Chapter 3 Hogwarts; New Professor?!

As usual, upon arrival everyone was ushered into the great hall for a splendid feast and the sorting of the first years. Draco stared openly at his surroundings. So many things had changed, and yet so much was as it had been. He spied scattered areas of nearly complete construction, bits of debris and dust waiting to be swept away to reveal the glory of their triumph. He couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of it all. They had woven the new ethereal designs into the existing old patterns so flawlessly that it was as if angels themselves had rebuild the castle.

He finally broke from his daze to notice he'd been standing stark still gaping around him. Only now did he notice the strange and sometimes vicious stares he was receiving, and the distinct lack of familiar faces. Students rushed in from all directions, sometimes bumping into the immobile Draco. He quickly shook his head and started toward the Slytherin table. Draco had expected his table would be a bit more empty than the others, but he still couldn't help but feel a shock when he looked at the nearly empty section of table. Of his entire year, only two faces stared back at him; Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson.

Great, Draco groaned internally. He almost wished that none of his year had returned, if he was merely going to be thrust into what remains of the old Slytherin clique. Still he met their eyes with a slight nod and headed for them.

Harry found himself watching the solemn figure of Draco from across the room. His mind had been flooded with the image of Draco on the train the entire ride. Even now, when he should be caught up in the energy and excitement of it all, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the small, tired-looking boy.

"Hey! Are you even listening?" Nagged Hermoine. "What are you looking at anyways?" Hermoine twisted her head toward where Harry had previous been staring, a pained look on his face. Then she spotted what had drawn his attention. Malfoy was taking a seat next to the only returning Slytherins from their year, Blaise and Pansy. "Don't worry about him. I heard the Ministry made him come back, and if he gets in any trouble its Azkaban for him."

"I know, Hermoine, I was there." Harry interjected, slightly annoyed. "And they aren't going to send him to Azkaban. Lets just forget about it."

"Oh, I hadn't realized you'd stayed for the sentencing." Hermoine added dumbfounded. She had assumed that after Harry gave his testimony he had just left as she had. Why would he bother to stay? They didn't owe Draco anything.

"Well I did." Harry grunted moodily and the two of them took there seats by Ron, who was already deep in conversation with Neville Longbottom.

"Neville!" Harry shouted happily. "I hadn't expected to see you here mate! I thought you'd opt out like most the rest of everyone."

"Nah, I wanted a second chance to have my last year – the right way. Besides, when I heard you all were coming back too, how could I not come back?" Neville's face split into a wide grin. He had really changed since they first met. Where once stood a chubby, nervous child now stood a tall, broad shouldered, muscular, confident man. He had played an integral role in defeating Voldemort and Harry considered him to be as close now as Ron or Hermoine.

"Well I am glad to see you decided to come back. It's going to be a great year." Harry returned Neville's grin with a warm smile of his own and the four of them turned to listen to the sorting of the first years.

After the sorting and the usual beginning of the year commencement speeches were made Headmistress McGonagall stood to give one last bit of information.

"As many of you noticed, some of our previous 7th year students have returned to complete their education. The 8th year students will attend the appropriate classes according to their schedule either with the current 7th year students or as a group of 8th years, regardless of house. Additionally, in an effort to promote unity and healing, and because of housing issues, all returning 8th year students will live together in the newly built Dumbledore Spire. Any questions or concerns regarding your new living situations can be answered by the 8th year adviser, Professor Albatross, in place of a having Head of House. Additionally, Professor Albatross will be our new potions teacher, so please welcome him warmly." Headmistress McGonagall, having finished her speech returned to sitting and Professor Albatross had stood up to greet the student body.

He was a tall, slender man. His skin was pale, but breathtaking. His midnight black hair fell straight and loose down his back. His face was impossibly beautiful for a man. His cheekbones were high and his eyes were soft slits with golden-amber orbs penetrating beneath. His thin lips were spread into an easy smile that radiated a sort of intensity and charm that made one want to get closer.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I look forward to instructing everyone in the great art of Potions." He flashed a smile again and retook his seat.

It seemed everyone in the castle was rapt with attention, staring at the beautiful man before them. When he sat back down, however, and the food sat waiting to be devoured, the spell was broken and the low roar of the students returned.

Draco watched the man blankly, thinking to himself. His silver-gray eyes clouded over with pensive thoughts of this oddly ethereal new teacher, of the upcoming year, and most of all Harry Potter. He had noticed him several times looking over in their direction. Each time his icy gray eyes met lustrous green, Potter would suddenly look away. But then in a few minutes he'd find those same eyes, back on him. It must be my imagination, Draco scolded himself. There's no reason Potter would care anything about me. We aren't friends just because he stuck up for me on the train. Nevertheless, the thought that Potter might actually be watching him made Draco very anxious. And Draco did not like to be anxious. It made him need for things. It made him need for his cure. Abruptly, Draco rose from where he was seated at the Slytherin table.

"Whats up, mate?" Blaise asked casually.

"Nothing, just need the loo." Draco said coolly. And with that, he left.