[A/N: Okay…first of all. I'm glad that you liked the first chapter enough to read the second. Sorry it took so long for me to update. And, to those who reviewed, thanks for the comments. I tried to get this one out as fast as I could. So…here it is…]
Chapter 2- A Different Hogwarts
The train was nearly empty when Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Neville got off. The night was clear, and the stars could be clearly seen. Although it was a beautiful night, an eerie feeling hung in the air.
The group, huddled closely together, moved toward the carriages. There was no apparent reason to be cautious, yet they all stayed in a tight group. Since the episode at the Ministry, they all had become a little more alert to what was going on around them. They had been through so much. Hermione had been seriously hurt, Ron had been nearly strangled to death, and almost everyone else had an injury of some kind. Although, Harry's was the worst of all. Losing Sirius was the most horrible thing that had ever happened to him. Since he hadn't known his parents, Sirius had been the closest thing to a father he had ever had.
Finally, they had made it to the carriages. With a sigh of relief, Harry, Ron, and Hermione got in one, while Ginny, Luna, and Neville got in another. Once they were seated, the carriages sprung forward, each minute bringing them closer to the brightly lit castle.
Hermione looked out the window and trembled.
"Something wrong, Hermione?" Ron asked, seeing the movement.
"I don't know. Something just…doesn't feel quite right." Hermione said, uncertain of herself.
"I know what you mean." Harry commented. "But…I can't really explain it. It's just this strange feeling I'm having."
"I think you're both a little paranoid." Ron said, while feeling himself that something wasn't the way it was should to be. It was that same feeling they all had while walking through the Ministry that fateful night.
The carriage came to an abrupt stop, knocking each of them out of their thoughts. They got out of the carriages and made their way to the steps of the castle. Professor McGonagall stood at the entrance.
"Boys and girls," she started. "If I could have your attention please. In a moment, I will be taking you into the Great Hall where you can be seated. But before you do, I am to inform you that Peeves is acting more mischievous than usual."
Peeves the Poltergeist frequently circulated the castle. He was known as the biggest troublemaker in attendance, and he did everything he could to annoy as many people as was physically possible.
"So use extreme caution around him because he may be up to something." Professor McGonagall continued. She looked behind her and said, "All right, then. Follow me."
"How can Peeves be any more mischievous than he already is?" Hermione asked.
Suddenly, a cold shower of water, followed by a large bag of feathers, was dumped on her head.
"I'm guessing that was your answer," Ron said, trying to hold back a laugh.
Hermione furiously picked the feathers off as they continued down the corridor toward the Great Hall.
"Ooh. I could just kill him." Hermione murmured under her breath. "I would kill him if he weren't already dead."
Harry and Ron giggled at Hermione's mumblings but were stopped short of bursting out laughing by an abrupt stop at a closed door. In a short moment, the doors flung open revealing four long tables for the students and another for the staff members; Dumbledore could be seen sitting in the center.
"Potter?" Harry heard his name called from behind him. He turned to see Professor McGonnagall standing there. "I need to speak with you."
Harry followed McGonagall to her office. "Have a seat, Potter," she offered.
Harry took a seat on the chair offered to him and waited for her to continue. A few moments passed before she said, "So, how are you doing?" The tone of her voice was caring and sympathetic, something Harry rarely heard from any of the professors.
"All right, I guess," he answered.
"Are you sure?" McGonagall questioned.
Harry nodded.
"Well, if you ever need to talk about what happened at the Ministry, you can come talk to me or Dumbledore, or any of the teachers for that matter."
"Thank you for the offer, but I don't think I'll be taking it any time soon." Harry said, standing up.
"Potter, please sit down." He did. "Death is a very difficult thing to comprehend, especially when it has happened to someone so very close to you. I know Sirius's death has been bothering you, and I don't want to see you suffer from it. There are so many people here that you can talk to. We've all had to deal with a bit of suffering in our time. We know how it feels."
"You have no clue how it feels to have your own godfather die before your very eyes and not be able to do anything about it. Good-night, Professor."
Harry stood up and walked out the door, leaving McGonagall to think about what he had said and done. Harry made his way to the Great Hall to find Ron and Hermione already at their seats.
"I sure hope it doesn't rain on them," Hermione said as he sat down beside them. Harry looked up, only at that moment noticing the enchanted ceiling was clouding up.
A clap of thunder startled those already seated. A few moments later, a group of small students followed Hagrid into the Hall. They looked horrible, soaked down to their very last layer of clothing.
"Poor kids," Hermione murmured. "Didn't even get a decent trip across the lake."
Ron looked at Harry and laughed. All Harry could think of was their luck that they had been in their first year five years earlier when the crossing had been peaceful.
Hermione glared at Ron. "You are so immature. How would you feel if you were them and people were laughing at you?"
"Well, we're not them, so why think about it?" Ron replied.
"Ronald Weasley," Hermione snapped. "You are the most inconsiderate person I have ever met."
"Thank you."
Hermione let out a frustrated sigh and turned to face McGonagall, who had brought out a stool with a very old hat sitting on top of it. As soon as the stool was set into place, a slit in the hat opened, and the hat broke out into song.
"To everyone I am the Sorting Hat
From those days of old.
I was there the very day that
Four wizards placed the mold.
They started this very school
With different thoughts indeed.
Slytherin was stern and cool
And wanted a certain creed.
He wanted those of pure blood
With very strong ambition.
Now Hufflepuff wanted students
Who'd work hard for their position.
Ravenclaw wanted cleverness
Gryffindor sought the brave.
All four wizards wanted the best
And so they all gave
Each other what they wanted
And came to graceful peace
Four houses would be granted;
The fighting then was ceased.
So everyone take a seat
And put me atop your head.
I know your possible feats
It's all inside your head."
The Great Hall erupted into applause. Once it quieted down, McGonagall called the first student to the Sorting Hat. A little girl by the name Brittany Anderson sat down on the stool, put on the hat, and gave a startled expression when it started speaking atop her head.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" it yelled. The Hufflepuff house erupted in whistles and applause as the girl walked to their table.
"Bell, Kristin!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione clapped loudly for the new Gryffindor. Ron let out a loud yawn. The ceremony had just started and he was already tired. Another loud yawn came from his mouth as Cathy Benson became a Ravenclaw.
"Braun, Jacob!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Caal, Alexander!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"I guess…we have to…watch out…fer that one." Ron said in between yawns. Hermione elbowed him hard in his side. "Whatcha do that for?"
"Could you show just a little respect for our fellow students?" Hermione said.
"Do you think they could move a little quicker so I don't fall asleep in my mashed potatoes?" Ron sharply replied.
"You are impossible!"
"Guys?" Harry said, interrupting their bickering. "Who's that woman sitting next to Professor Sprout?"
"Who?" Hermione asked switching her attention to the table the teachers were seated at. The woman was thin, with long brown hair and a pointed hat atop her head.
"Maybe she's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," Ron murmured.
"I don't think so. She looks too nice to battle the Dark Arts," Hermione disagreed.
Ron muffled a contemptuous grunt as "Lucas, Amelia" was called up to the Sorting Hat. "Well, you're nice to look at, but I know that you can hurt a guy real good." Ron said. Then, realizing what had just come out of his mouth, he turned toward McGonagall, turning beat-red in the process.
"What other job is open, if she's not teaching the Defense class?" Harry asked, cutting into the uncomfortable silence that developed around them.
"I don't know of any." Hermione said. She glanced once more at the table, noticing a cruel looking man sitting beside Professor Snape. His crooked nose reminded Hermione of Alastor Moody, who was missing chunks due to his job as an Auror. His hair was dark, and he had a fixed expression on his face that Hermione didn't like very much. But what was it? Anger? Disgust? Or maybe…cruel thoughts and a hidden agenda? What am I thinking? Hermione asked herself. What is wrong with me? Ever since that night at the Ministry, anything new is suspicious, and anyone who looks the least bit out of the ordinary is subject for criticism. But Dumbledore wouldn't hire anyone he didn't trust…
----
Harry and Ron had been discussing Quidditch and new tactics they planned on using this upcoming season. Harry noticed that Hermione was quieter than usual. He looked at her and saw that she was staring off to no place in particular. She shook her head, and Harry was somewhat shocked when she entered their conversation. This year was proving to be much different than the last five. Never before had Harry had a grim feeling upon entering the grounds. Never had emotions been so dreary and then reach a happy peak and then drop so suddenly that you felt you had been pushed off a cliff. And never before had Hermione shown this much interest in Quidditch. By the time Harry looked back up at McGonagall, she was calling the last student up to the front.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat shouted.
The three of them clapped loudly. Harry stopped quickly; hoping everyone else would do the same. He was starving, and the sorting had taken much longer than he had expected. Once, he had even heard his stomach reminding him of how hungry he was.
"Yes, yes, congratulations to you all. At this time, I would like to welcome you to yet another year at Hogwarts. I hope you all will enjoy your year with us. Now, for a few announcements," Dumbledore said. "The Forbidden Forest is still off limits to all students."
"You would think they would get the hint since it is called the Forbidden Forest," Ron commented.
"But that didn't stop you and Harry from going in there during our second year, did it?" Hermione said.
"We were trying to help Hagrid, even you know that."
"But Harry was the one who truly wanted to help. You just followed. Don't you remember what you said to him?" Hermione asked. Ron shook his head. Hermione mimicked Ron's frightened voice, "Spiders? Why spiders? Why can't it be 'follow the butterflies'?"
Harry laughed at Hermione's impression. They remembered that incident all too well. Harry and Ron had been at Hagrid's cabin; hiding under the Invisibility Cloak Harry's father had left him. Hagrid was being taken to Azkaban Prison for crimes he did not commit. Before he left, he told them all their questions would be answered if they followed the spiders. Ron, with his great fear of spiders, had voiced his fear a little too openly.
They glanced back at Ron, who looked as though his pride was thoroughly smashed to pieces.
"One more thing. Since you are all aware that Lord Voldemort has returned, it is our responsibility to keep you as safe as possible. So, under these circumstances, no one is allowed outside the castle once the sun has set." Harry could feel Dumbledore's eyes on him as he added, "No exceptions."
"Also, you all must be in your Common Rooms an hour earlier than in years past." A few groans came from the group of students.
"You are all bright enough to know when lines should not be crossed, and now should not be the time to take things lightly. One very important person did this not but a year ago and dire consequences resulted from this. We want you to be as cautious as you can this year. If you notice any unusual occurrences, you are to report them immediately to one of the teachers. As we know well enough from the past few years, these occurrences could be signs that need careful attention. Please listen to when you heart tells you when something does not seem right. Do not keep these things from us for your uneasiness may be well reasoned.
"Well, now that we have that out of the way," Dumbledore continued. "It is my privilege to introduce two new additions to our staff this year. To my left is Gladys Bernstein," he motioned toward the woman sitting next to Professor Sprout. "She will be teaching Occupational Studies, which any seventh year is encouraged to take. This course will allow you to decide which career would be best for you after you have left Hogwarts." A small round of applause greeted Professor Bernstein. "Next, to my right," Dumbledore motioned toward the man seated beside Professor Snape, "is Gregor Kulloch. He will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year." Another round of applause greeted the new professor.
Harry looked closely at Professor Kulloch and Snape. There was something about him that Harry didn't quite understand. He had the very job that Snape sought, yet there was a strange sense of familiarity between them. Harry looked once more at Kulloch and felt his gaze meet his own.
Harry felt a cry of pain escape from his lips. A fierce pain shot through Harry's scar. He felt darkness taking over him as the burning sensation continued to pulse violently through his head.
[I hope you like the latest installment of my story. Thanks again to everyone who reviewed the first chapter. So click on that little box and REVIEW! Caty Jean]