I say, I have reviews!

And I have spent the week speaking like an upper-class toff, much to the amusement of my friends.

Have fun!

"Welcome!" Dumbledore called out over the faces of the students, old and new, sat at their respective house tables. The first years stared at him with some foreboding. "Welcome to another year – of magic!"

Harry scanned the Great Hall, and recognised many of his old friends from different houses dotted around the room. He could also see Draco Malfoy, but he hardly classed as a friend. Sat up at the teacher's table was who Harry presumed was the new Defence teacher – a willowy witch with long brown hair and a thin face. She was deep in conversation with Vector. He glanced at the opposite end of the table and noted with no small amount of resentment that Snape was still firmly in place as the King of Slytherin, scowling at anyone and everyone. Including Harry, who scowled back.

"As wonderful as it is to see you all again, my greetings will have to wait until after the feast, since I am sure you are all rather hungry after the train journey. Enjoy!"

Harry grinned as food blossomed right along the table, including, as usual, sherbet lemons. He began piling the workings of a Sunday lunch onto his plate whilst deciding whether the pork or lamb looked most appetising. To his left Dean was talking enthusiastically about the UEFA Cup Final – something to do with football – which his mother had recorded for him to watch. Seamus looked bored out of his wits.

"Did you study all the books before you came, Harry?" Hermione asked as she passed the gravy boat to Ginny. Ron groaned.

"Hermione, he's only just got back! Give him the night off!"

"No Ron, I won't!" she replied shortly. "The NEWT courses are much more difficult than the OWLs. Harry needs to be right up to date with all the readings. So should you!"

Harry poked her playfully in the ribs.

"Chill, Hermione!" he laughed as she scowled. "You can grill us on our study habits all you want tomorrow – just give us tonight to get back to normal!"

"But your NEWTs are important!" Hermione pouted. Harry grinned.

"You know, doing that makes you look even cuter." He teased, and she blushed, suddenly much more interested in her steak.

Sated and comfortable, Harry leaned forward onto the table as Ron shovelled the last of his food into his mouth. Smacking his lips with satisfaction, he took a long gulp of pumpkin and sighed happily. Harry watched the scene with amusement; Hermione, with something akin to disdain. He frowned at her disapproving face.

"What?" he asked defensively. Hermione sighed and shook her head, smiling. Harry laughed: it had been a long summer. The chatter around him suddenly deadened, and he looked to his left to find Dumbledore standing up at the staff table, smiling at them all.

"The very best of evenings to you!" he said warmly. Harry watched him speak and noticed, for the very first time, just how old he looked. It could have been the light, of course, but in all his previous five years he had never imagined Dumbledore as 'old'. Experienced, yes. But not old. The customary twinkle was diminished in his blue eyes. His face looked more wrinkled, more weathered, and his back seemed slightly bent – although Harry couldn't really blame him. The strain of holding the wizarding world together was finally taking its toll on the Headmaster.

"I do hope that you've all had excellent summers, and have returned to Hogwarts rested and relaxed. I have a few start-of-term notices to announce before you all go to bed."

"Who's that?" Ron whispered suddenly, pointing at the witch with brown hair. Harry shrugged.

"Give him a second and he'll tell us!" Hermione hissed crossly, earning herself a few startled looks from the surrounding Gryffindors.

"I would like to welcome Professor Molina to the teaching staff, who will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts this year."

The tall witch stood up to a polite round of applause. Harry glanced at Snape, who was sneering at the woman as though he resented her mere presence. Harry frowned. Surely he wasn't still annoyed about not getting the Defence Against the Dark Arts post again? It was obviously clear that Dumbledore was never going to appoint him.

"Secondly, Mr. Filch would like all students to be aware that no products of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes are permitted. This includes Skiving Snackboxes, all types of Love Potion, and any tricks for cheating during tests and exams."

"I forgot to ask." Harry said in a low voice to Ron across the table as Dumbledore ran through the usual warnings concerning the Forbidden Forest and announcements about Quidditch. "How are the twins getting along?"

"Wonderfully." He replied, grinning, but quickly replaced it with a frown. "They're still refusing me discounts, though. Damnable pity that."

Harry laughed as they were dismissed, benches shoved backwards in the usual deafening scrape. He grabbed hold of Hermione's hand to avoid losing her in the crush as Ravenclaw merged with them in an attempt to exit the Great Hall. She offered him a smile and tugged him forwards. As they waited for a space to clear, Harry gazed around the Hall. He caught sight of a flash of white-blond hair, a pair of smoky grey eyes and a practised sneer, before he was whisked away to the warm, homely, familiarity of Gryffindor Tower.

I know, not much is happening... but OMG LOOK! IT'S HET! H/Hr content... and you know I don't do het... I wonder what is getting into me?

Thanks Jimbo... you make me giggle.

Q: How many Umbridges does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: She passes a decree making it illegal for lightbulbs to burn out.

PLEASE! REVIEW! IT MAKES ME HAPPY INSIDE!

smokey

lives 25 miles form the nearest Starbucks.