The Great Hall was alight with floating candles and the starry night's sky twinkled down upon Ginny's head from the enchanted ceiling. Gazing around the room from her spot beside Harry at the Gryffindor table, she noticed that the Slytherin table was looking very empty. It seemed that many of the student's parents had not seen fit to send them back to repeat the previous year.
Ginny didn't blame them actually. Most of the Slytherins had sided with Voldemort during the war, and would not be welcomed very warmly. That thought brought her mind back to Malfoy and Zabini. Malfoy sat alone at the far end of the table, a carefully constructed bored look on his face.
Years of observation had made Ginny an expert at knowing what each student at Hogwarts was truly feeling, however. Malfoy was simply pretending to not care that his house members were glaring at him from the other end of the table, Zabini being the most prominent one.
The sudden opening of the Great Hall doors jerked Ginny's thoughts back to her immediate surroundings. New first years walked forward behind the very short Professor Flitwick. They stopped at the foot of the High Table, where a rickety four-legged wooden stool was sitting.
McGonagall carefully placed an old battered hat on the stool and stood back. The hat opened its slit and started belting out an eerie song that made goose bumps pop up on Ginny's arms.
Another year has come
I welcome you back
To old Hogwarts dear
And hope you have learned
To put aside past hurts
And unite together
To save one another
The past is gone
Tomorrow hasn't come
Only today remains
Remember your ties young ones
For your greatest enemy shall become your greatest ally
A baffled silence was left as the last notes of the weary hat's song rang out and slowly faded. Finally, McGonagall cleared her throat and proceeded to call the students to come up to the sorting hat to be sorted into their respective houses as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. In the end, Gryffyndor ended up with seven new students, Hufflepuff with five, Ravenclaw with nine, and Slytheryn with only two.
Ginny clapped when each young student was sorted into their house, even the two who were sorted into Slytherin. Everybody turned towards their plate, expecting the table to be overflowing with delicious foods. The Headmistress clapped her hands together two times quit forcefully to get everybody's attention.
"Students, I would like to welcome you all back to another year at Hogwarts. The past two and a half years have been very challenging on all of us. However, I know that if we all try to put the past aside, that we can work together to build a better future.
"But, first, I have a few announcements to make. We have a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher again. Septimus Lupin, brother to a previous D.A.D.A. professor, Remus Lupin." All eyes turned towards a young man sitting beside Professor Flitwick, a warm smile on his weather beaten face.
"Also, we have a new program here at Hogwarts that will allow our teachers to handle the extra workload brought upon them this year. Five students have been selected to become assistant professors to the five core subjects. They have all agreed, and I would like to say a word of thanks to the following students:
"Ms. Granger, the new assistant Transfiguration professor; Mr. Potter, the new assistant Defence Against the Dark Arts professor; Mr. Longbottom, the new assistant Herbology professor; Ms. Weasley, the new assistant Charms professor; and finally, Mr. Malfoy, the new assistant Potions professor."
Everybody clapped at each name, but when she called out Malfoy's name, there was a stunned silence. Ginny was horrified that Malfoy of all people would be chosen to be an assistant professor. After all, he had tried to kill Dumbledore! Not to mention, letting Greyback into the school to attack the students.
"Also, first years should note that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits. Hogsmead visits by students year three and above will start in three weeks. Do not forget that Quidditch try outs will be in two weeks. Thank you," she finished. Another clap of her hands had the plates overflowing with food as usual.
After the feast, McGonagall dismissed the students to their dorms, but called five students back. "Will Ms. Granger, Ms. Weasley, Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom, and Mr. Malfoy please stay behind for a moment?" McGonagall smiled slightly at their hesitant expressions. Malfoy pointedly ignored the glares Harry, Neville, and Hermonie were sending him.
"I just wanted to have a word with you about your new duties. You will spend your free periods in the morning helping your professor get the class ready for class. Weekends, you will also help prepare lessons and receive further instruction in each of your chosen subjects. It is an honor to teach, one I am glade you five can participate in.," McGonagall told them before dismissing them to their dorms. Malfoy swiftly walked away, Harry glaring at him the whole time.
The four Gryffindors quickly made their way back to the Gryffindor tower. The others discussed their new positions as assistant professors, but Ginny couldn't get the look on Malfoy's face out of her mind. Before she knew it, they were already at the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Swinxia Xeroc," Hermonie said firmly. After a quick wave and a 'goodnight!', the Fat Lady swung open to reveal a large hole in the wall.
Ginny glanced around the Gryffindor common room wordlessly. It had been so long since she had seen it. Plush armchairs and sofas draped in scarlet and gold surrounded a roaring fire. A notice board was pinned up on the opposite wall, showing when Quidditch tryouts where, and other important information. A few desks lay scattered throughout the large room, for students to study or do homework on.
Scarlet tapestries adorned the walls, and depicted famous witches and wizards. Two doors opened to spiral staircases leading up the boy's and girl's dormitories. The whole room let off a warm, cozy feeling that made Ginny want to just curl up with a good book in front of the comforting fire.
It looked just like it had before the battle. It made her feel as if she had come home after a long day.
Bidding goodnight to her friends who were discussing how cute the new Professor Lupin was, Ginny decided to go straight to bed, and unpack later. She walked over to the door leading to the girl's dorms and went up the spiral staircase.
Opening the door at the top, she noticed five four-posture beds with bed covers and heavy, velvet curtains in the same scarlet and gold scheme from downstairs. Her small trunk was sitting at the foot of one of the beds on the left side of the room, labeling it as hers for the year. A small wooden table sat beside her bed, with a short white candle on it.
Shrugging out of her heavy black robe, she rummaged in her trunk for her pajama pants and tee-shirt. Snuggling deep under her silky golden covers, the red head soon drifted off to dream land on her fluffy scarlet and gold stitched pillows. She didn't even wake up when the other girls came in the door, laughing and giggling.