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Chapter 2: The Welcome

The Great Hall was filled with returning students and new students as always, but there was a hint of sadness that filled the air. The loss of Albus Dumbledore was still weighing heavy on everyone minds. The sorting had gone well and it was time for the welcome speech before the feast would begin. Professor McGonagall stood up from the table and surveyed the room before addressing the students. "Welcome to another glorious year of school. I see many old faces and some new. Before we fill ourselves with the delicious meal that has been prepared for us I must inform all of you of some rules. First years and returning students must note that the forest is out of bounds to everyone! We must also note that many precautions are to be made this year to keep all of you as safe as possible. There is a ten o'clock curfew for everyone! No student should roam these halls alone at night! Everyone should keep a whether eye out. This is a very dangerous time and we all need to be exceptionally careful. Also I would like to say that the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was not feeling well tonight but will be in class first thing in the morning. Now with that said I wish you all a great year and let the feast begin!"

As the food appeared on all the tables the conversations began. Many getting to know the new students and speculating at what the new year would bring. "Did any of you hear the news?" asked Neville. "About what?" Ron asked with his mouthful of chicken and potatoes. "I just heard from some of the Hufflepuffs that the new DADA teacher is also the new head of Slytherin, and it's a woman." "Does she look anything like Umbridge?" asked Harry. "I don't know. The only thing anyone saw of her was the back of her hood as she walked in the hall. I also heard some others say that she is an ex-auror." "Maybe she won't be so bad," said Ginny. "I don't know, nothing good ever comes from Slytherins," stated Ron maliciously. "I guess will find out in the morning. Why don't we just enjoy the rest of the night and keep an open mind about this new teacher. You never know Harry she maybe the one that sent you the letter," said Hermione. "I guess your right Hermione. Come on lets go, everyone else is leaving." said Harry.

Harry and the small group all left for the common room. They had decided to sit by the fire and chat for a while before going to bed. The little group had just gotten settled when a little black owl came flying through the window and landed in Harry's lap. Harry took the letter out of its beak and the owl flew away. "Hey this isn't addressed to me. It's addressed to all of us." "Well, don't just sit there, open it and tell us what it says!" exclaimed Hermione. Harry tore the letter open and began to read…..

Dear Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny,

The new school year has begun! I will speak with you in two weeks. I have something special planned for all of you. Stay together and alive.

Someone you can trust

"I really wish we knew who this person was," said Ron. "I think… we should all go to bed and get ready for classes in the morning," said Hermione. She got up to go to her dormitory, but spun back around and said, "This person obviously doesn't want to be found out until the opportune moment. I think we should pay close attention to the new DADA professor. Good night!" She walked up the stairs toward the girls dormitory and the others decided it was best to listen to her, so they all headed up to their rooms, not knowing what lay in store for all of them with their new teacher and school year.