There were just about 30 students at the Gryffindor table. The number was even lesser at the other house tables, Slytherin being absolutely empty. The atmosphere was solemn and forlorn. The Great Hall, which once, bustled with activity and children shouting to each other "Pass the Dessert!" or "Oh my God, you won't believe what I heard!" was now filled with deathly silence. As soon as Harry, Ron and Hermione took their seats, McGonagall came with the three legged stool and the battered sorting hat. She placed the hat delicately on the stool and stood aside. Harry looked around for the new students, but saw none. Every year, as was the ritual the sorting hat began to sing-

There is a Dark gloom

Descending on us so slow.

No one can tell

Who is friend and who's foe.

Reappears prominent and powerful

The dark regime

But let us vow to defeat them

Just like last time.

An ode to him who passed away

He had held the school up high

In his absence let us pledge

To make it reach the sky.

Finally we shall achieve victory

'Truth only triumphs' said someone.

I shall not talk about the sorting

This year I see, there is none.

But remember now that

All evil has left the school

The one who won't unite

Will be the fool.

No one is in Gryffindor, no one is in Hufflepuff

No one is in Ravenclaw now

You all belong to the same house

Of peace I bestow.

The brim closed and the hat became inanimate again. The students applauded. Yes, someday there will be peace, we will win, and Voldemort? He'll just take his place in a history book, Hermione thought to herself.

Professor McGonagall walked up and addressed to the students.

"As you have noticed, this many of our students have left us for various reasons. Some are skeptical about the school's security, some have been fallen as the victim of the Dark Lord's followers and some may I say, have gone to join the Dark Lord to wipe the rest of the community out. But, nevertheless, studies will not be stopped even if there is only one student left. We will continue to teach just the way as it was before. As far as the security at school, we will take adequate measures about which I will tell you at another meeting later this week. We will also be distributing you a set of rules that you have to abide by in order to remain alive by the end of the year-" there was a feeble laugh among the scanty audience- "While these are not very foolproof, they will assure a personal safety. Not only physically, but mentally. Also you will be having certain tests against the use of Polyjuice Potion and certain passwords will be given to you for protection because the test is a little….I might put it….painful. Not to worry, not to worry. It is not THAT painful, but well anyway, there will be a curfew imposed on the students that is after seven no wandering in the corridors. Dinner will be served at 7 sharp and after dinner, you go right back to your common rooms. All library work must be completed before this time and no excuse shall be catered to. And of course, wandering at a wrong time in a wrong place will lead to strict disciplinary actions. Everything else that I might have overlooked will be in your list of rules. For seventh year NEWT students and fifth grade OWLs, I would like to inform you that due to the dark time the Ministry of Magic has decided to suspend these standard tests this year and maybe the following year. However, you will be tested at school, the same way you are usually tested other years. And yes, please applaud for your new head girl and head boy- Mr. Harry Potter and Ms. Hermione Granger."

A brief, but enthusiastic applause ensued.

"Now we come to the subject of Defence against the Dark Arts. It is very difficult to find a teacher for this post because of its blemished reputation. This year, I suggest that we form two unions. As many of you know, a union called the Dumbledore's Army was started two years ago. This year I am requesting you to do that again. The two unions will be DA Junior which will consist of all the students from first year to fourth year and the DA Senior which will have students of fifth grade to seventh year. Even if you have opted out of the subject after your OWL result, I want all of you to join the unions. I myself will be looking into the functioning of the Class group. Everyday one hour after lunch for juniors and one hour before lunch for seniors should suit you. The head of the Senior DA is of course our very own head boy, but the head of the latter, I will choose after seeing your performance. There will be spells to learn which can protect from jinxes, hexes and curses. More will be announced in your classes tomorrow. You may now go. Good night."

"So, more responsibility on you, eh?" Ron said.

"Looks like it. But I want this responsibility. I want to train each and every one of the students to combat the dark arts. Hermione, maybe you could look up important spells to be learnt for me, couldn't you?"

"Leave that to me. Tomorrow morning I'll give you the list of important spells that could help us. I'll do the work tonight."

"OK. Done."

"And what about the…well…painful Polyjuice tests?" enquired Ron, clutched his bottom anxiously.

"Sounds a lot like they're gonna do a DNA test and check for gene pairing, doesn't it, Harry?"

"Yeah, but they really don't have our gene pairing, do they?" Harry reasoned.

"Excuse me; guys…which language are you talking?" Ron looked lost.

"Never you mind, Ron. It's muggle technology anyways." Harry and Hermione laughed at his confused face.

Ron looks so adorable when he's confused, which is like most of the time, Hermione thought, but without actually thinking. You know what I mean.

They reached the portrait hole.

"Oh, hello, dears. Congratulations! Both the heads from Gryffindor. I am indeed very proud to be the keeper of the door of this house. Password?"

"What is it, Harry?" Hermione asked urgently.

"Thestral."

The entered into the warmth of the common room. People were sitting near the fire and talking to each other. As soon as they entered, the heads turned around and Neville came up and said, "Harry, are we beginning classes from tomorrow? I really want to get along with some handy spells."

"Yes," Harry muttered. The tension was building up on him. He had to arm the students to his level best, and he was determined.

"So, g'night 'Mione," he waved. "Better get some sleep before a busy day tomorrow."

"Night Harry, night Ron," she yawned.

"Goodnight Hermione." Ron blushed. She kept on looking at the steps leading to the boys' dorms until the red head was no longer visible.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A/N: so far it is sort of dragging, because I kind of stretched the matter over, but then watch out for the action. Please R&R, I've spent a lot of time making chapters, and if you really want your story to be appreciated you really have to work hard. I hope you like my sorting hat's song, because I worked really hard. I'm pretty good at writing poems, but not as good at stories. I'm gonna put my best friend as my beta author because she happens to be an extremely innovative person and I might need help sometimes. Other than that all I can say is "NITWIT BLUBBER ODDMENT TWEAK!"