I don't own any characters and as far as I'm concerned I won't own any characters. So, with that said, let the story begin!

"Have fun, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, kissing Ginny on the forehead (she winced at this). The trio, along with Ginny, took their seats on the train after saying their goodbyes and warnings.

"Be careful, Harry," Tonks whispered (looking rather happy) to Harry before he got into the train. She was still a bit injured from the incident at the Ministry of Magic, but she was in much better shape now.

"If you need anything," Remus said, "You know how to reach us, or who to reach."

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were joined by two other people in their compartment. Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood grinned stupidly and sat down as Hermione and Ron got up to go to a Prefects meeting. Last year, Harry felt odd being on the train with people he wasn't quite familiar with, but this year, he wasn't bothered the least bit by it. After all, they had all been at the Department of Mystery together and fought off everybody.

"Hello, everybody," Luna stated dreamily at the compartment door after Ron and Hermione had just left. She took out "The Quibbler," a rather interestingly informative magazine that her father published. She turned to a page and flipped the magazine upside down, her focus now totally on an article or some such. It would have been odd to the other tree in the compartment if they weren't so used to it by now.

"So, how was your summer, you two?" Neville asked Ginny and Harry as he examined his toad.

"A bit of a bore, you know, no exciting trips or anything." Ginny answered, sighing at the fact that her family wasn't wealthy enough to go on summer vacations. Harry looked at the girl feeling guilty, as he himself was left a fortune by his parents. She looked back into his eyes, and for an instant Harry thought he saw a glint of desire in it - desire for him, but that look quickly passed and she looked back again at Neville and Luna.

"Well, mine's been okay," said Neville, putting his toad Trevor away. "Been visiting me parents a lot lately. I think... maybe they're starting to remember me." His voice had an ounce of hope.

Harry nodded in sad agreement, upset at the fact that Bellatrix Lestrange (Sirius' killer), had put Neville's parents under the Cruciatus Curse, causing them to go insane and put into St. Mungos.

There was an awkward silence broken when Ginny spoke up, first clearing her voice. "Luna, why are you always looking at that magazine upside down?"

Luna looked at Ginny as if she was insane. "Don't you know about the upside down picture puzzle. See," she pointed at the picture in the magazine, "It moves, so it's harder to find the missing objects." Soon the two girls were extremely into the mystery picture.

The rest of the train ride was a bit restless for Harry. He just wanted to be at Hogwarts, the only place that really did feel like home. Just before they arrived, Malfoy passed by and shot a cold glare at Harry, bringing a copy of the "Daily Prophet" to his face.

"I can't believe this," he said, voice filled with both annoyance and amusement, being as loud as he thought Harry could hear. "The new Minister of Magic not Cornelius Fudge anymore?"

Malfoy was about to say more, when Ron and Hermione came passing by, their Prefects badges glowing along with Malfoy's.

"Well, if it isn't Granger," Malfoy started studying her body, "I must admit you are getting prettier by the day, that is, for a mudblood. Pity you had to be one, and one with a Weasley at that," he laughed, pleased with the fact that he had somewhat touched a nerve somewhere there. He was about to walk away with his buddies Crabbe and Goyle when he turned back and said, "Hope you lot had a nice summer. As for me, it was bloody terrible, thanks to certain idiots who sent my father to Azkaban." He walked away, and the rest of them were left with confusion.

"He touched his own nerves there, that Malfoy," muttered Ron. "And why does he think we fancy each other?!"

Harry however was contemplating two things: the fact that he was calling Hermione pretty, which bothered him and he didn't exactly know why, and the other was the fact that there was a new minister of magic. The thoughts had to be broken, however, because the train was coming to a halt.

They made their way on the carriages, which were being dragged by the thestrals which was only visible by someone who has witnessed death, up towards the castle.

They entered the Great Hall, waiting for the arrival of the first years, who were taken by boat with Hagrid.

"I wonder what the Sorting Hat has to say this year. I mean it did have a year to make up a new song, again, didn't it?" Ron said to Harry and Hermione as first years started walking in.

"Can you believe we were once that small?" Hermione asked, not noticing the smirk appear on Harry's face as he secretly studied her body for a moment.

And suddenly the Sorting Hat burst into a new song:

Welcome to dear Hogwarts, the school for the best
Wizards and Witches separated out there from the rest
Started off by Godric Gryffindor, who was the bravest of all
And Rowena Ravenclaw whose mind never seemed to fall
Then Helga Hufflepuff whose heart was loyal and true
Followed by Salazar Slytherin who was cunning, but clever too
Last year I warned you so, to stick together till the end
To make every enemy, a good and truthful friend
This year if you should fail, to listen cleverly to my song
Something terribly good, will turn itself into wrong
Stick together this year, Hogwarts, this will be my shortest song to tell
I don't want to have to tell future kids of how the rest of us fell
Be good to each other, and good shall win
But for now, let the Sorting begin!

And everyone murmured at the song, but the Sorting began, then finished. Mostly everybody was happy, as their stomachs were starting to growl with hunger. Dumbledore made his usual announcements before loads of food piled itself onto the tables. Everybody helped themselves to the delicious foods. After dinner was over, Dumbledore made a few more rather important announcements.

"It is with great dismay," he started, his eyes had some sadness to it, but he still always had that twinkle behind those half-moon spectacles, "that I announce the Lord Voldemort is back into power." There were murmurs, but none were surprised, just sort of winced at the name. "Yes, he's back. We must all keep our eyes out, but I assure you that the grounds are safely guarded. So, focus will still be required to be on studies, but if you need anymore reassurance, I will be here all year to talk to.

"Now, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She has just recovered from an injury, but she is in excellent condition to teach, especially for those sixth years out there who was accepted into a DADA N.E.W.T level class. I am pleased to present Nymphadora Tonks, an auror and metamorphos." She stood up, her hair currently dark brown and shoulder length. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all looked, shocked, yet happy. "She is set to teach only for a year, as she is taking a break from Auror business at the ministry because of her injuries, but I do not doubt she will be a bad teacher at all." Dumbledore smiled and beckoned Tonks to take a seat.

"Now, as I think you all understand, there is indeed a new Minister of Magic. This is due to the event that took place at the end of last term." Harry looked down, trying not to lock gazes with Dumbledore. "The new Minister of Magic, for those of you who don't know, is Dolores Umbridge."

A/N: Arghh, I know that sucked, but come on, I'm not getting any reviews here! Anyway, there will be a VERY big surprise... I think... the next chapter. Oh, and for you horny bastards out there waiting for the love scene to bloom, I'm working on it! But I want this to go not too fast- paced, I'm beating around the bush here, but I wanna keep this HP classic, okay? Alright, but I promise more feisty action in later chapters, PROMISE!!! That is an extra promise if you R&R... (wink wink)!!!!!!