is officially annoying me by not saving any changes. Okay, let's try this again. Since you didn't give us 5 reviews (or was it 6?) you'll only get one chapter. i'll update soon. Now we're finally at hogwarts, and if anyone wants to copy this sorting hat song (they're IMPOSSIBLE to write!) feel free, just give us credit. And yes, Peterson, Kelly and Taylor, Emily are us. No, those aren't our real last names. You'll see us pop in here once in a while, making total fools of ourselves. Sorry if we copied anyone's name, that was not intentional. Anyway, please read and review! Oh, wait a second, not yet.

We don't own any of the characters, except for Heather. WE OWN HEATHER!! SHE IS OURS! WE OWN HER! MUAHAHAHA!!

There. Now you can read and review.

Chapter 18

The Welcoming Feast

Upon arriving at Hogwarts, Harry, Ron, and Hermione got off the train. They headed over to the school carriages, which Harry had found out just last year were not horseless like he thought they were and were actually driven by thestrals. They got into a carriage joined by Neville, and the carriages made their way to the castle.

They were greeted at once by Nearly Headless Nick, who walked (or rather floated) them to the Great Hall, where they took their seats at the Gryffindor table. After a few minutes of loud chatter, Professor McGonagall brought out the Sorting Hat on the same brown stool. The Sorting Hat was patched and frayed, with a rip near the brim. As soon as the Great Hall was quiet, it burst into song:

In times of pain and times of doubt,

Our world's in disarray,

We need to band together,

That's all I have to say.

For shortly you will try me on,

And see where you belong.

I will tell you where to go,

I've never yet been wrong.

You might be put in Gryffindor,

For they are strong and brave.

Those folks are very daring,

And chivalry they crave.

Or maybe in fair Hufflepuff,

Where you will surely see

That patience is a virtue,

And loyalty's the key.

Or in cunning Ravenclaw,

Where the smart reside.

Their wits and cleverness are always

Very hard to hide.

And last, but not least, Slytherin,

Where ambition is the king,

Those power-hungry leaders

Are always scheming.

S o put me on, don't be afraid,

I'll tell you where to go,

You can't hide anything from me,

For I already know!

"You know," Ron remarked as they clapped along with the rest of the school, "that's kinda creepy."

"Yeah, it is," Harry replied as "Addams, Daniel" became a Hufflepuff.

"Baxter, Marie!"

"RAVENCLAW"

Then a set of identical triplets; "Foster, Anne and Alice" were placed in Gryffindor, but their sister, "Foster, Abby" was put in Hufflepuff.

"Oh, come on!" Ron groaned. I'm hungry!!!"

"Ron, the Sorting is a Hogwarts tradition, deal with it!" Hermione snapped back as "Graham, Mildred" became the first new Slytherin. Shortly after that "Johnson, Cody" became a Gryffindor.

"McShane, Peter!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Morgan, Trent!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Peterson, Kelly!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Raddison, Nina!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Taylor, Emily!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Yes, just two left!" Ron cried triumphantly. "Washington, James" was made a Hufflepuff, and "Zablocki, Ned" became a Ravenclaw.

"Welcome, welcome everyone! I know you're all dieing to get at the feast, but I have a few announcements before we start. First off, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to tell you that any product of 'Weasley's Wizard Wheezes' is outlawed and, if found, will be confiscated. Second, I would like you all to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Miss Heather Windling!"

"That's her!!" Ron hissed at Harry, who didn't need reminding, as they clapped with the rest of the school. Many of the boys were staring at her with a strange look on their faces.

"Miss Windling also has her dog Sam with her, who will usually stay in her office, but when he wishes to roam around the school, please be kind to him and allow him to do so. And so, without any more delays, let us begin the Feast!"

Instantly the table was filled with massive quantities of food. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who seemed to have temporarily given up S.P.E.W., immediately piled food on their plates and began to eat. Duck, beef, steak, pork chops, puddings, sausages, potatoes, bacon, and a large amount of chicken that would have made Sirius cry with happiness sat before them as they talked animatedly about various things.

"So 'ow was your time with Snuffles 'Arry?" Ron asked through a mouthful of carrots.

"Oh, it was great. And," he added with a whisper, "I learned what my Animagus animal is."

"Really Harry? That's wonderful!" Hermione cried, although rather quiet, even though it didn't really matter how loud they talked since everyone around them was talking and not paying attention anyway.

"Yeah. What is it?"

"It's a phoenix."

"A phoenix?! Wow, people almost never have a magical animal, and no one's ever had a phoenix. I read about it in A Contemporary Guide to Animagi."

"So how long do you think it'll be before you can actually transform?"

"Well, Snuffles thinks that I should be able to by Christmas." Harry decided to leave out his conversation with fire, thinking it my scare Ron and Hermione a bit.

"Wow, cool!! You have to take us flying sometime!"

"Ron, Harry's Animagus form is not some plaything!"

"It's okay Hermione, I'd be fine with carrying you around somewhere." The conversation moved onto Quidditch, Professor Windling, Hagrid, Professor Windling, and then, during dessert, Professor Windling.

"Ron, I think you're going crazy," Harry told him as they were walking up to the Gryffindor Tower.

"Yes Ron, she's not that pretty."

"What are you talking about!?" Ron answered, still dumbstruck. "I mean, she's practically a goddess, so pretty, so perfect, and I bet she's smart too-OW! Harry, don't just randomly stop in the middle of the hallway! Harry?" Harry, however, was paying no attention to Ron. He was entirely focused on the scene in front of him. Hannah Abbott and Susan Bones were standing in the corridor, talking with Professor Windling and petting a large, shaggy black dog.

"So how long have you had him?" Hannah asked, scratching behind his ears.

"Oh, just a day. He's a stray; Dumbledore asked me to take care of him."

"Oh, he's so cute," Susan cooed.

"We'd better head off to the Common Room, Sue."

"Right. See you later Professor. Bye Sam!"

"Goodbye girls," she answered, and then turned to her dog. "So, are you coming with me?" Sam bounded away toward Harry, Hermione, and Ron at the point. "I guess not. Well, you know the way." She turned and walked to her office.

"Oh my-" Hermione began.

"Is that…" Ron stared at the dog, and then Sam gave them a look and headed off down another corridor, looking back over his shoulder.

"I think he wants us to follow him."

"Yeah, I think you're right." So they ran after the now sprinting Sam, who appeared to be going in circles around a certain wall. However, he was actually opening the Room of Requirement and, making sure no one was looking, Harry, Hermione, and Ron followed him inside. Their suspicions turned out to be accurate as "Sam" transformed back into a man before their eyes.

"Sirius, what on earth do you think you're doing?!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Just enjoying some time at Hogwarts."

"So this is what Lupin meant!"

"He didn't tell you about this, did he?"

"Well, he sort of hinted at it on the way to King's Cross."

"Oh well. You should have seen the look on your face!"

"And you should have seen the look on yours when Hannah scratched you behind your ears," Harry retorted.

"What?! I-I didn't enjoy that! I'm just trying to act like a real dog!"

"Right…" the three of them replied at the same time.

"Hey! Don't gang up on me like that!"

"Serves you right. Why didn't you tell me about this?!"

"I wanted it to be a surprise!"

"I think your surprise scared Harry half to death!" Ron chuckled. Harry glared at him. "So, Sirius, think you can introduce me to Professor Windling?"

"Not if you want me to stay alive."

"No, not particularly-oomph!" Harry had elbowed him hard in the stomach.

"You mean she doesn't know about this?!"

"No one but Dumbledore knows, and Snivellus, once he sees me in the halls."

"Do you realize what could happen if you let your guard down?!"

"Of course I do, which is why I made this room soundproof."

"But what about Malfoy?!"

"What about Malfoy?"

"He knows your Animagus form!"

"Don't worry about it. Dumbledore took care of that with a well-placed memory charm."

"Still, someone could see you!"

"Relax, most of the time I'll stay in Heather's office, except when I want to talk to you."

"But how will we know when you want to talk to us?!" Hermione practically screamed, fed up with the conversation.

"One word-mirror."

"Oh yeah."

"I'll just contact you when you've got breaks, we can come over here, yadda yadda. Or I might go find you in the common room if it's an emergency."

"Won't you need the password?"

"I live with a teacher Ron. Heather knows the password."

"Ooops, sorry."

"Well, you three ought to be going. Somebody might want to know why you disappeared into an invisible room with a dog for half an hour."

"Right," Harry replied. "See you, Sam."

"Never call me that again."

So, how was that? KCB and i are happy for a number of reasons.

1. We just finished writing chapter 29.

2. We got 25 reviews! Mile marker!

3. We have new reviewers! Which reminds me...

Padfoot's Sidekick-Thanx for being such a dedicated reviewer and loving our story! It makes us feel happy!

Inferno Elf-Wow. That's a lol of reviews. Yes, they are a little strange sometimes, but you get that with us.

Mrs. Riddle233-Thanks! There may or may not bea sequel, we could just string all of it together (it goes for years past hogwarts, or at least, it's supposed to) but that might get really long. Don't know, we'll figure it out later. And thanx also for the support of my theory!

KCB-once again, why are you reviewing? Just to make me happy? (although, it did give me great joy to see an email and 2 new reviews when i opened my inbox. Oh well.

So, that was 18. You'll probably get 19 around friday or saturday, depending on the number of reviews we get (wink wink). and, i must warn you, it gets a little boring until about chapter 24. We still like it though, and KCB's friends have turned into groupies, demanding me to bring in chapters. (Shudder) JK guys!! Ok review I've talked long enough. Review!!!!!!