wow, I actually got reviews!
thanks to
orangeblossom116=wow, thanks!
Emma-Lee14=thanks, and I like the pairing too, im glad someone else does!
LockedInYourHeart=yeah, i like to read the ff's too, it makes you wonder whats in store, but glad you liked it!
even if it was only three, i was still thrilled!i was soo happy! thanks guys for reviewing and i'll try to keep you all happy with the story!ok, here's chapter two...
Chapter Two..the old, new, and unexpected
As the three of them settled into their seats in the Great Hall, Ron spoke.
" I wonder who this year's Defense Aganist the Dark Arts teacher will be? I swear, if we have someone like last year who didnt know the front of the book from the back of the book, i'm quitting." said Ron.
"Yeah, he was so old there was no way he is still alive.." said Harry.
Harry and Ron chuckled.
"Honestly, sometimes you two have no respect.."
"Come on Hermione, you have to admit, the guy was ancient."
"Well, yes, he was old, but still....." she trailed off looking at the staff table."Who's that woman sitting next to McGonagall? I haven't seen her before. I wonder what she's doing here?"
Harry and Ron turned to look at what she was talking about. Sure enough, there was someone occupying the seat next to McGonagall.
"Dunno-maybe she's a new teacher?" asked Harry.
"I didn't think we needed a new teacher. I wonder what postition she's filling?" Hermione asked.
"Dunno.."
"Hi Ron!"
The three turned to look at who just arrived.Lavender Brown and Parvati were making their way to the table, smiles apparent even from a distance. As they came closer, they smiled at Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"Hi Lavender," said Ron, now turning his attention to Lavender who had just taken a seat next to him. "How was your summer?" he asked with a smile playing upon his face.
"Great! My family and i took a trip to the states to visit some relatives..How was yours?"she asked.
"Oh, it was okay. You know, the usual, quidditch, sleep, eat..." joked Ron.
Lavender grinned widely at Ron, who blushed,proud of himself for coming up with something clever to say.
Harry,grinning, caught Hermione's eye before he turned around gave her a look that said ' I wonder what's up with that'. She returned the look with a small shrug and turned around to look at Ginny who had just come into the hall.
Harry smiled to himself. He knew Ron had liked Hermione for quite sometime, ever since their first year. But over the last year, he had started to focus on other girls besides Hermione. He knew for a fact that Ron had taken a small interest in Lavender over the past few months and Harry was sure it was going to grow from the looks of things. Harry was glad of this. It was always kind of awkard for him to be in the middle of Ron and Hermione when they were fighting, especially after knowing Ron had cared so much about her. Harry remembered the first time Ron had given signs that he had feelings for Hermione. When Harry had asked Ron about it, he had just replied," I was just looking out for her. You should know, you do it too..." Not until then had Harry thought about it. True, Harry had always protected his friends from danger the best he could, but did he perhaps protect Hermione a bit more...NO, Ron had said that Harry had protected her like he did. But Ron was aganist admitting he liked Hermione...Harry had always thought that was why Ron was so over-protective...but was it really because he liked her? So if Harry did the same, did that mean Harry liked Hermione too? No, he knew that. He couldn't...there was no way...she was only his best friend...wait, one of his best friends..that was all..But Harry could not ignore the fact that Hermione had definately changed over the past year...she had become much more, well, mature. Well, he thought, she was always pretty, you just had to look close enough. You had to know Hermione to see the beauty in her...But she had deffinately changed..and not in bad ways either..
"HARRY!!!"
"Wh..what?" asked Harry, completly unaware of the fact someone was trying to get his attention.
"Oh nothing, it's not like i haven't been trying to get your attention for the past five minutes..." Harry looked up to a very aggervated Ginny Weasley sitting across from him. She was sitting next to Hermione who was trying her best not to laugh.
"Sorry Gin, I was, uh, thinking.." Harry apoligized.
"Well now that you've come out of Harry Land, i'd like to tell you that i think i've found the new DADA teacher," she said, calming down a bit.
"Who?" asked Harry, his thoughts leaving Hermione.
"Lupin."
"WHAT?"
She pointed up to the staff table.Sure enough, Remus Lupin was sitting there. But this was not the Remus Lupin Harry had seen at the Burrow over the summer. He now looked much younger, and he was starting to fill out his robes that usually hung loose on him. He was laughing and talking to the new woman sitting next to Proffessor McGonagall. Harry was astounded to see him. As Harry continued to stare at Lupin, he saw Proffessor McGonagall get up and leave the hall. As he sat there, he tried to get Lupin's attention so he might be able to figure out what he was doing here; however, he seemed to be paying too much attention to the woman next to him to notice Harry's attempts to distract him. Realizing he was making useless gestures that were no doubt not attracting anything but curious stares from other students, Harry began to wonder what Lupin was doing here.He had not heard any news that Lupin was going to be teachind at Hogwarts again, no one had mentioned it to him, nor apparantly to Ron.
"Hey, Lupin's here," Ron said in a surprised voice.
"So nice of you to notice," said Hermione, how still had a smile on her face."Where's Lavender?" she asked.
"Oh, she went with Parvati to go see Padma....." replied Ron vaugely.
"No wonder you noticed then, with her gone.."said Ginny only loudly enough for Harry and Hermione to hear.
Harry and Hermione laughed.
"What was that?" said Ron.
"OH nothing..."
"Then why were you all laugh-"
"Welcome.Welcome all to another year of Hogwarts" Albus Dumbledore's voice rang through out the hall as he cut off Ron. Every eye was turned upon him as he spoke. "Before we begin our feast and the sorting, I would like to introduce our new addition to the staff this year. First, many of you will remember, Proffessor Lupin, who is once again taking up the post of the Defense Aganist the Dark Arts teacher," Lupin gave a small wave and a smile to the confused looks of the four at the Gryffindor table. He mouthed to them, 'I'll tell you later' before Dumbledore spoke again."And our new Astromny teacher, Mrs.Vonnel. Im sure all of you will be of assistance to her helping her this year, and will be on your best behavior to prove to her what great students Hogwarts holds," he finished, looking around the hall. "And now i would like to take the time to introduce our new Head Boy and Girl. Will Mr.Harry Potter and Mrs.Hermione Granger please stand up."
Harry and Hermione got to their feet as applause broke loose in the hall once more. But they didn't fail to notice that the Slytherin table didn't rise or make any notice that they knew Harry and Hermione were being congradulated. Of course, this didn't bother Harry the slightest. He would rather the slimeball stay put. As they sat back down, the chatter in the hall broke loose once more; but soon stopped when the doors of the Great Hall opened.
Proffesor McGonagall entered the hall, carrying the sorting Hat and leading several first year students behind her. She placed the hat upon the stool and backed away while the hat sang it's song. When it was finished, she took out a long roll of parchment and began to call out names. Meanwhile, Harry, Hermione and Ginny were having their own conversation. Ron was now immersed in comversation once more with Lavender; apparently she had come back from the Ravenclaw table.
" I wonder what he's doing here..." said Ginny.
" I'm wondering the same. I thought he couldn't teach anymore with his condition.."said Hermione
They looked at Harry."What? I dont know why he's here. Either he found someway to cure it or maybe the Ministry of Magic over looked the fact that he was a werewolfe.That must be it, why else would they let him teach?" asked Harry.
"I guess we'll find out later..."
The sorting had now ended and Dumbledore stood up once more. "Of course there are more things to be said, but for now, you should all enjoy this excellent feast, now, EAT!" That being said, everyone began to eat the food that appeared in front of them. Ginny and Hermione began a conversation while Harry began immersed in his own toughts. Now on top of everything else, he began to wonder what could bring Lupin to Hogwarts. He thought back to his third year when Lupin was the proffessor for the Defense Aganist the Dark Arts class. Back then, Lupin's condition was un-known to the students. After all, Proffesor Dumbledore didn't think it was a good idea to parade the fact that one of their proffessors was a deranged werewolfe. But at the end of the year, Snape had thought it was a good idea to let the students know they were being taught by something only half human. Harry smiled at this thought. He wasn't so sure how Snape would take Lupin's arrival. Thinking this, he turned in his seat to look at Snape. He looked more sallow than Harry had ever seen him.
"Harry, what are you looking at?" asked Hermione.
"Oh, um, Snape. He doesn't look to happy," said Harry.
"When does the git look happy?" asked Ginny.
"But i was wondering if it had anything to do with Lupin being back, not to mention the fact that he still hasn't gottent the DADA job...."
Ginny shrugged. Harry turned back to his plate, his thoughts still swimming in his mind. Half an hour later, their plates were cleaned and the students were full. Dumbledore got to his feet once more. "Now it is time for our usual reminders. Once again i ask all the students to keep in mind that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to everyone.And secondy, all magic is banned from the corridors.Also any dueling in the halls will cost the students involved a week's worth detention according to Mr.Filch. Well, i think that is all for tonight. I will ask the Head Boy and girl to lead their houses along with the prefects to their dormitories. Good night."
Just then, Proffessor McGonagall came up to Harry and Hermione as they were rounding up the first years along the Gryffindor table. "Potter, Mrs.Granger, Mr.Creevey and Mrs.Weasley are responsible for taking the first years to the Gryffindor Common Room. You are to come with me, i will show you your dormitories"
"What? We dont' get to stay with the other seventh years?" asked Harry.
"No, Mr.Potter. You have been given the privlidge of being Head Boy, therefore, you are allowed your own common room and seperate bedrooms. Please come this way."
Harry gave Hermione one last look before following her down the hall.
Ashton