Chapter 2: The Welcoming Feast and Mentor Assignments

Laughing, the group tromped up the stairs into the Great Hall. Luna left them there to join the Ravenclaw table. Much to Harry's surprise, she sat near Cho Chang, who was sporting not only her Tornados Quidditch pin, but a shiny new "Head Girl" badge as well. Harry smiled to himself, and winked at Ron. He hoped that being Head Girl might make her happier, and maybe she wouldn't cry so much this year if she had new responsibilities to worry about. Harry didn't think that even someone like Cho would cry in front of the first years if she had the Head Girl position to live up to.

Ron had gotten smarter this year, as well, and had put numerous snacks in the inside pockets of his robes so he could munch on them while the sorting commenced. Not long after they had finally sat down (they greeted friends across the hall first, and Harry even went over to congratulate Cho, who smiled and said thank you, not a trace of tears on her face), the first years walked in with bated breath, afraid of what might lie ahead. Harry could remember all too well what had been running through his head when he was first sorted: that quite possibly, the hat might just tell him there had been a mistake, and maybe he should just go back home.

Grinning to himself, and trying to smile encouragingly to the first years that passed, Harry leaned against the table and wondered which one he would be paired up with. Focusing on Dumbledore, he got a nod, which to him meant that the Headmaster must have received his note, and agreed to the meeting Harry had requested for after the feast.

Professor McGonagall entered with the first years and brought them to the front of the hall. She placed the sorting hat on its stool, and patiently waited for it to begin its customary song.

Oh many things have come and gone

Since Hogwarts first was started

Fads and traditions came and went,

Many friends arrived and parted.

My job is to sort you all,

And I am here again

To divide you up, all into quarters,

And hope you make new friends.

In Ravenclaw you might just find

Someone to give insight,

While Hufflepuff they will helpfully show you

How to do work right.

Gryffindor house is brave, it's true,

And can last in any weather

While Slytherins are sly and cunning,

Working apart, yet still together.

Now listen you hard

And listen you good

That though I divide you

Like I ought to and should,

Fear not to wander,

Worry not, and roam

For in our other houses

You may find second home.

Though each one is noble,

And to your own be true

Seal other, outside friendships,

Stick together like glue.

In your head

Lies more than you think

You learn not just

Through paper and ink.

So put me on,

And I'll place you true

I know you'll be happy,

And welcome to you!

The brim closed itself, and Harry raised an eyebrow at Hermione, as if to say 'Well that was interesting.' She nodded, and shrugged, as if to confirm that she could find nothing wrong with the hat's song. No encrypted messages- just to be true to yourself, and make friends in other houses. It seemed that the hat only furthered their suspicions that this year Hogwarts seemed to be all about inter house unity. Professor McGonagall began to speak, so they refocused their attention upon her.

"As you know, the Hat will sort you into your houses. Once it has finished, I ask all first years to put their name and new house on a piece of parchment and drop it into the blue goblet. Thank you for your attention."

They turned briefly to view the blue goblet. Harry noticed it seemed to be made of Sapphire, and it sparkled in the candlelight. McGonagall turned to her list, and called out the first name, "Abercrombie, Everett."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville and the rest of the sixth years seemed especially eager to see the sorting ceremony this term, as they would be spending a lot of extra time with these first years. At the Gryffindor table, the lot made a game of it, trying to guess which houses the first years would be sorted into, and who they might get as their 'mentee'. McGonagall worked her way through the list, and each new student in turn dropped his or her name and house into the blue goblet, which smoked briefly after each bit of parchment. When she had called out the last name ("Zabini, Margaret"), they applauded respectfully along with the rest of the hall. After Zabini, Margaret dropped her name and house (Slytherin, of course) into the blue goblet and sat down in between Malfoy and her older brother, Dumbledore rose from the Head Table.

"There is a time for speechmaking, and—" he guestured and smiled to the student body, who chorused 'this is not it!'

"Ah, I see you at least remember something after the holidays! I do have a few words for you, would anyone care to guess?"

Some of the older students laughed, and joined along with the Headmaster when he stated 'Nitwit, Blubber, Oddment, Tweak!'

"Thank you!" he added, and sat down to begin loading his plate with peppermint humbugs. Once again, Harry turned away these, but passed the potatoes down the line to "Bartleby, Emmeline" when she asked for them. Once they were all sufficiently stuffed and the chatter began to elevate, the Headmaster rose once again, and began to voice the speech that they had heard all too many times before. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville all mouthed along with him the parts they had memorized, but paid fierce attention to the new bits of information.

"Welcome, welcome, one and all to Hogwarts!" smiled Albus, nodding to the first years. "As some of you may know, we have a newly instated program here at Hogwarts. All sixth year students will be paired with a first year student by an impartial judge. These students are to spend time with one another throughout the year, and are expected to learn from one another in various ways. The judge will decide who shall be with whom based on certain predetermined stipulations. A more detailed description of the Mentor Program shall be delivered to all participating students before the week is over.

"Mr. Filch has informed me that the list containing some odd five hundred forbidden items has been posted on his office door. He has asked that all students check it periodically throughout the term for any changes, and to remember that magic is not allowed in the corridors between classes.

"As most of you know, or should I say, as some of you continue to choose to forget, the forbidden forest it out of bounds for all students.

"I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Bertram Luenebraum. I wish you all the luck in the world, Professor, and hope it will be a joyful year for you!"

Harry applauded politely with the rest of the hall, and couldn't help but take notice of the Professor's extraordinary appearance. He didn't have much time to take it all in, though, because Dumbledore had started speaking again.

"I estimate that the goblets need a few more minutes before they make their decisions as to who will be placed with whom. Mr. Filch, will you please bring in the black goblet?"

Argus Filch, once again sporting his mouldy tailcoat, limped up the aisle carrying a black goblet made of Onyx and handed it to Dumbledore.

"The names of each sixth year student have previously been added to the black goblet, and will be shot out in turn along with their first year counterpart from the blue goblet. I ask that everyone please hold all comments and applause till the last two names have been paired. When your name is called, I also ask you to stand and recognize your new mentor, or mentee, whichever is appropriate.

"As I stated before, you will receive further instructions as to the exact itinerary of the program later this week, along with the name of your partner, should you have forgotten already.

"Ah, I do believe that the judges are ready to begin, so will you all listen sharply?"

Dumbledore moved out from behind the head table and stood next to the Onyx goblet while McGonagall stood by the Sapphire.

"Now," he chuckled, as the goblets flashed and sparked before them, "let's hope that the pairs don't mix like oil and water, as the color of these goblets might imply."

Hermione giggled at the expression, as did some of the other Muggle-borns, and those that were half and half. Ron looked puzzled, but even he registered that now was not the time for questions.

Patiently, they waited while the names were spat out in what seemed to be a random order. Neville's name came up first of their closest friends.

"Neville Longbottom, Gryffindor," read Dumbledore, and Neville stood up nervously, gazing around the hall looking for his 'partner'.

The blue goblet spat out a name, and McGonagall read it aloud.

"Ruby Lauraline, Gryffindor."

Neville smiled down the table at the small, blonde haired girl that waved nervously back at him.

"She doesn't look like too much trouble, do you think, Ginny?" he asked, nervously.

Ginny smiled encouragingly at him. "No. I think she looks sweet, Neville. I wonder who everyone else will get?"

She didn't have long to wait. Three more names were called, and the Professor Dumbledore read "Hermione Granger, Gryffindor." Hermione nearly jumped out of her seat and looked frantically around to see whom her mentee would be.

"Maddelein Roseworth, Ravenclaw."

Hermione and her new mentee waved at one another. Harry couldn't help but notice that Maddelein had hair that was quite similar to what Hermione's had looked like back in her first year- extremely bushy- only black.

Six more sets of names were called. Seamus Finnigan was paired with a mousey haired boy named Patrick O'Donovan from Hufflepuff, and Dean Thomas with Alex Creevey, who had just joined his older brothers in Gryffindor.

"Draco Malfoy, Slytherin."

"Oh, I hope he gets a Muggle Born," muttered Ron. "That would teach him!"

Hermione looked horror-struck. "Oh Ron! That could turn out awful though, don't you think? The poor first year!"

Hermione hid her face in he hands while Ron shrugged, and Harry looked thoughtful. The blue goblet seemed to be taking an extra long time finding an underclassman for Malfoy. Finally, out flew a bit of parchment, and Professor McGonagall read,

"Aurelia Formosus, Hufflepuff."

Aurelia stood, straight backed and strong, although Harry thought he could see apprehension behind her eyes. Hermione's worst fears were confirmed- she must have been a Muggle born- because Draco sneered at her, and Draco Malfoy, of all people, would know if her surname was of wizard descent or not. Harry pulled on the sleeve of Hermione's robes, trying to get her to look up.

"'Mione, look! I think the Ferret's met his match!"

Hermione looked up just in time to see that Aurellia Formosus had smirked right back at Draco and stuck her tongue out at him, before sitting down and tossing her hair nonchalantly behind her, as if being sneered down at by the noted "Prince of Slytherin" meant nothing to her. Harry turned to Hermione, and saw she had a malicious glint behind her eyes.

"Ooh, Harry. I think you might be right. That girl's got spunk. I like her!"

Dumbledore reading another piece of parchment interrupted their musings.

"Ronald Weasley, Gryffindor."

Ron stood, and nervously tried to straighten his robes. Gazing around the hall, his eyes seemed drawn to a small, nervous looking boy that was sitting at another table. He groaned.

"Oh no. I think I found mine. Don't even read it, McGonagall. He's right there."

"Where?" asked Hermione, craning her neck trying to see who Ron was looking at.

"Maximillian Curalium, Hufflepuff."

Maximillian Curalium stood, and Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Neville immediately saw why Ron had noticed him. Not only did Maximillian have flaming red hair, he also had impeccably mussed, faded robes and dirt on his nose. Ron raised his hand in a salute to his new first year companion and returned to his seat.

"Aw, Ron!" cooed Ginny and Hermione. "He's so cute! He looks just like you did first year!"

"Don't remind me, okay?"

Harry laughed, "Don't worry mate. He's got you around now. I'm sure he'll turn out all right. And you can teach him that cleaning charm so he can get the dirt off his nose."

"Thanks, mate," laughed Ron, taking a Cauldron Cake out of his pocket. "Want some?"

"Sure! Thanks."

But just as Harry had gotten the cake to his mouth, he heard Dumbledore call out-

"Harry Potter, Gryffindor."

He stood up slowly, and nervously tried to flatten his hair, although he knew it would do no good. The entire hall had just heard his name announced, so if they didn't know what he looked like before, by now they would. Besides the fact that his picture had appeared in the "Daily Prophet" at least a hundred times that summer, along with numerous articles, Harry's fame had grown ever steadily since the clearing of Sirius Black and the revelation of the fact that Lord Voldemort had, indeed, risen again.

The blue goblet seemed to take even longer to pick a match for him than it did for Malfoy. Finally, after what seemed like ages and Harry's face was sufficiently red from everyone staring at him and whispering, the first years' goblet spat out a bit of parchment.

"Luke Vitiosus, Slytherin."

Harry looked towards the Slytherin table, towards Luke Vitiosus, and grimaced inwardly. He was like a miniature Malfoy, pale, blonde, and glaring at him as if to say 'What did I do to deserve this?' Harry smiled, and nodded at the first year, before sitting down again to the Cauldron Cake Ron had given him.

"Eh, well," he sighed, after receiving pitying looks from all his friends- clearly they thought that Luke looked like an unpleasant bloke as well, "we couldn't have all gotten good ones, right?"

His friends shrugged, and soon the placement was over. Ginny led the first years up to Gryffindor Tower along with Colin Creevey, the other new Gryffindor Prefect. Hermione, Neville and Ron headed up some secluded shortcuts to the tower and told Harry they would wait for him there after his meeting with Dumbledore.

Purposefully, Harry strode up to the head table and waited for the Headmaster to notice him. Surprisingly, this did not take long.

"Ah, Mr. Potter? You wanted to have a word, then?"

"Yes, Sir. If it's not too much trouble."

"Of course, shall we adjourn, then?"

Together, Harry and Albus made their way to the Headmaster's office. Upon reaching the Gargoyle, Albus paused, looked around him, and said,

"Skiving Snackbox."

At that, Harry's jaw dropped nearly to the floor. The Gargoyle, meanwhile, sprang aside as usual.