"Welcome, or welcome back, to another year at Hogwarts," announced Professor Dumbledore, standing up at the staff table and addressing the students in the Great Hall. "I'm certain that this year will be just as memorable as the last, and the ones before it."
Some of the staff members exchanged looks. None of them missed the biting edge of that remark – that it would probably be impossible to forget this year at all, unless you blocked it out. Voldemort had that effect on most people.
"Before we dig in to this incredible feast before us," continued Dumbledore, "a few start-of-term notices. First years should note that the Forest is off-limits to all students unless accompanied by a professor. A few older students would do well to remember that, as well," he added. I noticed he looked directly at the Gryffindor – was it Gryffindor? I could never remember which house was which – table as he said that. "Mr. Filch would also like to remind you that the list of contraband items has again been expanded, and please see the list posted outside his office to see it in full."
One or two students groaned, earning themselves dirty looks from Filch. I had only had one run-in with the cantankerous caretaker myself, but I didn't like him much either. I listened with one ear to the rest of Dumbledore's announcements.
Generally, I focused on the ghosts. One woman in particular seemed uneasy. I was fairly certain I had seen her around the castle, but we had never been introduced. She kept glancing at me and muttering in a low tone to the ghost in a ruff beside her.
"I would now," said Dumbledore, jerking me out of my thoughts, "like to introduce to you our newest Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. This is Domovoi Rachinovski, here all the way from Moscow." I stood, blushing a bit. I don't like public attention, and the applause made me nervous. Unsure what to do, I gave a slight bow and sat back down quickly. The giant of a man beside me clapped a huge hand on my shoulder, knocking me forward, and gave me a large grin. I smiled half-heartedly back.
The feast began soon afterwards, and I happily tucked in. We ate in silence for a moment, then the giant beside me spoke up. "So, Moscow, eh?" he asked in a deep voice befitting his stature. "Tha's in Russia, right?"
I nodded. "I was born there," I told him. "But I've lived all over world."
He nodded. "Tha' explains th' accen'," he said thoughtfully. "I was wond'rin'. Rubeus 'Agrid, keeper o' th' keys an' grounds an' th' Care o' Magical Creatures teacher 'ere at 'Ogwarts," he introduced himself, extending a hand towards me.
I shook it, feeling slightly overwhelmed, but grateful for his friendliness. I keep to myself mostly, and any kind of social interaction with living humans tends to make me nervous. Frightens me, some would say. "Domovoi Rachinovski," I returned, "medium."
His eyes widened. "Is tha' so? Well, welcome t' 'Ogwarts, Domovoi," he said. "'M sorry yeh can't be 'ere at a 'appier time."
I smiled at him. "Thank you," I said. "This is actually happiest place I've been in while."
Rubeus Hagrid gave me a strange look at that, but didn't pursue the subject. Instead, he asked me what I thought of Hogwarts so far. "I found Sorting Hat surprising," I said after a moment of thought. "Does it always sing?"
He laughed. "Ev'ry time. I still r'member th' song me own firs' year here," he chuckled. "I take it yeh didn' go t' school here."
"No," I admitted. "I began school at Queen Victoria—Canadian school. It is in Ontario. I moved to Durmstrang my second year, though; my mother got homesick, I think."
Rubeus seemed intrigued, and started asking me all sorts of questions about the school. This began a long conversation about Durmstrang, the differences between Durmstrang and Hogwarts, and the intricacies of Hogwarts life and what to expect from the students. Rubeus was a kind-hearted soul who was only too eager to help a fellow teacher become comfortable at his school.
As the feast ended, I wondered if perhaps I had found a friend.