Author's Notes: A big, huge thanks to my reviewers: Effrijim, hondagirl and StarWars-Freak . You guys are awesome! Sorry for the wait for this chapter. I hope it's worth it!
Of Grims and Open Hands
Rules and Remembrances
Lavender stepped off the horseless carriage, which actually were drawn by invisible thestrals that were extremely bad luck, leading the group into the Great Hall. Parvati was just a step behind her, talking about her predictions for future couples. Her sister, Padma, and her sister's best friend, Mandy Brocklehurst, were right behind Parvati, discussing the upcoming lessons in their classes. Lavender rolled her eyes at their stereotypical Ravenclaw nature. She thought it was much more interesting to discuss if Wayne Hopkins, a Hufflepuff boy in their year, would finally ask out Susan Bones. Lavender voted no, but Parvati believed he would finally have the courage.
Entering the Great Hall, Lavender strode right to the Gryffindor table which looked extremely empty. She and Parvati said quick goodbyes to Padma and Mandy before looking for seats. The only other two people in their year that were sitting at the table were Neville and Seamus, who were deep in conversation. Lavender refused to sit anywhere near Seamus ever since the two had fought in the beginning of sixth year. He had suggested she take more classes, sounding just like her mother, which led to a terrible row. She still had not forgiven him, nor had he asked her to.
Further down the table sat sixth year Madison Staunton. Lavender and Parvati had always been friends with the girl, who was very much like them. More than once, Lavender wished Madison and Hermione could switch dorms. She had never suggested it because it would probably offend Hermione. Now she would give her crystal ball just to know she was safe. Not wanting to dwell on her negative thoughts, she sat across from Madison as Parvati sat next to Lavender. The three had just begun to chat amiably when the doors opened to reveal Professor McGonagall, leading the nervous looking first years. Once again, Lavender could not help but notice the lack of students in the cluster.
Lavender was about to ask Parvati what she thought happened to the first year muggleborns, if they were even told about their magical abilities or just deceived to think they were normal, when Professor McGonagall loudly called out, "Adams, Mary!" Whispering quickly went around the four house tables. Had their ever been a year the Sorting Had did not sing a song about personality quirks of the houses? Lavender knew that there had always been one while she attended. She never listened, preferring to write notes or eye some cute boy. While everyone talked amongst themselves for a moment, Lavender looked at the Head Table where sat Professor Snape in the headmaster spot. She had assumed Professor McGonagall would have received the position, but apparently not. Looking quite comfortable, Professor Snape smirked, not seeming the least bit bothered that students were talking all around him.
Just as she began to look at the new professors, the Sorting Hat finally shouted, "Hufflepuff!" A hush fell upon the student body as the Sorting continued. Lavender did not bother to watch the Sorting, since she did not plan to associate with first years anytime soon. She continued to look at the two new professors beside Professor Snape. On his left was a short man who could afford to lose a few pounds. He was squinting at the students, looking at each of them cruelly. When his gaze fell upon Lavender, she quickly looked away at the female professor on Professor Snape's right. She, too, was shorter and bulkier. Her face seemed quite bloated. She was glaring at her plate, as though she blamed it for her lack of food. Rolling her eyes, Lavender turned back to the Sorting, wondering just what they were going to teach.
"Hochgertel, Daniel!" Professor McGonagall called in her intimidating voice. The boy scurried to the Sorting Hat and sat for a moment before it fell down his face. Lavender always wondered why they just did not get a new hat. It was too big to fit any first year. It was also extremely dusty and gross. Well, no wonder, it was the hat of Godric Gryffindor, who lived over a thousand years ago. Wasn't it a time for change? How hard could it possibly be to enchant a hat to Sort students? Lavender had seemed some extremely magical things done with make-up; she believed a wand could do anything.
Despite the smaller number, Lavender felt herself grow extremely bored. She was looking around the table again when she realized she had forgotten about Hermione. Up and down the table she searching, trying to find the mess of brown curls to no avail. Breathing a sigh of relief, Lavender leaned over to Parvati and whispered, "Hermione's not here." By the look on her face as she scanned the tables, Parvati, too, had forgotten.
When Parvati could also not find Hermione, she whispered back, "What about prefect?" There were only three girls in their dorm. If the prefect left, only two girls remained who would be able to be given the status. Lavender shrugged, clapping politely as "Yarnell, Robert" became a Gryffindor. She watched Professor McGonagall roll up the scroll, thanking Merlin the Sorting was finally complete. The snacks she had bought on the train seemed so long ago.
Suddenly, Professor Snape stood from his seat. Lavender was reminded of the many times Headmaster Dumbledore had done the same. The biggest difference between the two was that Headmaster Dumbledore had always seemed so inviting. He had a smile on his face that said there was no other place he would rather be than at Hogwarts, which Lavender thought was just sad. There were hundreds of places she would rather be. Yet with Professor Snape, he just stood, with his dark eyes looking at every house in turn, looking for trouble.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Snape started in a tone of voice that conveyed how welcome the students were. Lavender heard some of her fellow Gryffindors booing. He quickly quieted them with a glare, "You should all be overjoyed at the opportunity to be here. You will be part of a new world order, the students who are in this hall tonight represent those who have not stolen their magic from real witches and wizards." Lavender rolled her eyes. She was so sick of hearing about muggleborns stealing magic. How could babies steal magic? Oh, sure, Harry had defeated You-Know-Who as a baby, but he had magic to begin with. This was different.
"I would like to introduce you to our two newest professors," Snape continued. Lavender listened attentively. She was continuing with Defense Against the Dark Arts, so it was important to know who the professor would be this year, as Professor Snape was obviously not continuing. "Professor Amycus Carrow is going to be teaching all of you Dark Arts, and Professor Alecto Carrow will be teaching you Muggle Studies. You will have noted that these courses are now mandatory for every Hogwarts student. You will attend these new classes and you will show your new professors the respect that is due to them." Lavender's jaw dropped. She had heard people do this when they were very surprised, but she had never actually done it herself. Yet now she found herself with an open mouth, ready to yell in protest. It seemed she would not have to, however, since many of the students were already expressing their indignation. Lavender was not sure about what she was angrier: that she would be taking Dark Arts, rather than Defense Against the Dark Arts, or that she was forced to take Muggle Studies. She probably knew more about muggles than that stupid lady next to him, and she had never even met one.
"As always, there are rules that you are expected to follow while at Hogwarts. The Forbidden Forest is off limits at all times. All students must be indoors before sunset and in their common rooms before seven in the evening. This includes all upper level students. Hogsmeade weekends are cancelled until further notice. All organizations opposing the Dark Lord," Snape's eyes swept over Lavender, as well as other Gryffindor students. Rather than be filled with fear, she had the oddest sensation that she wanted to laugh, "will not be tolerated. You will do well to follow these rules as both Professor Carrows have kindly agreed to take over all disciplinary actions with the help of Mr. Filch. All professors, prefects and heads of houses are to refer disciplinary problems to the Carrows."
Lavender could not believe they would have detentions with the Carrows. By the delighted look on Snape's face, it was obviously not good. They would probably have to pickle toads or something equally disgusting. Unfortunately, the rules were not over yet, "It will be noted that Gryffindor prefects are suspended until further notice." More cries of anger came from Gryffindor table, Lavender among them. So that was why neither she nor Parvati received the badge! Snape raised his voice further to talk over the Gryffindorrs, "As they have proved time and time again that they can not be trusted to monitor their peers appropriately. The other houses will note that if the Carrows feel the prefects are not doing their jobs properly, their prefects will also be suspended. That is all, for now. " Lavender watched him sit, anger coursing through her veins. Her hunger had long since disappeared. This was going to be a horrible year.
The food finally appeared on Lavender's plate, yet she ignored it. She cared much more about the gossip. It seemed like all around her, at every table, students were doing the same. She could barely hear herself speak as she complained to Parvati and Madison, "They're making us take Muggle Studies and Dark Arts! I cannot believe this!" She was ready to complain for a while, but Parvati cut in. Her eyes were wide with worry.
"You can't? Imagine me! I'm already taking too many classes for the Healer program. Now they're loading even more on!" At once, Lavender felt bad for complaining. Parvati had already told her she would need Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Herbology for the program. She was also, of course, taking Divination, since that would be useful. Now with Muggle Studies, she would definitely have a full load.
Lost in their thoughts, they began to eat their meal silently. Conversations were still heavy around them, yet Lavender felt she had no more to say. It was obvious what she wanted to say. She was sure everyone who was not a Slytherin felt the same way she did. Perhaps her mother was right. Perhaps she should not have returned to Hogwarts this year if it was going to be like this. At least she was lucky. If it really did just get too bad, she could drop out. She had her O.W.L.'s. That would be enough for her to find a job. The others who had not taken the fifth year exams were less lucky. Lavender looked around at the first years. Most of them looked too nervous to eat. She could not blame them. They would have seven years to deal with this agony.
After the desserts finally cleared, Lavender noticed the talking had finally lessened. Students were standing, stretching, before they made their way to the common rooms. Gryffindor students were looking at each other, confused. Since there were no prefects, who had the password? Obviously none of them did. Who would take the first years back to the tower? Lavender groaned, then saw Professor McGonagall rush towards the table, an angry look upon her face. Trying to get past the tired students was proving difficult, but she finally reached the table. To Lavender's surprise, she walked right up to them, "The password is 'Cornish Pixies.' Will you please take the first years to the tower?" Not that Lavender would ever say no to the Transfiguration professor, but at that moment, Lavender definitely could not. She looked so tired and so angry that Lavender just had to help.
Nudging Parvati, the two girls stood, "First years over here!" A few Hufflepuffs left their group to join the Gryffindors. Lavender noticed and gave them a bewildered look, "Get back to your group! I don't know where your common room is." The three students looked at each other and raced to join the rest of the Hufflepuffs before they were lost. Lavender rolled her eyes, "First year Gryffindors over here." As the 11 year olds gathered around her, Parvati ran to tell a few of the older Gryffindors the password so they would not have to wait.
When Parvati returned, Lavender looked at the first years. They looked so lost and helpless. They were also all staring at her, which was extremely intimidating. Since she wanted to get back to her dorm quick as possible, she began, "Right. We're going to the common room. Don't get lost because you don't know how to send sparks yet. If you do get lost, shout a lot and hopefully someone will find you. If it's Peeves, run in the opposite direction." Unfortunately, this only seemed the worry the first years more. Shrugging her shoulders, she and Parvati made their way toward the tower.
"Now, uh, go to your dorms. Your stuff is up there. Classes begin tomorrow so get some sleep. Boys, your dorms are up that staircase," she pointed for a moment, then pointed at the other staircase, "And that's for girls. Boys, don't go up the girls' staircase. We'll know if you do." Lavender did not bother to elaborate because she hoped some stupid, horny boy would try it. It was fun to watch the reaction. When the first years still did not move, she waved her fingers, looking like she was trying to shoo a cat away, "Go to your dorms." She repeated. Finally, the first years looked at themselves and slowly ascended the stairs.
Parvati sighed, "Dunno about you, but I'm glad I'm not a prefect." Lavender nodded and the two followed the girls up the staircase. They found their dorm, which was labelled 'Seventh years' and smiled. Lavender excitedly said, "So this is it? One more year and we're finally done with this place."
Nodding slowly, as though she was not as sure of her excitement, Parvati replied, "Yeah. Doesn't look like it's going to be easy though. I can't believe those stupid rules."
Lavender agreed, "I know! 7 o'clock curfew. What are we supposed to do from then until bed?"
As she gathered her bathroom supplies, Parvati shrugged, "Homework?"
Lavender sighed, "Yeah, I guess. Well, I'm going to get ready for bed. It's going to be a long day tomorrow, I'm sure." She had not seen her schedule yet, but she was sure it involved a Carrow at some point. That was just how her luck went, "Night, Pav."
"Night, Lav," Parvati called back.
Author's Note: End chapter two! Hope this wasn't too dull for you. Don't worry, it'll pick up in the next chapter when classes start. Keep the reviews coming and feel free to pile them with questions, comments or suggestions. Thanks!