Omigosh! My first fanfic! I'm so nervous about posting this, so be nice in your reviews, k?

Disclaimer: The world of HP? Don't own it, despite my wishes to the contrary. I only own the plotline.....

September

"Welcome to another year at Hogwart's!" Headmaster Dumbledore's voice boomed out across the Great Hall. The sorting ceremony had just finished, and the students were anxiously awaiting the end of his speech and the start of the feast.

Dumbledore continued with his speech, mentioning the usual – the Forbidden Forest was forbidden, Filch's list of items that would be confiscated, and of course, the announcement of the year's Head Boy and Girl. "I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce your Head Boy and Girl – Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger."

Draco and Hermione stood up to polite applause. Harry and Ron beamed at Hermione as she sat down. Tease her they did about her bookish ways, they were still enormously proud of her accomplishments.

Ron's face darkened as he looked over at the Slytherin table. He looked over to Hermione and hissed, "You didn't mention that Malfoy was Head Boy."

"That's because I would have had to sit through a two hour tirade about him," replied Hermione primly. "Frankly, I didn't want to hear it. We're Seventh Year's now, Ron. We really need to start acting more maturely." Ron arched an eyebrow at her, but refrained from replying.

Harry's gaze wandered over the Head table, where all the teachers were waiting patiently for Dumbledore's speech to end. He noticed a teacher, obviously new as he'd never seen her before, sitting quietly next to Professor McGonagall with her hat pulled down low over her eyes. "Wonder who that is?" he mused out loud.

"Must be the new teacher for Defense Against the Dark Arts," replied Hermione, looking up from her Head Girl manual and following his line of sight to the teacher's table. "There aren't any other teaching positions open. Wonder what she'll be like?"

"She can't be any worse than some of the other teachers we've had," laughed Ron. "Wonder if she's a looker? Wouldn't mind that in the least, eh, Harry?" Ron nudged Harry in the side and winked over at Hermione, who just rolled her eyes and returned to her manual as the two boys laughed.

"Honestly, you two. Don't you ever take anything seriously?" she asked. Harry and Ron didn't deign to answer, as they were in too good of a mood to endure one of Hermione's famous lectures. They both turned their attention back to the Headmaster.

"I would like to introduce the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to you all. She hails from Canada, coming to us from the Chateau du Magique where she taught the same subject. She is on loan from the Chateau for one year only, and I'm sure you will join me in making her stay here enjoyable and memorable. Professor Hannah Grace, will you please stand?" Dumbledore began to applaud politely for the witch as she slowly stood, removing her hat as she did. Beside Harry, Ron stiffened and his jaw hung open. Looking past Ron, Harry could see Ginny's eyes widen. They both looked thunderstruck.

Ron stood up. "Hannah??" he called out incredulously. A huge smile spread over his face as Ginny laughed with delight. At the Head table, Professor Grace smiled and waved to the brother and sister who seemed so happy to see her. She then sat down and reached for her glass.

"I can't believe it!" Ron exclaimed as he sat down, still grinning. "It's unbelievable!" Ginny chimed in.

"What is??" demanded both Hermione and Harry at the same time.

Ron and Ginny exchanged a look. "Mum's going to die when she finds out!" said Ron.

"If you don't tell us what's going on, you're BOTH going to die, Ronald and Ginevra Weasley!" cried Hermione. "Who is she? Do you know her?" All of the students at the Gryffendor table were looking in their direction waiting for Ron's answer.

"Hannah's our cousin," beamed Ron. "Well, she's our second cousin, I think, right Gin?" He looked over at his sister for confirmation. At Ginny's nod, he continued, "Her parents moved to Canada ages ago, just after Hannah was born, and we rarely see them. It's been several years since the last time they were here – at Bill's graduation from Hogwarts. They're of an age, her and Bill, I think," he finished, reaching for his pumpkin juice.

"This is fantastic! Hannah is SO cool! She can actually keep Fred and George in line, which they hate." Ginny enthused. "She is extremely nice, and I'm sure she'll be a fantastic teacher! We'll have to owl mum and see if she knew about this! She had better not have been keeping it from us!" she scowled.

Harry and Hermione looked curiously up at the Head table. Professor Grace didn't have the fiery red hair that was so characteristic of the Weasley family, but you could see glimpses of fire within the warm brown depths. She also didn't have the freckles that plagued her cousin's side of the family, but had a creamy, pale complexion. Her large, bright sapphire blue eyes were definitely a Weasley trait, though, and were set off by the jewel-toned royal blue robes she was wearing. She seemed of average height and was slim but curvy. She had a warm, generous smile that caught everyone's attention immediately.

"She's very pretty," said Hermione, eyeing Hannah's sleek shoulder length hair with something akin to envy. Although Hermione's hair had improved by leaps and bounds since her first year at Hogwarts, she still had to fight with it every morning. Luckily there were charms that gave her a slight advantage – although they didn't always work.

"Pretty?"sputtered Dean Thomas, who sat next to Hermione. "You've got to be kidding. She's gorgeous!" Neville Longbottom, who sat on the other side of Dean, nodded solemnly. Harry couldn't help but agree, but didn't add his opinion as Dumbledore began to speak again.

"As you all know, we are living in troubling times. The war that the wizarding world is currently embroiled in has taken its toll on many of us," Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "As Headmaster, I feel it is my duty not only to educate you so that you may be prepared for the outside world," here he looked over at Harry briefly before continuing, "but also to ensure your stay is as stress free as I can make it." Here his eyes began to sparkle.

"That is why the staff has decided to take an idea that has taken hold of the muggle world and adapt it slightly for us here at Hogwarts. We are going to have a singing competition. Auditions will be held one month from now here in the Great Hall. Anyone from 4th year and over may audition. We will select a group of 8 people to move on to our main competition. We will then have one competition every month where our finalists will have the opportunity to dazzle you with their singing and performing skills. You, as the student body, will then decide who your favorite singers are. After every performance, one contestant will be eliminated, until we are left with the winner."

As the students began to buzz, Dumbledore held up his hand for silence. "I will have a more detailed explanation posted in each of the houses. In the meantime, I suggest that you all warm up your vocal chords for the auditions on October 1st. In the meantime, I believe we have a feast to begin. Enjoy." With that, the house tables were magically filled with food. The students had a great deal to talk about while they ate, with the competition and a new DADA teacher. Ron, Harry and Hermione exchanged a look, then grinned and tucked into their meal as the Great Hall buzzed around them.

The Slytherin table was also filled with laughter and talk of who would audition for the competition. Draco smirked and laughed with the others. He planned to audition, but didn't mention that to his housemates. In fact, he didn't say much at all, preferring to listen and absorb the chatter going on around him. He glanced over at the Gryffindor table and watched Potter, Weasley and Granger as they laughed and interacted with each other and the other members of their house.

Never would he admit it out loud, but Draco was a little envious of the friendship the trio had. Such unwavering loyalty, such deep affection, such camaraderie was unknown to him. He wondered what it would be like to be part of a group like that.

Next to him, Pansy was yammering about how she was a sure bet to win the competition. "I've got such a great singing voice, it will blow you all away," she vowed. Draco rolled his eyes and returned to his meal, lost in his thoughts.

Like it? Hate it? Let me know....

I know there are probably other stories out there about singing competitions at Hogwarts, but I thought I would do one anyway.....Hope you like it so far!