Thanks for the review, but the unbreakable braking charm referred to in PoA is to do with deceleration (braking), not destruction of the broom (breaking) which I was referring to. Besides after that chapter it doesn't matter anyways...

The Meeting and the Feast

The rest of the journey passed slowly, alternating between periods of idleness, the girls and the boys alternating getting changed, and feeble attempts at conversation. The only activity being Ron and Neville's game of exploding snap. The afternoon was running swiftly in to early evening, but the sky was clearing up as the train rolled up alongside Hogsmeade platform. Harry's mood also lifted as the castle towered up on the hill beyond the lake.

Stepping out of the carriage, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Ginny all joined the bustling crowd, Harry getting odd looks from all the Slytherins he passed. They climbed into the carriage, Harry and Neville looking closely at the beautiful Thestrals preparing to pull them out of the gate. Ginny, Ron and Hermione exchanged glances as Neville and Harry reached out to pat it, its gleaming black body shimmering in the dusk light. They both climbed into the carriage, which soon set off on its jolting way up towards the castle.

The stone walls of the castle drew closer, and the carriage slowed outside the front gate, where already many black-robed students were milling around, heading up the steps, and on in towards the Great Hall. They stepped into the Great Hall to find Filch stalking around, randomly searching students for dungbombs.

Skirting quickly around Filch, (Ginny was suddenly looking terrified for some reason), they entered the Great Hall. The halls were pristinely clean as usual, and Harry looked up to see a battered hat standing on a stool. This was the Hogwarts sorting hat, used to distribute new students into their houses.

Harry looked up at the staff table. Professor Umbridge had left the school last year, so Harry was scanning for her replacement. No one could be worse then her. Harry saw who it was, and let out a laugh, before grabbing Hermione's arm and striding up to the staff table.

"Mr Diggory!" said Harry happily.

Amos Diggory turned to face the oncoming trio and laughed aloud. "You've been here about three minutes and already you've tracked me down eh?" He laughed. "So what do you think? Defence against the dark arts is very important..."

Harry smiled, as Ron spoke. "You'll be a great teacher. Besides, after last year you could do nothing at all and be considered good." Hermione laughed at this, as did Mr Diggory.

"You'd better get back to your tables, I can see the first years lined up outside." He said, and Harry, Ron and Hermione turned and walked back to their seats.

Harry watched as the new students filed nervously passed. They seemed to get smaller every year. Harry had trouble believing that he and Ron were that small in their first year. They stumbled past, led by Professor McGonagall, who looked as strict as ever, and Harry wasn't surprised that these students were scared.

He turned to face the front, as the hat opened its brim and started to sing.

"Every single student, who has passed through this school,
Has to come and sit below me, on a battered stool.
Where I will look into their minds to see where they should be,
For sorting was the very task that was chosen for me.
There are just four places where I could think you belong,
But forgive me if you disagree but I am never wrong.
I could put you in Gryffindor, among those that are brave, Then there's the fountain of knowledge, that's what Ravenclaw's do crave.
For those consigned to Slytherin, ambition is your skill,
While those of humblest Hufflepuff, seek you those of goodwill.
Yet as I perch upon your heads distributing asunder,
The wisdom of this separation I begin to wonder.
More then ever now I feel that I should not divide,
Girls and boys and families, with friendship thrown aside.
These times, alas, are looking bad and full of strife and woe,
As suddenly those that were once friends turn to face a foe.
So I say again I do now doubt the wisdom in my placing,
That I may now be aiding the very troubles we are facing.
Now I insist that we all gather together to unite.
To combat this evil threat that attacks what is right.
Treat not based on student's blood nor on the house they're in.
Loyalty, love and kindliness are where friendships begin.
Yet now I face you youngest men, of whom I will now sort,
So step right up, and put me on, I'll decide where you're taught!"

Harry and Hermione exchanged glances as they clapped the hats song. "Is that the same song as last year?" said Harry.

"No," Hermione replied, "it kept talking about how we are already facing troubles and strife..." she trailed off as Professor McGonagall stood up.

"Welcome first years. When I call out your name come and sit on this stool and place the hat on your head. When it calls out your house, go and sit on that house table. Ok... Albury, Natasha!"

Harry watched as a fairly tall girl compared to the others strode up to the hat, but he felt his interest ebbing away. He was tired and was still thinking over the afternoon's events, and he chanced a glance behind him at the Slytherin table, where Malfoy was sat, looking fairly despondent.

Harry was still not sure about how he felt about the whole thing, although he was sure it was the right thing to have done. Had he not saved Malfoy he would have been expelled from Hogwarts, and punished by the Ministry (how, he didn't know what with Azkaban being no longer a prison). Yet having saved Malfoy, had he just given an enemy another chance to attack him? Harry wasn't sure what to think. But by the time that the last person, ("Young, Edwin") had joined Hufflepuff, Harry was not so sure he'd done the right thing.

Harry looked to his left as Dumbledore stood up. "Welcome, welcome to those that are new, and those who are returning." His eyes twinkled as they roved the hall, briefly connecting with Harry's own eyes, as Dumbledore carried on. "I would love to give out beginning of term notices, but I am hungry. Enjoy."

He sat down as the students laughed, the first year's exchanging glances at this slightly eccentric introduction to their new headmaster. On Harry's right, Ron was paying no attention to the new Gryffindors, but was instead treating the food as if it were the last meal he were to eat, wolfing down pie and potato at an alarming rate. Hermione clicked her tongue, but also took up her knife and fork and started to eat, but a slightly more regular pace.

Harry gingerly ate small amounts, increasingly aware of the glances being shot down the table at him, and the excited whispers of the Creevey's, telling all of the new Gryffindors of Harry's supposed greatness. Harry's stomach turned over, though not from hunger. The combination of the day's events, and the whispers about him down the table made him feel slightly ill, and he was relieved when Dumbledore stood up, as Hermione had looked like she was about to ask what was wrong. The food vanished from the table, and the headmaster cleared his throat.

"Ahem. Welcome to another year at Hogwarts, and I see none of some of our students appetites have been lost over the summer holidays." Harry was sure that Dumbledore was looking at Ron, but too quickly, he carried on. "A few beginning of term notices. Firstly, let me introduce to you our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and successor to Professor Umbridge, Professor Diggory."

Harry clapped and cheered loudly, but he was far from the loudest. The Hufflepuff table were on their feet, cheering wildly. Indeed, Professor Sprout had to usher some back to their seats after they had looked like going to shake his hand. Mr, (Professor Harry chided himself), Diggory smiled and waved at the students jovially, before settling back in his seat to face Dumbledore again. Harry followed suit.

"Now that I have introduced a the new teacher I have a few beginning of term notices. First of all, all students should remember not to enter the forbidden forest, or leave the grounds at any time, except those on authorised Hogsmeade weekends." He paused and Harry swore that Dumbledore had winked at him. Dumbledore continued.

"Mr Filch would also like to remind students as to the list of disallowed magical items, which now include Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes of all varieties. Our new prefects and head boy and girl," (Hermione looked around to see who were the new heads), "will show you all back to your dormitory's. Thank you." And with that, he strode straight off to the side of the hall and exited.

Ron and Hermione stood up, and Ron started yelling loudly. "Oi! Oi you little people!" ("Ron!" chided Hermione, though quite half-heartedly). The first years turned to face Ron and Hermione, who ushered them out of the hall. Harry stood up to follow, but as he left the hall, Professor Dumbledore beckoned him over to a different staircase.

"Follow me, I have a few issues to discuss with you." He turned and swept up the staircase, and Harry followed him up, along the corridor and behind the gargoyle ("Ton Ton Toffee" said Dumbledore) up to Dumbledore's office. Harry thought this must have been about his exploits on the train, as he sat in the familiar armchair facing Dumbledore, who sat behind his desk, his silvery white hair hanging low by his sides. He looked tired, but not weary, and he gave off the immense power and feeling of safety that Harry felt with no one else. Dumbledore shifted slightly and began.

"Harry, I am not here to discuss today's events. Suffice to say yes, I know what happened, and if it would put your mind at rest I think you did the right thing. You will not be punished for the event, but never let a potential Death Eater lure you like that again Harry, or the consequences could be far worse."

Harry, who had sighed and relaxed about not being punished, straightened up at the mention of Death Eaters. He was now curious and was about to ask as to why he was here, if not to talk about Malfoy, before Dumbledore continued.

"Now I expect you are confused as to why you are here. I will not delay. There are many Death Eaters around Harry, and what with the prophecy and the rise of Voldemort, I think that, unfortunately, it is time for me to start teaching you."

"Teaching me what?" Harry asked, though he thought he might know the answer.

"Avada Kedavra," said Dumbledore simply. They sat still for a long time, while Harry looked at his chair. Dumbledore seemed to have more to say. "I also think, though what with my lessons, your lessons with Professor Snape and your other work I wouldn't blame you for not agreeing, that you, Ron and Hermione, should learn to become Animagi with Professor McGonagall."

Harry perked up, to become Animagi would be wonderful. "I'll talk to Ron and Hermione, I'm sure they'll want to do it. Did you say lessons with Snape? Am I carrying them on?"

"Professor Snape, Harry, Professor Snape, and yes, I still think that learning to fight Legilimency would be a wise move." Harry wanted to fight it, but knew from Dumbledore's tone there was no point. He sighed bitterly.

"When will my lessons be Professor?" he asked, slightly resentfully.

"My lessons will be on Monday evenings, Professor Snape's on Tuesday. You must talk to Professor McGonagall about her lessons, though she has already agreed to teach you. One less load on you however, is the D.A. What now with a... slightly less rigid Defence teacher, I'm sure that most people will learn fantastic protection spells. Also, you will note from your timetable tomorrow, there are now more Defence lessons, to cope with the war. Now, I'm afraid Harry, I must ask you to go back to your dormitory, I have some rather important tasks I must prepare." And with that, Harry left the office, before hurrying to tell Ron and Hermione about the meeting.