Harry Potter and the Mind Mage

By James Milamber

A/N: When it comes to poetry, I have all the imaginary capabilities of a tree stump. Consequently, there will be no Sorting Hat song in this chapter, unless anyone has one they would let me use.

By the time the Hogwart's Express pulled into Hogsmeade station the rain was heavier than ever. Harry leapt from the carriage onto the platform before turning and helping Ginny down. She raised an eyebrow at his unnecessary attempt to be chivalrous but didn't comment. He was a Gryffindor, after all.

Hagrid bellowed something to Harry, but his words were lost over the combined din of the rain and students. Harry waved anyway, watching as the half giant herded the first years down towards the lake.

They raced towards the "horseless" carriages, Harry barely looking at the Thestrals hitched between the shafts. They climbed in quickly, the six of them barely fitting in before the door snapped closed and the carriage began to move. Harry sank back into the leather clad seat, his mind more on the Opening Feast to come than his current surroundings. He gazed out the window, watching as Hogwarts came into view. The carriages passed through the main gates flanked by the winged boars, and as they turned up the curved path, Harry glanced back in time to see the gates swing shut after the last carriage. He was sure he imagined it, but he could have sworn he heard a sullen clang as the gates came together.

The carriages slowed to a stop in front of the castle, and the students scrambled up the steps and into the Entrance Hall. Somewhere along the way they got separated from Luna, who took a place at the Ravenclaw table. The remaining five hurried to the Gryffindor table, thoroughly soaked.

'Bloody hell!' Ron said, trying to wring some of the water out of his robes. 'This is ridiculous!'

'At least there's no Peeves waiting in the Entrance Hall with water balloons this year,' Harry remarked.

'True,' Ron granted, taking off his shoes and socks and wringing the soggy fabric out.

By the time everyone was seated Hagrid had entered the hall and taken his seat, and soon after McGonagall led the terrified looking first years into the hall.

After the odd encounter on the train, Harry couldn't help but glance at Professor Milton. He was startled to find him staring back, one eyebrow raised slightly and a small smile on his face. The Professor nodded almost imperceptibly and winked at Harry, who smiled weakly and turned to look at the Sorting Hat, which had just been placed at the front of the hall.

The song was similar to last year's, warning the houses to stand together and not segregate. Harry glanced at the Slytherin table to see most of them sniggering amongst themselves, obviously dismissing the hat's warning. A few were looking speculatively around the hall at the other tables, and more were staring at the Gryffindor table, or more specifically, at Harry. He met a few sets of eyes and tried to smile encouragingly, although few of his smiles were returned.

'When I call your names, please sit on the stool and place the hat on your head,' McGonagall was saying, Harry turned his attention to the front of the hall, where the long line of first years was shifting nervously.

'This better be quick,' Ron said. 'I'm starved.'

'When are you not starved?' Hermione asked pointedly.

'Good point,' Ron admitted.

'Ashlin, Bradley!'

'HUFFLEPUFF!'

As the sorting continued, Harry noticed that a lot more students were being sorted into Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff than Slytherin; in fact, Slytherin only had about three new students by the time McGonagall had reached the letter 'S'.

'Settler, Lisa!'

Lisa was a tall girl (for a first year) with long black hair and a very nervous expression. She made her way carefully over to the stool and sat, gingerly placing the hat on her head.

'SLYTHERIN!'

Lisa removed the hat, staring blankly at the Slytherin table.

'Go on, dear,' McGonagall urged.

Lisa's lip trembled, and suddenly she burst into tears. The hall broke into whispers as two Slytherin seventh year girls hurried up to the crying girl and led her to a place at the Slytherin table. Harry glanced at Snape; his sneer didn't quite reach his eyes, and Harry could tell that he was concerned.

'Don't blame her,' Ron whispered to Harry. 'If I was sorted into Slytherin, I'd feel the same.'

'Ron!' Hermione hissed.

'Well I would,' Ron said defensively as McGonagall called out the next name.

'Most of the Slytherins aren't so bad,' Ginny said, her eyes still on Lisa Settler, who was being comforted by the two seventh years and their friends.

Ron was about to reply, but Hermione shushed him as Dumbledore stood.

'Well then,' Dumbledore said, his eyes sweeping the hall. 'This year we are privileged to have two students joining us from the Melbourne Institute of Magic in Australia. Please give a warm Hogwarts welcome for Alexander and Cassandra Milton!'

The twins entered through the same door that McGonagall had brought the hat through. There was a light smattering of applause as they made their way across the hall to where McGonagall stood. She nodded at Alex, who sat on the stool with a cocky grin and slid the hat onto his head.

'GRYFFINDOR!'

Alex stood, handing the hat to his sister, who was wearing the same grin as she placed the hat on her head.

'GRYFFINDOR!'

The Gryffindor table broke into applause as the twins made their way to where Harry and his friends were sitting.

'Told you,' Cassie said smugly as they sat.

Dumbledore waited until the Hall was relatively quiet before speaking again. 'Now that the Sorting is out of the way, I think it is time for us to eat!' He clapped his hands sharply, and the tables groaned under the sudden weight of food.

'Finally!' Ron piled his plate high, sighing happily as he began to eat.

Hermione looked over at Harry. 'You noticed, didn't you?'

He didn't have to ask what she meant. Slytherin had a total of four new student this year; each of the other houses had at least twelve. 'Not really surprising, is it? Everyone knows that Voldemort was a Slytherin.'

Ron, who had barely flinched at the Dark Lord's name, swallowed and nodded. 'Reckon the Slytherins will get it pretty hard this year, too. Not that they all deserve it,' he added hastily as Ginny glared at him. 'But I can't really feel sorry for Malfoy, you know?'

'Yeah, I know,' Ginny sighed pensively. 'But that little girl doesn't deserve it, does she?'

Harry glanced at the girl again, who was now smiling at something one of the seventh year's had said. 'No, she doesn't.'

'Something we missed?' Alex asked quizzically.

'Some girl cried when she was sorted into Slytherin,' Ron said with a shrug. 'Can't say I blame her. Ouch!' Ron rubbed the back of his head where Ginny had just whacked him. 'What was that for?'

'Sometimes you have all the sensitivity of a tree stump,' Hermione said, glaring at him.

'But…' Ron looked pleadingly at Hermione, who turned away from him. 'Bloody hell.'

Cassie smirked at him. 'Not quite the right thing to say, Ron,' she chuckled.

Finally the remaining food disappeared and Dumbledore stood.

'Welcome all to another year at Hogwarts!' He spread his arms wide to encompass the entire hall as there was another light smattering of applause. 'Firstly, a few start of term notices.'

'You will be pleased to learn that we have yet another new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year.' There was some laughter from the older students at that. 'Professor Milton.'

James stood and bowed slightly ironically as Alex and Cassie booed, identical smirks on their faces.

'Thank you, the Milton family,' Dumbledore murmured. More laughter from the hall.

'Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you all that magic is not allowed in the halls between classes,' Dumbledore continued, 'and that the Forbidden Forest is called that for a reason.' He glanced meaningfully at Hermione, who blushed.

'Quidditch trials will be held during the second week of term. Please see your house captain for details.'

Most of the Gryffindor table turned to look at Harry, who was painfully aware of the scarlet and gold badge pinned to his robes. He had noticed similar badges pinned to both Malfoy and Cho's robes, in their own house colours, although he didn't know who the Hufflepuff captain was.

'Also, this year I am pleased to announce the formation of an optional class for third years and above, to be taught by Mister Potter.' Harry's head jerked up and he stared incredulously at Dumbledore. Most of the students, on the other hand, were now staring at him. 'This class will cover practical methods of defense, such as dueling, fencing, and advanced defensive spells. Professor Milton and a Ministry appointed Auror will aid Mister Potter. Please note that this class is not optional for Prefects.'

Harry stared at Dumbledore, mouth hanging open. Ginny giggled and pushed his jaw closed with one hand.

'Bloody hell,' Ron said, looking around the hall at the students now staring at Harry. Malfoy looked like he had been forced to swallow Stinksap, while most of the other students looked either surprised or skeptical. The members of the DA from last year were looking around with pride.

'He got me an 'O' in Defense Against the Dark Arts,' Ernie Macmillan could be heard telling his fellow Hufflepuffs.

'He didn't tell me it was a class,' Harry said with barely suppressed fury. 'I thought it was just going to be a club, like last year!'

'Well, there's not really that much difference,' Hermione said bracingly.

'There's all the difference!' Ron objected. 'It's not like a student has ever taught a class before, have they? This'll just make it even worse for Harry!'

Hermione bit her lip. 'Well…'

'Cheer up Harry,' Alex said with a grin. 'We'll protect you from the swarms of girls throwing themselves at you and knocking on your door at all hours.' Cassie nodded solemnly.

'Thanks,' Harry said sourly.

All around them students were standing to leave the hall; Dumbledore had obviously dismissed the students. Harry stood and resolutely walked to the head table, ignoring the calls of his friends. He spotted Dumbledore still sitting at his place at the head table, obviously waiting for Harry.

'What are you doing?' he hissed at the headmaster.

'I believe we need to discuss this tomorrow, Harry,' Dumbledore said calmly. 'Believe me, there is a very good reason for what I did, and I will tell you everything if you will come to my office after breakfast.'

'Fine,' Harry said shortly. He turned and stormed away, students melting from his path as he left the Great Hall. He was halfway to Gryffindor Tower when Ginny finally caught him.

'Harry!' she grabbed his arm, doubling over as she fought to regain her breath from her sprint up through three floors. 'What'd he say?'

'He didn't say anything,' Harry said, anger still tingeing his voice. Ginny straightened and released his arm.

'He should have told you before making that sort of announcement,' she said with a glare in the general direction of the great hall that made three Ravenclaw second years who happened to be coming up the stairs scurry away.

'Yeah, well,' Harry started walking again. 'Since when does he ever talk to me about anything important?'

'I'll come with you tomorrow morning,' Ginny said firmly. 'I've a few things to say to our illustrious Headmaster.' She glared at the Fat Lady so intensely that she quailed and opened without the password.

'Hey, that Weasley temper does have it's uses,' Harry attempted humour as they climbed through into the common room. Ginny's lips twisted into a half smile. 'That's better. Seriously though, it's not so bad.'

'It is,' Ginny said sharply. 'I think Professor Dumbledore needs a quick wake up call.' Harry glanced at the redhead beside him, and he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Dumbledore.

A/N: Next chapter: Dumbledore gets yelled at (oh goody!) and the long awaited first DADA class!