Chapter 2: Return to Witchcraft and Wizardry
"Dammit, Potter, get out of the aisle before I hex you to pieces!" Malfoy stated as he proceeded to push Potter against the wall as he strode past with his lackeys in tow.
As soon as Malfoy had passed, Harry had crossed the hallway and into his compartment. There he was cheerfully greeted y his two best friends. The first, a girl, had a head of thick brown hair, Hermione. The other, a boy, sported a head of red, this was Ron.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione said, her eyes filled with concern.
"Nothing, nothing at all, Malfoy's just starting his crap again."
"Buncha b-S if you ask me," Ron stated offhandedly. "Ever since his father's been cleared of all his charges, he's been walking around like he's God's gift to humanity."
"Has there ever been a time when he didn't act like that?" Hermione said glaring at the book in her lap.
"Well, half of last year he was quiet and hid from the rest of the world." Harry said indifferently.
"That was because Vol- he was threatening to kill Malfoy if Malfoy didn't find a way to kill Dumbledore." Hermione said with an air of haughtiness.
"Well, he's been threatening to kill Harry for how long. That still hasn't shut Harry up." Ron said, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards.
"Thanks for that, Ron." Harry said lounging back on the seats of the compartment.
"Anytime, mate." Ron said, openly grinning now.
"We'll be there in a couple minutes. We'd better get changed." Hermione said after looking at her watch.
The three of them went to go get changed, and returned back to the compartment a few minutes later. Ron and Harry played a game of exploding snap and then the train slowly came to a stop. The three of them got off the train together, just as the skies opened up. Sheets of rain came down pelting them with cold droplets of ice. They sprinted to find a carriage that wasn't already full with other patrons of the school. Eventually they found on and clambered inside, grateful to be out of the rain.
The trip from the Hogsmeade Station to Hogwarts was uneventful as usual, and the three of them walked quietly up the steps to the large oak doors that decorated the front of the school. Walking inside Hermione slipped on a rather large puddle and fell onto her back. Harry and Ron turned around quickly and pulled her up from the floor, fussing over her to check that she was alright. Hermione looked oddly at Ron. Since when does he care about what happens? Usually he just asks but doesn't contribute anything towards it. This was going to be a very unusual year indeed.
After making sure that Hermione wasn't hurt anywhere, the three of them joined the procession making their way towards the Great Hall. Once there, the group of students filed in and separated, making their way towards their respectable House tables. When everyone was seated, Hagrid walked in, the first years following behind his rather large frame, all looking extremely pale and frightened. Once the first years were standing at the front of the hall and Hagrid had taken his seat at the table, McGonagall stood up to address the students.
"Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts. As usual, I advise that you follow all the rules in order to keep the points that your fellow classmates have earned for your House. We shall now begin the Sorting."
With those words said, Professor Sprout, teacher of Herbology and Head of the Hufflepuff House, walked in from the side room carrying the stool and a roll of parchment in one hand. In the other hand she held the Sorting Hat, which was still at this present moment. Sprout placed the stool in front of the Headmistress' place at the staff table. She placed the hat on the stool and stepped aside. After a moment, the brim of the hat opened and the hat began to sing.
Welcome back to Hogwarts,
For another thrilling year,
Though I know we'll all have fun,
Our fate is not quite clear.
The school may run amuck,
But I have a job to do,
So come and place me on your head,
To discover the House for you.
If you are gallant, brave, and true,
Join the Gryffindors and march onto the field,
If you are cunning, sly, and slippery,
Become a Slytherin, where potential is revealed.
If you come complete with knowledge and brains,
Your fellow Ravenclaw's shall lead you on your way,
If you work hard and are bursting with loyalty,
Join Hufflepuff where your friends shall stay.
Ahead of us lies a word of unknown,
One in which the 'dark one' lurks, and so do his new friends,
They're popping up in places,
To decide this tale's very end.
Be on your guard, stay on your toes,
And watch the signs that come,
Dangers lurk on this world,
To help rid away the scum.
"Wow, that was different," Hermione said while clapping politely along with the rest of the school.
"It said nothing important if you ask me," Harry said staring gloomily at the wall.
The first years had begun to be sorted and everyone's attention drifted away. After what seemed like an eternity, McGonagall got on her feet again.
"I have some more information for you that I forgot to mention earlier. I would like to announce that Professor Lupin has come back to be professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts." There was an eruption of cheers from the students.
The Golden Trio turned to grin at each other. This was going to be an interesting year indeed.