Chapter 8
Dinner
A few things caught Harry's attention right off as he entered the great hall. First, was the green skinned, horned gentleman in the loud suit sitting with the professors. Then the other newcomers, a young red haired woman sitting next to Snape, and...The Celts?
"Where else are those two gonna turn up?" Ron muttered.
As the students took their seats, McGonagall led in the First Years, along with Luna's friend Amanda Sefton. As an exchange student, she would be sorted into a house for the year that she would be there. Luna no doubt was hoping for Ravenclaw.
Alas, twas not to be. Amanda wound up in Hufflepuff. She put on a polite smile, but inside she was not happy. Hufflepuff? The only house with a silly sounding name. Kurt would never stop teasing her about this.
After the sorting, Dumbledore rose. "I bid welcome to our first years, and other newcomers. As usual, I have some start of term announcements to make. As some may already be aware, Professor Trelawney has found gainful employment with the Quibbler, and has resigned as our divinations teacher."
There was mixed reactions to that news. Some were glad to no longer have to deal with the woman who every year picked someone who would die. Lavender and Paravati however were shocked and scandalized, that their favorite teacher and mentor had sold out.
"Accordingly," Dumbledore continued. "I would like to introduce you to your new Divinations Professor, Lorne." The green man waved happily. "On a related note, any students of a theatrical or musical bent may be interested to know that Professor Lorne is interested in starting some manner of Drama or Music Club. In addition, Professor Giles would like to introduce his assistant, Willow Rosenberg, of California. An American, but we won't hold that against her." The red-head blushed and shot Albus a dirty look. "And lastly two guests, also from the United States, and coincidentally, Ms. Rosenberg's home town, Mickey Keeler, son of two Hogwarts alumni, and Joseph MacLeod.
"As always the Dark Forest is forbidden, but if you should find yourself there, Joseph asks I advise you to tell the Centaurs, that Puck sent you."
Harry looked at the red haired girl next to Snape again. He was one of the few students who knew the real reason why Giles, who had taken over the Defense Against the Dark Arts class the year before, had left for a week near the end of the previous term. A girl had gotten into the Dark Arts, and had lost herself. He didn't know that Giles had brought her here. No wonder she and Snape were sitting side by side. Snape may be a greasy, unpleasant git, but he would be the only teacher, at Hogwarts who would know what it was like to come back from the dark side.
Then his attention moved to the green skinned Divinations Professor. He looked like the kind of thing they would learn about in DADA. Ah well at least-
Tbc…