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A/N- Hey everyone! Soo soo sorry that this chapter is so LATE! Alright, here, don't hate me yet I have a legitimate excuse. You see, I wanted a really good Sorting Hat song, and I can't write poetry for crud so I asked my friend, Regina, to write me one since she's awesome at poetry. (That was about a month ago) So she agreed, I decided that I could wait a week as long as I have a good song in the end. So it's been three more weeks since she said she would write it for me and she still hasn't. So Sunday I was raving to Philly about how she still didn't give me the poem, and Philly being awesome, said she would write it for me! So I finally have an awesome sorting hat song! Again I'm really sorry this took so long to get out! Look I even put Regina in Slytherin because I was so mad at her for making you guys wait! LoL! I'm really sorry! I hope you like this chapter, longest yet I think...not sure.

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Dedication: to Philly for writing me my awesome Sorting Hat song in ONE day!! Thanks so much! *hug*

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story except for a couple of first years.

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~*~*~*~*~The Return*~*~*~*~

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Dawn a week later brought on a mass of red hair running up and down the stairs. Though only two Weasley's would be returning to Hogwarts this year, each and every one of the Weasley brothers would be seeing off Ron and Ginny, along with Harry and Hermione.

Mrs. Weasley suddenly burst into Harry's room as he was getting his clothes out for the day.

"Harry dear you still have to eat breakfast." Mrs. Weasley exclaimed dumping a load of clothes onto his neatly stacked pile caught it to tip over and leaving.

"Need help with that?" Ginny asked stifling a laugh at Harry's disgruntled face.

"Yeah sure thanks." Harry mumbles bending down to pick up the tower with Ginny.

"Excited to go back?" Ginny asked as Harry rummaged through his trunk for his other sock.

"Here let I help." Ginny said kneeling down to his trunk and sifting through it, "I've had loads of experience." Ginny laughed with a roll of her eyes.

"Why don't you go get dressed and make sure to brush your hair Potter, haven't you ever heard of a brush?" Ginny said mock-seriously.

Harry shook his head grinning and walked out of the bedroom and into the bathroom that was surprisingly empty. He thought back to the last week and how his friendship with Ginny Weasley had grown, he wondered how he never saw it before. Ginny was perfect in all aspects of her character, he'd never known her to be mean to a soul besides Malfoy of course, and she knew how to make every bad situation better, and best of all she never asked any of those uncomfortable questions. She waited for him to tell her and for some reason he almost always did. He felt better than he had in months with all the Weasley's with him in this hectic environment, he thrived in it.

Mrs. Weasley forced Harry to have second and third helpings of practically everything and the results had shown, no more did he have the appearance of growing to fast in a short amount of time, and playing quidditch every day helped too.

He had discussed tactics for quidditch with Ron and Ginny relentlessly must to the annoyance of Hermione. His friends had taken his lie about DA and quidditch when Dumbledore left and though no more about it. However, Harry had been plagued with dreams constantly of green flame torches in long hallways with tiny torches along the sides of the walls.

"Hey Harry." A pounding on the door called him out of his thoughts. "Mum wants you downstairs." Ron said shuffling away from the door.

Harry threw on his shirt and went back to his room where Ginny was putting the last of his clothes. Harry stood in the doorway and watched as she got up and brushed the knees of her skirt off and turns around, he watched as she jumped slightly and then grinned.

"Harry's this is beautiful where did you get it?" Ginny asked turning around and taking the key off of his shirt, where she must've placed it. Harry looked down at it and walked past her to sit on his bed, the key that haunted his dreams.

"Er, well my parents gave it to me, and Sirius gave it to me from them." Harry said shrugging his shoulders. Well, it was kind of the truth with a twist on it perhaps, a very big twist, but the truth in a round-about-way.

By his Mum giving birth to him in July he was then prophesied about, thus the reason Dumbledore had left the key in his possession. Harry held out his hand and Ginny gave it back. Harry gripped the key and then wrapped his hand around the string peering at the sword with the skull and eyes, as he looked closer he could've sworn that the eye had blinked so he quickly threw it into his trunk. He looked up into Ginny's face and was only met with a raised eyebrow.

"It's beautiful, do you know what the letters stand for?" Ginny questioned.

"No, I don't know much about it really." Harry answered uncomfortably and quickly changed the subject hoping Ginny would consent. "Thanks so much Gin you're a life saver!" Harry laughed.

"Don't think I don't want something in return for this favor, remember Chaser tryouts." Ginny laughed as Harry lugged his trunk down the stairs.

"Gin you've got it already, don't tell anyone but you're probably better than Angelina." Harry said quietly.

"Heard that!" Fred called out from down the stairs.

"Oh well at least she can't yell at me again this year." Harry shrugged though had enough decency to look a little sheepish.

"Yeah well, maybe it Umbitch." Ron started and then at Hermione's glare and Mrs. Weasley's gasp said quickly, "Umbridge had believed you in the first place." Ron grumbled as he buttered his toast, pretending not to notice Hermione's futile attempts to gain his attention in order to reprimand him.

Harry nodded with his eyes on the table not needing Ron to continue. Harry's friendships with Ron and Hermione had grown stronger as well. He hated keeping things from them, but felt it was for the best and though selfish he liked to as well. If Voldemort found out that Harry knew the prophecy there would be trouble, the less who knew the better.

"Harry you'll want to finish up. It'll take us an hour to get to the station." Arthur said taking a final sip from his pumpkin juice and pushing out his chair.

Harry looked up and saw everyone was pretty much done and realized he must have dazed out again, he saw Ginny through him a concerned look and he grinned back at her in reassurance. Harry wanted to get to the station quickly, Remus had promised he would meet him there when he received an urgent owl from Dumbledore shortly after Dumbledore had left the Burrow. Harry watched as Fred and George grabbed his trunk and hefted it into the ministry car's boots, he hoped desperately that they hadn't slipped anything into it, knowing the twins, they probably had.

Harry followed Ginny and Bill outside and got into the car with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred and George. Mrs. Weasley and everyone else had all gone in the other car. Harry sat down next to Fred and George across from the others.

They rode in silence for a while with just Fred and George whispering, when all of the sudden Hermione exclaimed, "We have to remember the Prefects meeting," to Ron and Ginny who nodded reluctantly.

Ginny had gotten Prefect much to the distaste of herself, Fred and George, and to the joy of Mrs. Weasley. As a gift she had gotten a small black kitten with white paws and a white underbelly which she promptly named, Socks. Who was currently curled up in Crookshanks' basket much to the distaste of the bigger cat who looked on at the younger one with disgust. Fred and George had gotten their little sister a broom as a present for the bat boogey hex she had pulled on Malfoy.

"The only authority we shall abide by." The twins said together bowing foolishly at Harry who managed to grin weakly.

"Meet you in the compartment?" Ron asked, Harry looked at him and wondered what he would do if Harry said no.

"Sure." Harry said, "I'll get one with Neville and Luna." Harry said indifferently, he wouldn't mind being by himself but if Malfoy came in when there were no teachers and magic allowed Harry hoped that Ron, Hermione, and Ginny would be there.

"Are you OK Harry?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah thanks why?" Harry questioned.

"You were frowning." Hermione supplied.

"Oh, I was just thinking about Malfoy." Harry replied.

"Ha, that little bugger." Fred laughed.

"I'd like to see him against you in a duel. You'd have him spread across the floor by the first curse mate." George said loyally and Harry and Ron shared a grin.

"I was supposed to back in first year, but ah, he sort of told Filch and never showed." Harry explained to an affronted George.

"Well I hope you didn't get caught?" Fred urged.

"No we got away, only just though." Hermione explained with a sour look on her face.

"I still remember it now," Ron paused, "I'm going to bed before you either of you think of another clever way to get us killed, or worse expelled." Ron said in a high mocking voice emphasizing the last word.

"I did not say that." Hermione protested blushing.

"I remember." Harry added laughing.

"Anyway, I was trying to prevent those two from leaving and Neville had locked himself out of the portrait hole." Hermione proceeded to explain what happened much to the amusement of Fred and George. Harry didn't mind it gave him time to think.

Next thing Harry knew they had arrived at Kings Cross Station. Harry got out of the car silently with the Weasley's and Hermione following closely behind.

"Harry!" Remus called out and Harry turned to see Remus grinning at him, he walked over and gave Harry a sort of one-armed hug.

"How have you been?" Remus questioned.

"Fine thanks." Harry said grinning.

"All right everyone have a cart?" Mr. Weasley asked taking charge.

"Yes." The four said and rolled down to platform Nine three-quarters, they walked in with pairs, Harry with Ron and Hermione with Ginny.

"All right Ginny?" Ron asked as she was on the floor when they walked through.

"Colin!" Ginny protested lifting her head from the ground and glare at the boy she had crashed into.

"Sorry Ginny." Colin laughed and muttered his "goodbyes" and "see you later's" to the very amused Weasley family.

"All right there Gin?" Harry asked walking up and pulling her up and then righting her cart.

"Hey at least someone cares!" Ginny huffed glaring at her family.

"I asked if you were all right." Ron protested indignantly.

"Yes but did you help, no." Ginny responded dryly.

"Of course Harry's the only one who helped, he's the proper little gentleman." Ron mumbled good-naturedly. "The only one who takes that Gryffindor chivalry thing seriously." Ron added as Harry ducked his head slightly embarrassed, it was like being told about the second task during fourth year.

"I think it's nice." Hermione replied as she Ginny, Ron, and Harry walked on a little ahead.

"Do you now?" Ron asked stopping by the train. Ron stopped and went to Hermione's trunk and hefted it out of the cart and onto the train. This act of chivalry was lost on no one.

"Well Ron here you are then." Harry said handing his own trunk to a now scowling Ron, and looked over at Ginny who then handed her own trunk to Ron. Ron knew full well that they were indeed mocking him, but he couldn't very well refuse having taken only Hermione's.

"So if you need anything, owl us!" Mrs. Weasley said as the train let out a warning whistle.

"Thank so much Mrs. Weasley." Harry said allowing himself to be drawn into a hug briefly, before searching for Remus, who had for some reason or another disappeared. Harry felt himself frown as he looked into the slowly thinning crowd. He hadn't gotten a chance to say goodbye.

"Hey Harry, come on mate." Ron called from the train door, bringing Harry out of his musings.

"Bye Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George" Harry called jumping onto the train.

"Thanks for everything!" Hermione and Harry called out together and then grinned.

"So I expect I'll see you later." Harry said to a glum looking Ginny, a bored looking Ron, and an excited looking Hermione.

"Er right." Ginny said clipping on her badge. They said their farewells and Harry went in search of Neville and Luna.

"Surprise" A witch called out making Harry swing around to face an eager looking Tonks.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked highly confused.

"Dumbledore wanted some Aurors on the train in case anything happens." Tonks said quietly. "Thanks for the warm welcome though, Harry." Tonks said rolling her eyes.

"Some Order members are here too." Tonks whispered pointedly looking behind him. Harry turned around to see Remus leaning against the door smiling. Harry smiled, so he hadn't disappeared.

"Miss me Harry?" Remus asked laughing. Harry laughed in return and replied, "Only because I didn't get a chance to say goodbye." He answered and did something that shocked both Remus and himself, he hugged him briefly before letting go and walking back awkwardly.

"So erm, come in our compartment when you have to leave, erm, when I find one at least." Harry said looking at the floor as Remus stared intently at him. He felt as though he had done something wrong.

"So I'm going to go and look for a compartment." Harry said after a moment's silence and waved walking away quickly. He'd have to find Neville and Luna. He walked up and peeked in a compartment to find Neville taking care of his plant, which had grown to be the size of his head, and Luna starring idly out the window with an edition of the Quibbler on her lap.

"Hiya Harry." Neville said smiling and moving over so that Harry could sit next to him.

"Thanks Neville that's all right, I'll just sit here." Harry said sitting across from Neville near the window.

"How was your Hols Neville?" Harry questioned.

"Nothing bigger than what I sent to you about getting a new wand and an owl," Harry remembered the owl, as much as paint doesn't fade, yes he remembered.

"How about you Luna?" Harry questioned.

"Find any of those things you were after?" Harry questioned.

"I had a most enjoyable summer thank you, but much to my disappointment we did not." Luna said in her usual airy voice.

"Oh that's a shame." Neville nervously replied.

"How was your summer Harry?" Luna questioned.

"Fine thanks." Harry replied automatically.

"I'm sure it was." Luna replied looking curiously at Harry.

"So have you seen more godfather than?" Luna airily questioned, Neville looked up horrified as Harry looked to the compartment floor.

"Yeah, in my dreams." Harry said sounding sarcastic to throw off Neville, but he knew Luna understood as she nodded her head thoughtfully. He wished she would drop it, and thankfully she did.

"You're not a prefect then?" Harry questioned.

"No, I was offered of course, but I declined." Luna responded in her way.

"How come?" Harry questioned.

"I don't believe in authority being held by one person." Luna said in the same curiously mysterious way, which in Harry's opinion, could definitely give Trelawny a run for her money. Harry lapsed into a content silence as he watched the scenery go by.



"Hey Harry I heard you made Gryffindor quidditch captain, congratulations." Neville said cheerfully.

"Thanks Neville." Harry smiled in return.

"Katie made Head Girl too, great year for Gryffindor." Neville commented as Harry shook his head in agreement.

"What classes are you taking Neville?" Harry questioned.

"N.E.W.T. Herbology, DADA, and regular Transfiguration, I've dropped Potions, and I'm taking Care of Magical Creatures." Neville finished.

"Sounds interesting." Harry responded and the compartment lapsed into a silence once more. Harry must've fallen asleep because he was awoken by the closing of the compartment door.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you." Ginny smiled with a scrunched up face.

"It's fine, I still have to change and I'm guessing we're near Hogsmeade." Harry responded as Ginny nodded, "Ron and Hermione were going to wake you so you could change before they got back from patrol." Ginny added.

"Right, I'll just change quickly then." Harry said and got up to leave when the compartment door opened.

"Potty." Malfoy greeted him coldly.

"Real original Malfoy." Harry said crossly, "What do you want?" Harry said.

"I heard that over the summer you killed your godfather Potter, is it true?" Malfoy questioned as Harry's insides froze and Ginny gasped indignantly.

"What are you doing here Malfoy?" Ron said darkly arriving at the door.

"Shove off Malfoy." Ginny grumbles finding her voice.

"So it's true then? Potters killed someone?" Malfoy said maliciously gleeful.

"How was your summer without Daddy? Is he keeping the cell warm for you?" Harry said his wand hovering over his pocket.

"You'll regret that Potter." Malfoy said eyes glinting. Harry watched as Malfoy's hand moved, and he had his wand on him before Malfoy could reach his pocket.

"Why did you even bother coming here?" Hermione spoke up darkly from the side of the room. "I'll be reporting to Professor Snape for you arguing on the train, Malfoy." Hermione added.

"Leave Malfoy." Ron said hands tightening in fists at his sides.

"Gladly, as if I'd want to be in company with the lot of you, just figured I'd relay a message, your end is near Potter, and personally I'll be celebrating when that day comes." Malfoy said and shoved past Ron and Hermione purposely knocking into them, sending Hermione flying into the door frame and Ron to smash back into Malfoy rather violently, not that Harry cared or anything.

"I'll be warning McGonagall, Weasley." Malfoy said darkly as he left.

"You better be more careful with you prefect position, don't want that being taken away." Ron hollered after him sarcastically. Harry paused to look around him, Neville and Luna were standing a step behind him wands out with cross faces, Ginny was to the left of Harry with her mouth in a shape Harry could most relate to a snarl with her wand straight in front of her. Hermione was scowling down the hallway and Ron had his fists to his sides glaring down the hall.

"Right, well I'm going to change." Harry said and quickly made his exit. He heard Hermione ask if he was all right but pretended not to and walked quickly to the loo.

Soon enough after Harry returned to his friends growls and uncomfortable looks at the compartment door slid open to reveal Remus.

"Hello." Remus said politely, "May I have a word Harry?" Remus questioned beckoning to the hallway. Harry got up and followed him out of the compartment.

"I just wanted to say goodbye, since we'll be arriving soon." Remus said and then shuffled his feet uncomfortably.

"I had a really nice time in your company Harry, you've helped me deal with Sirius' death more than you can know." Remus said. "I hope you still don't think of James negatively because you're so much like him and Lily, they would have been so proud." Remus said and Harry nodded not knowing what to say in return.

"I'd like it if we became corespondents, kind of like what you did with Sirius if anything bothers you, questions you need to ask, even what you ate today, please feel free to owl me. In no way do I want to replace him, I just think that we've helped in each others company. I am at least." Remus babbled uncomfortably and Harry understood how he felt, it was how he had felt all summer, lost in a way unsure of what to say, do, or behave.

"Thanks Remus, I'd like that." Harry said quickly and hugged him once more once more, this time a little more prepared, Remus hugged him back just as the train pulled into a stop.

"Say bye to Tonks for me." Harry said and then as Remus smiled and turned away he dashed into the compartment to meet his friends. Harry straightened his robes and smiled down at the badge on his shoulder.

"Look. He's getting all sentimental on us." Ginny laughed as Harry grinned sheepishly at being caught. Ron shoved her playfully and stuck up for Harry.

"Hey don't act like you weren't goggling over your badge when it arrived." Ron laughed.

"Like you last year? Speechless?" Ginny said causing Harry to laugh.

"I've seen you shine yours." Ron whispered loudly at her and she took on a shocked face.

"I'd better stop, OWLs, now badges, I think Fred and George are right, I'm turning into Percy." Ginny said sounding genuinely horrified. Ginny started walking as the doors on the train opened and Ron turned to Harry.

"Everyone knows she's turning into Bill, mean hexes, quidditch, a prefect, she wanted to since she was little." Ron grumbled good naturedly, though Harry swore he could detect a hint of jealously in Ron's voice at where Ginny's idolization lay.

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"Hagrid!" Harry called out to his giant friend.

"Hi ya Harry, see ya later, come by me hut?" Hagrid's booming voice called back.

"Come on Harry, I've got a carriage." Ron called out and Harry darted through the crowd. He paused to look at the looming beast that stood loyally at the head of the carriage. The Thestral seemed to sense his gaze, for he turned his head and met Harry's eyes.

It was pure blackness as if he was being sucked into a dark abyss with no means of escape, when suddenly it stopped and he was able to see the beast clearly. The animal looked at him once more, appearing almost haughty but then slowly bowed its head in Harry's direction.

Harry shook his head as if to clear the image of this skeleton horse with wings, a mark of death, bowing to him it made him feel as if he was some sort of evil, someone who could control death. Harry stared at the Thestral when suddenly it threw back its head and whinnied a loud piercing noise that people around the train stations froze and cringed grabbing their ears.

Harry stood calmly and felt Luna walk up next to him, "They have found Hope." She said simply and more Thestrals threw back their heads and joined the call. Harry was surrounded by chaos, students running and trying to shield themselves from this invisible foe, and people who could see the beasts were starring at them in horror as each of the Thestrals united in their call.

When it stopped everything grew calm once more. Just when the noise was throughout the area, the silence was almost more nerve racking than the piercing call.

"What's going on Harry, Harry?" Harry head Remus' voice call to him from a distance. He felt as though he was in a trance, all the Threstrals were slowly bowing their heads in Harry's direction, one by one.

"Harry? Harry!" Remus called out again more nervously, and then shook him so that Harry found himself pulled out of the trance.

"Yes?" Harry questioned dragging his eyes away from the beasts.

"Are you alright? You're pale." Remus said holding Harry's shoulders. Harry saw distantly as Professors and Order members alike were swarming around the area calming people down and urging the students into the carriages.

"What were they doing?" Remus asked and Harry saw how shook up Remus was from the whole situation.

"I'm not sure." Harry answered truthfully.

"Alright." Remus paused reluctantly as if he wanted to question more, but than thought more of it, "I have to go now, for Merlin's sake Harry stay safe!" Remus grinned trying to make light of the situation.

"Right I'll try." Harry answered, "see you." and climbed into the carriage, where his friends were all waiting for him.

"You alright Harry?" Neville asked shakily.

"Yeah, fine thanks." Harry said looking at his hands.

"Right." Ron said sounding unbelieving but dropping it, for which Harry was highly thankful for.

As the carriages came to a halt, Harry jumped down and turned away from the Thestrals before they could make eye contact once more and instead found himself facing a very pensive Ginny, who was starring at him. As Harry's eyes met hers, she threw him a small smile and turned her head away. Harry looked up the stairs and saw Draco standing there glaring at him before whisking away followed by the two dunder heads.

"Come on mate." Ron called and Harry saw they were one of the last to go through the hall's doors. Harry smiled at finally coming back and made his way through the doors.

"Hurry." Hermione said and they hurried to their seats at the end of the table where McGonagall was pulling over the stool with the sorting hat on top.

Harry scanned the head table, Snape was there with his usual scowl, which intensified as his eyes met Harry's. Harry starred long at his most hated professor,

"Listening to Snape's reports, having to take all his snide hints that he's out there risking his life while I'm sat on my backside having a nice comfortable time..."

Sirius' words flashed through his head and he turned his head away disgustedly. He looked down the table and saw a man with pale features and dark hair. He then turned toward his friends.

"Who do you reckon he is?" Ron questioned his eyebrows raised.

"Obviously the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor." Hermione stated.

"Hopefully he's more competent than last year." Ginny said crossly.

"Shh." Hermione said quickly as the door opened and a small group of first years walked up to the front.

"Smallest bit yet!" Ron exclaimed.

"Probably because Voldemort's back, the parents want their kids close." Harry reasoned and they sat back and watched as the sorting hat cleared its throat and began singing his song.

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A thinking cap is what I am

There is a song that I must tell

A song that would do you good to hear

So I insist you listen well

A song that holds an important word of caution

I warned you of this very thing

The year before and here once more

A tale in a song that I must sing

Only this time you will pay it heed

Back when I was bits of string and cloths

A hole in me you could not see

I was not ever eaten by moths

The ones that made me

I tell of my masters

Those four noble people

Hogwarts knows them as it's founders

A group of friends like none else where

The closest friends you'd ever see

Thought up the idea of Hogwarts

And sewed up me

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"Harry" Hermione hissed and he felt a sharp pain explode on his shin, "pay attention." Hermione chided and Ron met his yes and rolled his turning back to the sorting. Harry smiled sheepishly at Ginny who was still watching him,

"A sickle for your thoughts?" Ginny smiled only to be shushed by a death glare from Hermione.

"Really you two, you're missing the whole song!" Hermione whispered fiercely. Harry gave Hermione his most apologetic face and willed himself to listen to the song.

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There was Godric Gryffindor

Who wanted those noble and chivalrous

He would accept no others

"They should always be courteous"

Then there was his good friend Salizar Slytherin

He wanted only those whose blood was pure

He did not want any of the rest

"For dirty blood there is no cure"

With them was good Rowena Ravenclaw

Who wanted only those with a sharp mind

A group of the highest intelligence

"Those with the greatest intellect; who wants the lesser kind?"

Her good friend dear Helga Huffelpuff

So generous was her heart

She would accept those the others did not

"I will accept the ones cast off so long as they do their part"

These four great people

They had no clue they would soon be divided

Their friendship had crumbled

And with their own houses they sided

Hogwarts had a harmony

But now it is no more

The houses since have been united

The dividing of the houses is the problem at the core

Here's the point of my tale

Together you must stand tall

The prejudices must be discarded

Or together you shall fall

There is a foe

You know of whom I speak

A vicious enemy that threatens us

Power and submission is what he seeks

We must band together inside Hogwarts walls

Or they will crumble from the outside and from within

I hope you've taken this song to heart

Now let the sorting begin

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"Well that was interesting." Harry commented while clapping along with the rest of the school if not a bit hesitantly.

"As if you heard one part of it." Hermione demanded. "You made me miss most of it." She cried.

"You didn't have to stop him from thinking." Ron jumped into defense of his best friend.

"Well" Hermione started clearly offended.

"Hermione," Ginny started lifting up her hands, "relax." Ginny finished bringing her hands down in a breathing imitation.

"Sorry." Hermione said after a pause.

"What?!" Ron exclaimed in return, "You'd have yelled at me if I told you to," Ron paused bringing up his hands to imitate Ginny, "relax." Ron finished.

"I have a gift." Ginny stated smiling before Hermione had a chance to respond. Harry watched in amusement as Ginny turned to face him, "or a secret." She mumbled so only Harry could hear her, smiling quite like the twins. Harry grinned in response and started as the table started clapping. He looked up to see a little boy with black curly hair come running toward the table.

"What's his name?" Harry questioned missing the start of the sorting.

"Eamon Abat." Ginny whispered to him as the boy plopped down in the center of the table.

"Abbot, Regina." McGonagall called as a little girl with brown hair walked up to the center.

"SLYTHERIN." The hat called out as the fourth table cheered.

Ron looked grimly into Harry's eyes, "evil that one." Ron stated.

"Arney, Elizabeth." McGonagall called.

"HUFFLEPUFF" the hat shouted.

"I'm starving, I think I'll die, Harry, do a bloke a favor and tell mum I loved her." Ron grinned dropping his head onto the table with a thud. Hermione, Harry could tell with a grin, chose not to hear that interruption.

"Any time." Harry replied.

"How was your summer?" Dean asked them quietly.

"All right, yours?" Harry questioned.

"Good Seamus came over for a bit, barking that one." Dean said shoving his friend. Harry smiled lightly but caught eyes with Seamus and turned his head. He still remembered how Seamus had doubted him, it wasn't as if he had wanted to hold a grudge, he just wasn't sure how he wanted to treat him.

"Zoder, Deirdre." McGonagall called out and the last girl walked up onto the platform. Harry silently sympathized for the girl having to be in front of everyone alone, the girl, however seemed to take it well enough and sat down with big smile.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hate called and the house once more broke out into applause. The girl looked pleased as she sat down next to Eamon and a girl named Sara.

"Took long enough." Ron mumbled and Deirdre threw him an affronted look apparently hearing him.

"Don't mind my brother. He's always like that." Ginny said thrusting out her hand. "Ginny Weasley." The girl smiled and held out her hand.

"Deirdre, but you can call me Dee." Dee smiled again turning back to her friends.

"Very cheerful, that one." Ginny commented in an undertone to Harry.

"Probably Muggle born." Harry answered reasonably and Ginny nodded is assent.

"Welcome those new and those who've returned." Dumbledore stood sweeping out his hands. "I would like to welcome our newest Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Kean. Mr. Kean was formally an Auror and on leave due to an injury. Please welcome him kindly." Dumbledore said as the school clapped politely.

"Sounds good to me." Ron said, "loads of experience." Ron added.

"Our caretaker Mr. Filch has asked me to tell you anything from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, is prohibited, and you will be given a detention if found in possession of their products." Dumbledore smiled and Ron and Ginny whooped in delight for their brothers success.

"Anyone who wishes to see a sample of their work may ask their house's prefect for a view." Dumbledore said a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Now, if you all would rise with me, I wish to pause for a moment of silence for the fallen heros." Dumbledore said meeting Harry's eyes. Harry held Dumbledore's gaze and they remembered Sirius.

"Tuck in." Dumbledore said simply and the food appeared on the tables, with everyone sitting down to devour everything in sight. Harry sat down slowly thinking of Sirius.

"Hungry mate?" Ron questioned to Harry while stuffing his own plate.

"A bit." Harry answered grabbing a roll. Harry pretended to ignore as Hermione started whispering furiously to Ron. He heard bits and pieces like, "inconsiderate, ...prat...Sirius." and decided to ignore it.

Ginny looked at him with a sort of apologizing look on her face. "Look at my skirt." Ginny said smiling broadly, ready to distract him. Harry smiled at her thankfully, and watched as she got up and twirled around.

"What do you think?" Ginny laughed jumping back into her seat. The skirt glimmering over her legs, and he remembered when Hermione had arrived at the Burrow, Ginny's insistence that she show her the spell once they arrived at Hogwarts.

"Brilliant." Harry said and felt himself looking into her eyes rather than down on the skirt and looked away quickly. Too late though, Ginny had seen, he could tell as a light blush made its way onto her face. He recognized the facial expression she was making, it appeared only when she was having a furious inner battle to keep her cool, during the summer time it had only been used when she had been on the pranking end of Fred and George.

"I've hade enough!" Hermione exclaimed and jumped out of her seat, Harry barely managing to catch her goblet before it fell.

"Switch seats with me Harry, go sit next to your friend." Hermione seethed while Ron looked slightly proud and slightly sheepish.

Harry went to get up and then changed his mind, "Sorry Hermione, I mean I really want to, but I think I've hurt my leg." Harry said throwing a glare at Ron. Ginny, seeming to understand what Harry meant immediately declined. Hermione went to ask Neville, who was consumed with Luna's profile, and was considerate enough not to ask him.

"Fine, but don't speak to me Ron Billius Weasley, not a word." Hermione said sitting back down.

"Not like she tried hard," Ginny smirked whispering to Harry as she went to retrieve her "knife" from under the table.

"Do you need to go to the hospital wing Harry?" Ron questioned Harry darkly throwing him a deep glare.

"No, I don't think so, just a muscle spasm, you know." Harry replied shutting Ron up effectively.

"I'm exhausted." Ginny said yawning widely.

"It appears so." Harry responded yawning back.

"Ha, you've been conquered by the yawn queen, your's truly." Ginny grinned and watched as various other people yawned.

"My greatest power, the power to cause others to yawn, quite useful." Ginny said smugly.

Harry opened his mouth wide in a fake yawn and watched as Ginny yawned widely in response. "And I am king, for I've conquered the queen." Harry grinned, he enjoyed being in Ginny's company, she always was the one to joke with. Harry's attention was drawn from Ginny as the dishes cleared and Dumbledore stood up once more.

"Now before we rest our heads, the school song if you please." Dumbledore said flicking his wand as a golden banner appeared out of thin air and twirled like a snake producing the words. "Everyone pick your favorite tune and begin!" Dumbledore said.

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"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

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Harry sang with the rest of the students and as Dean and Seamus finally finished it was clear there would be more pranksters to replace Fred and George.

"Brilliant." Dumbledore said wiping a tear, "Music, a magic beyond all we do here." Dumbledore said reiterating the same quote every year. He paused and then said the words everyone had been anticipating. "Good Night, Prefects will escort all first years to their dormitories."

The hall filled with noise and Harry, Neville, Dean, and Seamus walked together to their dorm as Ginny, Ron and Hermione stayed behind for prefects duty.

"Chudley's rule." Harry said tiredly and then at his roommates confused looks he explained, his eyelids dropping, "Ron's choice this month," and fell into a chair by the fire waiting for his friends to return as the rest of the boys walked eagerly to their room.

"Midgets." Ron mumbled to Harry punching him on the arm, effectively distracting him from the fire he had been starring into, lost to the rest of the world.

"Almost as short as you Harry." Ginny laughed and Harry threw a pillow into her back in retaliation.

"I'll have you know that I'm taller than you and Hermione." Harry said defensively.

"You've got them mate." Ron said grinning, "Of course I just outclass you all." Ron said proudly standing at 6'2.

"You won't grow anymore though, watch I'll be taller." Harry laughed.

"Right, I look forward to the day." Ron answered.

"I'm off to bed." Harry said yawning causing Ginny to yawn once more.

"Ha." Harry said as he walked past her.

"Night you lot." Harry said and walked up the stairs.

"Be up in a bit." Ron called up after him.

Harry noticed the first years were all in their dorms already, he must've missed them come in. Harry walked the rest of the steps to the 6th year dorm room. His school career was almost over and soon he would be plunged into the real world.

Harry walked into the room and yawned widely, took off his pants revealing Gryffindor color boxers and put on a white tee-shirt. He quickly looked through his trunk, pushing aside the strange key, and took the picture of his mum, dad and Sirius out of his trunk and placed it on his bedside table. He heard the soft snores of his roommates and the footsteps of Ron walking up the stairs and dropped heavily onto his bed, one thought floating through his head "no nightmares" and fell asleep.

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Thanks so much for the reviews:

Kitty254781- Oh yes I found out about the year too! Sorry about that! Thanks so much for reading!

Ckat44- Aw thanks so much! You're so kind! I agree Harry should talk to Remus soon, but I don't think Harry opens up that quickly, especially since Remus wasn't really that close to Harry in book five. Thanks so much for the review!

Melindaleo- LoL, I guess you caught me, I am that Gillian. Yeah hmm what's Dumbledore got up his sleeve! Didn't he learn not to do things behind Harry's back yet? Thanks so much for the review!

Morgan- Omg! Someone who finally feels the same way as me! Shh..*whispers* I HATE Hermione too*ends whisper* LoL thanks so much! That awesome I'm glad you like my story so much *swells with pride* Please rant some more whenever you feel like it! And don't be sorry! I love reading things like this, especially if people feel the same way about it! Thanks so much for the review! Btw- love you screen name, GinnylovesHarry, awesome!

Sakura Sayoran- Thanks so much for the review Philly! LoL "Harry's cute with Ginny, I love him" LOL!! I know right!! I love making silly parts, one of my favs, besides battles, I enjoy catching different emotions in writing! Thanks so much for helping me Philly really! LIFESAVER! *hugs*

Missers- LoL Missy! Thanks so much for the review! I'm glad I got everyone so excited about the drama to come and just didn't put anymore about it in this chapter! LoL brilliant I am! Thanks so much for the review! *hugs to you too* Thanks again!

Star estrella- thanks so much for reading my story and reviewing! Means so much! Thanks again!

Kda- *blush* Yes sorry about that, you're about the third person whos told me that, I should've looked it up! Thanks so much for the review!!

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Stay tuned for the next chapter, which I promise will be quicker than this one, since there's no song or anything like that. It's currently un-named, but I've got half of it written! So please stay tuned and read some more! Thanks so much for all the reviews once more!

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