A/N: I wrote this while in a slap-happy, slightly insane mood and had to resist the urge to call this chapter "Nom nom nom." XD

The train slowed as it approached Hogwarts. Harry and Hermione looked out the window to see the fantastic castle, lights shining from inside and the reflection glimmering in the Black Lake.

Robes on, wands in their pockets, and trunks already being brought up to the castle, Harry and Hermione exited the train onto the platform. Harry said a quick "hello" to Hagrid, who was herding the first-years towards the boats docked in the lake. From the group of small eleven-year-olds came excited whispers about Harry. He just smiled kindly and turned to Hermione.

"Shall we?" he asked. Hermione grinned and they jumped on the carriage. Luna, Ginny, and Neville, who had returned to complete his seventh year, all piled into the carriage when they saw their old friends sitting in it.

Ginny turned to Harry. "I didn't see you on the train," she said softly.

He replied, "Oh… we were in the back, you know, where all the professors sit."

"Oh," she said. There were a few moments of awkward silence. Hermione looked around and gasped when she saw the strange-looking creature pulling the carriage. Ginny jumped, surprised at hearing the noise. "What?" she asked.

Hermione pointed. "Look," she said quietly, barely above a whisper. "I can see the thestrals now."

Ginny sighed and her eyes began to get watery. Harry leaned over and embraced her in a tight hug, ignoring the disapproving looks from Hermione

The rest of the ride was quiet; a blanket of silence surrounded everyone as they thought of how much loss had occurred since they had last ridden in this carriage.

Luna pushed the door of the Great Hall with a mighty shove. It creaked open to reveal the spectacular room.

The four house tables were covered with empty plates, waiting to be filled with a delicious meal. The professors' table sat at the front of the hall, with the headmisstress's elaborately decorated chair in the middle. Thousands of lit candles floated beneath the starry black ceiling.

And the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables (the two in the middle) were slightly more seperated then the rest. Between the tables, on the floor, was a small ashen mark: the spot where Harry's spell had met Voldemort's, and where the Dark Lord had met his downfall.

Harry stared at the mark for a moment, and then shook himself of the memory as he headed towards the Gryffindor table. Luna waved goodbye as she went to sit at the Ravenclaw table, and Neville smiled at him to come sit on the bench across from him.

But Hermione grabbed his arm and pulled Harry to the front of the room. There, Harry remembered yet again the fact that he was no longer a student, and they took the two seats between Professor Flitwick and Hagrid.

Not long after, the first years filed in, followed by a weary-looking Professor McGonagall. She took out the battered Sorting Hat and it made a short speech about it being a new year, a new beginning, and a new age in wizarding history. The first years were then sorted and Professor McGonagall turned to the students.

"Welcome," she said, "to another year at Hogwarts. Before we eat, I would like to have a moment of silence for all those who perished in this hall just last spring."

There was a dead silence. Ginny sighed softly and put her shoulder on one of her Gryffindor friend's shoulder. Dennis Creevy felt a few tears run down his face as he thought of his brother. A few of the Slytherins looked down in embarrassment, obviously ashamed that their relatives or parents had taken part in the battle as Death Eaters.

Finally, Professor McGonagall said, "Let the feast begin!" Food appeared on everyone's plates: baked potatoes covered in butter, juicy steak, peas, and a variety of other sides. When that was eaten there was dessert: all types of muffins, candy, brownies, puddings, and cakes.

When everyone had stopped eating, Professor McGonagall stood up and raised her arms. The students fell respectably silent.

"Hopefully you enjoyed the feast and will enjoy your first nights here, safe and sound in your beds. However, I have a few announcements to make. First, all students note that the Forbidden Forest is, as always, forbidden. Students are not permitted to do magic in the corridors. A full list of items banned from Hogwarts can be found in Mr. Filch's office.

"Finally, I would like to welcome two new teachers. Hermione Granger, filling the post of Muggle Studies…" the students clapped, "And Harry Potter, for Defense Against the Dark Arts." Jubilant clapping and excited whispers coursed through the hall as people heard Harry's name.

Prefects quickly shushed the students, and McGonagall continues. "And let me remind you that although it is truly a new year, a fresh start, and a new age in wizarding history, we must not forget the past. Remember the dark times of the past years so we will not repeat the mistakes of anyone, both friend and foe.

"And now, I think it is time for bed! Prefects will lead first years to the dormitories." She smiled warmly, a rare thing.

"And good night."