A/N:Hello again everyone. You guys are the best. 138 favorites 243 follows 75 reviews and over 20000 views; Thank you all for your continued support. Yes I know, I'm early, but I've got exams coming up, so I won't be able to focus on this fic until...the third week of December or roughly around that time. Sorry guys, but that's life. Before I begin, PaC I'd like to thank you for taking time to write the comprehensive and insightful reviews you gave. I'd like to reply to some of the points you made and comment on others, so is it possible for you to create an account and I PM you? If not, I'll just make an A/N next time I upload. But again, thank you.

As usual,I apologize for any grammatical errors that got pass me.

Please Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter or anything dealing with its franchise; Only the OCs.

Chapter 13

Train Rides and Sortings

Su Li walked along the carriages as the train started to move and begin its journey to Hogwarts. She was looking forward to the months away from her sister and father, the arduous training that Professor Flitwick loved to provide them, and seeing her boyfriend again. The last thought brought a small smile to her face as she moved to where she hoped he would be. Since he left, she had done a more intensive search for information on tigers when she realized how much of the characteristics he carried over from his animagus really was. The books she read said they were very territorial, and as she stood in front of the compartment that she had first met William in, and felt the familiar tendrils of cold air caused by his magic issuing out from it, her studies were proven right. She reached out to grasp the handle for the compartment door, but retracted it back when it stung her. Taking out her wand, she casted the counter for the ward and watched as it glowed slightly before the light shattered. She reached out once more for the handle, but stopped when she noticed that it glowed a slight blue once more before disappearing.

Su Li frowned at that. The ward was one of the few spells that were contained in her family library that she wasn't forbidden to teach an outsider or for them to learn, and she had taught it to William. Given that the spell and counter were in mandarin; he knew that it had to be her outside the compartment or at least a very high probability of it being her. Why wouldn't he want to see her?

As she broke the ward once more and watched as it was quickly brought back once more, thoughts flickered though her head at what could be the cause of him to acting like this. Did she do something wrong? She knew that she didn't write him over the month he was with Daphne; could that be why he didn't want to see her? Did Daphne do something to make him change his mind about being together with her? Was Daphne in there with him now? Did that mean she already loss him because she wasn't strong enough to keep what was hers?

Those were the thoughts that kept plaguing her as she cast counter after counter, until she was finally able to cast it and open the door before he had recast. She found her William sitting alone in the corner of the compartment near the window with his face turned to it. He was encircled bodily by his large snake familiar, Sashet, with her head resting on his shoulder as his left hand caressed it, while his right leg was brought close to his chest with his right arm rested on it with his hand idly twirling his wand slowly in between his fingers.

"I wish to be alone." He said plainly while not looking at her. While he had spoken, his voice was not its usual calm tone; Su Li heard shakiness in it and a forced control that he was exerting for it to sound as close to his usual tone.

"No."She said softly as she closed the door behind her, and warding it once more, before she approached his side slowly. As she sat close beside him, she watched as his familiar looked at her, as if scrutinizing her, then it turned to face William and hiss something at him, before uncoiling her large body from around the boy, and disappeared into a shadow near the door. With her view of his face no longer completely blocked, Su Li saw that there were tear stains that ran down his cheeks. She didn't know what happened, but she cautiously maneuvered into placing herself against his chest with her hands around him; she was already pushing things by being in the compartment, she didn't want to press too far. She didn't know when it started, but she felt him slowly shake and felt droplets occasionally fall onto her silky black hair, while his right hand held her around her developing hip. Su Li tighten her grip around him reassuringly, while she continued to keep her focus on the passing scenery outside the window. He was hurting for some reason unknown to her, and she would do everything in her power to help her Tiger.

They remained like that for some time until she felt her Tiger stop shaking, and waved his free hand in a way that she knew he was performing wandless magic, and then she heard him speak.

"Thank you." He said in his plain and calm voice. She heard no tremor in it, and leaned up to look at him. While his face was now clear of any evidence of what he was doing before, but through his eyes, she could see that he was still hurting inside.

"What happened." She stated softly.

William sighed as he leaned back into the seat of the compartment before he spoke, "My father's an arse and a coward is what happened." She didn't press him, seeing as it was still a fresh wound; she leaned forward and captured his lips in hers. She continued to snog him until she heard him give out a small purr. Smiling against his lips, she returned back to the position she was before on his chest; she rested there, listening to his heartbeat.

They stayed like that, in comfortable silence, for some time until Sashet sent William images of his sister walking up the carriage. He sighed, causing Su to look up at him, while he didn't feel up to facing his sister after the explosive meeting with her father, he needed to focus on his House, and the goals he had for his time at Hogwarts this semester. Looking down at Su, he spoke to her.

"Sukie, can you open the compartment down." William stated.

Su Li stared at him for a moment, before she got up and went to the door. As she dispels the ward and opened the door, Hermione was passing by it. "Hermione." She called out in her soft voice.

Hermione turned at the sound of her name and gave her a slight surprised look before she spoke, "Su Li, How've you been? How was your summer?"

"Fine." She answered, "Your brother is in here." She turned back into the compartment, but she noticed the nervous look that came up on the girls face before she did.

William watched as Su returned back to his side as Hermione entered, biting her lower lip as she sat down across from them and in front of William. Not at all liking how guarded his sister was acting around him; he spoke, "I want to apologize for how I acted earlier Hermione; I saw something in your father's head that…let's just say that he was measured, weighed and found wanting. But what happens between your father and myself, shouldn't affect our relationship; you're still my sister after all and a Dagworth…Speaking about being a Dagworth, what questions did you have for me?" William finished with a question to his sister, wanting to avoid talking about the confrontation.

"Yes, I want to help you. How can I do that?" she asked.

William leaned back before he answered his sister, "Well as my heiress; for now I want you to become stronger. You'll be learning more about how to use our familial spells, techniques, etc. and help bring more allies to our side of this game."

"Wait, Heiress? And what sides are you talking about?" she asked curiously.

"Well, until I have a child of my own to the take the title, if anything happened to me, you'd become Lady Dagworth. With that in mind, I expect you to act accordingly as an heiress, and as a Dagworth upon the time we step out in the open." William said with a small smile towards his sister, and then a serious look came upon his face as he continued, "I was mainly speaking on political side of things when I mentioned the game; we have to look out for us first Hermione, and as Dagworths, we create the path that others follow; not the path carved by others." He finished. He wouldn't mention that the main opposition would be Dumbledore and Voldemort. It would be an uphill battle to get his sister out of her preconceived notion of looking to others for direction, especially with her falling into the typical hero worship of 'The Great Albus Dumbledore', but it was either that or have her become a tool in which the senile old fool can use to manipulate them for his own cause.

"So does that mean we can't be seen together and that I have to act like Greengrass? And I'm telling you right now, there better not be any talks about betrothal from you; I will not be subjected to such a barbaric custom that this world has." Hermione replied with her hands across and a stern look on her face.

William gave a light chuckle before he answered, "No, we can still hang out; just that you won't be able to publically call me your brother or yourself a Dagworth until I unveil that knowledge myself, you can't tell your friends as such. In ter-"

"What do you mean I can't tell my friends!? You obviously already told Su Li here, that's hardly fair." Hermione said interrupting her brother.

"I understand how you feel Hermione," William said placating with his palms facing his sister as he continued, "Unlike Su Li, both your friends are a liability at the moment; their minds are unprotected. The only reason I've gotten this far, is due to caution and secrecy." Seeing his sister's hesitantly nodding her reply, he sighed internally as he continued, "As I was going to say, you don't have to worry about that from me Hermione; as your brother, you're free to be with whoever you choose to be with, however…as your Lord, I will not accept mediocrity or someone I deem unworthy." William said, almost feeling sorry for the poor bastard who thought he could get with his sister.

"Given all that you've done last year to keep me safe, I'm not surprised at all that you'd be the overprotective type of brother." She quipped.

"So I'm little guarded with what I care about. That hardly makes me overprotective"

"Understatement." Su Li stated softly.

"Be quiet you." William said tersely, while Hermione giggled at his betrayed look. The jovial moment was interrupted however by the compartment door sliding open with a slam as it hit the door frame, to reveal Malfoy and company; William felt his wand give him a warning through a vibrating growl, causing him to give the four a curious look as he observed them.

Malfoy was the same as always, his scent reeked of perfumes, confidence, and…sexual fluids…that last scent had William reaching up and opening the compartment's window; He did not need to know what Malfoy was doing in his free time with or without his fiancée. Said girl stood beside him, with a look of disdain and disgust at those within the compartment; she looked paler than her usual appearance and seemed to be clutching some leather book, and he noticed that she lacked the scents that Malfoy had. Behind the two were Malfoy's minions, Crabbe and Goyle.

"Look what we found here Pansy, two mudbloods and a bookworm." Malfoy spoke up.

"Can we leave, I feel dirty from just allowing them to be in my presence" Parkinson replied with her nose turned up at them, as the two behind them chuckled.

"Lord Malfoy, Heiress Parkinson," William replied calmly with a barely noticeable nod of his head before he continued, "How may we help you." He finished.

Malfoy ignored him as he turned towards his sister, "Where's Potter, mudblood I haven't seen him on the train; I thought you'd be busy on your knees with either him or adding more redheaded weasels to that hovel they call a house." He finished with a smug look at Hermione's appalled face.

Hermione glanced over at him before she replied defiantly at the blond boy, "Where Harry is of no concern of yours Lord Malfoy. And please don't think just because Heiress Parkinson does that for your friends; mean that every other girl is like that."

Malfoy took a step forward and spoke in a threaten manner, "You be careful when you speak to your betters mudblood. Keep talking like that, and you'll shortly learn your place in our world…especially this year." He finished with a sneer and then he turned to Su Li and continued, "Keep hanging around with this lot, and you could face the same as a blood traitor."

Su Li looked up at him with a bored look on her face, before she leaned on William's shoulder while wrapping her arms around his own and spoke softly, "I'll take my chances." Malfoy sneered at her also before he stepped out of the compartment with the others following him. Hermione got up and closed the door before she turned sharply on William and asked him accusingly.

"Why didn't you say anything when said those slanderous things about me?" Before William could answer though, Su Li replied.

"Small dogs like to bark the most to appear more threaten. Malfoy is the smallest dog you'd find in our year group."

"That being said, I knew you'd be more than capable of taking someone like Malfoy on, Hermione. Though, I must ask you don't make a habit of doing so in public…then again, there must be a daily quota you Gryffindors have to fill for pigheadedness." William added with a quip.

"Just like how you Slytherins can't go a day without plotting against someone or antagonizing us Gryffindors." Hermione replied back quickly, and then gained a thoughtful look as she continued, "Though…Malfoy is right about Harry."

"Bloody hell Mi', There are certain things your brother doesn't need to hear." He replied with a faux serious tone.

"Not that you prat! About Harry not being on the train." She said blushing as the two chuckled lightly at her reaction, "I saw Ron's younger sister earlier when I was looking around for him, and she said that he was with them and Ron when they were rushing to cross the barrier. After that she hadn't seen them." She finished while biting her bottom lip with a worried look as she stared out the window at the passing scenery. She got up abruptly and went towards the compartment door as she spoke, "I'm going to check up on Ronald's sister."

With her completely out the door, Su turned towards him and spoke, "When are you going to make him pay."

William chuckled lightly at what she said. Of course Sukie would've noticed his reaction to Malfoy's words, "Not yet that's for sure. I need to do so publicly for what I have planned."

"Chauvinism doesn't suit you." Su replied.

"It's not," he answered, "It's grandstanding, so that I can show what I can do to safeguard my House as its Head."

"Malfoy isn't an impressive enough opponent for that." She replied as looked up at him with her chin resting on his shoulder.

"Oh I know. I still need to work out a few things, but my real opponent will be that and more." He turned to face his girlfriend as he continued, "I'll need you for when in getting ready to face him and whatever possible scheme I come up…will you help me?" he asked as he brought his face close to hers.

"With Anything; with Everything" He heard her say breathlessly as he brought his lips against hers and kissed her deeply.

Meanwhile, as the train travelled along its long track towards its destination; Dumbledore sat in the historical and richly decorated office of the headmaster, sucking on a lemon pop, in a cheerful internal muse.

The past months had been wonderfully progressive for his plans for Britain's wizarding world. A few bills had seen the light of day due to the discord among the Dark faction; His sponsorship of Arthur's raids had seen a few from that faction at a loss of many dark artifacts and 'Arthur's' bills on improving muggle rights and protection had also managed to slip through by a narrow margin. Though he was saddened by yet another loss of magical blood; with Lucius gone, the Light had seen a nice upswing of neutral houses siding with them, and also Cornelius was ever so slowly returning to searching him out for advice on ministry matters both foreign and domestic. With the lack of proper opposition from the Dark, his time had also freed him to focus on matters pertaining to his seats in the ICW and here at Hogwarts. Most of it had been trivial things; trading agreements, imposing sanctions on the nations that broke certain laws, overseeing the debates, especially the ever reoccurring one on whether or not the Statute of Secrecy should be disbanded, etc.; He used his time there to start his proposal on the reopening of the Tri-wizard Tournament. It was his hope to use it as a means to promote unity among the European magical schools, and also create ties amongst themselves for the dark times to come. After all, when Tom finally found another way to regain a physical form, they would need those bonds and allies to fight against him.

As he continued in his deep thinking, he felt the wards at the gargoyle below inform him that the person he had been waiting for and finally arrived, and he waited for him. When he felt the wards in front of his door acknowledge the person presence, he spoke.

"Come in Severus."

Said man, opened the door and slowly walked towards him as his cloak bellowed gently behind him as he approached. "Headmaster," he drawled out in a monotone slow before he continued, "you wished to see me."

"Ah, yes my friend, but first, how was your time away from the castle?" Dumbledore asked in a conversational and grandfatherly tone.

"Delightful," he spoke in his usual manner, "a shame my good mood shall be ruined upon the arrival of all the new dunderheads, who don't know which end of their wand that should hold."

Dumbledore chuckled lightly before he spoke, "We were all once students at some point in time, Severus; I remember one time that I myself shared that same problem. Personally I'm looking forward to the arrival of those new faces, and the students as a whole; Hogwarts isn't herself with her corridors empty of all those eager to learn her secrets and those of magic." Seeing that the man before him had nothing to add, Dumbledore decided to end their small talk and get down to the matter at hand, "How are things going with the young Lord Malfoy?"

"Badly… Narcissa has lettered me that during my time away, Parkinson has taken the boy under his wing and Draco has found that he has similar taste as his father had before him, and his continued antagonism against her with his threats of disownment. I have seen him since and have cautioned him about such activities here at school and to stop his foolish attempts at cowing his mother. Due to Narcissa's efforts, his finances are secured for the time being, but she's fearful on how much longer they will remain as such when he takes his seat next June, especially when he went 'behind her back' and purchased eight of the lastest racing brooms for my House's Quidditch team." Severus answered.

Dumbledore closed his eyes in contemplation. He was well aware of Lucius' old tendencies, but could never prove them. It was worrying to know that such a young boy had succumbed to such temptation. "I trust that you will take matters into your own hands and deter the boy from this continued practice…" he asked.

Severus nodded his head once before he spoke, "And what do you want me to do with the girl?" at Dumbledore's curious expression, he elaborated, " Draco's captive; from what Narcissa has told me, she's been keeping the muggle alive; though she didn't state her method or reasons for it. I know where the child is being kept, but I won't be able to free her unless I act against Draco."

Dumbledore thought briefly about the girl; it was unfortunate that she was caught in the mechanization of Parkinson's evil, which was now tainting the young Malfoy. Yes it was highly possible for Severus to save the girl, but at what cost? Young Malfoy would be less likely to trust Severus again or be less likely to, and with him already going dark, that would be a key factor in turning the boy. What was one muggle life compared to the thousands of magical lives that would be saved from depraving Tom of the Malfoy fortune?

"No," Dumbledore spoke slowly and slightly wearily as he continued, "You must keep in the young Malfoy's confidence; in regards to the girl, do not act"

Severus spoke as he got up sharply, "Very well Headmaster, if that is all I shall go prepare for the arrival of the dunderheads" he finished, and without waiting for a reply, turned and walked towards the door.

Dumbledore sighed as he watched the young man walked out the door. He was sure that he had just added another demon onto the boy's conscience, but he was confident that Severus would bear it…just as he would; for by his decision, he had just sentenced a young innocent soul to continue experiencing a fate worse than death…all for the Greater Good…

The sun and long since set when Hogwarts became a hive of activity now that all its students finally arrived into its gentle embrace. Its Great Hall was filled with students from the various houses who have stayed within its halls before; talking amongst themselves about their summers, gossiping on who was wearing the newest robes, etc., or noting the changes that occurred to friends or those they fancied. This was the atmosphere that William sat in by his usual seat at the Slytherin table with his 'friends', Daphne, Tracey and Blaise, surrounding him, with Tracey speaking animatedly, while Blaise listening in bemused silence and Daphne with stoic exasperation, while he observed those in the Great Hall.

Hermione sat in semi-isolation from those in her year with a worried expression on her face. She hadn't returned to his compartment after she left in search for Potter and the weasel, so he assumed that her worry was due to her not finding them. It still amazed him the level of loyalty and consideration she was capable of for potter and by extension the weasel, but then again, he had done the same in the past, but it was more prevalent when it regarded his sister in particular. Maybe it was a Dagworth trait? He'll have to ensure that loyalty was not used against her or him.

His focus shifted to Longbottom; he still looked a nervous wreck and had a presence that screamed 'prey' to his awakened instincts, but he seemed to have loss a bit of baby fat and grown a inch or so over the summer. Also his mind also had a developing barrier, which was a good indication that Regent Longbottom must have started him on his Lordship duties or at least decided it was time to have his mind protected. With his insecurities and nervous tendencies still present, an olive branch from Hermione after she defends him from a few incidences of bullying could go a long way in endearing the boy to their side.

William next looked over to the Hufflepuff table, and towards Susan. Puberty seemed have hit the girl with the force of a bludger, given the fact that the bulky Hogwarts robes did little to hide the prosperous effects it had for the girl's breast. He had been neglectful towards his Hufflepuff 'friend' over summer; being the niece of the Head of DMLE, had its perks, and the girl did have magical talent that could be useful, so he would have to rectify that sometime in the future. Her friend, Hannah, who sat beside her, was another who he held great interest in; both of them had ties to either the Ministry, the Wizengamot or both, and they would make great political allies in the future, or help as character witnesses for when he approached their parents or guardian in Susan's case, with the proposal.

Next was Ravenclaw, the house where he had most of his influence and future support from. Padma, Terry Boot, Mandy Brocklehurst, and Lisa Turpin all gravitated towards him due to his relationship with his Sukie, and his knowledge of magic. They each were interesting company to some extent, and offered a lot to his House and his future goals for it. His observing glaze then turned slightly from Padma and onto his girlfriend, Su.

They had made their way off the train together and onto the carriages meant for the older students where they had both seen what Su called Thestrals; reptilian, winged horses whose form was free of any sort of flesh and their black coats clinging to their very skeleton, giving them a draconic appearance with their soul-piercing eyes of a solid white. They were an eerie and sinister-looking sort of creature, but they held a beauty that William couldn't help but appreciate; regardless of the list of superstitions Sukie listed out or the fact that one could only see them after seeing death. He had deemed the fact of asking Su who she saw die as being too personal, but he couldn't help but feel curious about the fact.

As if feeling his stare, Su looked away from her conversation with Padma and smiled shyly at him; that was until Padma whispered something to her, causing her to break eye contact with him and blush profusely, much to the enjoyment of her room mates who surrounded her. The girl was both a wondrous and troubling addition into his life; she was the catalyst of many of his connections and achievements, whether she knew it or not; From his developing dueling skills to magical talents to his removal of the previous Lord Malfoy, and even down to his own personal growth.

What worried him were the effects she had on him emotionally and physically. From the time he met her, and as their relationship grew up till now, he had found himself steadily seeking her counsel; a growing desire to be in her presence, caring about her well being, and a growing possessiveness over her, that he was acutely aware of; all of that also being compounded by the awakening of his 'other side'. And in regards to his 'other side', was the consuming passion and uncontrollable lust that she brought out in him that 'it' seemed to thrive from, and capitalize on, to drive him to satiate those needs; something that she seemed more than happy to help him with…not that he was complaining about that. No, it was the hormonal decision-making and the instinctive drive that was taking him over more and more due to his relationship with Sukie that worried him, and his new priorities in to make sure that she was happy and that their relationship worked…

"What's got you all out of sorts?" William heard a voice say, breaking him out of his introversion. He focused and saw that it was Tracey, who sat across from him, that spoke.

"Just thinking about the coming school year and what I plan to do with it." William answered plainly.

"Planning on taking on a few more Trolls then?" Blaise asked in a bored, yet amused tone from beside Tracey.

"A dragon, maybe." Daphne stated sardonically.

"Careful, I heard a bit of emotion there; wouldn't want to ruin your 'Ice Queen' persona." He replied to the girl beside him before he continued, "No, I plan on having a quiet year of ambitious plot-making" he finished as the doors of the Great Hall opened widely, making way for Professor McGonagall and a relatively short line of nervous looking first years.

William watched as the professor conjured a stool for the Sorting Hat and placed it there as she stood beside it as it begun it's song; however, most of its words were drowned out by an obnoxious horn beeping loudly, causing all those present to look towards the large windows behind the raised dais on which the professors table rested, and saw two beams of light barreling towards them, until it turn sharply to the left, revealing it to be a…flying car? That continued its rapid descent towards the grounds of the castle. William noted that Snape, who sat beside Dumbledore, stealthy addressed the man until he received a nod, got up and walked out a side door by their table.

"What was that? A muggle car" Tracey asked, her question seemed to repeat from various students as they muttered amongst themselves.

"Looked like it…question is, what's it doing here and why was it enchanted." Blaise stated when all conversations came to a halt when a stern, clear and commanding Scottish voice echoed throughout the Hall.

"Silence!" Professor McGonagall said, upon seeing everyone doing just that, she continued, "Now, first years, upon hearing your name called, you will approach the stool and sit." She finished as she unraveled the short scroll in her hand.

"Beckford, Henry" the professor stated. William watched as the little first year walked nervous up the path between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, and sat on the stool with McGongall placing the hat on his head, which covered more than half of the boys face, making him curse internally; he had hoped to gleam an understanding of those joining each of the houses, and whom would be easier to manipulate or target to use build his power base. It wasn't long after the hat was placed did it shout out:

Gryffindor

He watched two more names being called until Professor Mcgongall called out another name:

"Carrow, Flora" she said the name, which caused a stir amongst all the houses, which caught William off guard. With his improved hearing, he could pick up mutterings about 'Death Eater spawns' from certain individuals from the other three houses, while Slytherin had mutterings about 'bastards', and 'incestous blood traitors'.

"Tracey, what's the story with the Carrows? They never caught my attention when I was reading up on our society when I was joining." William asked, while he kept his eyes on the girl; she had a strict appearance, with her straight brown hair and bored, yet piercing dark brown eyes, and she slightly tall for her age, and didn't show any fear or nervousness as she walked amongst the mutterings that she must clearly hear given her proximity.

"Amycus and Alecto Carrow are two convicted death eaters and were one of the Dark Lord's biggest supporters. The thing is, besides Agatha Carrow, the now Regent of the Ancient House of Carrow, Alecto was the only woman left of the House and Amycus wasn't married; The two were always known for being a bit…friendly for siblings, so when the aurors captured them after the fall of the Dark Lord, and found out that Alecto Carrow was a couple months pregnant…" Tracey left the rest unsaid, but William got the picture as he watched the hat being placed on the girl's head. Something like that would certainly hurt the standing of a Noble House amongst those of the 'Dark and Grey' factions, but added onto the fact that they also had members that served the Voldemort, created a situation where the house found itself ostracized politically and socially by all sides.

"Slytherin" The Sorting Hat called out it's placement for the girl, causing the House to give a polite, if not forced, applause. Her sister was next called and placed into the same house as her twin sister. As they sat together, William noticed that the only thing that differed between the two was that Hestia had plaited a bit of her hair at the front that was covered by the rest of her straight hair. There was a slight distance placed between the girls and the House, similar to that he had experienced last year. He would keep an eye on them; if they showed talent or anything else of interest besides the name they carried…he would use them for the benefit of his House.

The sorting continued with his House receiving three others, and the rest heading to the other houses. He had lost interest in the sorting until he heard Professor Mcgongall called out another name.

"Lovegood, Luna." The professor said, causing him to focus on the bouncing girl as she skipped along the path up to the stool. The blonde enigma had been a constant on his mind since his meeting of the girl in Knockturn Alley the day he learnt about his 'other relative', and had become a potential goal for him this year.

He watched as she sat on the stool, and instead of having the hat placed on her head, she took it out of the professor's hands, and turned it to face her.

"Hello, Mr. Sorting Hat" she stated in her dreamy tone of voice, as her eyes were two bright blue orbs, as she had them wide open in what he assumed was fascinated wonder as she stared at the Hat.

Chuckling sound the Hat made was heard clearing throughout the Hall as everyone was silently watching the strange occurance. "Ah, another Lovegood; haven't had one of you in a while. How's your father doing?" it asked.

"Quite well actually, He was going Snorkack hunting before I left; he sends his regards." She answered.

The hat chuckled once more, before it continued, "Ravenclaw, I take it?"

Luna seemed to glow as she smiled brightly, "Oh yes please, Mr. Hat" she replied.

"Then so be it!" It exclaimed, causing the girl to nod while smiling brightly, and her robes to turn blue as she got up and skipped to an empty spot at her new, perplexed looking house. William chuckled softly out loud as he watched the girl take her seat; feeling both amused and intrigued at the exchange Ms. Lovegood had with the Hat.

The sorting continued until the last of the first years, Ginerva Weasley, was sorted into Gryffindor. With the sorting completed, and Dumbledore announcing the feast open, he started his long awaited. As he quietly ate, his eyes glanced around the hall. Hermione scolding her now seated friends, Longbottom eating while looking like he wanted to shrink into himself; Susan and Hannah talking in between bites; the ravenclaws speaking amongst themselves, while Sukie listened quietly while she ate, Ms. Lovegood building some sort of structure out of her food, before looking up at him with her head tilted to one side as she gave him a dreamy look and a whimsical wave; the new Slytherins quietly eating, while the Carrow twins did the same, but had their eyes scanning around the table guardedly.

A quiet year of ambitious plot-making indeed.

And there you have it. I wasn't entirely happy with this, I wanted to added a few other things, but time was against me... Anyways, I won't be saying anything this time around, but please let me know your thoughts on the chapter.

Till next ime.