The Great Hall was filled with pupils chattering noisily amongst themselves. The banners of each house floated above each table making the new 1st years stare at them in awe. Two young 4th year Gryffindor's were levitating some of the hard rock buns that had appeared on their table towards a group of Slytherin's with looks of mischievous delight on their face.
"We should probably stop that," Hermione said to Ron and Harry sitting opposite her.
"Yeah," they both replied before digging into a large bowl of rice pudding each. Hermione laughed and joined her friends in choosing to ignore the Gryffindor boys.
"Quiet all," Professor McGonagall said loudly. Turning the pupils watched her stand at the front of the hall in front of the staff table and behind the golden podium decorated with floating candles. A picture they had seen so many times before but with a different legendary Headteacher. "My greetings were given yesterday at the sorting ceremony so I will do well to not repeat the same sentiments," she said, her strong Scottish accent shining through. "However, due to the late arrival of some members of staff, and quick position changes I was unable to give welcome to the staff returning to teach this year." Harry, Ron and Hermione sat eagerly awaiting the news of Sirius' position.
"With the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts being an ever-changing taught subject," McGonagall began giving a slight look towards the trio who all understood the reason behind the comment, "I am pleased to welcome back a valued member of our school to teach, Professor Remus Lupin!"
The cheers which erupted from the tables, even including certain Slytherin pupils, were ear-deafening. The majority of 5th years plus were standing on their feet applauding the highly agreeable news. Te trio themselves had made their way onto their seats to clap and cheer gaining a large grin from Remus before he blushed at the continued noise and excitement from the others.
It took Professor McGonagall a huge amount of arm waving and throat clearing before she could settle the enthusiastic students.
"Yes. Yes. We are all happy to see the return of Professor Lupin. Now, with Defence of the Dark Arts being filled Professor Snape will be returning to take up post of Potions Master," McGonagall stated. There was no applause this time. Even the new first years who had never met the scary dungeon bat before knew not to make a noise. Instead the hall broke out in soft murmurs as pupils whispered between themselves.
The return of Professor Snape had been a highly debated topic. The knowledge of his secret life was now common knowledge in the wizarding world and although he was given as much respect as the likes of Dumbledore, he was still feared. There was also the fact that he was severely injured, almost beyond magical help. Yet after a week in St Mungo's where he argued and shouted at the nurses trying to help, Snape was sent to his own home to rest and recover. Weeks on here he was, physically right again and prepared for the next batch of dunderheads drifting into his dungeons.
"Quiet now! Quiet," Professor McGonagall said. She neither expanded nor silenced the rumours that floated around about Snape and from his own orders let them grow and become fanciful tales to tell the young children of the world. "I would also like ot announce Professor Snape's new position as deputy Head of Hogwarts, a title he has earned after years of service to the school." A slight applause sounded through the Great hall, mostly from the Slytherin table. Surprise was written on every single one of the pupils faces.
"Well this really is news!" Ron whispered harshly to Hermione and Harry as the remaining staff appointments were read out by professor McGonagall. "Snape, deputy head? They do remember him last time he was in a position of high authority right?"
"Oh really Ronald," Hermione bit back. "Everyone remembers, and by the sounds of it we remember the fact he was helping Harry more than you do!"
"Alright, alright. I'm just saying I would rather keep him in the dungeons all day than have him deputy head of the school!"
"To be fair Ron he is still going to be there all day long. Unfortunately we not lucky enough to get rid of him from potions again. Wouldn't mind having Slughorn back no."
Hermione scoffed but didn't retort. She knew Harry had gained a lot of respect for Snape but still, no one really wanted him to come back to teach.
"And finally!" Professor McGonagall said catching their attention once more. "My last announcement before you all head off to your quarters. We have had a special position created this year. The War has only just left our world and it would be unwise to allow all protection to diminish. We cannot allow ourselves to fall into a sense of false security. That is why the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebot, has demanded Hogwarts gain an elite group of skilled wizards to guard our school.
Once again the students broke out into fast whispers. "This is the dementors all over again!" one braver Hufflepuff was heard saying.
"It's the ministry attempting to gain control of Hogwarts again!" a seventh year Ravenclaw called out. "The DA should be set up again!"
"That is quite enough!" McGonagall sounded causing all talking to cease. "There will be no secret clubs re-established! There is no need! This school is protected!" her voice dropped to her usual tone as she spoke again, "Now please join me in welcoming our guests for the following months!"
The door tot eh side of the staff table leading to the trophy room opened up to reveal a figure in the doorway. Four figures emerged from the room, walking slowly in a line until they stood with their backs to the pupils facing the staff. Harry watched as Snapes face dropped into an even bigger grimace then the one he had created when Remus' position had been read out. It was at that moment when Harry, Ron and Hermione all clicked at once who one of the wizards must be.
The four figures all turned at once to a see s room of stunned faces. It was a Gryffindor 6th year who first began clapping and was soon followed by whole table. Loud cheers resounded once again as the whole room exploded in laughter and cheering (almost loud enough to rival those obtained by Remus). At the front of the hall stood Sirius Black, Nymphadora Tonks, and the infamous twins, Fred and George Weasley.
Professor McGonagall excused the cheering hall knowing full well she wouldn't get them to calm down any time soon. Most of the years filled back to their common rooms noisily, cheering as they went, but those who knew the Weasley twins and the workings of the Order of the Phoenix stayed to greet the new additions to the school.
Harry pushed his way through the crowd and grabbed a hold of Sirius' arm. "Why didn't you tell me?" he laughed, excitedly knowing his godfather would be around for quite a while.
"Sorry mate," Sirius grinned. "Thought it would be a good surprise."
The crowd of older pupils stayed in the great hall for quite a while. The staff table had emptied with Professor McGonagall asking Remus to stay behind and 'supervise' the out of dorm pupils. They talked and chatted for many hours with the Weasley twins telling interesting stories of the sort of new creations they had made for their joke store, and Tonks providing entertainment by changing appearance every so often and keeping everyone fairly amused.
After a large amount of stifled yawns and blurry eyes being rubbed, Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood left the hall to return to their common room. This left the new guests and Remus, Harry, Ron and Hermione: too excited to consider bed anytime soon.
"But I don't understand there must be some sort of threat if Kingsley wants wizards inside the school?" Hermione said interrupting a tale Sirius was telling Harry of old school days.
Sirius' face straightened quickly but he made no attempt to answer.
"Always needing the answers eh Granger?" Fred said making an attempt at a joke.
Knowing Sirius was not going to answer anytime soon she shifted her gaze onto Remus. His grey eyes sparkled with pride as he knew she was asking the right questions, the sort of questions that always led herself into rouble in her younger days. Hermione felt a blush creep across her face as she remained staring intently at Remus.
"Hermione, it's just a precaution," he said finally.
Unhappy with the answer she pressed further, "a precaution after the war is to put trained wizards into our school? That to me seems like preparation. Preparation for something coming."
Remus smiled. "Too many questions for one night. Bed I think," he said before standing up from the table. "Come on."
"Ergh!" Sirius moaned. "This is like prefect Remus all over again. Enforcing bed times and stopping fun, I am disappointed."
"I believe the only time I enforced a bed time was when you needed everyone in bed so we could sneak out to the kitchens to set the bubbling blasters into the soup prepared for the next day Padfoot!"
"Oh, you're right," Sirius winked remembering the next day at lunch when the soup had bubbled and popped itself all over the Slytherin table and the pupils at it.
Fred and George both smiled appreciatively at their marauder mentors. "True Inspirations in the art of fun," George said placing a hand to his heart.
Sirius clapped him on the back and chuckled, "Let's head back to our accommodation and I'm sure Remus and I can think up a few more tales to tell you boys."
Wishing the trio a goodnight, Remus, Tonks, Sirius and the twins left the hall heading towards the rooms they were given when arriving.
"Something's not right here," Hermione muttered to her best friends.
"Hermione just leave it!" Harry snapped uncharacteristically. Hermione, startled stopped walking and faced her friend. "Can you please just believe that for one year everything is going to be okay? I can't handle much more trouble here! Not with Sirius involved!"
Hermione threw her hair over her shoulder and turned to storm out of the hall. "He's the only family I've got," she heard Harry say softly.
Turning she fixed a glare onto him. "You don't think I know that! You don't think I care about people too? I don't want to lose anyone either Harry I'm just trying to work out this nonsense before it's too late. Something doesn't add up!" Harry nodded giving up on the argument. Opening the door she huffed a good night before heading to the staircase.
Harry ran a hand through his messy hair before walking with Ron out the hall. Ron couldn't help but agree with both of them. Of course it seemed weird but he couldn't bring himself to think of the possible danger him or his friends would have to face once again.