Okay, in response to someone's complaint about Harry and Luna, the only reason I'm doing this is because there is foreshadowing in the fifth book for it. This fic won't be all about them either. It will be kind of like Harry and Cho without the constant crying... okay, it won't be like Harry and Cho at all but you get the idea.
Chapter Seven:
Dumbledore's Gift
Harry finally stepped off the train and joined Ron and Hermione who were waiting patiently for him. Before they could set out for the carriages, however Harry stopped moving at the sound of a voice he hadn't heard in awhile.
"Firs' years! Firs' years!"
Then catching Harry's eye Hagrid bellowed, "All righ' Harry?"
Harry nodded and said, "I see you got back here okay."
"Yeah, got back all righ'," replied Hagrid, "Anyway, gotta go. See yeh, Harry!"
Hagrid led a mass of first years over to the lake and Harry made a second attempt to get to the carriages when another familiar voice stopped him,
"Potter! We have our own carriage!"
Harry wheeled around and saw Professor McGonagall waving madly to catch Harry's attention. Harry quickly eyed the thestrals that pulled the carriages and then he said good-bye to Ron and Hermione; and made his way to McGonagall. They both entered the carriage and once they had settled in it, it sprung into motion.
"I don't have much time, Harry. The Sorting you know," stated McGonagall.
Harry nodded and she continued, "Here is the key to the Captain's Office," she then Harry a small, silver key and Harry pocketed it, "You are responsible for all team practices and most importantly the tryouts. You need to replace two Beaters and all three Chasers."
Then taking a breath she added, "When do you think would be an appropriate time for the tryouts?"
"Next week?" offered Harry.
"I will alert the Headmaster so he can proclaim this to everyone at the feast," stated McGonagall and just then the carriage stopped.
"Oh, Potter. Did you find a replacement broomstick?" asked McGonagall before stepping out.
"Yes, a Dreamstorm," answered Harry.
McGonagall's eyes popped slightly at the name of the superb broom and stepped out. Harry followed her out and found Ron and Hermione waiting to enter the Entrance Hall. Harry joined them and Ron asked,
"What did McGonagall want?" asked Ron.
"We just talked about Quidditch Captain duties," replied Harry as they made their way up the stairs.
After they moved through the Entrance Hall, the doors opened to the Great Hall with a dark, velvety ceiling. After everyone entered the Great Hall Harry, Ron and Hermione found seats at the Gryffindor table.
All three of them looked at the staff table. This was usual routine every year; used to see the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Then Harry found the teacher. The teacher was female and she was unlike any teacher they had previously had.
She was tan with long, sleek black hair that reminded Harry of Cho's hair. She was wearing peacock-blue robes, which matched her gorgeous eyes. She had a large assortment of jewelry on and the piece that caught Harry's eye the most was a golden scarab dangling from a gold chain.
"She's Egyptian!" exclaimed Hermione, "That explains the book!"
"I told you," muttered Ron but Hermione didn't hear.
"She's pretty isn't she?" said Harry.
Ron and Hermione nodded but before they could say anything the doors opened again and McGonagall came in, clutching a stool, a patched hat and a scroll, followed by a long line of first years.
Everyone in the Great Hall watched serenely, anticipating the Sorting Ceremony. McGonagall set down the stool and placed the hat on it. A stitch near the hat's brim spread open and sang,
"I was made, long ago
by wizards and witches who had to go.
They made me to do their part,
once they had to depart.
Gryffindor who had courage like no one else
Slytherin, thirsty to prove himself.
Hufflepuff, the hardest worker
and Ravenclaw, the cleverest thinker.
Put me on and I will tell you where you belong.
All you had to do before that was listen to my song."
Everyone clapped as the Sorting hat finished and zipped shut again. Professor McGonagall opened her scroll and said,
"When I call your name come forward place the hat on your head and sit on the stool," proclaimed McGonagall and the first name was,
"Abersum, Jack."
A tall boy with cropped, brown hair and odd yellow eyes made his way to the stool, sat down and placed the hat upon his head.
The hat didn't take long at all before it announced, "Gryffindor!"
Harry clapped as Jack made his way to the Gryffindor table and McGonagall announced,
"Abersum, William."
A second boy that was identical to Jack made his way to the stool and placed the hat on his head too. The Sorting Hat then stated,
"Gryffindor!"
Harry clapped again and William sat next to his brother. Then William whispered,
"I'm Will. Only my mum calls me William."
Harry laughed and continued to watch the Sorting. The rest of the ceremony went fairly quickly and before Harry knew it the Sorting Hat was gone and Dumbledore stood up. He opened his mouth and then just as quickly he sat down again.
Everyone laughed and then clapped as though he had made a speech as the plates filled with food. The Abersum Twins looked at each other wide-eyed and helped themselves to large portions of food.
Harry ate all he could for he just realized that he was starving. After he had eaten all he could the plates vanished and Dumbledore stood up again to make Start-of-Term announcements,
"Good evening. Another year begins. All students should know that the Forbidden Forest is still, in fact, forbidden. I would also like to introduce a new member to the staff. This is Professor Isis Agapanthus."
Everyone looked at the tan woman at the table and she smiled. Dumbledore then cleared his throat and added,
"For all those who are interested in becoming member of their appropriate Quidditch Team," Dumbledore stopped as he saw Jack and Will smile at each other and continued, "and are in second year or above."
At this the twins' smiles vanished and Dumbledore continued again,
"Now there is a more pressing issue I need to discuss. As all you are well aware of. Voldemort has returned (nearly everyone in the Great Hall gasped). He has also managed to penetrate Diagon Alley. In light of this situation I need to discuss new safety procedures. All teachers will patrol the hallways after dark. I will say one more thing before I say good-night. All those who know the meaning of the letters D and A stay behind, except those of course who are Prefects. Those people should come back here after their duties. Good night."
Everyone looked around the room in hope of spotting someone with a hint of comprehension on their face. Ron and Hermione escorted all the new Gryffindor students to the common room. Harry, knew of course what the letters D and A meant. Together they were D.A. which stood for Dumbledore's army. It was an organization of people who wanted to learn Defense Against the Dark Arts.
After a few minutes when all the Prefects returned, Dumbledore stood up again and said,
"The reason I have asked you to stay is I want to have the D.A. to patrol along with the teachers after dark, starting tomorrow. I appoint Harry Potter as the head."
Dumbledore then waved his wand and small black pins appeared on everyone's robes. Harry noticed that his pin stated "D.A. Head" in gold letters.
"Good night," repeated Dumbledore and when Harry stood up to leave Dumbledore added,
"All except Mr. Potter."
Harry stayed seated and Dumbledore made his way toward him. When Dumbledore reached him all the teachers left as well so only Harry and Dumbledore remained in the Great Hall.
Dumbledore pulled a small package out of his robes and muttered,
"Happy Birthday, Harry."
Harry opened the package curiously and what he saw made him look at Dumbledore in complete amazement. It was a portrait of Sirius.
It wasn't Sirius as Harry knew him but it was Sirius around Harry's own age. The young Sirius waved at him and Dumbledore smiled at him.
"Thank you!" exclaimed Harry as he hugged Dumbledore with all the strength that he possessed.