Chapter Five

Home Again At Hogwarts

The air grew heavy with excitement. They would be arriving soon and everyone was changing into robes and getting ready to get off the train. Ginny awakes with the noise and shakes involuntarily. For one blissful moment she thinks it was all a nightmare but then she sits up and feels the pain in her hips where she knew they were bruised. She stands and puts her robes on thinking she could tell her brother and her friends that they would believe her. She rushes to find Ron and enters his compartment.

"Hey Ginny." Ron greets her

Harry and Hermione smile at her and wave.

"How was your trip?" Harry asked

Ginny opened her mouth to tell them and the place Draco had drawn the heart burned like fire and she knew it was no use. She swallowed back tears replacing them with a smile.

"I slept most of the way, must have been that big breakfast." she mumbled

They looked at her with a small amount of disbelieve but let it past. The train

then pulled to a stop and the doors slid open by themselves. A familiar bellow greeted their ears.

"First Years, first years this way please"

It was Hagrid; he was going to lead the first year students across the lake as he had done years ago for them. They all exited the train and gathered together walking with the other students to the carriages pulled by invisible horses called Thestrals. Invisible to most, anyone who has seen death would be able to see them. This included Harry, Neville and a few others. After everyone was seated, the carriages lifted off and took them to the front doors of Hogwarts. They regrouped again and walked up the stairs and entered the Great Hall, found their seats and waited for the first years to arrive. Harry looked up at the bewitched ceiling full of stars. Hermione's words came back to him from their first year.

"Its not really the sky, its just been bewitched. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History." Sooner or later Harry was going to have to read that bloody book but it was not going to be today. He looks around at everyone that had been seated; Draco was looking over towards Ron and Ginny with a smug look on his face. Harry wanted to get up and knock it off him but thought better of it. Hermione was looking at the staff table towards Professor Flitwick and Professor Snape. Her face emotionless but Harry could see a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks. Strange, he thought oh well if she had something to tell him he would hear about it later. Looking back at Ron his attention was drawn to a spot in the Ravenclaw table, but Harry could not tell who or what he was looking at.

"Hey Ron?" Harry began but was interrupted by Professor Mc Gonagall bringing in the stool with the sorting hat on it; he would have to ask Ron later. The sorting ceremony went smoothly. Professor Dumbledore stood and complete silence overtook the room.

"Welcome first years and welcome back all others. I have a few start of term announcements, bare with me and soon enough you will be tucking into our feast. Let me first induce our new Professor."

There was a shuffle has everyone craned their necks to see the dark haired beauty sitting next to Hagrid. She stood and Dumbledore continued.

"May I introduce you all to your new Defense Against The Dark Arts Teacher. Professor Lockheart. She comes from abroad to teach at Hogwarts."

There was a round of applause before Dumbledore spoke again.

"This year at Hogwarts we will be reopening the dueling club all those who wish to join please see Professor Lockheart. Our caretaker, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind all of you that magic should be contained to the classrooms and not in the halls. All students should take note that the forest is forbidden."

Dumbledore paused, raising his wand "Everyone please join me in singing our school song."

Waving his wand like a conductor golden ribbons appeared for all to read the words to the song.

Hogwarts, Hogwarts Hoggy Hoggy Hogwarts

Teach us something please

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff

For now they're bare and full of air

Dead flies and bits of fluff

So teach us stuff worth knowing

Bring back what we forgot

Just do your best, We'll do the rest

And learn until our brains all rot

With the song complete Dumbledore waved his wand once more

"Let the feast begin."

Mountains of food appeared and everyone dived into all that was offered. By the time they all finished it was an effort to make to it the dorms. Everyone collapsed onto their beds and was fast asleep in no time. One thought passed though Harry's mind as he drifted off. It's good to be home.