Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or his world

Chapter Four. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft of Wizardry

The summer holidays flew past at Number 12 Grimmauld Place, and Harry found the morning to leave for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry upon him. He was not sad about leaving behind the dank manor house that had been his godfather's home. The place, although hated by Sirius, did have a certain sense that his godfather was there... somewhere.

Harry's suitcase had been packed two nights in advance; he just wanted to leave the place that had become like an emotional nettle in his side.

He cleared his throat which seemed to have constricted itself again and whispered to the now empty room, "See ya, Sirius…" It was a stupid thing to say, but it just sort of came out of his mouth without any prompting.

Then taking up his trunk he heaved it outside the bedroom door and out into the hall. "Want some help?" Ron said from the bottom of the stairs.
"Yeah," Harry replied, flicking his fringe from his eyes, "Would be an idea."

Ron bounded up the steps taking two at a time and when he reached Harry panting, he frowned deeply. "That thing…" he said pointed, "is hanging out of your shirt." Harry started and looked down and saw the amulet twinkling at him… Harry snorted and tucked it in. "Better?"

Ron did answer, but nodded thoughtfully and grabbed one end of the trunk. "Have you had any more…visions?" Ron asked slowly. Harry nearly dropped the trunk on his toe.
"No… but…"
Ron did drop the trunk missing his toe fortunately, "But what?"
Harry sighed and shook his head.
"Tell me…"
"I – erm… I can't stop thinking that's all…"
"Oh." Ron shrugged his shoulders. "I thought that was Hermione's trouble…"

"What's my trouble?" came a girl's voice down the stairs.
"Nothing," chorused both Ron and Harry. The boys picked up the trunk and descended the rest of the stairs in silence.
"I thought you two were going to be late," Hermione said crisply, "the car is waiting…"

Hermione needn't have said anything; Remus Lupin came from the front door beaming at them. "Ready?"
They all nodded eager to be on their way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry yawned widely and looked out the train's window. For some reason he didn't want to sit still for the long train ride to the Hogwart's castle. He wanted to do something…anything…

"I banda bo if isf the ew befece agaisft the bark arfs beacha?" Ron said suddenly with a mouthful of chocolate frog. (ew…gross)!
"Ron, swallow before you talk to me," Hermione said, her brew creasing in disgust.

Ron rolled his eyes and chewed quickly with exaggerated movements. "I said I wonder who is the new defence against the dark arts teacher…"

Harry wasn't listening to Heroine's reply; his hand was around his neck twiddling the amulet Salazar Slytherin had given him dreamily…

He had run from his marshland home. And now he wandered on a cold and windy moor, his feet bare, his stomach empty and his body ached. He closed his eyes slowly but his feet kept walking. He tumbled and fell a mass of limbs. He did not get up. He had given up the fight to keep on… there was nothing left… And an overwhelming sense of fear, sadness and loneliness swept over Harry….

"HARRY!" Hermione shouted into his ear…
"Eh…" Harry looked about himself dazed.
Hermione and Ron exchanged worried glances. "He's taking over Harry," Ron said and made a grab for the amulet around Harry's neck.

Harry clasped the amulet to his chest and battered Ron's hand away. "No I was falling asleep."

Ron was about to make a smart reply but the compartment door slid open. Harry quickly stuffed his amulet out of sight.

Ernie Macmillian and Hannah Abbott, the two Hufflepuff prefects slipped into the compartment. Ernie slid the door softly behind him so that he looked utterly conspicuous. The two Hufflepuffs sat down by Harry and Hermione.

"How was your summer…?" Ernie started looking directly at Harry. Harry knew this wasn't a pleasantry visit; Ernie and Hannah were here for a reason.
"Erm…fine…" Harry answered slowly.
Hannah nodded slowly and looked over to Ernie, who was glancing at her seemingly asking for permission.

Neither got any further before the compartment door opened revealing Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil, the Ravenclaw perfects. Hannah smiled at Padma and patted the spot next to her. Padma sat but Anthony stood looking pensive.

"We had been thinking about Dumbledore's Army," Anthony admitted. (Ernie looked nervously over his shoulder even though no one was there).
Harry nodded slowly, somehow he had expected this.

"We are here on the wishes of our respective houses." Anthony glanced at the other three and licked his lips before he continued, "We want you to keep the DA going and we want you to teach us – more than ever…"

"Why?" Harry asked a little perplexed, although not particularly surprised. He had given his gold galleon away to Salazar Slytherin as a token… Hermione was going to kill him when she found out.

"Do you remember the sorting hats warning song last year?" Hannah asked nervously.
The three Gryffindors nodded.
"We've never been that united before as when we were standing side by side learning to defend our world," Padma continued for her Hufflepuff friend.

"Well…" Harry glanced at Ron and Hermione pretending to but some thought in the decision. "Okay... but I have some new things I will like to try this year…but you'll have to trust me."

The Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw prefects looked happily to each other; their mission had been completed. "Thanks," Ernie said, "Keep us posted."

Ron and Hermione watched the prefects leave in disbelief. "New things?" Ron said slowly. "Wouldn't have anything to do with the thing?" He pointed a finger to Harry's chest.
"No. Don't be silly Ron," Harry said, "I have other plans."

The Great Hall was it's usually hub of noise and excitement. But as soon as McGonagall stepped forward with the sorting hat there was total silence. The hat was placed on a stool and the first years ushered in (was it just Harry or were the first years getting shorter and shorter?)

The sorting hat, grinned and cleared its throat (well made the sound of one clearing their throat) before it started its traditional song,

Many years have past,
Since I've seen the first,
Of the Hogwarts cast.
I've seen many thirst,
And cling to learning;
Eyes to books. Nose to page,
Always for knowledge yearning.
I've seen those of young age,
With the streak of bold,
With courage and daring;
And chivalry of old.
I've seen those of hearts caring,
Never ceasing to love,
Hearts together does tie
Whispers of doves.
And lastly those of sly
Those of wit this house bare
Foes beware
The Slytherin's Heir is here…

At the last line Hermione and Ron gasped with the other students and for the briefest moment Harry thought he saw Snape fix him with a stare. Harry knew what they were thinking and he looked resolutely to his plate. Waiting for the chatting to subside.

"…Jude Anderson…"

'At last.' Harry thought for what seemed like an age had past, 'they've started the sorting…'

"Ravenclaw…!"

Harry twiddled his fork in his hands and tapped his foot impatiently. It would be over soon, he knew. And then everyone will forget the hat's song.

"Regin Standforde…" Harry glanced up, the name seemed slightly familiar. A young blonde haired boy stumbled forward and glanced about the room with over large blue eyes. The hat fell about his ears as McGonagall dropped the hat on his head… It was while before the hat yelled… "GRYFFINDOR!" The boy lifted the hat above his eyes and was grinning sheepishly before he jumped from the stool and swaggered to the Gryffindor table with a cheeky smile.

Harry clapped along with the others and smiled as the boy was enthusiastically greeted by some other first years in their house.

"Did you hear what the hat said about Slytherin's heir, Regin," a first year girl said close to Harry's ear as the two past.
Regin laughed heartily, "It's probably not a problem, Bree. This is the safest place on earth…"

Harry grinned at the youngster's faith in the safety of the castle and hoped to god he was right.

"…Nancy Whytcomb…"

"...Slytherin…"

As the last student was sorted Albus Dumbledore stood. "Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As usual I must announce the Forbidden Forest is exactly that – Forbidden…" Harry grinned at Ron and Hermione. "And I would like you all to join me in welcoming Augusta Spalding to the staff…"

A witch, with long black hair, regally and glared around at the students. And raised a perfect hand to greet the Hogwarts students and nodded to the staff.

"The new defences against the dark arts teacher," Ron whispered in Harry's ear.

"…I am sure she will be an informative potions mistress…" Dumbledore concluded, his blue eyes sparkling around at the mass of students before he opened his mouth to speak again.

Ron was opening and closing his mouth dumbly, his lips distinctly forming the word 'potions...' Regaining his composure Ron turned to Harry, "Then who is the defence against the dark arts teacher?"

'Who indeed,' Harry thought echoing Ron's words... 'Who..?'

I will now apologise for my dismal attempt at the sorting hat's song... ARGH... I hate rhyming words !