Authors Note: Hi all, I'd like to start with a quick thank you to Hunta, rahl, gaul1, HPBeatles, mushcorn, miss ray317for your reviews of the last chapter, and next for reviewing my other story (the answer to your question is yes). Also sorry about the wait for this posting, but as I said, I was very busy. Finally, I am sorry to say that I won't continue the Reader's Challenge, I got very few responses, and it takes too much time and effort, and probably detracts from the story. Anyway, the plot should thicken up a bit after this chapter, so stay tuned.
Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Harry Potter or any characters or places in this story, they belong to JK Rowling. I am making no money from this story.
Chapter 13 A New Year
A wave of relief swept over Harry as he stepped out of the coach. Falling in stride beside his friends the walls and parapets, and towers of light filled windows of the only place he could truly call home reflected brightly against the depths of his green eyes. The rain from earlier that evening had finally ceased, and a light fog hovered across the dampened grass of the school grounds, before slipping into shadow at the edge of the forest. They reached the large oak doors to the entrance hall and entered amid the chatter of their schoolmates. Yet no words would pass Harry's lips that could describe the sense of living and belonging that he felt.
The group of Gryffindors made to enter the Great Hall but a stern voice beckoned them and they halted. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, could kindly follow me to my office? I have something I wish to discuss with the two of you." Professor McGonagall stated imperiously, not really giving them the choice of whether to follow her or not.
Ron's face contorted with despair and he whispered to Harry, "But we haven't even done anything yet." Harry just shrugged his shoulders and began walking behind his teacher, Ron starting in after a moment.
When they arrived at her office she held the door open for the two young men to enter. Stepping in after them she closed the door and made her way behind the desk to her chair. "Well sit down then," she said brusquely. "Firstly I wished to inform you Mr. Potter that your ban from Quidditch has been lifted. I have already made arrangements for your broom to be returned to your dormitory. Congratulations." she said as the hint of a smile played at the corner of her mouth. "However I would like to remind you that I expect the best behavior from my students and I will accept nothing less from you." Harry nodded his head in acknowledgment, barely able to contain his elation. "Now then, the reason I asked you both here is to discuss the upcoming season. As you may have expected I have asked Ms. Bell to take the Captain's spot this year, as she is the oldest member of the team and she has been on the team longer than anyone else. However she has declined, citing the need to concentrate on her studies for the upcoming N.E.W.T. examinations. As such our team does not yet have a captain. I have hoped therefore that the two of you would share the responsibility, being the next two senior members of the team. I believe this to be the best course of action, as two heads are better than one. Also I am aware of the responsibilities that you both have, and do not wish to overload either of you. Therefore if you were to share this role I believe that you will both still be able to concentrate on your studies. Are there any questions?" Both shook their heads in response. "Very well, do you accept the position?"
To this the two students answered enthusiastically, "Yes mam."
McGonagall opened her desk drawer and produced two badges and placed them on the desk in front of the young men. "As I had hoped. Here are your badges. You will need to hold tryouts in the next few weeks for the open positions. I expect you to keep me informed of the team's progress. Speak with Madam Houch to book the pitch, and if you need any assistance please come to see me. I don't have to tell you how accustomed I have become to having the cup in my office and I will be most aggrieved to have to turn it over to Professor Snape. Do your best gentlemen. Now if there is nothing else, I believe we should return before the feast begins." With that the two young wizards took their badges and followed Professor McGonagall back to the Great Hall.
Taking their seats a moment before the first years entered neither Ron nor Harry could hide their smiles. Just as Hermione opened her mouth to question them about their meeting the doors to the hall opened and the first year students filed in behind the Deputy Headmistress to the space in front of the head table. Harry turned with anticipation to the Head Table, fondly recalling his own Sorting Ceremony. He smiled genuinely when McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on it's stool and a rip near the brim opened. The first years were frozen with astonishment as the hat began to sing:
A hat like me you'll never find,
For not only this song do I sing.
I am here with a purpose in mind,
Made just to do the sorting.
Hello you old and welcome new,
To our honored home.
Listen as I tell to you,
In just which house you go.
Perhaps into Ravenclaw,
With the brightest minds.
Or maybe clever Slytherin,
Is where you'll meet your kind.
You may go to Gryffindor
And bravery you'll find
But maybe you belong in Hufflepuff,
With the hard work you won't fall behind.
Our founders four were all so smart,
And set out to build this school,
With a desire to pass on their art.
A very old hat I am and perhaps only a fool,
But I feel a mistake is made when our students part.
Darkness like the tide of night
Will always rise and fall.
Though all shall choose a side and fight,
One must stand before us all.
Brave and loyal, Clever and bright,
Upon this one shall fall our fate,
Either to succeed or break.
My duty I will now achieve,
Although it may be wrong.
Just place me on your top and see,
Exactly where you belong.
Light applause spread throughout the Great Hall mingled with confused mumbling between the students. Harry however had adopted a distant look while his thoughts turned over the second warning. Similar to last year the Sorting Hat had given advice about all the houses joining together, but this year had gone a step further giving a clue as to how the "darkness" would end. It had managed to affirm the prophecy, as Harry was sure that the one to stand before everyone else was himself. Resentment trickled through his mind over the fate that had been chosen for him. He didn't want this, any of it, but he couldn't deny it either. If he was the only one who could end this, who could stop Voldemort and the pain he caused, then he would have to find a way. Ron's rumbling stomach broke Harry's concentration. Now scowling at his own future he focused his attention back on the ceremony.
Professor McGonagall stood forward with a roll of parchment, effectively silencing the students. "When I call your name please step forward and place the hat on your head to be sorted. Thomas Adams."
A small eleven-year-old boy stepped slowly out of line, and placed the Sorting Hat on his head. A moment later the hat shouted "Ravenclaw!" Loud applause rang out as Thomas replaced the hat on the stool and made his way over to the Ravenclaw House table.
As Julie Alton was called forward Harry searched his friends faces for any sign of recognition. Had any of them heard the meaning behind the Hat's song? He looked from one to the next, but they all seemed to be avoiding his gaze, indirectly verifying that they understood the song, and perhaps what Harry was thinking. He continued his deliberations until the Sorting Ceremony ended with Katherine Yates being placed into Gryffindor.
Ron looked insufferably towards the Head Table as he was awaiting the beginning of the feast. "Hurry up I'm starving," he muttered.
Dumbledore stood from his seat at the head table. "Now then I believe we have kept you all waiting long enough." With a wave of his hands he said, "Now dig in." The trays and bowls filled with food of all kinds, and Ron didn't need a second invitation as he started to pull every platter he could reach towards him. Harry smirked indifferently at his friend's appetite, and placed a bit of chicken on his own plate.
After a few moments of eating, Hermione spoke up, "So what did Professor McGonagall want with the two of you?"
Ron was about to open his mouth to speak, but a look from Hermione told him he should finish chewing first. Instead Harry answered. "Umm actually she asked if we would be co-captains for the Quidditch team this year."
Several congratulations were passed on from the surrounding students who had heard. Hermione went as far as to give them each a small hug and a kiss on the cheek. Ron blushed furiously at the gesture, and seemingly lost his ability to speak.
Slowly everyone finished their deserts and the serving dishes sparkled clean once again. The level of noise grew in the hall until Professor Dumbledore
rose from his seat. The students again fell silent. "Welcome again to another year at Hogwarts." he began and received many cheers. "Yes, yes, thank you. Now I have a few start of term announcements. Firstly, I would like to welcome our new instructor to our staff, Professor Weasley, who will be taking over our Defense Against the Dark Arts classes." Harry and the others were in shock. Stealing the looks on their faces, they stood from their seats to applaud. Glaring at the table the four friends saw Charlie Weasley standing towards the end of the staff table near Hagrid. He was waving genially, and paused to give a wink at his siblings and their friends. Harry had been so wrapped up in his own problems that he hadn't considered for a moment who the new Professor would be. This was a pleasant surprise, although he did wonder why no one had told them that Charlie would be coming back from Romania to teach at Hogwarts.
As the commotion died down Dumbledore continued with his notices, "Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has updated the list of banned items, which now includes most items sold at Weasley Wizard Whizzes. The complete list may be viewed on Mr. Filch's office door. Finally, I would like to caution you all. We have entered into dark times, and we must be very guarded in our actions. The school is quite safe however, and I hope that our current circumstances will not distract you from your studies. Nonetheless, I strongly recommend that everyone be careful. If you witness something you believe to be suspicious, please find a teacher immediately. As always, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students. Now then I believe that is all. Prefects please guide the first year students to the dormitories. I wish you all a good night's sleep so you may begin your classes properly rested. Good Evening."
Harry helped as Hermione and Ron tried to gather the first years into a group to go to Gryffindor Tower. A few students had made their way over to Harry to say hello, or ask about the DA. He also noticed many of the new students staring at him as they passed by, but he was used to it now. He even greeted some of them, but he mostly tried to ignore the awed looks he was receiving. Soon his friends were ready to leave, and Hermione began to drag both Harry and Ron from the hall by their arms. Unknown to any of them was the fact that they were being watched by eager eyes, from a corner of the Great Hall.
A moment later the three friends were walking steadily behind the group being lead up the stairs by Colin Creevey and another prefect. Harry was longing for the comfort of his bed, but was sure that sleep wouldn't come easily tonight; he had too much on his mind. At any rate he was sure that Ron would keep him company, at least long enough to talk about Charlie being a professor. That might be enough to keep Hermione or Ginny up for awhile as well. Harry didn't care, so long as he wasn't alone. They soon arrived at the portrait of the fat lady and followed the other students through after the password was given, "butterbeer".
Author's Note: Just a quick reference to our new DADA Professor. There are many different theories on who it will be in the sixth year. However, after a tedious conversation with my wife, I decided to go with Charlie. I don't actually believe he will be filling the position in the sequel, but this will at least give this story a bit of a different angle. Anyway, I hope this works out and I haven't offended anyone, but feel free to comment.
Thanks,
Jeremy
