Disclaimer: Blah blah blah..I don't own anything except Ann or maybe some other characters my crazy mind will decide to make up. Things would get better if I had Snape...sigh

Chapter Three: The Beginning of a New Year

The Hogwarts Express was about to leave in two minutes. Ann was lucky to get there in time. Her trunk was already on the train and so was Ash, her white-grayish snowy owl.

'Take care of yourself Ann, and don't forget to write us as soon as you get there!' yelled her uncle just before the train left.

'Don't worry, I will!' she yelled through the window. After seeing her aunt and uncle disappear in the distance she decided to pass the rest of the time reading The Daily Prophet. She turned a few pages, and then she saw it:

AZKABAN PRISONERS WERE SET LOOSE

The dementors of Azkaban prison had officially betrayed the Ministry of Magic, and joined He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's forces. The news came after numerous rumours, which were finally confirmed by the Ministry of Magic's spokesman. The dementors freed about thirty prisoners, Lucius Malfoy among them. The Minister of Magic…

Ann didn't want to keep reading the article. She knew the dementors' betrayal meant only one thing- Voldemort was gathering all his forces.

Her uncle's words of concern echoed in her mind. Why would Voldemort go after me? All those years I had to keep my promise… There must be a reason behind his words…

She was too concentrated in thought she didn't notice the three Hogwarts students who were standing in front of her.

'Excuse me, can we sit here? Everywhere else is full.'

Ann couldn't believe her eyes. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, the famous trio, were asking to sit with her.

'Yes of course,' she answered politely.

'Thanks,' said Harry with a smile, and sat next to Ron in the empty seat. Hermione, on the other hand, sat next to Ann.

'Do I know you? You seem a bit familiar to me…' she said.

'I'm Ann. Ann Parker. A sixth year Gryffindor, just like you three,' she replied, a bit irritated that no one really knew her. Even though she didn't have any friends, she wasn't invisible.

'Oh, I'm sorry, it's just that I don't see you that much so I didn't really remember,' Hermione said. Ann only nodded, and looked through the window.

'Can I borrow this?' came a voice from the opposite seat. Ann looked up.

The voice, just as she thought, was Harry's. He was pointing at her Daily Prophet copy.

'Sure. I don't want to keep reading it anyway,' she replied.

'Harry, can I read the Quidditch news?' asked Ron impatiently, almost snatching the newspaper from Harry's hands. Harry only shook his head.

'Not now Ron, I'll give you that later.'

Seconds later Harry, ashen faced, mumbled 'Oh no…'

'What is it?' asked Hermione, a questioning look on her face. Harry laid the newspaper on his lap with a sigh.

'The dementors had joined Voldemort. They freed about thirty prisoners, and Lucius Malfoy was one of them,' he said.

'What?' asked Ron in disbelief, 'Draco's father? And I thought we got rid of him…'

'It was only a question of time until the dementors would betray the Ministry of Magic,' said Hermione. 'Voldemort has much more to offer them. Besides, Ron, you should know better than panic. Remember- as long as Dumbledore is around, we're safe.'

'She's got a point, Ron. I don't think Voldemort will try to attack Hogwarts,' Harry said, and kept reading the article.

All that time Ann kept staring at Harry. She would never admit it, but she was a bit jealous of him. Both his and her life were in danger, but instead of hiding all the time and being alone like she was, Harry had fought Voldemort several times, and he also had friends. Why couldn't she do the same? If only I didn't promise…

Harry, Ron and Hermione kept talking among themselves through the rest of the ride, but Ann didn't say a thing. The last word she heard from Harry was a quick "thanks" when they got off the train and he returned her Daily Prophet copy.

She got into one of the carriages, where a few Hufflepuff students already sat. When they finally got to the Great Hall, she sat in the farthest corner of the Gryffindor table, the one which was close to the teachers table. The trio, on the other hand, sat in the middle of the table, as always.

'Hi Harry, how are you?' asked Neville.

'I'm fine, how about you? Had a nice summer?' said Harry, a bit distracted.

'Yeah, it was quite alright,' replied Neville, but Harry didn't seem to be listening.

He was looking at the teachers table, trying to spot the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but all he saw was an empty seat.

'Does anyone have an idea who's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?' he asked.

'The seat is empty. Maybe Snape had finally got the job?' said Ron.

'Don't be ridiculous, if Dumbledore didn't give Snape the job all these years, why would he change his mind?' asked Hermione, in her know-it-all tone.

'Do you have a better idea? Let's hear it then,' answered Ron, a bit annoyed. He didn't like people proving him he was wrong, especially if it was Hermione.

'Would you two shut up? The sorting ceremony is about to begin.' said Harry.

Right that moment, Professor McGonagall entered the Great Hall, leading a group of first years. She put the Sorting Hat on the stool, and a few seconds later, it began to sing:

A few centuries ago,

When Hogwarts had just started

The four founders of our school

Had set themselves a target:

To make this place the best magic school

The world has ever seen,

And so it was, and still today,

Their will still firm and keen.

Bravery, intelligence,

Kindness and the will to success

Each house has its own quality

And together they're the best.

The bold- to Gryffindor, who appreciated courage,

The smart- to Ravenclaw, who searched for wisdom,

Hard workers and kind- to Hufflepuff, who couldn't ask for more,

Ambitious to Slytherin- we'll show them through this door.

Each house is bound to another,

Their destiny is the same

If you make the same mistake again,

History will repeat itself.

Once again I warn you

For darkness might cover the light,

In these times, you must all unite.

But now, let the sorting begin,

Just put me on and I'll tell you which house you're in!

There was a brief silence and then the Great Hall rang with applause.

'It's the second time the Sorting Hat had warned us,' said Harry, a bit worried.

No one knew what to say.

They watched the sorting quietly. After "Watson, Emily" was sorted into Ravenclaw, Dumbledore rose from his seat to say a few words.

'I welcome you all to another year at Hogwarts,' he said. 'Before the feast, I have a few announcements to make. First, I'd like to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is strictly out of bounds. Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, asked me to inform you that the full list of objects that aren't allowed to be used is in his office.'

'Now,' he continued, 'As for the new Defence Against the Dark arts teacher-' but Dumbledore had never gotten the chance to finish his sentence, because just then, the Great Hall's doors were opened. Behind them stood none other than Lupin. Everyone was staring at him. Whispers such as "It couldn't be" and "Is he back?" could be heard across the hall.

Dumbledore looked at him. 'Ah, Remus, just in time. I was about to introduce you to the students.' He said.

Then, he turned to look at the surprised faces.

'I'm glad to announce that Professor R. J. Lupin had kindly agreed to take the Defence Against the Dark Arts position again.'

As he finished speaking, each and every single student clapped his hands loudly.

'I can't believe Lupin is back!' said Hermione, clapping along with everyone else.

'Yeah,' agreed Harry, 'He was the best teacher we've ever had.'

Followed by loud applause and smiling, Lupin had taken the empty seat next to Snape, who only glared at him and turned to look at the students again.

'And now,' said Dumbledore again, 'Let the feast begin.'

Since they were hungry, none of the three said a word through the entire feast.

Only after they reached the Gryffindor common room, Hermione spoke.

'Harry, did you do well in your O.W.Ls? You did get the results, didn't you?' she asked.

'Yeah, I got them along with the N.E.W.Ts form about two weeks after the end of the year. I'm still surprised I got an Outstanding in Potions,' he said with a grin.

'You did?' asked Ron. 'That's great! Are the results here?'

'Hang on a second I'll go get them,' replied Harry, and a few minutes after he went up to the boys dormitories, he came back, his O.W.Ls results in his hand.

He handed them to Ron, who read them aloud, along with some remarks of his own.

'Charms- Outstanding, that's a nice one Harry…

Transfiguration- Exceeds Expectations

Herbology- Acceptable, I think Neville did quite well…

Defence Against the Dark Arts- Outstanding, I knew you'd do it mate!

Potions- Outstanding, I only got 'Exceeds Expectations'…

Care of Magical Creatures- Exceeds Expectations

Astronomy- Acceptable

Divination- Poor, I got 'Dreadful'…

History of Magic- Acceptable.'

'That's really great Harry!' said Hermione, 'Which N.E.W.T classes did you choose?'

'Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Transfiguration, Charms and Care of Magical Creatures,' he replied. 'I need at least five N.E.W.Ts for the Auror training and I didn't want to take too many classes at once,' he added.

'How are your O.W.Ls results, Ron?' asked Hermione.

'Pretty much like Harry's, only I got 'Poor' in Astronomy and 'Dreadful' in Divination…' he answered.

Harry yawned. The warm fireplace started to affect him, and he became tired.

'I think I better go to bed, I'm really tired and I don't want to fall asleep in any of the classes tomorrow,' he said.

'OK mate, good night,' said Ron.

'Good night Harry,' said Hermione.

'Night,' Harry replied, and went up to the boys dormitories, hoping this year won't be difficult as the fifth was.