Standard Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story; they all belong to JK Rowlings. This is a work of fan fiction, produced solely for enjoyment. No infringement of rights is intended.

– CHAPTER SEVENTEEN –

Surprises Galore

The Entrance Hall was ablaze with torches and echoing with footsteps as the students crossed the flagged stone floor for the double doors to the right, leading to the Great Hall. As Harry passed the door though, he stopped and stared incredulously into the Great Hall, but wasn't the only one, and soon there was a large pile-up at the entrance to the Great Hall.

The four long house tables had been replaced with one horseshoe shaped table, but before he could articulate his surprise into a sentence, Professor McGonagall stood up from her seat at the centre of the staff table.

'Mr. Potter,' she called, 'could you please vacate the doorway so that other students can find their seats?' Harry nodded mutely, and hurried into the Great Hall to find a seat next to Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna.

'What do you think this is all about?' He whispered in Ginny's ear.

'Isn't it obvious Harry? There weren't enough students returning this year for Houses to be necessary.' Harry gulped, but Ron looked positively terrified.

'Does that mean we're going to be sharing dorms with the Slytherins?' He asked, in a panicked voice. Hermione huffed in exasperation.

'Ron, honestly; you're a prefect, you should be trying to promote house unity. And yes, I suppose you will be sharing a room with them, but they're not called Slytherins anymore, nor are we Gryffindors. Anyway,' ignoring Harry and Ron's looks of horror, 'I don't think any of the Slytherins in our year came back, apart from Blaise Zabini.' She scanned the room to check. 'Oh, and Daphne Greengrass.'

Harry looked relieved, Zabini and Greengrass may be Slytherins, and he knew Zabini was an arrogant git, but they were the only Slytherins who Harry felt certain wouldn't join the Death Eaters. Ron on the other hand, still looked grumpy, but didn't open his mouth. Harry scanned the room, wanting to find out how many students had returned this year.

Very few students had returned, particularly from his year. He counted twelve seventh years left in the Hall, including him, and no more that twenty students for any other year; he shook his head sadly. They had given up on their education when they needed it most, but he stopped, remembering that he had not been intending to return either. Instead, he looked up at the staff table, wondering who had been brave enough to take the Defence against the Dark Arts position this year.

He was baffled to see Tonks, Mad-Eye Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Savage, one of the Aurors who had been guarding Hogwarts last year, sitting at the table. They were talking quietly among themselves, and to Hagrid, Professor Slughorn and Professor Vector. He couldn't understand why there were so many Aurors at the table, surely only one was needed to replace Snape?

Professor McGonagall got to her feet, and talking ceased immediately as all turned to face the new Headmistress. Her face was worn and tired, and appeared to have aged a decade in the few months since Dumbledore's murder.

'A few words before the First Years come in. As you will have noticed, we are no longer sitting separately in our Houses; the Board of Governors has deemed it unnecessary to prolong the House system with so few students attending Hogwarts this year.' Unhappy groans were heard throughout the Hall. 'As such, the First Years will not be sorted, and instead will be shown to their seats when they enter; I ask you to be hospitable and try and befriend them. I needn't remind you all how you felt when you first arrived here.'

Several students laughed, and Harry remembered how he'd thought they needed to pull a rabbit out the Sorting Hat. Grinning, he looked back at Professor McGonagall, who was smiling sadly in recollection of her own arrival. Looking back down at the sea of faces, she continued.

'Now, as to sleeping arrangements, you will all be sleeping in your old dormitories, and the first years will be split evenly among the four Common Rooms. However, I don't want any of you to fill them with House prejudices. They will serve no purpose as there are no longer any Houses; I hope you all understand, because I will not tolerate such behaviour.'

Harry gulped, knowing that Professor McGonagall wouldn't hesitate to punish anyone.

'And now, the First Years can enter.' Every head in the Hall turned towards the double doors, which opened slowly to show a small group, of no more than fifteen First Years, led by Professor Flitwick. They were all looking very nervous, and Harry smiled in recollection, watching them walk in and stare at the enchanted ceiling.

Professor Flitwick led them to their seats, and made his way back to the staff table. Quiet murmuring could be heard among the older students, who were discussing the changes made to their school. Professor McGonagall stood again to greet the new arrivals before the start-of-term feast.

'To our young arrivals,' she said with a small smile, 'welcome! I only have two words for all of you,' she grinned mischievously, something very few people had ever seen her do, 'tuck in.' Harry and Ron roared in approval as the plates in front of them filled magically.

As Harry and Ron each seized the nearest plate of chops to them, Ginny turned to Hermione.

'Why do think they didn't put us all together? It doesn't make any sense not to sort the First Years but put them all in the Common Rooms; they're bound to become prejudice against other Houses.'

'I don't know,' Hermione bit her lip in thought, 'maybe they just couldn't find a large enough area to house everyone. But if I find anyone in Gryffindor trying to instil House prejudices in them, I'll put them in detention for a week!' She scowled darkly. Ron gulped, but Harry grinned.

'There isn't a House called Gryffindor anymore Hermione, surely you would know that?' He said smugly. Hermione shot him a dark look then resumed eating, but Ginny and Neville laughed heartily, while Luna continued to look into space dreamily. It wasn't every day one could find fault with Hermione.

They continued to eat in silence throughout dinner, and were just starting desert, when Ginny, who had been looking at her plate, deep in thought, looked up with a look of sudden comprehension on her face.

'Of course,' she exclaimed. They all looked at her in confusion, 'I understand why there are so many Aurors at the staff table tonight.' Harry looked at her questioningly. She took a deep breath. 'The reason that there all those new books to buy this year, that weren't on the list last year, is that they are expanding the curriculum. Remember, one of the books was called, Applications of Defence against the Dark Arts? I think they're not only going to teach us Defence against the Dark Arts, but also how to duel, and not just with wands.' There was a look of dawning comprehension on Harry's face.

'Yeah, that makes sense. I remember, there was an article in the Prophet in July where McGonagall had said that they'd be teaching us how to protect ourselves against Voldemort and his Death Eaters.' Hermione looked horrified.

'But, but, they're going to teach us how to fight like Muggles?' Ron asked incredulously.

'No Ron, it makes sense.' Neville interrupted, leaning forward. 'When Harry and I were in the Department of Mysteries fighting the Death Eaters with the Professor Lupin and the others, they didn't only fight with their wands. Three Death Eaters tried to strangle Harry, and that man – Sirius Black,' Hermione, Ginny and Ron looked at Harry worriedly, but he had a steely look plastered on his face, and was looking straight ahead of him, 'knocked Dolohov away from Harry. He was about to summon the prophecy, and Black just shoved him out of the way.'

A single tear made its way down Harry's face, but Ginny wiped it away, and hugged his gently. Neville noticed his reaction, and looked at Harry apologetically, and Ron put a hand on his shoulder in sympathy. Hermione looked sadly at the scene, and was about to say something, when Professor McGonagall stood up again. Talking ceased immediately as everyone turned to face the Headmistress, but Ginny continued to hold on to Harry. Professor looked sadly around the Hall.

'I know this has been a very difficult summer for the vast majority of you, but if you will give me a few more moments of your attention before your minds start to drift, I have a number of announcements.

I will start with the usual start-of-term notices though,' she said, 'First Years should know that the Forest is out-of-bounds to students – and a few of out older students ought to know by now too.' Harry and the others exchanged smirks, though Harry still looked sad.

'Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to say that there is a continued blanket ban on any joke items bought at the shop Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and any other joke shop. A full list can be found on Mr. Filch's office door.

There are several changes and additions to staffing this year. The Board of Governors has asked me to employ some Aurors to supply practical lessons in Defence against the Dark Arts. So please welcome Professors Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Cuthbert Savage, and the real Alastor Moody, who will be teaching you Transfiguration, Hand to Hand Combat, Sparring, and Defence against the Dark Arts respectively.'

Whispers swept the room, and everyone came to the same conclusion as Ginny had earlier. Professor McGonagall looked around for a moment before pressing on.

'There has also been a change in the curriculum this year. For Third Years and above, the following classes will be obligatory: Transfiguration, Charms, Defence against the Dark Arts, Potions, Muggle Studies, Hand to Hand Combat, Sparring, and Basic Healing, which will be taught by Madam Pomfrey. There will also be a number of optional subjects, comprising of Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, History of Magic, Astronomy, Herbology, Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. None of these are required, although if you are in your final OWL or NEWT year, and took them last year, it is advised that you continue them. The changes were made because the Governors believe that everyone must be instructed in how to defend themselves, as it is highly likely that you will all be needing to very soon. Finally, a new school club has been authorised, the Defence Association.'

Angry mutters erupted around the room, but Professor McGonagall ploughed on. 'I know that it was an "illegal" group when formed,' she scowled, remembering Umbridge's dictatorship, 'but Harry Potter, its founder, has been asked to organise it again, as an official school club. It will be open to anyone in the Third Year or above, details about its location and meeting times will be posted in due course.'

The muttering did not diminish as she stopped talking, and in confusion and mild irritation, she glared around the Hall and called out. 'What is it?' Harry stood up nervously, aware of all the eyes trained on him as silence swept the Hall.

'Professor, there is no group called the Defence Association, well none that I founded anyway.' He trailed off nervously. Ginny squeezed his hand reassuringly. 'I founded a group called Dumbledore's Army two years ago, and if you don't mind, I'd like to keep that name.' Scattered cheers from all the old DA members were heard at this, and Professor McGonagall looked sadly at her students, before nodding slowly.

'So be it, I'm sure Albus would have been proud to carry your name.' She said, but no one heard her over the rapturous applause that greeted her nod.

After the noise had quietened down, she called out into the now silent hall.

'And now, Professor Flitwick will designate which First Years will go to which dormitories.' Flitwick stood up on his chair, and pulled out a short scroll of parchment. He quickly allocated four First Years to Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, and sent three to live in the Slytherin dormitories.

As soon as he finished, Professor McGonagall stood up, and looking around the drowsy faces, dismissed them.

'And now, it is late and your warm beds await you. I will impress upon you the importance of being alert and rested for your lessons tomorrow, so don't dally. Good night.' She said, sitting down again, and turning to talk to Professor Flitwick.

There was a deafening scraping noise, as the benches were moved back, and the students began to file out of the Great Hall towards their dormitories. Hermione jumped up, looking at Ron, frustrated.

'Ron, we're supposed to show the First Years where to go!'

'Oh yeah,' said Ron, who had clearly forgotten with all the unexpected news, 'Hey – hey, you lot! Midgets!'

'Ron!' Hermione exclaimed in frustration. Harry smiled.

'Some things just never change.' He thought, making his way up the stairs with Ginny.

'What do you think of the changes to the syllabus?' She asked him as they followed Ron, who was trailing behind the First Years.

'I don't know, I like the idea of the extra lessons in Defence, and I reckon that Moody, Tonks, Savage and Kingsley will make good teachers, but it's going to make our schedules really packed. We won't have much time to be alone together.' He moaned playfully, squeezing her hand. 'Not to mention my research into the Horcruxes.' He thought wearily. Ginny giggled and clasped his hand tightly in hers.

'I'm sure we'll think of something.' Harry smiled down at her.

They reached the portrait hole, and climbed in behind the First Years, who were looking around in wide eyed amazement. Ron and Hermione were giving them short explanations about passwords, trick stairs and the like, so Harry and Ginny edged over into one corner. Making sure Ron was looking the other way; Harry leaned forward and brushed her lips with his own.

'Good night.' He whispered in her ear. She smiled happily and pulled him into a hug.

'Good night Harry.' They pulled apart, just as Ron and Hermione turned to lead the First Years up the stairs. Hermione beamed, while Ron looked confused and shrugged. Ginny ran over to join Hermione, so Harry followed Ron up to their room, dropping off the First Years on the way.

Neville had reached the dormitory first and was in the process of unpacking his things, muttering angrily when he realised that he'd forgotten something. Harry and Ron paused in the doorway to look around. Dean and Seamus' beds had gone, leaving just the three beds and a lot more space for them. They walked in, and began unpacking their trunks too, Harry expanding his belongings. Ron looked at Harry forlornly.

'Damn, why didn't I think of shrinking my stuff? That would have made packing so much easier!' Harry and Neville smiled.

'Don't worry Ron, I didn't think of it either, and at least you didn't forget anything. I've forgotten some of my textbooks and cloths again.' Neville said wearily. They continued unpacking in silence, and after they had floated the last of their belongings into their cupboards, quickly climbed into bed.

Harry extinguished the candles with a flick of his wand, and laid it on the bedside table along with his glasses. Rolling over and pulling the covers up to his chin, he wondered what the new classes would be like, and how he was going to find the remaining Horcruxes. Shifting again, his thoughts shifted to Ginny, and smiling to himself, he drifted off to sleep.