Disclaimer: I do not claim to own the Harry Potter stories, (although that'd be freakin' a, money IS my best friend…) but I do own my one character in this story, Aranessa Savarati… which NONE OF YOU CAN HAVE!!! bwahaha! unless you ask first, and I say yes! == So, I'm not an expert writer, but I'm working on it!!! Feed back is welcome, flames invited AS LONG AS they are constructive… if you get stupid and/or rude, I will ignore you, seeing as I do not speak to either stupid people or rude ones… So, yeah… enjoy the story!!!

Chapter 3: The Surprise...

They all climbed into a buggy together, and the thestrals pulled them quickly up to the castle. Neville Longbottom, a small, pudgy boy the same age as the rest had packed in as well, leaving them all squashed together.

Aura sat quietly, as the rest chatted about their new wardrobe. This year, the Seventh years had been allowed to wear robes of their house color with their house emblem on the breast pocket. The teachers also wore robed of various colors, but that was not a new thing, this was.

They reached the castle, and all of the Second through Seventh year students filed into the Great Hall. The roof of the Hall was, of course, depicting the night-sky. It was a clear night and it seemed every star in the universe were twinkling and winking down at them. The three took their seats at the Gryffindor table, while Aura preceded up to one of the only other empty seat at the Professors' table that they had presumed was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher's. The other two, of course, were Hagrid's, who had just come in after taking the First years customarily over the lake, and Professor McGonagall, who brought the First years in, and sorted them.

"Maybe Snape finally got the job," Hermione commented, with a look of fear on her face.

If Snape had gotten the job, they were sure to be miserable that year. Snape, of course, was not exactly a nice person, much less a good teacher. He was rude to anyone who wasn't in Slytherin, and certainly most rude to Harry, who's father he had especially detested during his school years at Hogwarts.

"I sure hope not," Harry whispered, shaking his head.

Before they had the chance to discuss this point farther, Professor McGonagall entered with a long line of First years behind her.

She sat down the stool, and put the old, faded-black Sorting Hat on it. Then it began it's new song:

I am the Sorting Hat:

This you all must know for fact.

I'm here to sort you out

And see what you're each all about.

Gryffindor is mighty strong,

And easily can get along.

Slytherin is pure of blood,

And do think their way be done.

Ravenclaw is smart, no doubt,

If not brilliant, then you're out.

Hufflepuff is the most kind,

Taking all that are left behind.

All together, they are the best:

The strongest ones, and the rest,

The pure of blood, and the mind,

They stay together, none left behind.

To win the fight this year, you'll see,

And listen closely to me, please:

Stick together, there is no doubt,

That happiness will reign without.

And thus ends my usual song,

Now I'll think all year long,

And soon devise

My new rhyme

for next year.

The surrounding tables clapped responsively, while the First years stood even paler than they were before. What were they getting themselves into? Some of them were clearly asking themselves that exact question. But this did not deter Professor McGonagall from pulling out her large roll of parchment, and begin reading their names.

"Anel, Molotov," was called up first, and within a minute, became the first new member of Ravenclaw. The list made its way to the end, with "Zaxby, Zaccharias," a Gryffindor.

Then, once the stool and hat were carried away, Dumbledore stood.

"I promise not to say much, not yet anyways, except to say 'tuck in'!" he boomed across the Great Hall.

The food piled onto the golden plates in front of the students. Roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, bacon, steak, boiled potatoes, roasted potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and the usual peppermint humbugs adorned the golden plates in masses all the way from beginning to the end of every table, as was customary to the first and last feasts of Hogwarts.

Everyone ate the food, until they felt ready to pop, and then the plates filled with desserts. Ice cream of every imaginable kind, pies of the same arrangement, treackle tarts, chocolate éclairs, doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, rice pudding, the list was endless. As full as they all were, though, they managed to stuff down a little more, and then sit back, as the plates cleared for a second time that night.

Finally, Dumbledore stood again to make the introductory speech. Harry silently willed that Dumbledore would list someone else other than Snape as the new Defense teacher, anyone, even if it was McGonagall, or even Hagrid would be better...

"Welcome to Hogwarts for another fine year. Some things to remind you of: the Dark Forest is forbidden to everyone, especially First years.

"Filch, our janitor, has also asked to remind all students, new and old, to not use magic in the hallways in between classes and any other times in the hallways.

"Quidditch trials will be held when the team captains deem to do so. Please contact Madam Hooch, as long as you are Second year and above.

"And finally, the school song!" Dumbledore practically sn in joy. "Everyone pick your favorite tune, and we shall begin."

Words formed high above the tables, and the students read and bellowed them loudly. But Harry, Ron, and Hermione weren't. They were too distracted at the fact that Dumbledore had not mentioned who the new teacher was...

And then the song ended, everyone's tunes making them end at various times.

Dumbledore turned as if to tell the classes to assemble and leave, when Professor McGonagall mumbled something in his ear.

"Ah, yes," Dumbledore boomed. "It seems I have forgotten something..."

Please, not Snape... anyone but Snape! Harry's mind was screaming at Dumbledore.

The hall became quiet once more, and he lifted his finger to point at Aura.

"We have a new student this year. She's a Seventh year student from another part of Europe. Her name is Aranessa Savarati. But that is only part of the reason that she has not been sorted... She will also be the new Defense teacher," he smiled, with what looked like a wink at Harry.

"Oh, thank God," he heard Hermione and Ron whisper in unison.

But Hermione continued:

"Aura's the Defense teacher? That's amazing! She must be the youngest teacher-"

Her words were cut off, as Dumbledore finished.

"So, please, all of you treat her with great respect," he nodded, seeming to look at the Slytherin table the most.

"Now, Head Boy and Girl of the houses, please lead your charges up to their houses," he finished. "May you all have a productive year."

They all headed up to their separate houses, the teachers filing out to their own rooms.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione spoke in whispered hushes, all the way up to their house, thankful that Snape hadn't gotten the job, but extremely impressed that Aura had.

The three parted ways in the common room, Harry and Ron telling Hermione goodnight, as she walked off to her own dorm room.

Harry and Ron made their way up to their dorm room, and told each other goodnight. Harry parted the crimson curtain over his bed, and dressed in his pajamas that he pulled from his trunk at the foot of the bed.

Seamus Finnigan, Neville, and Dean Thomas were already asleep, Neville snoring loudly. Harry got into his bed, with the large gold and crimson comforter tucked up to his chin. Tired, worn out from the days' events, he was asleep almost instantly.

Okay, the end for now. I hope some of this had explained some of the questions that were being asked... But I know not all of the questions have been answered- that my friends, will take time to answer, as the plot moves along!!! I hope you have enjoyed it thus far! Review, won't you?! n.n