Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. I'm just having fun playing with them.

A/N: Here's another chapter. I'm doing my best to try to update at least once every two weeks. This chapter wrote itself quickly but the editting came slowly. Plus I just started school and all of that fun stuff. I'm actually wondering if anyone's reading this so far, if so please review. Any comments welcome. Enjoy.

Chapter Two: Thankful for Interruptions

It was 1 o' clock in the afternoon when the professors of Hogwarts heard the familiar train whistle. Today was the start of a new year. The beginning of school used to be such a warm time for the professors. But the events of the past few years have made it an experience almost unwelcoming as they feared what would come with this year. Voldemort had entered the school many times, and that put the students at risk. How he managed to break all of the security was a mystery, but somehow his plans had almost always succeeded. Times are looking dark for Hogwarts, but everyone had hopes that the Light would prevail.

"I don't know what your talking about Rob, but I certainly think visiting the world's largest Wizarding Library would have been the highlight of my summer," Hermione Granger stated to her best friend. "Personally, I'm quite jealous of you!" She finished with a huff.

Rob Wealsey, who isn't as obsessed with reading as his best friend is, could only respond with a look to his other friend Harry, that pleaded, "Help me out of this please!"

"Hermione, just because you read every book you own forty million times doesn't mean you have to belittle Rob for not being as excited as you would be," Harry snapped in reply.

"Whoa, what's your problem Harry? What happened to you over the summer that has you in such a bad mood?" Hermione questioned, her tone obviously deflated from it's usual know-it-all self.

"Well I --" Harry started, thankfully interrupted by the sound of Professor McGonagall rounding up the students in her house.

At this point Harry could not have been happier for this interruption. His summer had not been pleasant, and he really didn't want to think about it. He was just overly happy to finally be back at Hogwarts, where he wouldn't have to think of the events that happened just mere weeks ago.

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All anyone could hear as they entered the Great Hall would be the constant chitter chatter among the returning students. One glace at the front of the Hall could tell you that the first year students had more on their minds than idol chit-chat.

Today is what is known as the Sorting Ceremony, a part of the Welcoming Feast that is thrown on the first day of every year. All of the frightened looks is mainly because it is on this very day that every first year student would be sorted into their respected House. This house would determine who they would become friends with, what classes they would be sharing with other students, where their dormitories were located, and even what House Quidditch team they would be cheering for for the next 7 years that they attended Hogwarts.

This is a very serious time for the new students because they will also discover hidden traits about themselves that they may not have realized yet, fore you are sorted into houses by what is inside of you – and I'm not talking about your organs.

Now you might wonder who would be best to judge your inner character, considering it means so much about your schooling for the next years to come. It happens to be none other than the one-of-a-kind, never wrong, all knowing, Sorting... Hat!

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But the Sorting Ceremony was old news to the three best friends that sat at the Gryffindor table. Each were filled with different emotions as their class schedules appeared in front of them. Carefully overlooking the schedules that were placed before them. Ron looked as if he had been hit with an Unforgivable Curse, as Hermione sat with her jaw slightly opened up.

"How could they require us to take Double Potions class, three times per week?" asked Harry Potter of his friends. That would mean six hours would be spent down in the dungeons with Professor Snape. Many would think a lifetime in the Incurable Ward at St. Mungo's Wizarding Hospital would be most pleasant when compared to what they would endure from Hogwarts Potions Master.

"Well, it is a N.E.W.T. level class Harry, and one of the most esteemed as far as results go," Hermione told her friends. It seemed as though you could tell this girl she would have to live with Professor Snape, and she wouldn't mind as long as it would better her education.

"I don't care how important this class is, it doesn't mean that I have to like it one bit," said the red-haired boy, a characteristic trait of the Wealsey family that Ron had also been blessed with.

"We'll live Ron, we always do," Harry sighed as he heard the sound of metal hitting metal as the Headmaster signaled everyone's attention. It was a magic in it's own as the hundreds of students in the Great Hall instantly hushed their conversations and gave their full attention to Headmaster Dumbledore.

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"Firstly, I'd like to welcome our incoming first year students and welcome back our returning students. As always the beginning of a new year is a chance to start anew. Let's hope this year is our best yet!" as the Headmaster said these words the hall rose in cheers but quickly ceased so the Headmaster could continue.

"Also, I'd like to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forest is off limits to students. If at anytime you think you have a reason to enter the forest, please contact your Head of House or another professor and we'll make arrangements for someone to enter with you. Mr. Filch also has posted a list of all of the objects that are banned from being used in the school. This list is posted inside of each of your common rooms. Please respect the staff's wishes with these restrictions." As this was announced it seemed that there was no bigger sign than that of the Golden Trio since they were sure all items from Ron's brother's joke shop would be banned.

"And finally, I would like you all to welcome Professor Lupin back as our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Most of you will be pleased to know of his return, I am sure. Now on with the Feast everyone!"

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Harry was stunned. Professor Lupin couldn't be back. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to face him after avoiding his messages all summer. He hadn't even read them, to be honest. He knew that he hated him for killing Sirius. It was his fault that Sirirus had died, that Professor Lupin's best friend, one of the last of the famous Marauders, was gone forever. The thought of dropping DADA was out of the question. He'll just have to deal with another teacher hating him. Snape already did, so what's one more to deal with? These thoughts ended as he felt a gentle tug on his robe.

Looking over, he noticed a frightened looking first year boy standing there. "Did we really look that small when we were first years?" he quickly thought to himself.

"Mr. Potter, my name's Jimmy.. and I just wanted to say thanks for what your doing. My grandmum says your going to make sure the world is safe for me to grow up," the little boy said.

"Me? Save the world? Why does everyone have to think this!" mentally angry with this burden that was placed upon his shoulders for being the bloody Boy-Who-Lived. Another thought made him realize that it was not this boy's fault though.

"Thank you Jimmy. That means a lot to me. But please, don't call me Mr. Potter. Only Professor Snape calls me that, my friends just call me Harry," he said with a smile. It was the truth, it did mean a lot after all of the accusations against him last year along with nearly the entire Wizarding world hating him.

"Thank you Harry, um could I ask you a favor?" Jimmy said with a small nervous laugh.

"Whatcha need?" Harry replied, wondering if the boy was going to ask him to check his dorm for Death Eaters, or put up some magical charm to protect him.

"I was wondering... if it wasn't too much trouble... see my grandmum's birthday is coming up... and she went to school with your Dad's parents.. and she thinks you look like your dad since she knew him as a boy... and I wanted to see if you'd sign this picture I have of you so I could give it to her," stuttering the last few words Jimmy finished his request. His worlds all seemed to bunch together as he shifted back and forth on his feet.

"This boy is more of a wreck than Neville in Snape's class," Harry thought before answering the boy.

"Of course I will. Actually, you might be able to do me a favor as well. When you give your grandmum her gift, would you ask her if I could write to her sometime? I'd love to know more about my grandparents," Harry told the boy.

"Certainly! She's love that! Thank you so much Harry. Is it okay if I bring the picture by later? It's in my trunk and see my trunk is in my dorm room and--" then Harry cut the smiling boy off as he saw the Perfects gathering the kids up to show them to their dorms, and they'd be in trouble if they missed them.

"That's fine. We better get moving though because our group is being lead to our dorms, and we don't want to get left behind now, do we?" Harry asked the boy.

With that, both boys went along to catch up with the rest of their housemates on the way to Gryffindor Tower.

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Back in Gryffindor Tower, the three friends came together once more. Harry was finally happy, to be home again after the summer. Home at Hogwarts, the first place he ever felt friendship and love. The first place he was truly happy and accepted for being who he was.

After some aimless chatter between the friends, Harry excused himself and walked up to his dorm room. Falling into bed he tried to relax his thoughts and clear his mind. Quickly, he drifted of into a peaceful sleep.