Chapter 3

The sorting continued, and finished with another member of the Zorka family, who was sorted into Ravenclaw. Professor McGonagall rolled up the list of names neatly, and took the hat and stool away. Then, Professor Dumbledore took the podium, solemnly.

This was rare, especially for Dumbledore, who was usually quite mirthful at these opening speeches, and it put them all on edge.

"Good evening, students," he said quietly, but for some strange reason, they all heard him quite well. "We are gathered on the edge of a new year, the verge of new beginnings. Those who are returning are aware that every year a head girl, and a head boy, are selected. This year, we have four head students, two boys, and two girls. These students are selected because of their quality leaderships skills, not based on their houses. The head boys and girls this year are: Padma Patil, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Draco Malfoy.

"No doubt you are all wondering, why do we need four head students? The answer is quite simple, students. In light of what happened last year, we need more security and strength within the school. You are to obey your heads at all times. Regardless of their house, you are in their jurisdiction.

"Moving on. We have a new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Everyone immediately looked up at the teacher's tables, and saw that there was indeed a new face. He had dark wavy hair that fell to just below his ears. His eyes were a deep dark blue that seemed so gentle and beautiful, Hermione found it hard to believe that he taught such a cruel subject. Suddenly, he caught her eye, and she felt as if she was wallowing in the ocean, and she felt a intense feeling of déjà vu, but it passed as quickly as it had come, and she wondered if she had imagined it.

"This is Professor Santisi," Dumbledore continued, motioning to the young teacher. "And he just arrived here from Sicily."

All the younger girls swooned, he was very handsome, and Hermione noticed that even Ginny was blushing. He had to be no more than twenty-three, and would be a wonderful catch for the lucky girl who could lay hands on him.

Hermione found herself looking over at Draco, who was laughing at something Blaise had said.


After dinner, Dumbledore stood again.

"You may leave now, but I need to see the heads after everyone has left, right here."

There was a flurry of motion as the other students hurried away to their dorms, the prefects ferrying the frightened first years up to their house dorms. Hermione watched them go, it was bittersweet to see the young students, especially in her last year.

She hurried over to the teacher's table, where the other heads were assembling.

"Now, we have created a individual dorm for the head students to live," Dumbledore told them, smiling like he used to. "I decorated it myself."

"We have to stay with him?" Padma demanded, pointing at Draco accusingly. "I don't-"

"Shush," Hermione warned her. "It's not up to us." Padma fell into wary silence, glaring at Draco with undisguised distaste.

"This way," Dumbledore said.


They went out into the entrance hall, and into the tower with all the stairs. They headed up a long flight of stairs into the heart of the castle, and before she knew it they had reached a portrait.

The portrait was of the author William Shakespeare, and sat in the empty hallway rather forlornly.

"Good evening, Will," Dumbledore said politely.

"Master Dumbledore!" Shakespeare boomed. "Good evening to you as well. Thou hast brought me a passel of lads and lassies, no?"

"They'll be staying in the tower," Dumbledore said, and Hermione quickly realized that they were indeed standing at the foot of one of the smaller towers.

"The password is Muffleberry," Dumbledore told them. The portrait swung open, and they entered a very large sitting room.

The room was decorated in all the colors of each house in Hogwarts. There were four plush chairs, two in Gryffindor colors, one in Slytherin, and one in Ravenclaw. A merry fire blazed in the fire-place, over which hung the Hogwarts crest, and many tapestries lined the walls. In the corner of the room was a spiral staircase.

"I'll leave you all to explore, don't forget the password, and I shall see you all at breakfast tomorrow."

"Yes, Professor," they all said together, and he smiled once briefly, and left.

The room was silent save for the crackling of the fire.

"Do you suppose we get our own rooms?" Harry asked suddenly.

"Only one way to find out," Draco said, charging up the stairs. Hermione hurried after him.

When they reached the landing, their was a door which said,

"Padma."

"I suppose this is Padma's room," Harry said, and Padma opened the door. The others hurried up the stairs, and at the next landing was Harry's room. Hermione found her room another story up, and Draco was at the very top.

"Thank goodness we can Disapparate and Apparate," he said grumpily. "Or else we'd be very sore."

Hermione opened her room's door, and found that it was decorated in all Gryffindor colors. She had her own bathroom, also in a red and gold theme, and a huge four-poster bed. She found herself missing the incessant chatter of the other girls, and missed Ginny horribly. She decided that on the weekends she would let some of the other girls sleep in her room, so she wouldn't be so alone.

There were five windows, each placed so that she could pop out of bed and look down upon the castle and surrounding lands. She couldn't wait to see the Forbidden forest from so high up.


Draco's room was not decorated in Slytherin colors, to his relief, but was instead white and yellow. Having the top of the tower was enjoyable, because there were many windows, and he knew there would be a fantastic view.

He was relieved to have escaped from Luc's careful watch, but knew that almost all his classes would include the suspicious boy. Draco found it hard to believe that Luc was his half-brother, and decided most certainly, that he liked Pandora a great deal more.


A/N: Thanks to everyone who's reviewed! Please do it again, I'd really appreciate it. :)