September 1st, 1996. Sunday.

London, England

King's Cross Station

Platform Nine-and-three-quarters emerged full of light and steam as Selena ran through the brick barrier. She slowed down, pulling her cart to a stop in front of her. She took a deep breath, a thrill running through her as she looked around at the other witches and wizards on the platform.

A second later, Anne ran through the barrier, red curls flying, followed by Ivy, and then Selena's parents holding hands with Violet.

"Oh good, not too late, then!" Mrs. Malast said with a sigh of relief.

Selena's father smiled, his gray eyes crinkling. "Another term! Reminds me of all those years ago, Lina."

Mrs. Malast chuckled, picking up Violet in her arms. "Seems like yesterday."

"Why can't I be eleven already?" Violet said with a pout. She turned to Selena. "Take me with you!"

Selena laughed. She walked over, kissing her little sister on the cheek. "You'll be there before you know it."

"Let's go!" Ivy called. She turned her cart, hurrying towards one of the train doors. "I want to get on the train before it leaves!"

Selena and Anne shared a look, shaking their heads. Still, Selena shared her sister's excitement. It would be good again to see her friends and sleep in Gryffindor Tower (Potions class aside.)

They followed Ivy to the door, and a coachman began to offload the luggage from their carts with a wave of his wand.

"Bye, Mum!" Ivy said, running over and giving Mrs. Malast a hug. She moved to hug their father. "Bye, Dad! I'll write to you both loads. Bye, Vi, I'll see you for Christmas holiday!" With that, she skipped over to the entrance of the train and jumped up the steps, vanishing into the locomotive.

Mrs. Malast sighed again. She shook her head and gave her husband a wry smile. "Like I always say: your side of the family."

Selena watched as her last suitcase floated off her cart and was placed into the undercarriage of the train where it would stay until they reached Hogwarts. She reached down to pick up Crescent where he had been patiently lounging on the luggage cart.

The whistle on the train blew. A plume of steam floated out above the train in pearly white clouds.

"That's five minutes," Selena sighed. She walked over to her parents, giving them each a hug. "I'll miss you both."

"I'll miss you too, sweetheart," her mother said, enveloping her in a peony-scented embrace.

Selena's father gave her a tight hug and scratched Crescent behind his ears. "Make sure you don't forget about us, alright?"

"Do I ever?" Selena grinned.

Violet pouted again. "You never write to me."

"I will," Selena assured her, giving her sister a big smile. Selena glanced over at Anne who was waiting, shifting her boot-clad-feet. Clutched to Anne's chest was Cinnamon in his cage, squeaking and sniffing the air. "We better get going."

Anne took a step closer to Selena's parents. "Thank you both for letting me stay. It's been a brilliant time, I've loved staying with you."

Mrs. Malast hugged Anne with her free arm. "It's been our pleasure, Annalise. You are welcome anytime."

"You girls get on board," Mr. Malast said. He smiled warmly at Anne. "We'll see each other again."

Selena arched a dark eyebrow at Anne, prompting her to get on the train. The platform was clearing quickly and kids were squishing their faces up to the windows to see their family members. Selena wanted to go find her friends. She could already hear Alisson's laughter and see Tess' big smile. It had only been a few months since she'd seen her friends, but it already seemed like too long.

Blowing a last kiss to her parents, Selena hopped up inside the Hogwarts Express. She heard Anne step up into the train behind her, and they turned the corner, entering the long carpeted hallway. Students were mulling around, hugging and laughing, choosing their compartments and socializing. Ivy was nowhere in sight, long gone to find Raven Kinomoto, no doubt.

"Well," Anne said with a sigh, "I should probably find Harry and the others."

Selena turned to her cousin, suddenly wishing Anne would stay. "You can sit with us if you want."

Anne smirked. "Thanks, but I think it's time I head off. I'll see you around, Selena." She turned, walking down the hallway with Cinnamon's cage firmly in her hands before pausing and turning around. "Thank you. It meant a lot to me." Anne gave a quick smile before she headed away down the corridor.

Selena held Crescent closer to her. "And then there two." She kissed Crescent's soft ears before slowly walking down the corridor. She wove through chattering students as she glanced through the glass windows of the compartments. Surely her friends were already onboard.

As if on cue, the whistle went off again, giving a shrill cry. Smoke billowed past the windows. Students leaned out of the compartment windows as they yelled goodbye and waved to their families on the platform. The train gave a lurch and Selena stumbled. She regained her footing as the floor began to thrum with the steam engine, powered by magic. A thrill ran through Selena again as she watched the stone platform outside begin to move. Soon they would be back at Hogwarts.

Knock, knock.

"Sel!"

Selena's face lit up with a smile when turned towards the closed compartment door next to her. Tess Underwood stood on the other side, knocking on the glass with a grin plastered on her face, her brown eyes sparkling with happiness. Summer had brightened the pinch of freckles dusted across her heart-shaped face.

Tess slid the door open and threw her slender arms around Selena, careful not to crush Crescent. "I'm so happy to see you!"

"Same!" Selena giggled, hugging her friend tight.

"You too, kitty," Tess said as they broke apart and she patted Crescent.

Selena beamed at her other friends who were in the compartment behind Tess. It was at full capacity with everyone, but Selena couldn't have been more excited. She hugged everyone: Alisson Hatten, Elizabeth Hearts, Renee Pierce, Bronwen Lovell, Hazel Locarn, and Rolf Iredine.

"It's been too long, Malast," Rolf said with a laugh when Selena hugged him last.

She smiled up at him. Rolf had grown a quite a bit taller over the summer, but his shaggy brown hair still had his trademark green fringe. "Is Karrot around?"

"Of course," Rolf replied like it was obvious. He turned, revealing his rabbit sitting on the squishy seat bench cushion behind him. "He probably won't like seeing Crescent, though."

Selena scratched her cat behind his ear. He blinked his eyes contentedly. "I'll make sure he behaves."

"Someone needs to learn that," Alisson said, giving Renee a teasing look.

Renee put a protective hand on the cage holding her tiny owl, Short Stuff. She stuck her tongue out at Alisson and laughed.

Selena sat down in the last free seat, next to Bronwen, who smiled at her with warm brown eyes. She had shorts on, showing off her athletic, tanned legs. "I hope your summer was good."

Bronwen sighed and rolled her eyes, but she still smiled. "My sister would not stop talking about her N.E.W.T. class selection. She was obsessing over it all summer."

"When are we going to meet your sister, Bronnie?" Renee asked, pulling up knees up to her chest.

"Hopefully never," Bronwen said. She tightened her long, nearly-black hair in its loose ponytail. "She's still going through her terrible teenage years. I'll be happy when she graduates in a couple years."

"Too bad we can't take N.E.W.T. classes yet," Rolf said, "I'd like the free time the Sixth years get."

Hazel chuckled. "Yeah, free time for the professors to assign even more homework!"

"You act like that's a bad thing," Tess said, winking.

Selena and Bronwen laughed.

Outside, the scenery began to shift from London to trees.

Selena settled back in her seat as her friends launched into the newest Quidditch World Cup news. She felt home.

2 Hours Later

"I'm telling you, Rolf, you wouldn't last a minute. I'm going out for the Quidditch team because I know I won't get hit by a rogue Bludger."

"I beg to differ, honestly! I would be an asset to the Quidditch team!"

"Will you both shut it?" Renee held up a hand, silencing Alisson and Rolf's argument. Her other hand hovered above a lime-green gobstone on the carpet. Renee's eyebrows furrowed with concentration, nibbling on her lower lip. "I make one bad call and it's all gone to rubbish."

Alisson shook her head, long brown hair falling over her shoulders. "I can't believe I'm friends with people who play Gobstones," she said sarcastically with a teasing half-smile. "I stopped playing it by the time I was seven. But even I was better than you then."

Selena laughed as Renee shot a look at Alisson. She had missed all their banter and jokes.

"I will have you know, Gobstones is an art," Renee said. "Go on arguing about Quidditch all you want, but Gobstones is the thinking wizard's Quidditch." She shifted her honey eyes back to the floor. Tess, who sat across from her on the floor looking increasingly pleased with herself, had put Renee in quite the predicament.

Elizabeth sighed and shook her head. She pushed her blue glasses up her nose from where they had slid down. "I'm getting hungry, and I don't think I can wait for the lunch trolley anymore. I'm going to go up to the Buffet Car. We're bound to be near the border soon. Anyone else fancy a walk?"

"I'll join," Selena said merrily. Crescent had fallen asleep in the corner and she was happy to take a break to stretch her legs.

The two girls got up, navigating the Gobstones course, and Selena slid the compartment door open. Just as she shut the door again behind her and Elizabeth, a Gobstone squirted a purple liquid onto Renee, making her yelp. Tess cheered in victory while Bronwen covered her nose. Selena and Elizabeth shared a look, stifling their laughter.

"It's only been a couple hours, and I'm already exhausted," Elizabeth said with a light laugh.

Selena smiled as they walked down the corridor, which was fairly busy with all the other students waiting for the lunch trolley. "I've missed you lot."

"We missed you too," Elizabeth said. She glanced at Selena out of the corner of her hazel eyes. Her smile faltered. "I'm still so sorry... about what happened."

Selena's smile fell. She glanced at the floor and watched her white Converse stepping one in front of the other. She had been so preoccupied most of the summer with making sure that Anne was okay she hadn't really had much time to think about what had happened herself. Or, well, she didn't want to think about it. "Thank you, Beth. It means a lot." Selena gave her friend a quick smile.

If Elizabeth saw through her smile, she didn't show it.

The girls walked in silence for a few heartbeats before Selena cleared her throat. "How has your family been?"

"They're alright," Elizabeth said. "I mean, shaken up of course, but... My mum was worried about my coming back to school. But, I think we're the safest here, you know? With Dumbledore."

Selena nodded quickly. "That's exactly what I think too."

"Things are definitely changing," Elizabeth said somberly. She reached up, pulling at the purple scrunchie that kept her pale blonde hair tied in a braid. "On the bright side, we won't have to deal with Madam Umbridge the Evil this year or her Inquisitorial Squad."

Selena finally gave a real smile. "True. Remind me to thank Peeves again."

The end of their third year had seen Professor Umbridge taken back to the castle and kept in the Hospital Wing after being swept away by the centaurs. When she tried to sneak off, Peeves had chased her from the castle the whole way, whacking her over the head with a sock full of chalk and then a walking stick. Some say it was Professor McGonagall's own walking stick. Either way, Peeves was a hero now to the students.

"I hope our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year is brilliant. Someone like Professor Lupin,"" Selena continued.

"One can hope," Elizabeth said with a smile.

A door slid open a few compartments ahead and a tall blonde boy emerged, holding a purple scroll. He began walking away from them, in the direction the girls were heading.

Selena recognized him immediately. "Damon!"

He turned, his pale eyebrows rising in surprise. He smiled when he saw her. "Selena, hey. I didn't see you there. Hello, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth nodded politely.

Selena couldn't help the smile she suddenly had. "We're going to the Buffet Car. Is that where you're headed? We can walk together if you want."

"Actually, er, I have to go to compartment C," Damon said. He ran a hand through his hair, seeming embarrassed. "I've been... summoned... sort of."

Selena and Elizabeth exchanged confused looks. "Summoned?" Selena asked.

Damon nodded. He held out the scroll. "Terribly formal if you ask me. I don't really like the fuss, but I don't think I'm allowed to say no."

Selena took the purple scroll and unrolled it, her eyes skimming over the flourished writing in royal purple ink.

Damon,

I would be delighted if you would join me for a bite of lunch in compartment C.

Sincerely,

Professor H. E. F. Slughorn

"Professor Slughorn," Elizabeth read. She glanced up. "That's bound to be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, isn't it?"

Damon shrugged as Selena handed his scroll back. "That's what I figured, but... I dunno. Guess I'll see."

"So you don't know him?" Selena said. She furrowed her brows. What did this mysterious new professor want with Damon? "Why is he asking for you? He apparently knows about you."

Damon twisted the scroll in his hands, seeming uncharacteristically embarrassed once again. "No idea. I saw that git Blaise Zabini with one a few minutes ago, so I guess Slughorn is turning it into a Slytherin get-together for whatever reason. I really hope Malfoy isn't there." He sighed, and then his light blue eyes focused over Selena's shoulder. "Oh great, looks like Potter and Longbottom have them too."

Selena and Elizabeth moved out of the way as Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom walked through the corridor, chatting and holding purple scrolls with violet ribbons identical to Damon's. The Slytherin boy hid his scroll as the Gryffindor boys passed.

Harry gave Selena a nod as he passed.

Neville smiled. "Hey, Selena."

"Hi, Neville," Selena replied with a smile.

"I didn't know you were friends," Damon said curiously once they'd passed.

Selena shrugged. "It's a long story... well, I guess we can walk with you there, it's not far. I want to see this Professor Slughorn."

"Guess it's not a Slytherin thing then if those two have these as well," Damon said, looking even more puzzled than before.

Elizabeth was silent. She just peered at the scroll in Damon's hand, her lips pursed in thought.

They walked down the corridor, weaving through the students still looking around for the lunch trolley. Even Selena had to admit her stomach was growling a bit, but this whole Slughorn business had distracted her from any thought of food. What would this professor want with Damon, Harry, Neville, and that Blaise Zabini boy Damon had mentioned? What did they have in common? She couldn't think of anything off the top of her head.

Compartment C wasn't far, and soon they arrived at the glass door. Inside, a bald, portly man with a large silver mustache was dressed in shades of green velvet with golden buttons. He was laughing as he spoke to Harry and Neville, who were already inside the compartment. There were several other students, including three boys Selena didn't recognize, and Ginny Weasley looking very uncomfortable.

Damon gave Selena and Elizabeth a wave and then opened the sliding glass door.

"Ah!" the man - Professor Slughorn - said, turning around. "This must be Mister Damon Griffin! Welcome!" He slid the glass door shut without so much as a glance at Selena and Elizabeth.

"So odd," Elizabeth muttered. She shook her head as she and Selena began walking away. "This is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? Inviting all these random students to have lunch? I wonder what he's playing at."

Selena shrugged, but even she had to admit she was very curious. "I wonder why he's our teacher. He's definitely not from the Ministry if he's going to Hogwarts on the train like us."

Elizabeth pulled her pink jumper tighter around her blue shirt. "Your guess is as good as mine. I guess we'll find out in a few hours."

3 Hours Later

Hogsmeade Station

Selena jumped onto the dark platform, students surging around her. She adjusted her Gryffindor robes, scrunching up the fabric in her hands. A damp chill was in the air, making her shiver despite it still technically being summer. Crescent was in her arms once again, his ears perked up as he watched all the students bustling and chattering loudly.

Hazel pulled her trunk along, huffing, her dark brown hair falling over her eyes. "This never gets easier."

"I'll help," Alisson said, reaching over and helping push the trunk. Her broomstick was strapped to her back with a dragonskin belt. "I've been weight training all summer to get ready for Quidditch tryouts. You should join me sometime, Hazel."

"Ha-ha," Hazel replied sarcastically. "I'm very comfortable with my noodle arms, thank you very much. I prefer books over barbells." She tugged her suitcase over a crack in the platform. "Oof! Why can't these just get taken right up to the front doors?"

Selena took a deep breath of pine-scented air. "It's not raining this year, at least." She turned towards Rolf who was scratching Karrot under the chin. Tess flipped her hood up to keep herself warm. "I mean, it could be worse. Imagine there were Dementors again." She turned back and in the process nearly knocked a pale, slender girl over. Selena gasped, grabbing her arm to help steady her. "I'm so sorry!"

The girl laughed good-naturedly, brushing off her Ravenclaw robes as she straightened the bag on her shoulder. "Not to worry, I'm fine."

Selena blinked, trying to figure out where she knew the girl from. Even in the dark with the lamplight at the station, something seemed familiar about this girl's violet eyes and crescent-shaped earrings.

"Oh, hi, Serenity," Bronwen piped up.

Selena's memory sparked a day last term outside where she and her friends met Serenity Moon.

"Hey," Serenity responded, giving the others a shy smile. "Are these your friends? It's been a while, hasn't it? Was it Selena?"

Selena bobbed her head and smiled. "Yeah! It's good to see you again."

The train gave a whistle. Steam began to billow out across the station.

"Let's wrap up the greetings and get to a carriage already," Alisson called, "I'm starving!"

"You already ate your lunch and then half of my lunch," Elizabeth argued.

"Like I said: hungry," Alisson snapped. She gave Hazel's suitcase a heave. "Let's get moving before we turn as old as Professor Binns."

Bronwen walked over to Selena and Serenity, pulling her trunk behind her. "You can go in a carriage with us if you'd like," Bronwen offered.

Serenity smiled, blushing. "Thanks, I'd love that."

They all walked with the crowd of robe-clad students heading towards the end of the platform where it forked between a forest road and the First Years heading straight towards the docks with bobbing boats. Selena turned with everyone onto the forest path where sleek black carriages with bright lanterns waited.

Selena froze.

At the front of the carriages, Thestrals waited, pawing at the ground with pointed hooves on skeletal legs. The animals looked like zombies. It was even more obvious this close to them, even more real than the Thestral she had seen months ago out of the window of the Hogwarts Express.

"Selena?" Tess said, glancing back at her.

Selena blinked, trying to shake herself out of the stupor. Her friends looked at her in concern, but she smiled brightly. There was no way to explain to her friends that she could see Thestrals now because she had watched Sirius Black - an innocent yet notorious wizard everyone believed to be a murderer - die at the Ministry. "Sorry, er, stubbed my toe is all."

She rejoined her friends as students hurried around them, claiming carriages and clambering inside.

Once Selena had put her suitcase on the back with the others, she climbed up the creaky black carriage step and inside to sit on the cushioned benches. Since it wasn't raining, the carriages were open, allowing her to look around the forest as Alisson climbed in last and the carriage gave a lurch.

"What year are you?" Tess piped up. Her small frame swayed with the motion of the carriage.

Selena tried to keep her vision focused on Serenity, across from her, but she could still see the skeletal Thestral out of the corner of her eye. It fluttered its bat-like wings occasionally. How had she ridden one months ago? How had Anne ridden one when she was able to see them? They had been so much better invisible.

"Oh, it's my Sixth Year," Serenity said. She brushed a lock of long, straight black hair from her eyes. "Getting close to graduating I suppose."

"We have some friends in Sixth Year," Rolf added. "They're in Gryffindor, though. Isn't Cho Chang in your year? She's the Ravenclaw Seeker, yeah?"

Serenity nodded. "She's in my dorm, actually. Brilliant, and she's really nice. We aren't too close though. I talk more to Padma Patil and Maria Glossop, if you know them?"

"I know Maria!" Renee said, brightening with a smile. "She's in the Gobstone Club with me. She's dating Marcus Fenwick, the club president, isn't she?"

Serenity laughed with a nod.

"I knew it." Renee beamed proudly.

"Gobstone gossip," Alisson muttered as she shook her head. Selena giggled and Elizabeth cracked a smile.

1 Hour Later

"I've missed Hogwarts food!"

Tess scooched away from Alisson as she grabbed an entire apple pie and plopped it onto her plate.

Selena laughed, popping a peppermint humbug in her mouth and savoring the minty taste. "I had missed it too."

The Start-of-Term Feast was in full swing. The Great Hall was alight with chatter, tables full of food, and lit candles floating above the Hogwarts students. Up at the Head Table, Selena could see all their teachers talking with one another and happily eating. The mysterious new Professor Slughorn was there, his cheeks pink as he waved his hands in an animated story to Professor McGonagall, who looked slightly less impressed. Selena stifled a laugh.

"I miss Sasha, though," Tess sighed. She shook her head. "It won't be the same."

"She's onto bigger and better things," Wendy Rossotto said from further down the table. She brushed her blonde fringe from her big brown eyes. "Up to some Quidditch business no doubt. I'm sure we'll hear from her soon. Avery, have you tried the chocolate gateau?"

Selena smiled a bit as she watched the girl with wavy blonde hair next to Wendy reach for an iced chocolate cake. Wendy and Avery had been enemies (moreso from Wendy's side,) back when Avery dated Danny McCalaster, who was Wendy's best friend - and who Wendy not-so-secretly fancied. When Danny and Wendy fell out, Avery took Wendy's side and the girls had been inseparable ever since. It had surprised everyone, but Selena was happy they had bonded.

Harry Potter walked into the Great Hall, drawing a few glances. Some people began whispering like they had been on the Hogwarts Express. A few Hufflepuffs stood up as he rushed past their table. Harry glowered, his face tinged red, as he sat down next to Anne, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.

"Wonder what that's about," Elizabeth muttered.

Selena shrugged. "No idea."

She glanced down at her plate, watching the flickering candles glittering on its gold surface. Ever since the Ministry ordeal, Harry Potter had been getting even more attention than before (if that was possible.) He wasn't just the Boy-Who-Lived now, he was the boy who had seen Voldemort return. Thankfully, no one really seemed to care about the others who had been with him in the Department of Mysteries, much to Selena's relief. Her friends had mercifully not tried to ask questions much after she told them at the end of last year.

"So," Alisson said, drawing Selena's attention, "how was your summer with Annabeth?"

Selena grabbed a treacle tart from the table. "It was good. My sister wasn't too happy that Anne brought her pet rat with her. But I'm happy she didn't have to spend summer here alone."

Tess nodded. "It's so sad that she doesn't have family to go home to."

"Didn't Serenity mention something about that on the carriage?" Elizabeth murmured. She glanced at the others from behind her glasses. "Staying here over the Christmas holidays, I mean?"

Alisson shrugged. "I don't remember to be honest, she's nice though."

"I think your brain was too focused on food," Renee laughed. She turned to Selena, a thought seeming to dawn on her. "Hey, what was your mum on about when she called Anne 'Annalise Brown' back in Diagon Alley?"

Tess and Elizabeth gave Selena curious looks. Alisson was too busy picking up another piece of pie. Selena floundered for an explanation. There was no way to explain trying to hide Anne's identity from her father what with Sirius Black still being called a criminal by the Ministry. "Um... I, er..."

Nearly Headless Nick floated above them, his translucent body drifting over the Gryffindor Table.

"Oh, look!" Selena said, nodding at him in a rush. "It's Nearly Headless Nick! We should say hello!"

"But-" Renee began.

The Great Hall fell silent, and Renee pressed her lips together in a line.

Selena turned to see the Hogwarts Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, standing at the Head Table with a wild smile on his wrinkled, white-bearded face. "The very best of evenings to you!" His half-moon spectacles sparkled as he opened his arms.

"Merlin," Alisson breathed. "What's happened to his hand?"

Selena had noticed it too. Dumbledore's right hand peeking out of his purple-and-gold sleeve was as skeletal as the Thestrals, dark like it had been charred. The Great Hall became alive with whispers as everyone else noticed too. What had happened to his hand?

Dumbledore shook his sleeve down and smiled. "Nothing to worry about. Now... to our new students, welcome, to our old students, welcome back! Another year full of magical education awaits you."

"Is he going to act like his hand doesn't look dead?" Alisson whispered harshly.

"Keep your voice down," Tess whispered back, "I'm sure he can hear you."

Alisson scowled. "But does he think we're thick? We already saw it."

Selena couldn't really focus on what Dumbledore was saying as he went on about what areas were off limits for students. She was too busy thinking about what in the world he could've done to his hand. Surely Dumbledore couldn't have gotten injured or something like that?

"Those wishing to play for their House Quidditch teams should give their names to their Heads of House as usual. We are also looking for new Quidditch commentators, who should do likewise," Dumbledore went on. "We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year. Professor Slughorn-" Dumbledore motioned to the bald man in green velvet who stood up - "is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master."

Selena's eyes widened.

"Potions?" someone at the Ravenclaw table said.

"Potions?" somebody at the Slytherin table echoed.

The Great Hall began to sound with the same word.

Selena turned to her friends, shaking her head. "B-but I thought-"

"Who's teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts then?" Renee said, her brows knitted in worry.

"Professor Snape, meanwhile," Dumbeldore said loudly, "will be taking over the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"No!" Harry Potter shouted, making Selena look over him.

She couldn't say she felt much different.

Professor Snape sat to the right of Dumbledore, raising his hand as the Slytherin Table began to applaud. His dark eyes glinted even from Selena's seat at the Gryffindor Table.

"Oh great," Renee groaned. "I actually used to like Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Why in the world would Dumbledore put Snape there and bring in a new Potions teacher?" Tess said, shaking her head. "It doesn't make sense."

Selena and Elizabeth traded looks. There was more to this story than Dumbledore was letting on.

Alisson rested her chin on her hand, elbow propped up on the table. "At least Potions might be a bit more bearable now? I don't think Dumbledore would do this just for giggles."

They fell quieted when Dumbledore cleared his throat. He waited patiently until the Great Hall was completely silent once more, save for the flickering of the floating candles. "Now, as everybody in this Hall knows, Lord Voldemort and his followers are once more at large and gaining in strength."

Selena swallowed hard. Some people flinched when he mentioned Voldemort's name.

"I cannot emphasize strongly enough how dangerous the present situation is," Dumbledore continued, "and how much care each of us at Hogwarts must take to ensure that we remain safe. The castle's magical fortifications have been strengthened over the summer, we are protected in new and more powerful ways, but we must still guard scrupulously against carelessness on the part of any student or member of staff. I urge you, therefore, to abide by any security restrictions that your teachers might impose upon you, however irksome you might find them - in particular, the rule that you are not to be out of bed after hours. I implore you, should you notice anything strange or suspicious within or outside the castle, to report it to a member of staff immediately. I trust you to conduct yourselves, always with the utmost regard for your own and others' safety."

Selena took a deep breath as Dumbledore looked over the hall of silent students. She could practically hear her own heart beating.

"But now, your beds await, as warm and comfortable as you could possibly wish, and I know that your top priority is to be well rested for your lessons tomorrow," Dumbledore said with a smile. "Let us therefore say good night. Pip pip!"

Selena stood up with the rest of the Hogwarts students, the wooden bench underneath her scraping against the ancient stone floor. She felt like she was on autopilot, trying to take in all the words in Dumbledore's speech. She joined in with the flood of Gryffindors going towards the Grand Staircase, falling behind the crowd of Ravenclaws.

"Things are getting serious, even here," Tess said. She blinked her short lashes and sighed. "I guess I was hoping things would seem less grim."

"Wonder how the First Years feel," Alisson muttered.

Selena didn't say a word.

Second chapter done!

I'm working on the next chapter already, and that's when we'll start with the more original stuff for this year. I hope you guys enjoyed this! It was good to get Serenity in the chapter and I'm so happy to see our gang again! Also, any guesses about Damon and what Slughorn wanted? I think that's going to be a really fun subplot.

Well, I submitted my last assignment for my semester yesterday so I am officially done with another year of university! I'll have a bit more free time to work on stories now, which is fantastic. I hope you guys are doing well and staying safe!

Thanks to our reviewers:

CharmedMilliE- Karry Master

SakuraDragomir

See you guys next chapter!

~ Meghan