The last few weeks of summer vacation flew by. Their letters from Hogwarts
came showing that all of the now sixth year students in the group had
received outstanding marks on their O.W.L.'s. Soon it was time for the
group to board the Hogwarts Express. The large group of students along
with a few of the adults including Tonks and Mrs. Weasley walked to the
station.
The big black dog followed them just as Sirius had the year before. He chased the occasional cat up a tree a few times on the way, but quickly returned to the group when Mrs. Weasley yelled, "Padfoot, will you act your age!"
The dog looked at her and gave a bark that sounded like a laugh.
Harry did not know when he had finally stopped being angry at the others for insisting that they name the dog after Sirius. It just no longer seemed to bother him anymore. After all, he thought, it is a great tribute to Sirius to name a dog such as this one after him.
Upon reaching the Hogwarts Express they found and empty compartment and put all of their things in it. Followed by the dog. The dog sat at Harry's feet wagging its tail like it was anticipating a great year.
"I wonder who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is going to be," said Ron.
"I don't know," said Hermione, "Do you think Dumbledore was able to find someone. I hope it did not get left in the ministry's hands again. That was awful."
"Yeah," Harry agreed looking down at his hand that still had the scar from last year, "but at least it will not be Umbridge again. I think we did her in pretty well."
"True," said Hermione.
Just then the door opened to reveal Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. "Still, going to school Potter," Malfoy taunted, "I thought after last year you would go into Auror work full time. Got to save more people from the terrible fate of you dear godfather you know."
The dog started growling and Harry had to grab its fur to stop it from attacking. However, the dog managed to pull Harry out of his seat as it jumped.
"Haven't you heard the rules," Malfoy said, "You are only allowed an owl OR a cat OR a toad. I don't remember anything about allowing dogs. Or are you just above the rules?"
The dog growled even fiercer. Harry finally losing his temper let go of the dog's fur. The bear like dog took one large jump and knocked all three of the boys to the floor out side of the compartment. Then it calmly returned to its spot at Harry's feet. Ron got up and shut the door as the three boys tried to get off of the floor.
"It's good to have a dog like that around," said Ron. Harry and Hermione had to agree.
Hedwig hooted disapprovingly in her cage. Padfoot just looked at her and then turned away with what could be called a grin on his face.
They arrived at Hogwarts. Hagrid took the first years to the boats as the older students got into the carriages. The Great Hall was full of noise. Students talked about summer, the rise of Voldemort, and the new teacher.
Sitting at the front table was a woman with dark flowing hair. She looked to be in her early twenties maybe even nineteen. Her beauty made all of the boys stare. Even Professor Snape seemed to be overcome by her beauty.
"Part Veela," said Hermione.
"What?" asked Ron still looking at the woman.
"She's part veela," said Hermione.
"How do you know?" asked Harry.
"Can't you see that every male in the room is watching her?" asked Hermione.
"Couldn't it just be because she is beautiful?" asked Ron.
"No," said Hermione, "Snape thinks she's pretty also as do you. I'm sure you two have different views of beautiful."
The new students were sorted into their houses. Gryffindor received five.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," announced Dumbledore after they were all sorted, "I would like to welcome all of our new students, as well as Professor Riddle. Professor Riddle is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." There was a couple minutes worth of loud applause before the tables filled with food and everyone started to eat.
The big black dog followed them just as Sirius had the year before. He chased the occasional cat up a tree a few times on the way, but quickly returned to the group when Mrs. Weasley yelled, "Padfoot, will you act your age!"
The dog looked at her and gave a bark that sounded like a laugh.
Harry did not know when he had finally stopped being angry at the others for insisting that they name the dog after Sirius. It just no longer seemed to bother him anymore. After all, he thought, it is a great tribute to Sirius to name a dog such as this one after him.
Upon reaching the Hogwarts Express they found and empty compartment and put all of their things in it. Followed by the dog. The dog sat at Harry's feet wagging its tail like it was anticipating a great year.
"I wonder who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is going to be," said Ron.
"I don't know," said Hermione, "Do you think Dumbledore was able to find someone. I hope it did not get left in the ministry's hands again. That was awful."
"Yeah," Harry agreed looking down at his hand that still had the scar from last year, "but at least it will not be Umbridge again. I think we did her in pretty well."
"True," said Hermione.
Just then the door opened to reveal Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. "Still, going to school Potter," Malfoy taunted, "I thought after last year you would go into Auror work full time. Got to save more people from the terrible fate of you dear godfather you know."
The dog started growling and Harry had to grab its fur to stop it from attacking. However, the dog managed to pull Harry out of his seat as it jumped.
"Haven't you heard the rules," Malfoy said, "You are only allowed an owl OR a cat OR a toad. I don't remember anything about allowing dogs. Or are you just above the rules?"
The dog growled even fiercer. Harry finally losing his temper let go of the dog's fur. The bear like dog took one large jump and knocked all three of the boys to the floor out side of the compartment. Then it calmly returned to its spot at Harry's feet. Ron got up and shut the door as the three boys tried to get off of the floor.
"It's good to have a dog like that around," said Ron. Harry and Hermione had to agree.
Hedwig hooted disapprovingly in her cage. Padfoot just looked at her and then turned away with what could be called a grin on his face.
They arrived at Hogwarts. Hagrid took the first years to the boats as the older students got into the carriages. The Great Hall was full of noise. Students talked about summer, the rise of Voldemort, and the new teacher.
Sitting at the front table was a woman with dark flowing hair. She looked to be in her early twenties maybe even nineteen. Her beauty made all of the boys stare. Even Professor Snape seemed to be overcome by her beauty.
"Part Veela," said Hermione.
"What?" asked Ron still looking at the woman.
"She's part veela," said Hermione.
"How do you know?" asked Harry.
"Can't you see that every male in the room is watching her?" asked Hermione.
"Couldn't it just be because she is beautiful?" asked Ron.
"No," said Hermione, "Snape thinks she's pretty also as do you. I'm sure you two have different views of beautiful."
The new students were sorted into their houses. Gryffindor received five.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," announced Dumbledore after they were all sorted, "I would like to welcome all of our new students, as well as Professor Riddle. Professor Riddle is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." There was a couple minutes worth of loud applause before the tables filled with food and everyone started to eat.