By the time they had arrived at the station the trio had already
changed into their Hogwarts robes and were ready to depart. Hermione and
Ron had to part with Harry for a while to fulfill their prefect duties.
Harry had just stepped off of the train when he heard the familiar voice,
"Firs' years over here!"
Harry walked over to his good friend and said," So, you decided to come back, eh?"
"Harry! Good ter see ya! Listen, I don't have to much time righ' now. Why don' you and the others come visit me in me cabin on Saturday?"
"That would be great," said Harry. "We'll see you then."
Harry then walked to the carriage that he had seen Ron and Hermione walk towards. Before he got in, something caught his eyes. By now Harry had become used to seeing thestrals when others could not, but the one pulling this particular carriage was bowing to him. Harry wondered at this until something in his mind clicked. It was as though something fell into place in his head that had been waiting there for a while. Harry bowed back to the thestrals who had given Harry his ride to the Ministry of Magic in June. Then he instinctively stroked his mane and finally climbed into the carriage.
"What was that about?" asked Ron.
"Oh, it was just one of the thestrals that helped us out last summer," said Harry.
"You mean those horse-things that you can only see when you've seen someone die?" Harry nodded.
"I was thanking him," said Harry.
As the carriages rode through the village of Hogsmeade Harry noticed that many people were looking out of their windows to watch them pass. Whenever Harry caught someone's eye he could have sworn that he received a wink in return...or possibly he was imagining things.
"So," said Ron," Any ideas of who we're going to be filling all of the empty spaces on the Quidditch team with? I heard that you've been made captain. I'm glad it wasn't me, I wouldn't be able to handle that kind of responsibility."
Ron seemed to have forgotten about what Hermione had told him on the train, but Harry was sure that he was just covering things up. Hopefully Ron would deal with the whole ordeal peacefully...maybe it would all just blow over. Harry wasn't about to just break up with Hermione because Ron wanted him to, anyway. He really liked her, and that was all that mattered at the time.
"Well," replied Harry," I suppose that we're going to have to hold tryouts and scratch the beaters. By the looks of it, those two are absolutely horrible."
Ron nodded his head vigorously and said," Yeah, those two are bad. I hope that there is some better talent this year, or we're doomed."
"It looks like Ginny wants to try out for chaser. I'm sure that she'll make it on the team no problem."
When they arrived at the castle they walked through the great front doors and into the great hall. They sat down at their normal house table and began waiting for the first years to arrive. Once they sat down Harry noticed Hermione scanning the front of the hall where the teachers sat.
"What are you doing Hermione?" asked Harry.
"I'm looking for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but I can't find him."
"Maybe that's because he is a she," said a warm voice behind the three of them. When all three had turned around she continued," Hello, I couldn't help but overhear what you said Miss. I am the new Defense Against the Dark Arts and my name is Professor Stalny, and I am a woman."
"Oh," said Hermione, slightly embarrassed," I'm very sorry about that."
"No harm done, Miss. Your name is?" asked Professor Stalny.
"Hermione Granger," said Hermione," And this is Ron Weasley and Harry Potter." Hermione indicated the appropriate person when she had said their names.
"Nice to meet you Granger," she held out a hand,"Same to you Weasley, I recognize you."
"I come from a rather big family," said Ron as he took Professor Stalny's hand.
"Oh. And you, Mr. Potter. I'm assuming that you're "the" Harry Potter, am I correct?" asked Stalny as she shook his hand.
"Yes," said Harry, "It's nice to meet you."
"You too, Mr. Potter," said Stalny. Then she addressed the group, "Well, I expect to see you all in my class sometime this week! Good evening."
"Good evening," Harry, Hermione, and Ron in unison.
Professor Stalny was an average sized woman with a dirty blond pony- tail, a light composition, and robes in good condition. Judging by the last one, Harry was pretty sure that Stalny was not a werewolf, and if she was she hid it well. Stalny then walked up to the staff table and took an empty chair next to Professor Flitwick, the vertically challenged Charms teacher.
"Well," said Hermione, "They've found someone decent enough. Stalny's a high ranking teacher in the field of Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Harry had to admit that Hermione had a point. All of their Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers in the past had not been up to par (with the exception of Lupin, of course). He wasn't exactly sure why Hermione paid attention to things such as "high ranking teacher..." but whatever her reasons, she did know it.
The next moment Professor McGonagall burst into the Great Hall followed by a trail of very nervous-looking first years. Peeves the Poltergeist was to be spotted above one unsuspecting first year with a water balloon in his hands. Harry watched the proceedings with mild interest while wondering how it was that a ghost could carry a solid water balloon, yet he could go straight through walls as if they were made of air.
"Peeves, I'm warning you!" exclaimed McGonagall with a fierce glint in her eyes as she said it.
Dumbledore had entered the hall from the use of the chamber that resided behind the staff table which Harry had entered during his fourth year. Harry watched him with slight apprehension as to what would happen if Dumbledore spotted him as he carried a stool with a well-worn hat upon it from the chamber and placed it down in front of the staff table. He looked up to see most of the students watching the humorous argument between McGonagall and Peeves. He said, "Peeves, if you would be so kind as to leave the first years alone for the time being."
Peeves immediately ceased his pestering and zoomed away. But before he had traveled out of earshot a rather large raspberry was heard ringing throughout the hall.
"Well," said Dumbledore," welcome to a new, and for some of you, first, year at Hogwarts. I would like to make some opening statements before the Sorting begins. First of all, the Forbidden Forest remains, and is now possibly even more so, forbidden to students at all times. There are dangers within that forest that no one would want to face at any time." Dumbledore paused for a moment to look in the direction of the Gryffindor table; Harry had the feeling he had been speaking mostly to him, Ron, and Hermione about the forest. "I would also like it to be known that Mr. Filch, the caretaker here at Hogwarts, would like 'all of you hooligans' to be reminded of the list of all things that are prohibited to bring, do, say, wear, etc., here in Hogwarts. Please take his wishes into great care or I am sure that the educational decree that allows whipping and general torture of students can be swiftly reinstated," said Dumbledore jokingly. For a second, Filch had really looked hopeful until he saw the smile on Dumbledore's face. "That reminds me of what else I was planning on saying. Dolores Umbridge has been removed from this institution, as I'm sure you can see for yourselves. Along with her removal also came the removal of many other things. The occupation of Hogwart's High Inquisitor has been removed, and along with it, so has the Inquisitorial Squad. This also invalidates all educational decrees put into effect by Dolores Jane Umbridge."
At this last statement almost the whole of the Great Hall cheered in joy. The only ones who didn't cheer were some Slytherins who had been on the Inquisitorial Squad, Malfoy being one of the more prominent ones.
"Calm down, calm down," said Dumbledore. "Now, let the Sorting begin!"
As though the hat had been waiting for this cue (and Harry was sure that it had been), it burst into song as soon as Dumbledore had finished his sentence. This startled many first years that Harry suspected hadn't heard anything about the sorting hat just as he hadn't. The hat's song went as follows:
"I've told you once,
I've told you twice,
So of it I'll say no more.
We all know of the houses,
In numbers there are four.
There's Gryffindor and Ravenclaw,
Hufflepuff and Slytherin.
Each year they all compete,
But only one shall win.
Now I am done telling you
Of all the Hogwarts dorms.
So now I will stray a little
From what's considered the norm.
We all know that Voldemort-"
There was a sharp intake of breath from the hall at the sound of Voldemort's name.
"-Has newly regained his head.
So listen to The Boy Who Lived,
Or you'll surely wind up dead.
So while I'm on the subject
I will say something new
Harry, listen carefully,
The little orb was not true.
There is a definite winner
Who will come from your fight.
It may yet be the Half Blood Prince
Who aids you in your plight.
Now that you've all listened
To this raggedy, old hat,
Please, oh please, just go and eat
Until you're nice and fat!"
Silence fell over the Great Hall. Silence of the intensity of which Harry was pretty sure that he had never experienced before. The only time he could recall this type of silence was back in his fourth year when his name had been pulled from the goblet. Then everybody's head had turned to him. The same, Harry now noticed, was slowly happening now. People all over the hall had their heads darting in Harry's direction. Harry couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
Professor McGonagall then began the sorting by calling off a list of names for the first years to go up to the hat and be sorted. She even shot Harry a glance or two herself. Harry didn't listen to any of the sorting or where anyone went. The Sorting seemed to drag on forever in Harry's mind. When it was over all attention was almost immediately turned to him again. He was gratefully saved when the plates magically filled with food. Harry wondered if somewhere down below Dobby knew who the hat was speaking of when he had mentioned this Half Blood Prince.
Hermione nudged Harry to get his attention. He faced her to see her shrug. Apparently she was just as confused about the whole Half Blood Prince thing as Harry was.
"Harry!"
Harry quickly looked around for the source of the familiar voice of Nearly-Headless Nick to find him coming across the hall towards him. "Hello Nick."
"Yes, hello. Do you have any idea what that was just about?"
Harry just gave a blank look.
"I guess not. Harry, I guess that you don't know this, but the Sorting Hat has never addressed an individual student during its song like that. You don't know how weird this is. It only happened once before to another student quite a while back...I've forgotten his name but maybe I'll find out for you."
"That would be nice," said Harry. "Thank you."
"Oh, it's no problem Harry. Look, I've got to run. Bye!"
"See ya!" said Harry. Now he was really worried: only one other student in the history of Hogwarts? Surely it hadn't been Voldemort, had it? Or was it the Half Blood Prince? Harry was utterly confused and tried to occupy his mind by eating something. He knew that he was very hungry, but he just couldn't eat for some reason. The meal went by very slowly, just like the Sorting. Harry found himself very tired when the last of the peanut butter treacle disappeared and the glasses emptied themselves. He got up and began heading for the entrance hall when his name was called in the distance.
"Harry!"
Not now, thought Harry. He turned around to see Dumbledore's face beckoning Harry towards him. Definitely not now, thought Harry to himself. He grudgingly pushed back through the crowd of students that were now staring at him with thorough interest. "Why was he going to Dumbledore?" they thought. "What had the Golden Boy got himself into now?" Harry found himself furious at the crowd even though no one had said a thing until,
"Hey Potty," cried Malfoy, "Off to cuddle with your best mate, Dumbledore?"
Harry tried hard not to react to this statement. He controlled himself by remembering how he had put Malfoy's father, Luscious, in Azkaban.
"But not for long," said the voice. Harry agreed. If he had thought about Luscious a little bit longer then he may have wondered how he was able to dream about Voldemort torturing someone who was in jail.
Harry arrived before Dumbledore. He tried to look as tired as he could so that he could get out of this quickly. He also didn't want to be alone with Dumbledore for too long, if he had been acting strangely.
"Hello Harry. Have you been reading the Prophet I sent to you?"
"Yes sir. What is it that you want?" Harry hoped that he hadn't sounded too cold when he had asked that.
"I would like you to come with me to my office for a little fireside chat. There are some things that I need to go over with you. And then there are some things I need to tell you," said Dumbledore in a voice that suggested he meant no harm.
"OK," said Harry. What choice did he have? Deny Dumbledore and be questioned as to why he was acting paranoid?
"Good, please follow me."
As they walked away from the staff table some of the teachers bid them good-night. Harry walked on drowsily behind Dumbledore. It had been a long day and Harry was determined to not show any signs that he was afraid of Dumbledore.
"Just what we need," said the voice," A conversation with a killer."
"Firs' years over here!"
Harry walked over to his good friend and said," So, you decided to come back, eh?"
"Harry! Good ter see ya! Listen, I don't have to much time righ' now. Why don' you and the others come visit me in me cabin on Saturday?"
"That would be great," said Harry. "We'll see you then."
Harry then walked to the carriage that he had seen Ron and Hermione walk towards. Before he got in, something caught his eyes. By now Harry had become used to seeing thestrals when others could not, but the one pulling this particular carriage was bowing to him. Harry wondered at this until something in his mind clicked. It was as though something fell into place in his head that had been waiting there for a while. Harry bowed back to the thestrals who had given Harry his ride to the Ministry of Magic in June. Then he instinctively stroked his mane and finally climbed into the carriage.
"What was that about?" asked Ron.
"Oh, it was just one of the thestrals that helped us out last summer," said Harry.
"You mean those horse-things that you can only see when you've seen someone die?" Harry nodded.
"I was thanking him," said Harry.
As the carriages rode through the village of Hogsmeade Harry noticed that many people were looking out of their windows to watch them pass. Whenever Harry caught someone's eye he could have sworn that he received a wink in return...or possibly he was imagining things.
"So," said Ron," Any ideas of who we're going to be filling all of the empty spaces on the Quidditch team with? I heard that you've been made captain. I'm glad it wasn't me, I wouldn't be able to handle that kind of responsibility."
Ron seemed to have forgotten about what Hermione had told him on the train, but Harry was sure that he was just covering things up. Hopefully Ron would deal with the whole ordeal peacefully...maybe it would all just blow over. Harry wasn't about to just break up with Hermione because Ron wanted him to, anyway. He really liked her, and that was all that mattered at the time.
"Well," replied Harry," I suppose that we're going to have to hold tryouts and scratch the beaters. By the looks of it, those two are absolutely horrible."
Ron nodded his head vigorously and said," Yeah, those two are bad. I hope that there is some better talent this year, or we're doomed."
"It looks like Ginny wants to try out for chaser. I'm sure that she'll make it on the team no problem."
When they arrived at the castle they walked through the great front doors and into the great hall. They sat down at their normal house table and began waiting for the first years to arrive. Once they sat down Harry noticed Hermione scanning the front of the hall where the teachers sat.
"What are you doing Hermione?" asked Harry.
"I'm looking for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but I can't find him."
"Maybe that's because he is a she," said a warm voice behind the three of them. When all three had turned around she continued," Hello, I couldn't help but overhear what you said Miss. I am the new Defense Against the Dark Arts and my name is Professor Stalny, and I am a woman."
"Oh," said Hermione, slightly embarrassed," I'm very sorry about that."
"No harm done, Miss. Your name is?" asked Professor Stalny.
"Hermione Granger," said Hermione," And this is Ron Weasley and Harry Potter." Hermione indicated the appropriate person when she had said their names.
"Nice to meet you Granger," she held out a hand,"Same to you Weasley, I recognize you."
"I come from a rather big family," said Ron as he took Professor Stalny's hand.
"Oh. And you, Mr. Potter. I'm assuming that you're "the" Harry Potter, am I correct?" asked Stalny as she shook his hand.
"Yes," said Harry, "It's nice to meet you."
"You too, Mr. Potter," said Stalny. Then she addressed the group, "Well, I expect to see you all in my class sometime this week! Good evening."
"Good evening," Harry, Hermione, and Ron in unison.
Professor Stalny was an average sized woman with a dirty blond pony- tail, a light composition, and robes in good condition. Judging by the last one, Harry was pretty sure that Stalny was not a werewolf, and if she was she hid it well. Stalny then walked up to the staff table and took an empty chair next to Professor Flitwick, the vertically challenged Charms teacher.
"Well," said Hermione, "They've found someone decent enough. Stalny's a high ranking teacher in the field of Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Harry had to admit that Hermione had a point. All of their Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers in the past had not been up to par (with the exception of Lupin, of course). He wasn't exactly sure why Hermione paid attention to things such as "high ranking teacher..." but whatever her reasons, she did know it.
The next moment Professor McGonagall burst into the Great Hall followed by a trail of very nervous-looking first years. Peeves the Poltergeist was to be spotted above one unsuspecting first year with a water balloon in his hands. Harry watched the proceedings with mild interest while wondering how it was that a ghost could carry a solid water balloon, yet he could go straight through walls as if they were made of air.
"Peeves, I'm warning you!" exclaimed McGonagall with a fierce glint in her eyes as she said it.
Dumbledore had entered the hall from the use of the chamber that resided behind the staff table which Harry had entered during his fourth year. Harry watched him with slight apprehension as to what would happen if Dumbledore spotted him as he carried a stool with a well-worn hat upon it from the chamber and placed it down in front of the staff table. He looked up to see most of the students watching the humorous argument between McGonagall and Peeves. He said, "Peeves, if you would be so kind as to leave the first years alone for the time being."
Peeves immediately ceased his pestering and zoomed away. But before he had traveled out of earshot a rather large raspberry was heard ringing throughout the hall.
"Well," said Dumbledore," welcome to a new, and for some of you, first, year at Hogwarts. I would like to make some opening statements before the Sorting begins. First of all, the Forbidden Forest remains, and is now possibly even more so, forbidden to students at all times. There are dangers within that forest that no one would want to face at any time." Dumbledore paused for a moment to look in the direction of the Gryffindor table; Harry had the feeling he had been speaking mostly to him, Ron, and Hermione about the forest. "I would also like it to be known that Mr. Filch, the caretaker here at Hogwarts, would like 'all of you hooligans' to be reminded of the list of all things that are prohibited to bring, do, say, wear, etc., here in Hogwarts. Please take his wishes into great care or I am sure that the educational decree that allows whipping and general torture of students can be swiftly reinstated," said Dumbledore jokingly. For a second, Filch had really looked hopeful until he saw the smile on Dumbledore's face. "That reminds me of what else I was planning on saying. Dolores Umbridge has been removed from this institution, as I'm sure you can see for yourselves. Along with her removal also came the removal of many other things. The occupation of Hogwart's High Inquisitor has been removed, and along with it, so has the Inquisitorial Squad. This also invalidates all educational decrees put into effect by Dolores Jane Umbridge."
At this last statement almost the whole of the Great Hall cheered in joy. The only ones who didn't cheer were some Slytherins who had been on the Inquisitorial Squad, Malfoy being one of the more prominent ones.
"Calm down, calm down," said Dumbledore. "Now, let the Sorting begin!"
As though the hat had been waiting for this cue (and Harry was sure that it had been), it burst into song as soon as Dumbledore had finished his sentence. This startled many first years that Harry suspected hadn't heard anything about the sorting hat just as he hadn't. The hat's song went as follows:
"I've told you once,
I've told you twice,
So of it I'll say no more.
We all know of the houses,
In numbers there are four.
There's Gryffindor and Ravenclaw,
Hufflepuff and Slytherin.
Each year they all compete,
But only one shall win.
Now I am done telling you
Of all the Hogwarts dorms.
So now I will stray a little
From what's considered the norm.
We all know that Voldemort-"
There was a sharp intake of breath from the hall at the sound of Voldemort's name.
"-Has newly regained his head.
So listen to The Boy Who Lived,
Or you'll surely wind up dead.
So while I'm on the subject
I will say something new
Harry, listen carefully,
The little orb was not true.
There is a definite winner
Who will come from your fight.
It may yet be the Half Blood Prince
Who aids you in your plight.
Now that you've all listened
To this raggedy, old hat,
Please, oh please, just go and eat
Until you're nice and fat!"
Silence fell over the Great Hall. Silence of the intensity of which Harry was pretty sure that he had never experienced before. The only time he could recall this type of silence was back in his fourth year when his name had been pulled from the goblet. Then everybody's head had turned to him. The same, Harry now noticed, was slowly happening now. People all over the hall had their heads darting in Harry's direction. Harry couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
Professor McGonagall then began the sorting by calling off a list of names for the first years to go up to the hat and be sorted. She even shot Harry a glance or two herself. Harry didn't listen to any of the sorting or where anyone went. The Sorting seemed to drag on forever in Harry's mind. When it was over all attention was almost immediately turned to him again. He was gratefully saved when the plates magically filled with food. Harry wondered if somewhere down below Dobby knew who the hat was speaking of when he had mentioned this Half Blood Prince.
Hermione nudged Harry to get his attention. He faced her to see her shrug. Apparently she was just as confused about the whole Half Blood Prince thing as Harry was.
"Harry!"
Harry quickly looked around for the source of the familiar voice of Nearly-Headless Nick to find him coming across the hall towards him. "Hello Nick."
"Yes, hello. Do you have any idea what that was just about?"
Harry just gave a blank look.
"I guess not. Harry, I guess that you don't know this, but the Sorting Hat has never addressed an individual student during its song like that. You don't know how weird this is. It only happened once before to another student quite a while back...I've forgotten his name but maybe I'll find out for you."
"That would be nice," said Harry. "Thank you."
"Oh, it's no problem Harry. Look, I've got to run. Bye!"
"See ya!" said Harry. Now he was really worried: only one other student in the history of Hogwarts? Surely it hadn't been Voldemort, had it? Or was it the Half Blood Prince? Harry was utterly confused and tried to occupy his mind by eating something. He knew that he was very hungry, but he just couldn't eat for some reason. The meal went by very slowly, just like the Sorting. Harry found himself very tired when the last of the peanut butter treacle disappeared and the glasses emptied themselves. He got up and began heading for the entrance hall when his name was called in the distance.
"Harry!"
Not now, thought Harry. He turned around to see Dumbledore's face beckoning Harry towards him. Definitely not now, thought Harry to himself. He grudgingly pushed back through the crowd of students that were now staring at him with thorough interest. "Why was he going to Dumbledore?" they thought. "What had the Golden Boy got himself into now?" Harry found himself furious at the crowd even though no one had said a thing until,
"Hey Potty," cried Malfoy, "Off to cuddle with your best mate, Dumbledore?"
Harry tried hard not to react to this statement. He controlled himself by remembering how he had put Malfoy's father, Luscious, in Azkaban.
"But not for long," said the voice. Harry agreed. If he had thought about Luscious a little bit longer then he may have wondered how he was able to dream about Voldemort torturing someone who was in jail.
Harry arrived before Dumbledore. He tried to look as tired as he could so that he could get out of this quickly. He also didn't want to be alone with Dumbledore for too long, if he had been acting strangely.
"Hello Harry. Have you been reading the Prophet I sent to you?"
"Yes sir. What is it that you want?" Harry hoped that he hadn't sounded too cold when he had asked that.
"I would like you to come with me to my office for a little fireside chat. There are some things that I need to go over with you. And then there are some things I need to tell you," said Dumbledore in a voice that suggested he meant no harm.
"OK," said Harry. What choice did he have? Deny Dumbledore and be questioned as to why he was acting paranoid?
"Good, please follow me."
As they walked away from the staff table some of the teachers bid them good-night. Harry walked on drowsily behind Dumbledore. It had been a long day and Harry was determined to not show any signs that he was afraid of Dumbledore.
"Just what we need," said the voice," A conversation with a killer."