Chapter 2: (A New Way)

Everybody poured through the large doors to the Great hall, for the Sorting hat ceremony and the Start-of-the Year feast. There was no doubt that the atmosphere of the evening would be more sombre than students would hope for, but it was important for everyone to realize just how serious everything that was going on in the Wizarding World was.

But the sorting hat, unlike for the past two years, just gave out a normal song that went:

Are you brave and true,
Or cunning through and through?
Are you patient and loyal,
Or wise and unafraid of toil?
I can see into your small brain,
And it is I that will tell,
Whether you will become a great conqueror,
Or can't conjure a simple spell.
I decide where you end up,
Based on the choices you've made,
Ever occurring incidents,
And personalities that have swayed.

I've warned you once, I've warned you twice,

It's time to step up and unite!

Together we can win this battle,

If we all fight.
So step right up and slap me on,
I'll have a look around,
And sometimes we can compromise,
If we find common ground!

After everyone was sorted and seated, Dumbledore gave his usual announcements: The Forbidden Forest was off limits, be nice to the new Defence Against the Darks Arts Professor, Nymphadora Tonks, and then he said something quite new:

"Ladies and Gentlemen." Dumbledore stood up in front of the entire hall. "As you all know Voldemort is back and is almost at full strength. I have received word that Voldemort will attack Hogwarts within this year. There is no way that the Professors can overcome any effort brought forth by Voldemort and his followers alone and the Ministry can only spare a few Aurors.

"We will not, however, be shutting down this school. Hogwarts is safe for the time being, and it was once said that knowledge is power. We intend to prove this statement right.

"It is by strength that this school has been able to stay open for so many years. Strength from our founders. But now they need our help. So here is what will happen:

"Everyone in school will be trained to defend themselves against the Dark Arts like never before. Astronomy, Divination, Muggle Studies, History, and Arithmacy will be cancelled this year to make room to learn more advanced spells, curses, counter-curses, and duelling. Also, so some of you won't spread the word about what is going on here- no one will be allowed home for the holidays this year, and no owls will be sent to or from Hogwarts. Letters have already been sent home to your families explaining the situation to them."
Ginny peaked a glance at Harry. He didn't seem worried; on the contrary, he had a look of calm determination on his face. Dumbledore's Army, it seemed, had just grown. Ginny knew that when the time came, Harry would step up, step up like he always had, to fight for those he loved. Once again, Ginny would stand beside him.

"If Voldemort attacks, Hogwarts will be ready- no matter what time of the day it is. Therefore, starting next week all of the fifth year students and up will be having classes in the night, and sleeping in the day, as will half of the teachers be doing. I want that when the time comes, if students decide to help defend this school, they will be alert and ready. Enjoy your meal, and get to bed early." With that, Dumbledore sat down. Immediately, all of the students started talking among themselves about what Dumbledore just said in between forkfuls of food.

Dumbledore stood up again, motioning for the students to quite down.

"Although the Weasley twins are no longer here to join in, I think we can do an okay job ourselves." He waved his wand in the air and red ribbons flew out of it, twisting itself snake-like into words. "Let's try to have fun."

'Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old or bald,

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead fillies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot.'

Dumbledore sat down again, smiling to himself. The mood in the room seemed to lift, if only just a little. Ginny thought about Voldemort, about the attack. She despised him greatly, as any respectable witch should. And yet, she almost felt sorry for him; pity.

She had poured herself into his diary, but while the sixteen-year-old boy feasted on her soul, he put a bit of himself back into her. Ginny new Tom Riddle's one greatest weakness. And it was time to let that secret out.

Recognize the sort hat song? That's because I've used it before! I wrote it two years ago for a different fic, and I also lent it out to some one else to use for theirs once. I did add a few lines to it this time though.