Chapter Two
If the train ride was a quiet, somber shell of its previous self, the Great Hall was its normal, loud, excited expanse; with a few small exceptions. It was boisterous, and colorful, and packed with happy bodies greeting each other properly as far as I was concerned. Everywhere there were smiles, and an overall aura of pleasure. It seemed that the students of Hogwarts at least, were happy to be home, and hopeful of what was to come. I imagine that being away from their parents and relatives who had no doubt spent the summer looking over their shoulders, and scanning The Prophet for any possible sign of the return of evil, had to be a relief. It was good to be young, and even maybe a little invincible still.
The first years were hiding behind some drapes at the edge of the dais where the professors' table was. I could see Hagrid keeping them all in check; there was no hiding him, my half-giant friend. I wondered at the sense of sending him out to greet the first years this year. A group of eleven year olds, away from home for the first time, filled with the gossip and rumors of what had happened at Hogwarts; they must have been terrified. It seemed like there were less of them this year, and I wondered how many others had been enrolled at Beaux Batons, or were having private tutors.
The raised dais held the solitary stool I remembered, and the rumpled old sorting hat on top of it. Behind it, was the head table, where the professors were making their way to their seats. Pomona Sprout was back, she taught Herbology, and Filius Flitwick who taught Charms, Professor Vector who taught Arthrimancy, and Professor Binns still teaching the History of Magic. I also saw Professor Trelawney, so I guess she decided to come back to teach Divination, and Professor Sinistra to teach Astronomy and Madam Hooch to teach flying, that was a good sign, I figured we'd have Quidditch back for sure when I saw her. Professor Babbling was there to teach Ancient Runes and I saw Mr. Filch poking around the drapes, so he was back too, likely with a whole new army of feline spies, and of course, Madam Pomfry our healer and Miss Pince our librarian. Minerva McGonagall, our Headmistress and transfiguration professor stood, and rapped her wand on the table sharply, which brought everyone to attention. But I noticed that there were still two empty seats on the dais, besides Hagrid's huge one of course, and I wondered who was missing. More about the missing spots later though, because after only a brief welcome to the returning students, the sorting began.
I have to admit to not paying as much attention as I probably should have to the sorting. I recognized some names, Thomas, seems Dean had a younger sister starting this year, and Brown, she had a brother. There was a Dixon, and a St. Clair, names, which were new to me, and a set of twins, last name Patil, two boys who looked a little smug as they approached the stool in turn. Both were sorted to Gryffindor, and just looking at them I got the feeling that the legacy of George and Fred Weasley was about to get a run for its money. Parvati seemed less than pleased that she would have to put up with her brothers in her house.
There weren't many first years sorted into Slytherin, so when a name did come up I paid attention. Pansy's sister I guessed, looking at the girl with the dark eyes and blunt cut hair, who looked down her nose at everyone. She was called Violet; family had a thing for flowers I guess. And when she made her way to the Slytherin table I watched her. I suppose I should have figured that it would be a bit sparse over there, but still it was a bit of a shock. It was about half full, many of the Pureblood families hadn't gotten over the beatings their reputations had taken for being associated with Voldemort. That was part of the reason I had been so surprised to see Malfoy at the station. I figured most of those students were being sent overseas to complete their education. Not that all pureblood families threw their lot in with Voldemort, but a good many of the Slytherin ones did. Again I felt a bit bad looking at them over there. They just didn't seem to have the usual superior swagger at their table, clapping each other on the backs like some exclusive old club. Draco was there, hiding behind his long hair again, drawn up in his cloak like it was a shield. He looked so lonely and miserable, and as much as I hated him, for everything his family had done to me, and to my friends, I felt sorry for him. That was until Ron smacked me so I'd turn around because Professor McGonagall was getting ready to speak again.
"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. To those who are returning to us after their summer break, it is wonderful to have you here again, and to those who are new to our halls, welcome to our family. Everyone here in this room, students, professors and staff alike are all committed to making your time here fulfilling, valuable, and enjoyable. Just a few announcements before we begin the feast. Quidditch tryouts for the house teams will be next week, please check in your common rooms for your house's time on the pitch. For those of you needing to borrow school brooms, please see Madam Hooch to arrange to borrow one. Mr. Filch wishes me to make an announcement that WWW products used within the castle will be confiscated and the perpetrators dealt with." Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes were popular products on the school grounds, and of particular annoyance to Mr. Filch, the caretaker, who was normally the one left to clean up after the explosions; unless of course you were silly enough to get caught.
"Miss Pince reminds you that the library is a place of quiet study, and if you should need help in finding any resources therein that you should ask for her assistance." – Instead of bumbling around like a fool- I wanted to add in my best impersonation of the straight-laced librarian. I didn't.
"This year's Divination Classes will be separated into two streams, one taught by returning professor Trelawney." Parvati twittered, she loved Sybill's classes, as did Lavender; crystal balls and tea leaves aren't for me, I dropped that class as fast as I could, so did Ron. We used to just make up terrible fates for each other; it was amazing we even passed. "Another returning professor, Firenze, will be teaching the natural divination classes." I knew Hermione had always fancied Firenze, he was pretty good looking for a Centaur, and had helped us out of a number of jams, so I was happy to hear he'd be around.
"Astute students will have noticed that we have two places missing at our table this evening." Astute? Well, I guess I was astute tonight. "Our new Potions professor and our Defense against the Dark Arts Professors will not be joining us until next month." A muttering noise rose up in the hall, Professor McGonagall let it die down before continuing. "Please let me reassure you that everyone will get in enough hours and practice to complete their OWL and NEWT Levels this year. In the interim, before formal classes start, we will be offering tutorials for students to refresh their skills. And one other note, would Messrs Potter, Weasley, and Longbottom and Miss Granger and Miss Parkinson, the older, please see me after the feast. All that being said now, please enjoy." She sat herself down, and immediately the house elves of the castle appeared with trays of savories, and jugs of pumpkin juice, breads, and sauces, and vegetables, everything we were used to seeing on the tables for the start of term feast. I felt a slight tug on my right pant leg, and looked down to find Kreacher at my side with a plate of Yorkshire puddings and gravy, one of my favorite sides. It wasn't so much that he smiled; I don't know if house elves could manage that too well, but he looked, well, happy.
"Welcome back Master." His voice still sounded like gravel, but it didn't have the sinister lilt to it that I was more accustomed to hearing.
"It's very nice to see you again Kreacher." At that I thought there might have been a bit of an upward turn to the corners of his mouth, but I might have been mistaken. He bowed low, and disappeared again. All thoughts of why Minerva McGonagall wanted to see the group of us were temporarily lost as I tucked into my dinner.