Author's Note: I do not own Harry Potter.

To My Reviewers:

Lillyseyes, lady rivendell, devilangel05, shania Maxwell, dd2, and juliedecarson: Thank you so much. I'm still experimenting with writing stories as this is my first fan fic. Thanks for the encouragement.

Biblios: Unfortunately, I think I like the story better where Snape and Harry actually grow to like each other and aren't so snappy at each other. Sorry.

SexyisSnape126: I probably will add a quidditch scene or two if I can manage to get one sounding right. Thanks for the review.

Lady Lily 3: I'm glad you like the story. I don't think there will be a girlfriend for Harry in this one as I'm really not sure who he would end up with. Thanks.

K00lgirl1808 and IvyLilac and misswaffle: Thanks for the corrections. I unfortunately do not own any of the Harry Potter books and am trying to go on what I remember. Therefore, I know I'm not getting all the facts right. I was actually going off the movie on the eye color because I didn't remember that detail and I could have sworn that his eyes were brown. In the future I will try and get my information off the internet, but I know that I won't be able to get everything from there. I'll try to review my work better and check on that spelling. Revisions are in progress for the previous chapters- including the eye color thing and also correcting the spelling of characters names. Thanks.

Glowing-ice: Thanks. I didn't even realize that I wasn't accepting them. I corrected that. Thanks for the suggestion.

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Professor Snape had suggested that Harry go down to the Hogsmeade Station to meet the Hogwarts Express. That way he could meet with Harry and Ron and all come together to the banquet. Professor Snape knew that Harry was anxious to see his friends and get the year started. As Harry watched for the train, his mind was consumed of thoughts – not of the coming year, but of only the coming festivities. For the moment, he seemed to have been able to block out Voldemort, the deatheaters, and even the recent news that Snape was his father. Finally Harry saw the train beginning to pull into the station. When it came to a stop, he watched carefully as he knew Ron and Hermione would be coming from the prefect carriages. As he watched them step out, he was surprised to see Ginny Weasley following them. 'Wow, they made her a prefect. Two Weasley prefects in Griffindor?' thought Harry.

As Harry, Ron, and Hermione greeted each other, Ginny stood to the side awkwardly waiting for them to finish. "Congratulations, Ginny. I see you made prefect." Harry said.

"Thanks, Harry. Mum was pretty excited."

"That's an understatement," said Ron. "She was bouncin' off the walls, she was."

"I've got something that I need to tell you guys about you-know-who. We'll talk after the welcoming feast." Harry told the three quietly.

As they approached the thestrals, Harry heard his three friends gasp as they saw what was pulling the carriages for the first time. "Have these been here the whole time?" Ron asked as he saw the skeletal form in front of him.

"Yes," Harry said. "There only visible after you see death. Welcome to the club."

After they arrived at the entranceway and went into the great hall, they watched as the sorting hat sung its song. This year's was filled with a prophecy of the darkness to come and renewed urging for unity among the houses. It was a particularly solemn song, and the students sat in sober silence in response. After that Harry's mind wandered as the many first years were sorted. He only vaguely heard the cheers go up as the sorting hat called out "Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff"

Finally all the first years were sitting at the various house tables and Dumbledore stood up to say, "Very well, tuck in!"

Just as Dumbledore sat down, the food appeared. The students were too preoccupied with stuffing their faces to have a decent conversation, and there was much silence as they all ate until they were full. "Mmm. Thif if woneful. I've miffed thif." Mumbled Ron with his mouthful.

Finally they had reached the end and Dumbledore stood up to make the usual announcements that come with the beginning of the term. "First I want to remind everyone that the forbidden forest is off-limits to all. Second, I would like to announce that we have brought back Remus Lupin as our defense against the dark arts teacher." A large round of applause went out at this announcement. "Lastly, as we all know, Voldemort is becoming more powerful and I expect you all to take every precaution of protecting yourselves. I also expect that you will dive even more into your studies. That is all."

As the house-elves had already transferred Harry's things to his normal room in the Gryffindor tower, Harry made his way up stairs with Neville and Ginny as Ron and Hermione were escorting the first years. When they got to the portrait of the fat lady they realized they would have to wait for someone who knew the password.

"Okay the password for the portrait is 'blast-ended skrewts.' Please remember this and for everyone's protection, don't write the password down!" said Ron with a glance over at Neville.

Finally Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were able to get together. "Come on Harry said. Let's go to my trunk." They looked around to make sure no one was looking before Harry tapped on the bottom of the trunk and said 'Relaxo' and the four walked down to the sitting room and closed the trunk behind them.

Harry first filled in Ginny on what had happened over the summer (after all, she had helped in the Department of Mysteries.) He then filled in the four on Voldemort's query and plan for him. "So by the end of the year, everyone thinks I'll be facing Voldemort once and for all."

"Wow, Harry." Were the basic sentiments from the three people listening to him.

"Well, help you prepare and whatever Dumbeldore teaches you, teach us and we will all be able to help you. You don't think we're going to let you face Voldemort by yourself do you?" Hermione said. "By the way, are you going to continue the DA?"

"No, I don't think that I'll have time and now that we have a proper DADA teacher, I don't think that it's necessary. I have no doubt that Dumbeldore will have Professor Lupin preparing us quite well for any potential fights with deatheaters."

"Well, it's quite late." Said Ron yawning. "I say that we all head to bed. Which classes do we have tomorrow?"

"We all have double potions in the morning and then Transfiguration and Charms in the afternoon." Hermione stated.

"Double potions? Yuck!" Ron said not remembering for the moment about Snape.

"You know, Professor Snape really isn't as bad as he makes out in class. He has to keep up that façade because of Malfoy and other deatheaters children, you know? If you keep that in mind, the class can't be that bad." Harry said.

"Oh Harry! I didn't mean you any offense. I just forgot, is all. You know how Snape is. I didn't mean anything Harry." Said Ron as he stumbled over his words.

"It's okay Ron. Let's get to bed."