Disclaimer: The characters, places, etc. are not mine. I do, however, own the plot.

A/N: Thank you Colleen! Call me dude! For the rest of you... REVIEW PLEASE!!! Why wont anyone read this! Oh well... I'm writing it anyway because it has a really good plot and I like it. So here goes.

Ch. 6 Just Like Home

The new sixth years entered the Great Hall. Harry heard giggles coming from Parvati and Lavender as they looked up to the teacher's table. Harry searched finding only teachers that he knew. Then he spotted the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Hermione was looking at him closely too. Harry hopped she wasn't being like the other materialistic girl in their year.

"Oh no," said Ron. "Not another Lockhart. . ."

"No, he's not," Hermione muttered.

"What's she thinking," Ron whispered to Harry as they sat down.

"Do we ever know?" Harry replied.

Dumbledore entered the Great Hall and sat at the center seat. Professor McGonagall stood and placed the sorting hat on the rickety stool. Its song rang through the air:

Though your head is full of fluff

You still have a little stuff

Please don't be afraid my dears

You're only just 'ickle first years

Put remember my words of wisdom

We're all united in this Hogwarts kingdom

"When I call your name, sit on the stool and place the hat on your head. Adloff, Karin!"

A young girl with white blond hair stumbled from the rest and sat on the stool with a slack face.

"GRIFFINDOR!"

The girl smiled and hopped off toward the booming table.

"Abner, Micheal!"

A boy of sandy hair walked up to the sorting hat. "HUFFLEPUFF!"

It went on as such for a while. None of the names were familiar to Harry. When Zambog, Phillip was sorted McGonagall put the stool and hat away and Dumbledore stood up.

"Welcome new and old. I hope this year will be enjoyable for you. I would like to remind all of you that no matter what happens we are all united. There is much news about what is happening outside this castle, but remember you are all protected," Dumbledore said. "But I would like to introduce to you your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. His name is Harold Quirrell," There were many gasps, "and he will be taking the place of Professor Umbridge." Dumbledore told them. He waved his hands and the plates were filled with wondrous amounts of food. Harry laughed at the faces of the first years.

"So," Ron spit, mouth full of food (Hermione had to wipe some chewed food off her face with disgust), "the hat's giving advice again?"

"Apparently so," Hermione replied. She was about to continue speaking when she noticed Ron's odd behavior. He shrunk down in his seat. "What are you doing?"

"Luna," he whispered. "She's looking at me funny."

Hermione turned slowly and saw Luna smiling with rosy red cheeks at the ever shrinking Ron. Hermione waved and smiled, but when she turned around she was scowling. "I liked her last year."

"What's it to you if she likes Ron?" Harry asked. He knew it was going to have an interesting answer.

"I-I don't. Its just odd, that's all." Hermione's face flared up. Harry couldn't keep his lips from curling into a slight smile. "What?"

"Nothing, nothing. I just, er, remembered something."

Neville, who had been talking with some others, turned to them and asked, "So what do you think of Quirrell being the new teacher?"

"I don't know," Hermione replied, "but if Dumbledore thinks its wise. . ."

"Well, you know, I think the only good Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher that Dumbledore had was Lupin. All the others are, well, loopy." Said Ron.

"He was the only one I really liked," Neville said. Harry remained silent. Lupin reminded him of things he didn't want to remember. It seemed like Hermione noticed this.

"So what are the two of you going to do for Quidditch?"

"Harry's probably going to be captain." Ron tried to smile. Harry knew it was his dream to be Quidditch captain.

"We'll probably hold tryouts. We'll need three new chasers. Ginny can switch from Seeker to Chaser." Harry said.

Upon overhearing this Ginny said, "Would you really do that Harry? Oh my gosh! I love you! Did you hear that guys! I'm gonna be a chaser!"

Harry was surprised about hearing this, but it was good to see some happy people around.

When all the plates were wiped clean, they all stood and walked to their dorm. "This way first years! Follow me! Come on. Keep up." Ron said.

"Gryffindor this way!" Hermione said.

They all entered the fat lady's portrait, ("flam sham") and went to their respective dorms. Harry climbed onto the four poster and stared strait up at the canopy. He felt like he was finally home.

A/N: YAY!! Another chapter done. Please read and review. Grin