When the group arrived at the castle, Luna drifted off to the Ravenclaw table while the rest went to sit at the Gryffindor table. As others started to sit, Harry couldn't help but notice people giving them a wide berth. He looked around to see the people closest to him glaring at him and whispering to each other.

He sighed and turned back to his friends who were whispering.

"Where's Hagrid? Why isn't he at the head table?" Ron asked.

"You don't think he's hurt do you?" Hermione said anxiously.

Harry shook his head, "He's probably still on that mission Dumbledore had him doing. Remember?"

"Oh right…yeah probably" Ron said, shoulders sagging slightly.

"Wait, who is that!?" Hermione hissed.

The two boy's followed her eyes to the staff table. At the very end, sitting next to a disgruntled Professor Snape, was a short woman wearing too much pink. Harry gasped, he would recognize that toad-like face anywhere.

"She was at my hearing."

"She works at the ministry?" Hermione asked.

"Nice robes" Ron snickered.

"She works for Fudge." Harry said.

"What on earth is she doing here?" Hermione asked.

"Dunno" Harry shrugged.

Before any more could be said on the subject, the Sorting began.

After the sorting was the feast, which was delicious as ever. Then, Dumbledore stood at his podium to give his start-of-year speech.

"Now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door. As some of you have probably noticed, we have two changes in staff this year; we are pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid on temporary leave."

The woman stood and gave a short bow before returning to her seat.

"We would also like to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge."

"What's Fudge's secretary doing teaching DADA?" Ron asked.

Harry shrugged.

"Tryouts for House Quidditch teams will take place on –"

"Hem hem"

Dumbledore paused and turned to the staff table where Umbridge was standing, waiting patiently.

Umbridge smiled sweetly and made her way around the table. "Thank you Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome."

She stopped in front of the podium, "And how lovely to see all your bright, happy faces, smiling up at me."

The twins snorted softly as they looked around the hall, no one was smiling.

"I'm sure we are all going to be very good friends."

Professor Umbridge cleared her throat again ("Hem, hem"), but when she continued, some of the breathiness had vanished from her voice. She sounded much more businesslike and now her words had a dull learned-by-heart sound to them.

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction.

"And although each new Headmaster has brought something new to this historic school," She paused to give a slight bow to Dumbledore, "Progress, for the sake of progress, must be discouraged. Let us preserve, what must be preserved; perfect what can be perfected; and prune practices that ought to be prohibited." She finished with a giggle.

When she sat down, Dumbledore was quick to applaud. Everyone else slowly joined until the entire hall was clapping unenthusiastically.

"Thank you Professor Umbridge, for such an illuminating speech." Dumbledore said.

"Illuminating?" Ron said. "What a load of waffle."

"Yes, but there was something hidden in that waffle" Harry said. "Something important."

"Really? What?" Ron asked.

"The Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts" Hermione said grimly.

/

Harry made his way to the Gryffindor common room on his own, Hermione and Ron had to take the first years. When he got to his room, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan were already there, talking. He wondered if they were talking about him, since they both stopped the moment he walked in.

"How was your holiday Harry?" Dean asked.

"Fine, hot at the end." Harry replied. "Yours?"

"Mine wasn't too bad, better than Seamus'" Dean said.

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Me mam didn't want me to come back" Seamus replied hesitantly.

"To Hogwarts? Why?"

"Because you're here" He said quietly.

Harry's brow furrowed.

"Dumbledore too" He mumbled.

"So she believes the Daily Prophet." Harry scowled. "She thinks I lied about Voldemort."

The two boys flinched.

"Well, no one really knows what happened. You were the only one there." Dean said.

"And my word isn't enough?"

"It does sound a bit out there mate." Seamus said. "If he really did come back, wouldn' t'chya think more people be dead?"

"Maybe he's laying low so people like your mother won't know he's alive" Harry spat.

"Hey, don't you have a go at my mother" Seamus said.

"I'll have a go at anyone who calls me a liar" Harry replied.

"What's going on here?"

The group turned to see Ron standing in the door way.

"He's having a go at my mother!" Seamus yelled.

"What?" Ron looked between the two.

"She's calling me a liar, I'm defending myself."

"Oh" Comprehension dawned on his face.

"You know?" Seamus asked incredulously. "And you believe him?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Ron asked defensively.

Seamus scowled, "Maybe because he wants the attention? He did it last year with the Triwizard Tournament last year."

Ron rolled his eyes, "That's what we all thought, and what happened; someone put his name in as a ploy to get Harry alone so that You-Know-Who could revive himself."

Seamus shook his head, "I can't stay in the same dorm as this madman. And since you believe him, you're a madman as well."

"I may be, but I'm also a prefect so I would shut up before I give you a detention." Ron said.

Seamus looked to be considering it, but eventually stomped to his bed and pulled the curtains together.

Ron glared Dean and Neville – who had entered during the fight. "Anyone else have a problem with Harry?"

Dean held up his hands and shook his head, "Both my parents are muggle. They don't know anything about You-Know-Who."

"My Gran believes Dumbledore and Harry." Neville said.

Ron nodded.

Harry was glad there were still people who believed him. He knew there were more who didn't, but at least he still had his friends. Everyone would find out sooner or later, it was only a matter of time.

Continuing to try and make Ron more of a friend to Harry. He's really loyal, he should show it more.