Chapter 7: The Four Houses of Hogwarts

Harry quickly followed Ron and Hermione out of the carriage, eager to get into the Great Hall. The Great Hall looked as magnificent as ever, each of the House tables stretched all the way down the hall, finally ending at the staff table. Professor Dumbledore was seated in the center of the table, Professor McGonagal, usually at his side, was with the first years. Harry scanned the table, trying to find the unfamiliar face that would undoubtedly be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

Harry saw him speaking to Professor Flitwick near the end of the table. Harry nudged Ron, who in turn, poked Hermione, and they all gazed at the new professor. He looked kind enough as he sat laughing with Professor Flitwick. His hair was brown, only just beginning to go gray. He looked like a man who had seen many things at too young of an age, but used the experiences of his life to make him a better person. Harry felt inclined to trust this new teacher, and by looking at Hermione and Ron, they did too.

Looking away from the new teacher, they went to the Gryfindor table, sitting with Neville, Dean, and Seamus.

"Take a look at the new teacher. Wonder how long he's going to last," said Dean.

"I hope he's as good as Professor Lupin…hey, maybe he's a vampire!" Seamus said.

"It would be illogical for Dumbledore to hire a vampire; how would he be able to get around?" Hermione asked, looking at Seamus.

Before Seamus could answer the doors of the Great Hall opened, Professor McGonagal leading the nervous looking first years. As she was doing this, Professor Flitwick was placing the Sorting Hat on its stool where the students would be sitting. As the first years walked by Harry could only think that there was no way he was ever that small. Ron was making mocking baby noises next to him, much to Hermione's displeasure.

"Ron, grow up! You were that young once," she whispered.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagal said, "at this time you will be sorted into one of the four Houses we have at Hogwarts. Those Houses are: Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryfindor, and Slytherin. Each of these has their own strengths, and while you are at Hogwarts, they will be like your family," she said looking at each House table individually, "But don't forget about the other three Houses, they can feel like family as well," she added wisely. "When I call your name, you will step forward, sit on the stool, and place the Sorting Hat over your head…Adams, Bridget!" Bridget Adams slowly moved towards the stool, and looking nervous, sat down and placed the hat on her head.

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Brown, Wendell!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Bueller, Jonathon!"

"GRYFINDOR!" Harry applauded loudly as Jonathon joined the table.

"Catipotsus, Devin!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Chandler, Helen!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Sorting continued, and finally ended with "Zotto, Jane" (HUFFLEPUFF!).

Dumbledore rose from his seat and regarded the Great Hall. The students fell silent, and Dumbledore began to speak.

"Welcome, new students to Hogwarts, and welcome back to those of you returning! I am delighted to introduce the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Edwards! He has kindly accepted my offer for him to teach here, and I'm sure all of you with treat him well. New students know this: there is absolutely no entering the Forbidden Forrest," Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged mischievous glances. "And to all the students, there will be no walking outside the walls of Hogwarts after dark; this is of course a safety measure against the forces of Voldemort," the students in the Great Hall flinched. "Mr. Filch has once again revised his list of forbidden items, I suggest all of you take the time to read it; it is posted outside his office…With that said, dig in!" He sat down and as he did, the tables were instantly laden with spectacular food.

"Interesting what Professor McGonagal said, about the four Houses being like family," Hermione said.

"Yeah, like I'd ever want to have a big happy family with the Slytherins," Harry said.

"Well, I think she's right. I don't think we should all get in a group hug or anything!" she said as Ron an Harry looked at her in disgust, "I was just saying that we should think about what side we're all on!"

"I don't think the Slytherins are on the same side as us, Hermione," Harry said. Hermione nodded in agreement.

"Maybe you're right about them. But at least we should try to get to know the students from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff a little better," she said. Harry nodded, with the war going on, it would be better to make alliances with the other Houses.

"I can' 'ait oo ee err oo oofser!" Ron said, his mouth full of food.

"Ron, swallow before you speak," Hermione said. Ron swallowed and tried again.

"I can't wait to meet the new professor!" he said, "He's going to be awesome, I bet!"

"Yeah, I bet he is," Harry said, looking back at the staff table. Harry continued eating until a bright flash nearly blinded him.

"Hiya, Harry!" it was Colin Creevey, "How was your summer? Good I hope. Mine was great! Too bad about You-Know-Who being back…but it's just like you said, they should've listened to you last year; right Harry?"

"Sure, Colin," Harry said, hoping that Colin would leave. Colin did leave, but not before taking another picture of Harry. As Harry was rubbing his eyes, someone else approached the table.

"Hello," it was Cho. Harry looked up at her; she was smiling nervously down at him. "Can I talk to you?"

"Um…yeah…okay," Harry stood up and followed Cho out of the Great Hall.

"I'm sorry, Harry, for last year…I was just upset about Cedric. Well, I guess I was just wondering if you'd…like to try again. Y'know, if you weren't already involved…" Harry stared at Cho; she wanted to try again? But as Harry thought about it, he really wasn't as interested in Cho as he had been before.

"Look Cho, I'm sorry, but I really can't. I think it'd be better for us to stay as friends," Harry said, "I'm sorry, but the answer is no," Harry looked down at Cho, expecting her to cry or get angry.

"Oh, that's okay. I mean; I didn't really expect you to want to…" Cho was obviously hurt.

"I'm sorry," Harry said again. "I'll see you later," He returned to the Great Hall and sat back down.

"What was that, Harry? Did Cho want you back?" Ron asked. Harry nodded. "Alright! You two are a couple all over again!" Hermione looked far less excited.

"I told her I didn't want to," Harry said.

"I think that was the right thing to do, Harry. She's not good for you, she's cries endlessly!" Hermione said.

"Who cares? Look at her, she's gorgeous!" Ron said. Harry looked over to the Ravenclaw table; she was very pretty…Harry suddenly felt as if he'd made a mistake.

"Looks don't mean everything, Ron," Hermione replied. That was also true; Harry was becoming confused, should he have accepted her offer? She was pretty and maybe she did have something on the inside Harry hadn't yet seen. Harry thought back to his date with her, she was very upset about Cedric; maybe her being over it meant they that they could work things out? Harry looked back over to Cho; no, he decided, she just didn't interest him.

"Hermione, when will you learn that not everybody cares about how smart people are?" Ron asked. "It doesn't matter if you're the smartest person in the world if you look like a hag!"

"You are so immature, Ron. You can't expect to get the prettiest girl, you have to look for somebody who's right for you," Hermione said, becoming defensive. Hermione was one of the smartest people Harry knew, and apparently what Ron had said touched a nerve. But Harry thought that Hermione was very pretty, beautiful, in fact. Whoa, watch it there, Harry. That is no way to think about your best friend. Harry looked back at Hermione as if looking at her for the first time. Her brown busy hair suddenly looked elegant. Her cinnamon eyes were deep and warm, and her smile was radiant.

Harry remembered when he had first met her, on the train on his way to Hogwarts for the first time. She had seemed for than just a little stuck-up. When she had been sorted into Gryfindor, he and Ron were half willing to ask to be switched. Ron and he avoided her whenever possible, for all they knew she was just a know-it-all. Harry smiled as he remembered Ron complaining about her, "It's levi-oh-sa, not levio-sah!" On Halloween, however, things changed. Since the battle with the troll, the trio was inseparable except on the occasions they fought. Hermione had soon become an asset to Harry and Ron when they solved the mysteries that plagued the school. Last year, she had fortified her loyalty to Harry when she followed him to the Department of Mysteries. Harry couldn't possible live without Hermione by his side. Harry, you're getting a little weird…are you thinking what I think you're thinking? He was.

Harry feelings for Hermione; Cho Chang suddenly seemed to look like a banshee.

"Harry…hello, Harry!" Ron was waving a hand in Harry's face. Harry blinked and looked at Ron.

"Sorry, spaced out, I guess," he said.