Disclaimer:

I don't own anything but the plot. Everything else belongs to the great J. K. Rowling. Let us all worship her and make her a new goddess!

Chapter Four: New Things and Old

'Wow. That was really weird. Malfoy just stormed out! I mean, what was that about? Oh well,' Hermione thought. She then settled back for the rest of the trip.

They finally arrived at the school. Stepping out of the compartment and off the train, Hermione heard a familiar call of "Firs' years this way!" Waving to Hagrid, Hermione climbed into one of the carriages drawn by 'invisible horses'. Although Hermione knew that the creatures pulling the carriages were neither invisible nor horses, but thestrals only visible to those who have seen death, most students at Hogwarts haven't. Hence the reason Hogwarts student body dubbed them the Invisible Horses.

In the Great Hall at the feast, Hermione noted how every year was the same. The older students would sit at the tables talking and impatiently waiting for the First Years to be escorted in. Then they were forced to wait and watch as the First Years were then sorted into their Houses. Then Dumbledore gave a short speech, introduced the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor (nobody ever stayed past a year, the position being cursed), and everybody stuffed themselves to the brink with wonderful food made by the house elves. Dumbledore then proceeded to give another speech, and everyone tiredly trudged up to bed. The routine never changed.

Except this year things had changed. This year Dumbledore was gone. And he was never coming back. Hermione glanced over to Harry swiftly and could tell by his pinched expression that he, too, realized that things were different. This year, not only was Dumbledore absent, but McGonagall was forced to drop the position of Transfiguration professor and Gryffindor Head of House in favor of being the new Headmistress. Hermione was curious to know who deemed themselves good enough to fill the wizened witch's shoes.

After the Sorting ended and the feasting came to an end, Professor McGonagall stood to make her announcement. The room instantly quieted as the students waited to hear what the older witch had to say. "First of all, welcome to a brand new year at Hogwarts," she began. "I hope everyone enjoyed the feast. Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is strictly that: forbidden. As are all Weasley Wizard Wheezes products, not to mention a number of other objects. If any student would like to see the complete list, it is posted on the door in Mr. Filch's office."

At this point a woman with long ebony hair down to her hips, bright sapphire blue eyes, and pale skin rose from the seat beside Professor Slughorn. She looked to be in her late twenties/early thirties. "This is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," McGonagall said. "Her name is Professor Moonstream." The students clapped heartily, the guys with their tongues hanging out and the girls chattering about what beauty tips she could give them.

As the noise died down a man stood up. He was of average hight. He had a mop of dirty blonde hair and dancing brown eyes. Hermione guessed that he was in his mid-thirties. He grinned as the Headmistress introduced him. "This here," she began, "is Professor Langston. He will be taking up my old position as your Transfiguration professor as well as the Gryffindor Head of House." At this announcement there was yet another round of applause, accompanied by loud cheering and the banging of goblets and plates from the Gryffindor table.

Here the Headmistress paused as she scanned the Great Hall. "Many horrible things have happened this past summer. I hope that we can all put our differences aside and join together as one. For it is indeed true that together we stand, divided we fall. None of us will survive what lies ahead if we do not band together," she stated in a serious tone. "Now go and rest. You will need your strength for tomorrow's lessons."

With that, the chatter picked up again as the students rose from their seats and made their way up to their dormitories. Ginny, a Sixth Year Prefect, showed the First Year Gryffindors how to get to Gryffindor Tower, taught them the password (extendable ears), and pointed out the separate boy's and girl's dormitories. Then she turned towards Hermione. "So, where are you sleeping Miss Head Girl?" she asked with a twitch on her lips.

"I've got a separate room that branches off of the Common Room. Wanna see it? It's supposed to be awesome," Hermione answered. The two girls walked over to a painting of a Tawny Lion. The Lion stared deep into Hermione's eyes with his great gold ones. Then with a shake of his magnificent mane, he swung forward.

Shaking her own head, Hermione walked into her new haven. "Wow," she whispered. The entire room was draped in scarlet, gold, and black. There was an enormous four poster bed, a desk equipped with beautifully embroidered paper and colorful inks, a huge golden mirror, and a wonderful view facing the west that was absolutely perfect for watching the sun set.

Ginny gasped, never having seen anything so magnificent in her life. Noticing two doors, Ginny walked over to the closest of them and swung it open. Inside was a huge walk-in closet.

Hermione walked over, immediately noticing that all of her clothes had already been hung up by type, style, and color. Placing a nonchalant expression on her face she said, "Huh. This place has nice closet space." At this statement the younger girl just gaped at her older friend. Shaking her head, she brushed it off. Inside Hermione smirked at the other girl's expression, suppressing the laughter that was itching to escape from the confines of her lips.

"Well, I better get to bed. But I expect a full tour tomorrow. Ugh! I wish classes didn't have to start yet," Ginny complained. She immediately braced herself after her slip, expecting to be reprimanded and preached to about the importance of education and how she should be ecstatic to have such a good one available to her and a lot more thankful of it. But what worried our red headed friend was that the speech never came.

In reply to her statement, Hermione Granger just said, "Okay. Night! See you tomorrow!"

That's it. That's all. "That's new," Ginny whispered to herself as she clambered through the portrait hole before climbing up the stairs to the Sixth Year's dorm to prepare for bed.

A/N:

Hey guys! I hope you liked this chapter! Well, review! I'd really like to know what you think. REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! Lol. I've got to go now! You know how it is... things to see, people to do! Wait... I mean... oh, whatever. Catch you guys later! Lmao! Review!