Harry and Ron sat dumfounded as Snape was pacing back and forth along the main hall. The first year house choosing ceremony was about to start but the normal chatter and excitement of this was gone. He glared around the room at the students who dared to talk while he was there. Ginny was sitting next to Harry and was trying her best to stifle a giggle.

"Harry look." She nudged him and pointed to Snape. Harry almost burst out laughing; someone had placed a bright yellow sign on the back of his robes that read 'I'm brainless. Can you point me in the right direction?' Harry glanced over at the Whitey twins, who were trying to look innocent. It was like someone replaced the Weasly twins with these two. Harry shook his head; No they were worse than the Weasly boys.

"It is a new year and it is filled with new rules since the headmaster is currently away…" Snape started a long and boring speech that Harry hardly heard. When he was finally done the food was magically set in front of each student. The first years were nervously awaiting their turn at the sorting hat. So far Gryffindor had already gotten seven new students. The sorting hat was being good to them this year. Finally the last of the first years were sorted into their respective houses.

It was announced that Harry Potter had become the newest Quidditch captain to which the entire team exploded in cheers. Harry turned red and tried to ignore the attention; it was bad enough with the scar and his history. Almost as a reflex he glanced over to where Malfoy sat ready to receive his normal glare. He still was surprised to find that he wasn't sitting there.

"Alright that is enough." Snape voice bit through the air. He snapped a wooden stick onto a table, "When you are finished you are to report directly and I mean directly to your dorms. No walking around the grounds." He spun around and stalked out of the room.

"So what did you do this summer Ron?" Harry started shoveling food onto his plate.

"Not much. Mostly just helped Mum around the house." Ron had already had two platefuls and was working on his third. "It was Ginny here who had all the fun."

Ginny beamed, "Yeah. Mum and Dad sent me to Witching camp. It was a camp just for Witches. We learned so much. I think this year ought to be easier."

Harry nodded, "You know how mine went. Had to stay with the Dursleys. Dudley was his usual form. Meaner and bigger than ever. Though I have heard that he's been bullied at school."

"Ron must you shovel your food into your mouth like that?" Ginny asked in exasperation. "You look like a pig."

"Do not!" Ron turned bright red and slowed down, "Just that I didn't eat breakfast." Ginny rolled her eyes and continued eating.

She suddenly frowned, "Hey where's Hermione?"

"She's not coming this year. Something with her parents." Harry mumbled. He still wasn't happy about Herm not coming.

Ginny suddenly smiled, "That means she'll be with my class."

"I guess." Ron sighed as students were finishing up their feast and heading for the dormitory. "Right then. Come on Harry better get to our dorm." Harry agreed and they quickly left the hall.

As they approached the Pink Lady portrait, they found Neville standing outside begging to be let in. Harry smiled it was like he had came home.