," said James as he straightened the collar of his polo shirt. "Let me recall her exact words, 'If I go on this one date with you, will you stop asking me out all the time?' I have to convince her that I'm not the arrogant git I used to be."

James looked at his watch.

"I better go," he said. "Wish me luck, mates."

"Good luck," said Peter.

The other two stayed quiet but they were smiling.

 

~*~*~

"Was it really wise to give him that dream, Fate?" Destiny asked, looking up from the well.

"He needs to know about his parents, doesn't he?" said Fate.

"Yes, but---"

Fate interrupted him.

"Besides, since when has anything I've done not been wise?" she asked.

"Well, let's see, there was that thing with Oedipus and then there was that---" Destiny said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Okay, okay, shut up already."

~*~*~

What do you guys think? Not too bad? Send me your suggestions, okay?