Chapter 4
Snape's Warning
Time at the Number 12 went by faster than Harry had expected. While Grimmuald place was still a reminder of what he had lost, the Weasleys did their best to make Harry happy. They tried to always keep him busy doing thing, and when Harry would leave the room, Ron was always right behind him
Two days before school started, Hermione sent a letter telling them she would meet them at Platform 9 3/4, and she continued to question Harry about his O.W.L.S.
"You'd think they'd come by now," said Ron, throwing Hermione's letter aside. "It's been longer than a week."
Ginny came into their room. "Booklists have arrived," she said, throwing them their letters. "Mum says write down what you need and she'll go get it for you when she goes to Diagon Alley." And she left.
Harry looked at his letter for a moment. "Ron, I've got yours," he said, reading the name at the top.
He handed Ron the letter, but Ron was to busy staring at the one in front of him. He looked up at Harry. "Harry," he said, taking his letter and handing Harry his. "You've got Potions."
"What?" Harry took his letter from Ron. "I can't have-"
"There is a book by some foreign guy on their," said Ron. "Look at the title. What else would you need that for. That has to be for Potions. Do you now what this means...you got an 'Outstanding' on your O.W.L."
"That's impossible," said Harry, continuing his glare at the list.
"Not really," said Ron, taking the chance to look at his own list. "You said yourself that it was much easier without Snape standing behind your back."
Harry looked at the rest of his list. "Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, I must have done better than I thought," said Harry, continuing to read. He might actually have a chance to become an Auror. "I'd still like to get them though. Just to see what I actually got."
"We've still got two days left," said Ron, he turned his letter over. "Prefect duties again! Why can't they just let the new ones do it? Well, at least I wont have to worry about Fred and George anymore."
And at that moment, a loud crack echoed throughout the room.
"Would it hurt you to knock?" said Ron, throwing his booklist next to Hermione's letter.
"Just want to show you our newest addition," said Fred, sitting down next to them. He and George held out their hands, which were full of badges.
"One for each house," George said, as Ron picked up a silver and green one. "So now everybody who wants to be a Prefect can. They are in honor of our little Ronald."
"Shut up," said Ron, looking at the badge. "They look just like them."
"They are," said Fred. "Except for one little change in detail."
"What's that?" asked Ron, looking up at them.
"Just watch," said George.
After a few seconds, the snake on the badge began to move around it's frame, it ended up tying itself in a not, and it fell down to the bottom."
"I'd love to switch this with Malfoy's," said Ron, a grin spreading on his face.
"Then that'd be 10 sickle little bro," said Fred, taking the badge from Ron. "Just cause your family doesn't mean you can get things for free."
And with another crack, Fred and George vanished from the room.
Harry woke up early on the morning they were to travel to King's Cross. He packed everything that needed to be packed as quietly as possible, so that he wouldn't wake up Ron. Hedwig had finally returned and gave a hoot as he left the room.
He heard low voices coming from downstairs, so he walked to the kitchen. At the table sat Mr. Weasley, Lupin, and Tonks. They all greeted him with a smile.
"Hey Harry," said Tonks shaking his hand as he took a seat. She still had the bubble gum pink hair.
"We were just talking about you," said Mr. Weasley, taking a sip from his coffee.
"Oh," said Harry.
"Well, not about you," said Lupin. "The ministry has apparently sent your O.W.L.S. to the school. They have been there for about three days. This has all becoming sort of a game."
Bill had just walked into the room and took a seat next to Tonks. "Talking about the O.W.L.S?"
"Yeah," said Harry.
"I think they sent the to Dumbledore so that he could tell you," Bill said.
"Maybe," said Lupin. "But it's not that important. Well, they are important, but they should just send them to Harry."
They're were a few moments of silence.
"Does anyone know who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is going to be?" Harry broke the silence.
Both Bill and Tonks gave distinct sounds of disgust.
"You know her to?" Tonks asked Bill.
"Unfortunately," said Bill.
"I heard Dumbledore only just spoke to her a few days ago," said Lupin. "Absolutely no one applied for the job."
"What's wrong with her?" asked Harry, not knowing what he'd do if she was as horrible as the last one.
"She's a complete nightmare," said Bill. "My first year in Egypt she spent hours following me around yelling at me for going into the tombs. She kept saying that I was going to 'destroy' them. It took me forever to actually figure out 'what' she was telling me. You can't understand a single word that comes out of her mouth."
"I had the unfortunate job of bringing her to Azkaban," said Tonks.
"She's been to Azkaban?" asked Harry, not liking the sound of any of this.
"It was for some ridiculous charge," said Tonks, taking another sip of her coffee. "She would only have to go for three days. She just-" Tonks put her hands in a strangling position.
"I feel for everyone that has to be in her class," said Bill. "I don't understand why Dumbledore went to her?"
"I don't understand why she accepted?" said Tonks.
"What's her name?" asked Harry.
"I'll leave it up to her to tell you that," she said, and the twins walked into the room.
The morning went fairly well, considering Ron hadn't packed at all. They were running a little late, but luckily Mr. Weasley got cars from the ministry, so that made up for lost time. Mrs. Weasley, Lupin, and Tonks accompanied them to King's Cross. Tonks disguised herself as a blonde who wore thick rimmed glasses and business like clothes.
They arrived at Platform 9 3/4 just in time. Everyone said their goodbyes and Ron, Ginny and Harry made their way to the train. But Lupin stopped Harry and pulled him aside.
"I want you to be careful Harry," he said. "Don't hesitate to write and tell me about anything. Just remember to be careful about 'what' you write. I know...I know I'm not Sirius, but I am here for you."
Harry smiled at him, and they shook hands in a friendly fashion. "Now go before you miss the train," said Lupin, as the train blew it's whistle.
Harry ran and jumped on the train, right behind Ginny and Ron.
"Let's go find Hermione," said Ron, as a couple of third years passed.
"I'll go find Dean," said Ginny. "Bye."
Ron shook his head and rolled his eyes, and then walked forward. They had only passed a few compartments when Hermione had stuck her head out of one.
"Ron, Harry," she said, Hugging them both. "I've got an empty one." And they walked inside.
"I've got to tell you something," she said, as Crookshanks jumped onto her lap. Her expression became serious. "I would have written you, but I didn't want to take the chance."
"What is it," asked Ron, leaning forward a bit.
"I've been watching the muggle news," she began. "A few weeks ago a family was missing and then they turned up dead in their homes. The reporter said that it was like they had just dropped dead, and that there were no wounds or any sign of poison. I didn't think anything of it, but yesterday morning it happened again. I wasn't able to get their names, but I know it has something to do with V-Voldemort."
"But why would he attack muggles?" asked Harry. It was odd, he felt as though he was forcing himself to listen to Hermione.
"I thought about that to," she said. "The only thing I could come up with was that he was testing his strength, and didn't want the wizarding world to know."
"We've got to let the Order know," said Ron.
"But how are you going to write that in a letter?" asked Hermione.
"We'll find away," said Ron.
"Do you mind if we change the subject," said Harry, before anyone could say another word.
Hermione eyed him for a moment, "Sure."
"Trolley's here," said Ron, looking out of the compartment door.
They bought a few things and then they began talking again.
"Have any of you heard who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is going to be?" Hermione asked, crookshanks jumping on her lap.
"Bill didn't tell me her name," said Harry. "But what I heard wasn't to thrilling."
"Another woman?" said Ron, picking up a chocolate Frog. "There's the warning sign right there."
"Ron!" Hermione shot at him.
"Sorry," he said, focusing his attention on his chocolate frog.
Hermione turned back to Harry."Well what did he say," Hermione asked.
Harry told them about the discussion he had with Tonks and Bill. Ron looked up as Harry finished.
"I remember Bill talking about her," he said. "He came home for vacation, and it was his first year working. He was close to asking his boss if he could get transferred."
"If Dumbledore went to her she can't be all that bad," said Hermione.
"He went to her because there was probably no one left," said Harry.
"Well," Hermione began. "No one can be as bad as Umbridge."
"Don't Jinx it," said Ron, as he rummaged through the pile of chocolate frogs.
They talked about the summer the rest of the way their. It was mostly Hermione and Ron that did the talking. They had almost reached Hogwarts when Neville had found there compartment door and knocked.
"Do you mind if I sit with you," said Neville, and he opened the door fully. He seemed to be out of breath.
"What's wrong?" asked Hermione.
"Malfoy," said Neville, relaxing in his seat.
"What'd he do? Ron asked.
"He didn't do anything," said Neville. "To me that is. He jinxed a couple of first years a few compartments back. I wanted to get out of his way before he found me."
"Neville if you can jinx a death eater, I'm sure you can jinx Malfoy," said Hermione. The train began to slow down.
"You say that now," said Neville. Hermione just shook her head.
As Harry stepped off of the train, he was greeted with a site that he'd waited for all summer. Hogwarts seemed to glow in the night sky. He didn't think he had ever missed it this much.
"Firs' years this way," boomed a familiar voice behind him. Harry turned and walked up to Hagrid.
"Harry," he said beamed down at him. "Your summer wen' al'right?"
"Yeah," said Harry. "Listen, Hagrid. I'm sorry."
"'Bout wha'? Hagrid asked. "Ya didn't do anythin' wrong?"
"Well, I wasn't exactly nice to you at the end of term," said Harry.
"Oh," said Hagrid. "Forget 'bout tha'. I know what it's like ta loose someone."
Harry smiled at him and turned to join Ron and Hermione. He had regretted the way he treated Hagrid last year. He had always been there for him.
Students began to walk up to the carriages. Ron stared at them for a few moments at the thestral that was pulling their carriage, even though he couldn't see it.
"Even though I can't see them," he began, as he climbed in. "They do come in handy when you're in a tight spot."
As they walked into the great hall, Harry couldn't help but beam up at the ceiling. He had missed it's bewitched sky.
Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Neville took seats next to Dean and Seamus, at the Gryffindor table.
"Can you believe it?" said Seamus, after they had said their 'hello's' "After this, only one more year left."
"It's gone by so fast," said Neville.
Out of the corner of his eye he could see Dumbledore sitting at the staff table. He didn't turn to look at him fully. He could tell that he was deep into a conversation with Professor Flitwick. And then he saw something that he'd been dreading ever since he got his booklist. Snape was walking directly toward him. Harry pretended not to notice.
"Come with me, Potter," he said, stopping right behind him. Harry got up and followed Snape. He looked back at the Gryffindor table, Hermione and Ron stared at him with curiosity. He turned back around and followed Snape out of the Great Hall.
They walked a little ways away from the door, and then Snape turned around to face Harry.
"Dumbledore has asked be to inform you what you have made on your O.W.L.S," he began. "But I'm guessing you already know, having received your booklist. Now, I don't know how you achieved an 'O' on Potions, but hear this. One mistake in my class and you are out. So I should be expecting you to be there no longer than a week."
It took everything for Harry to restrain himself from speaking.
"You received an 'O' in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, Transfiguration, Charms, and...Potions. You received an 'E' in History of magic and Astronomy. And in Divination...you received a 'P'"
"And you should know that Dumbledore has asked me to continue teaching you Occlumency, although I don't exactly know how it is going to help you."
The door shut to the Great Hall. Harry turned his head to see that no one was behind him.
"Listen to me Potter," said Snape. Harry turned back around. Snape's crooked nose was only inches from his. "You know that things are going to begin to happen. I advise you not to make yourself noticed. Your habit of being the Hero needs to change and it is going to change. Do I make myself clear?"
Even though Harry's body was telling him to punch Snape, he nodded.
"Do not trust anybody, Potter," Snape continued. "Not even the people you think you can. Everyone is your enemy now."
Harry had the urge to say 'You always have been', but he stopped himself.
"Go," said Snape, and Harry reluctantly turned around and walked to the door of the Great Hall. He walked as fast as he could to his seat, trying not to be noticed. Dumbledore was in the middle of his beginning of term speech.
"What happened?" Hermione whispered at Harry.
"I'll tell you later," Harry whispered back.
Dumbledore had just sat down, and Professor Mcgonagal walked up to the sorting hat. Everyone waited to hear what it had to say.....but nothing came. Prof. Mcgonagal looked up at Dumbledore.
He nodded and she unrolled the parchment of names, and began.
"Avery, Elizabeth."
"The sorting hat has never not sang a song," whispered Neville.
"I was hoping for a new one," said Ron.
Slowly the first years began to divide into their decided houses. Surprisingly, Gryffindor had gotten no more than four. A great deal had gone to Hufflepuff.
Harry had just remembered the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and began to look up and down the staff table. There was an empty chair, and no new faces.
"Did Dumbledore say anything about the new Dark Arts teacher?" Harry asked Hermione and Ron.
"Now that you mention it," said Hermione. "He didn't say anything. That's a bit odd."
The last person had been sorted into their house, and Dumbledore stood up from his chair. He raised his arms, "Let the feast be-"
The doors to the Great Hall had just swung open. Everyone turned in their seats.
A black, hooded figure stood in the frame. Harry grabbed his forehead, as pain seared through his scar.
---------
Thanks to those who reviewed, and to those who haven't, please do. Thanks again. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I did.
P.S. I read through it several times, but its rather long, so I'm sorry if it has a few mistakes.
Next Chapter: The Teacher and the Snake
Snape's Warning
Time at the Number 12 went by faster than Harry had expected. While Grimmuald place was still a reminder of what he had lost, the Weasleys did their best to make Harry happy. They tried to always keep him busy doing thing, and when Harry would leave the room, Ron was always right behind him
Two days before school started, Hermione sent a letter telling them she would meet them at Platform 9 3/4, and she continued to question Harry about his O.W.L.S.
"You'd think they'd come by now," said Ron, throwing Hermione's letter aside. "It's been longer than a week."
Ginny came into their room. "Booklists have arrived," she said, throwing them their letters. "Mum says write down what you need and she'll go get it for you when she goes to Diagon Alley." And she left.
Harry looked at his letter for a moment. "Ron, I've got yours," he said, reading the name at the top.
He handed Ron the letter, but Ron was to busy staring at the one in front of him. He looked up at Harry. "Harry," he said, taking his letter and handing Harry his. "You've got Potions."
"What?" Harry took his letter from Ron. "I can't have-"
"There is a book by some foreign guy on their," said Ron. "Look at the title. What else would you need that for. That has to be for Potions. Do you now what this means...you got an 'Outstanding' on your O.W.L."
"That's impossible," said Harry, continuing his glare at the list.
"Not really," said Ron, taking the chance to look at his own list. "You said yourself that it was much easier without Snape standing behind your back."
Harry looked at the rest of his list. "Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, I must have done better than I thought," said Harry, continuing to read. He might actually have a chance to become an Auror. "I'd still like to get them though. Just to see what I actually got."
"We've still got two days left," said Ron, he turned his letter over. "Prefect duties again! Why can't they just let the new ones do it? Well, at least I wont have to worry about Fred and George anymore."
And at that moment, a loud crack echoed throughout the room.
"Would it hurt you to knock?" said Ron, throwing his booklist next to Hermione's letter.
"Just want to show you our newest addition," said Fred, sitting down next to them. He and George held out their hands, which were full of badges.
"One for each house," George said, as Ron picked up a silver and green one. "So now everybody who wants to be a Prefect can. They are in honor of our little Ronald."
"Shut up," said Ron, looking at the badge. "They look just like them."
"They are," said Fred. "Except for one little change in detail."
"What's that?" asked Ron, looking up at them.
"Just watch," said George.
After a few seconds, the snake on the badge began to move around it's frame, it ended up tying itself in a not, and it fell down to the bottom."
"I'd love to switch this with Malfoy's," said Ron, a grin spreading on his face.
"Then that'd be 10 sickle little bro," said Fred, taking the badge from Ron. "Just cause your family doesn't mean you can get things for free."
And with another crack, Fred and George vanished from the room.
Harry woke up early on the morning they were to travel to King's Cross. He packed everything that needed to be packed as quietly as possible, so that he wouldn't wake up Ron. Hedwig had finally returned and gave a hoot as he left the room.
He heard low voices coming from downstairs, so he walked to the kitchen. At the table sat Mr. Weasley, Lupin, and Tonks. They all greeted him with a smile.
"Hey Harry," said Tonks shaking his hand as he took a seat. She still had the bubble gum pink hair.
"We were just talking about you," said Mr. Weasley, taking a sip from his coffee.
"Oh," said Harry.
"Well, not about you," said Lupin. "The ministry has apparently sent your O.W.L.S. to the school. They have been there for about three days. This has all becoming sort of a game."
Bill had just walked into the room and took a seat next to Tonks. "Talking about the O.W.L.S?"
"Yeah," said Harry.
"I think they sent the to Dumbledore so that he could tell you," Bill said.
"Maybe," said Lupin. "But it's not that important. Well, they are important, but they should just send them to Harry."
They're were a few moments of silence.
"Does anyone know who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is going to be?" Harry broke the silence.
Both Bill and Tonks gave distinct sounds of disgust.
"You know her to?" Tonks asked Bill.
"Unfortunately," said Bill.
"I heard Dumbledore only just spoke to her a few days ago," said Lupin. "Absolutely no one applied for the job."
"What's wrong with her?" asked Harry, not knowing what he'd do if she was as horrible as the last one.
"She's a complete nightmare," said Bill. "My first year in Egypt she spent hours following me around yelling at me for going into the tombs. She kept saying that I was going to 'destroy' them. It took me forever to actually figure out 'what' she was telling me. You can't understand a single word that comes out of her mouth."
"I had the unfortunate job of bringing her to Azkaban," said Tonks.
"She's been to Azkaban?" asked Harry, not liking the sound of any of this.
"It was for some ridiculous charge," said Tonks, taking another sip of her coffee. "She would only have to go for three days. She just-" Tonks put her hands in a strangling position.
"I feel for everyone that has to be in her class," said Bill. "I don't understand why Dumbledore went to her?"
"I don't understand why she accepted?" said Tonks.
"What's her name?" asked Harry.
"I'll leave it up to her to tell you that," she said, and the twins walked into the room.
The morning went fairly well, considering Ron hadn't packed at all. They were running a little late, but luckily Mr. Weasley got cars from the ministry, so that made up for lost time. Mrs. Weasley, Lupin, and Tonks accompanied them to King's Cross. Tonks disguised herself as a blonde who wore thick rimmed glasses and business like clothes.
They arrived at Platform 9 3/4 just in time. Everyone said their goodbyes and Ron, Ginny and Harry made their way to the train. But Lupin stopped Harry and pulled him aside.
"I want you to be careful Harry," he said. "Don't hesitate to write and tell me about anything. Just remember to be careful about 'what' you write. I know...I know I'm not Sirius, but I am here for you."
Harry smiled at him, and they shook hands in a friendly fashion. "Now go before you miss the train," said Lupin, as the train blew it's whistle.
Harry ran and jumped on the train, right behind Ginny and Ron.
"Let's go find Hermione," said Ron, as a couple of third years passed.
"I'll go find Dean," said Ginny. "Bye."
Ron shook his head and rolled his eyes, and then walked forward. They had only passed a few compartments when Hermione had stuck her head out of one.
"Ron, Harry," she said, Hugging them both. "I've got an empty one." And they walked inside.
"I've got to tell you something," she said, as Crookshanks jumped onto her lap. Her expression became serious. "I would have written you, but I didn't want to take the chance."
"What is it," asked Ron, leaning forward a bit.
"I've been watching the muggle news," she began. "A few weeks ago a family was missing and then they turned up dead in their homes. The reporter said that it was like they had just dropped dead, and that there were no wounds or any sign of poison. I didn't think anything of it, but yesterday morning it happened again. I wasn't able to get their names, but I know it has something to do with V-Voldemort."
"But why would he attack muggles?" asked Harry. It was odd, he felt as though he was forcing himself to listen to Hermione.
"I thought about that to," she said. "The only thing I could come up with was that he was testing his strength, and didn't want the wizarding world to know."
"We've got to let the Order know," said Ron.
"But how are you going to write that in a letter?" asked Hermione.
"We'll find away," said Ron.
"Do you mind if we change the subject," said Harry, before anyone could say another word.
Hermione eyed him for a moment, "Sure."
"Trolley's here," said Ron, looking out of the compartment door.
They bought a few things and then they began talking again.
"Have any of you heard who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is going to be?" Hermione asked, crookshanks jumping on her lap.
"Bill didn't tell me her name," said Harry. "But what I heard wasn't to thrilling."
"Another woman?" said Ron, picking up a chocolate Frog. "There's the warning sign right there."
"Ron!" Hermione shot at him.
"Sorry," he said, focusing his attention on his chocolate frog.
Hermione turned back to Harry."Well what did he say," Hermione asked.
Harry told them about the discussion he had with Tonks and Bill. Ron looked up as Harry finished.
"I remember Bill talking about her," he said. "He came home for vacation, and it was his first year working. He was close to asking his boss if he could get transferred."
"If Dumbledore went to her she can't be all that bad," said Hermione.
"He went to her because there was probably no one left," said Harry.
"Well," Hermione began. "No one can be as bad as Umbridge."
"Don't Jinx it," said Ron, as he rummaged through the pile of chocolate frogs.
They talked about the summer the rest of the way their. It was mostly Hermione and Ron that did the talking. They had almost reached Hogwarts when Neville had found there compartment door and knocked.
"Do you mind if I sit with you," said Neville, and he opened the door fully. He seemed to be out of breath.
"What's wrong?" asked Hermione.
"Malfoy," said Neville, relaxing in his seat.
"What'd he do? Ron asked.
"He didn't do anything," said Neville. "To me that is. He jinxed a couple of first years a few compartments back. I wanted to get out of his way before he found me."
"Neville if you can jinx a death eater, I'm sure you can jinx Malfoy," said Hermione. The train began to slow down.
"You say that now," said Neville. Hermione just shook her head.
As Harry stepped off of the train, he was greeted with a site that he'd waited for all summer. Hogwarts seemed to glow in the night sky. He didn't think he had ever missed it this much.
"Firs' years this way," boomed a familiar voice behind him. Harry turned and walked up to Hagrid.
"Harry," he said beamed down at him. "Your summer wen' al'right?"
"Yeah," said Harry. "Listen, Hagrid. I'm sorry."
"'Bout wha'? Hagrid asked. "Ya didn't do anythin' wrong?"
"Well, I wasn't exactly nice to you at the end of term," said Harry.
"Oh," said Hagrid. "Forget 'bout tha'. I know what it's like ta loose someone."
Harry smiled at him and turned to join Ron and Hermione. He had regretted the way he treated Hagrid last year. He had always been there for him.
Students began to walk up to the carriages. Ron stared at them for a few moments at the thestral that was pulling their carriage, even though he couldn't see it.
"Even though I can't see them," he began, as he climbed in. "They do come in handy when you're in a tight spot."
As they walked into the great hall, Harry couldn't help but beam up at the ceiling. He had missed it's bewitched sky.
Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Neville took seats next to Dean and Seamus, at the Gryffindor table.
"Can you believe it?" said Seamus, after they had said their 'hello's' "After this, only one more year left."
"It's gone by so fast," said Neville.
Out of the corner of his eye he could see Dumbledore sitting at the staff table. He didn't turn to look at him fully. He could tell that he was deep into a conversation with Professor Flitwick. And then he saw something that he'd been dreading ever since he got his booklist. Snape was walking directly toward him. Harry pretended not to notice.
"Come with me, Potter," he said, stopping right behind him. Harry got up and followed Snape. He looked back at the Gryffindor table, Hermione and Ron stared at him with curiosity. He turned back around and followed Snape out of the Great Hall.
They walked a little ways away from the door, and then Snape turned around to face Harry.
"Dumbledore has asked be to inform you what you have made on your O.W.L.S," he began. "But I'm guessing you already know, having received your booklist. Now, I don't know how you achieved an 'O' on Potions, but hear this. One mistake in my class and you are out. So I should be expecting you to be there no longer than a week."
It took everything for Harry to restrain himself from speaking.
"You received an 'O' in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, Transfiguration, Charms, and...Potions. You received an 'E' in History of magic and Astronomy. And in Divination...you received a 'P'"
"And you should know that Dumbledore has asked me to continue teaching you Occlumency, although I don't exactly know how it is going to help you."
The door shut to the Great Hall. Harry turned his head to see that no one was behind him.
"Listen to me Potter," said Snape. Harry turned back around. Snape's crooked nose was only inches from his. "You know that things are going to begin to happen. I advise you not to make yourself noticed. Your habit of being the Hero needs to change and it is going to change. Do I make myself clear?"
Even though Harry's body was telling him to punch Snape, he nodded.
"Do not trust anybody, Potter," Snape continued. "Not even the people you think you can. Everyone is your enemy now."
Harry had the urge to say 'You always have been', but he stopped himself.
"Go," said Snape, and Harry reluctantly turned around and walked to the door of the Great Hall. He walked as fast as he could to his seat, trying not to be noticed. Dumbledore was in the middle of his beginning of term speech.
"What happened?" Hermione whispered at Harry.
"I'll tell you later," Harry whispered back.
Dumbledore had just sat down, and Professor Mcgonagal walked up to the sorting hat. Everyone waited to hear what it had to say.....but nothing came. Prof. Mcgonagal looked up at Dumbledore.
He nodded and she unrolled the parchment of names, and began.
"Avery, Elizabeth."
"The sorting hat has never not sang a song," whispered Neville.
"I was hoping for a new one," said Ron.
Slowly the first years began to divide into their decided houses. Surprisingly, Gryffindor had gotten no more than four. A great deal had gone to Hufflepuff.
Harry had just remembered the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and began to look up and down the staff table. There was an empty chair, and no new faces.
"Did Dumbledore say anything about the new Dark Arts teacher?" Harry asked Hermione and Ron.
"Now that you mention it," said Hermione. "He didn't say anything. That's a bit odd."
The last person had been sorted into their house, and Dumbledore stood up from his chair. He raised his arms, "Let the feast be-"
The doors to the Great Hall had just swung open. Everyone turned in their seats.
A black, hooded figure stood in the frame. Harry grabbed his forehead, as pain seared through his scar.
---------
Thanks to those who reviewed, and to those who haven't, please do. Thanks again. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I did.
P.S. I read through it several times, but its rather long, so I'm sorry if it has a few mistakes.
Next Chapter: The Teacher and the Snake