Dain Richards – is mine as is the sorting hats song/whatever you want to call it and all the new students. Some are ancestors from my family tree. See the Disclaimer page 1.

CH 4 – A New School Year

The final year of schooling was finally upon Hogwarts most famous trio. Only time would tell the changes that would take place, the differences they'd go through and the difficulties they would endure. Bonds would be tested; the question was if they would remain. After the loss of the schools most infamous headmaster Albus Dumbledore many were at a loss, he was a role model to many and a surrogate family member to many more. Minerva McGonagall would be taking his place as head mistress; she and Albus had been rather close despite the fact that he had been one of her professors when she attended Hogwarts herself. There would be quite a few changes at Hogwarts this year as those that remained were soon to find out.

The Great Hall of Hogwarts waited for those students that would once again grace it with their presence. Very few were returning and as a result the hall's tables were set up differently, no longer were there four long tables for each house, now stood seven smaller tables; one for each year, the students would be sitting with the other houses as a way to get them to join together and form bonds in the troubled times.

The students shuffled in and stood not sure on where to sit. Headmistress McGonagall stood with a heavy heart saying "student as you can see there are there are now seven separate tables, you will now be required to sit with your fellow class mates according to year, we have mixed the houses as to encourage you to join together and make friends with those you would not consider, you never know what you may discover. First years will be at the table here at the front to my right, the subsequent table behind that on my right are third years, fifth years and seventh years at the back, on my left are second years at the front, then fourth years, sixth years". The students moved to where they were told, looking around at those they would be sharing their meals with and those that returned. They sat down whispering, some cursing like Ron under his breath about have to eat with the other houses "Oh for crying out load Ron give it a rest…" said Hermione "…I think it's a good idea, we're going to need as many as we can get on our side come the war so we might as well be friends with them". Ron grumbled under his breath while Harry just sighed he really did not have the heart for this. There were a small number of first years that were lead into the Hall to be sorted, they stood nervously like so many before them and looked around. Professor McGonagall stood once more "Welcome to Hogwarts for another year lets pray it won't be the last, first the sorting;

The hat sat on its stool like always, while the rest of the hall looked on waiting to see what it would sing about this year, many hoped to Merlin that it would be something good.

I may be old;

I may be tatty;

But my spirit is young

And not at all silly.

This may be the last

Year we sit here together;

So let's make the best

Of this bad situation.

Those sneaky old Slytherins,

Are not all that they seem,

Though cunning and sly

They stick by what they believe.

Gryffindor courage

As proud as they are,

Are the ones that will,

Defend us one and all.

Those witty Ravenclaws

Are what they appear to be;

Diligent and wise

They'll solve the riddle to be.

Hufflepuff loyalty

Is unsurpassed by all,

They'll abide by the rules,

And not let down the side.

Soon secrets will be revealed,

While a Dragon can change

And a Lioness stands strong

The Raven will decipher

And the Beaver remains constant.

While new bonds are made

And discoveries too.

Let the new dawn of day,

Be what makes us strong

Enough to rebuild a new.

With that over with there was a whisper through the hall of what it actually meant; only time would tell. Hermione being Hermione pondered it longer than most almost missing out on hearing where the new students would be placed.

"Allonby, Hazel"

"Well it's been a long time since we've seen one of yours; as always you belong in GRYFFINDOR"

"Azzurro, Breve"

"Mmm ahhh RAVENCLAW"

"Azzurro, Opaco"

"That's interesting you are exactly the same as your brother, so RAVENCLAW"

"Bailey, Minnie"

"Another we've not seen in while! You belong in RAVENCLAW"

"Borsuk, Tabatha"

"You could fit in anywhere but I think that your heart is HUFFLEPUFF"

"Cigfran, Mihangel"

"ahhh you would do well in HUFFLEPUFF"

"Gardner, Basil"

"Another loyal HUFFLEPUFF"

"Hocking, Scott"

"Ahh good to see lets try you in GRYFFINDOR"

"Kwiecie, Rozeta"

"Mmm you are a hard one but I think you should fair in GRYFFINDOR"

"Ma, Xiao Long"

"There's no denying where you belong; SLYTHERIN"

"Murtagh, Leiah"

"Well this is different with a name like yours you should be in Slytherin but I think you should be in GRYFFINDOR"

"Sands, Reece"

"The loyalty is strong in this one; HUFFLEPUFF"

"Williamson, Skye"

"The loyal are many this year, HUFFLEPUFF"

Each new student was clapped for by their respective houses, it was unusual not to have them sit down with the house and start to get to know everyone, yet it seemed appropriate that they were sitting with the rest of their age. As the last of the students were placed Hermione being her usual observant self-noted, "Did anyone else notice that there was only one Slytherin first year, this year?" looking around at the others at her table. Surprisingly enough there was actually quite a few seventh years remaining or maybe not surprisingly since it was their N.E. this year. Those that returned were as follows; Gryffindor – all of the seven years, Hufflepuff – Susan Bones, Wayne Hopkins, Megan Jones, Ernie Macmillan, RAVENCLAW – Michael Corner, Steven Cornfoot, Dain Richards, Kevin Entwhistle, Anthony Goldstein, Padma Patil, Morag MacDougal, SLYTHERIN – Millicent Bulstrode, Tracy Davis, Daphne Greengrass, Theodore Nott

McGonagall continued to make her announcements after the sorting "I would like to welcome you all back once again this year and to the first years welcome to your first year. Let us hope that it won't be the last of Hogwarts and that those of you who still have years ahead of you that you will be able to complete your schooling here. The Forbidden forest is as the name suggests forbidden and for those that are new here ask any of the older students they can assure you that it is not at all safe. Mr Filch has posted a list of forbidden items outside of the hall; there is also one on your noticeboards in each common room so make sure you read it. Our head students this year are Hermione Granger of Gryffindor and Dain Richards of Ravenclaw…" There were rounds of applause for both students, even a few of the Slytherins, which surprised those sitting close to them. "…If there are any more announcements, I will make them during the evening meals. That is all for now enjoy your meal" McGonagall sat down as the plates of food appeared, there were gasps heard from the first year's table and a few smiles around the hall as students remembered their first reactions.

Millicent responded to Hermione's question with "yes actually there was only one Slytherin, I feel sorry for her it'll be rather lonely"

"Well, I guess that's another reason to have all the first years sitting together, that way she'll be able to make friends even though they aren't from her house" Hermione responded.

Morag scoffed "yeah right who ever makes friends from other houses? No one does that's because, well just because" she finished.

"Actually I have friends in opposite houses" piped up Dain as he looked at Hermione and smiled, Harry noticing this rose and eyebrow.

"So have I" said Michael, Steven and Susan respectably.

"As do I" whispered Tracy and Millicent just looked at her dumbfounded "really!" she said.

"No-one makes friends with Slytherins" replied Ron while stuffing more food in his mouth, the Slytherins just glared at him and Hermione whacked him in the back of the head. "Ow, what was that for?" asked Ron,

"For being rude," answered Hermione.

Theodore watched Hermione from the corner of his eye and thought 'maybe I could be friends or more with her this year after all there's none of the others to give us grief, although there is still the question of Potter and Weaslely, well I guess I'll see how it goes'. The talk at the Seventh year table was strained especially with the Slytherins although Hermione did make a bit more of an effort to speak to them than anybody else did. Ron was giving her filthy looks the whole time and Harry just remained silent she knew she would be getting interrogated by them later.

After the dinner was over Headmistress Professor McGonagall stood once more "It is time to retire for this evening, classes start tomorrow so don't stay up too late, remember no –one is to be in the corridors after 2200, prefects escort your first years to your houses and could the Head students come here please? That will be all, sleep well and goodnight." With that said the students started moving out of the hall, prefects calling out to first years. Dain stood waiting for Hermione; "well I'll see you two tomorrow at breakfast" said Hermione, "what? Aren't you coming back to the common room? Where are you going?" questioned Ron. "Didn't I tell you? Dain and I will be sharing a dorm this year, I'm not sure why the change but I'm not complaining" replied Hermione with a smile, she walked over to Dain who was also smiling, Ron scowled at Dain he didn't like the idea one bit, Harry looked like he was ready to explode. 'Really…' Hermione thought '…it's no wonder I have so many troubles keeping boyfriends with those two, they're becoming more of a problem every year.' Dain and Hermione went to meet Professor McGonagall while everyone else headed to their dorms.

HEADS

McGonagall lead Hermione and Dain to the heads quarters, which was in one of the towers, they arrived at a large painting that started a foot off the floor and was the size of a door it was of a common room with students relaxing and mingling. "Here are your quarters; to enter all you need to do is say 'uno casa unito anima' and wait for the students to disappear before stepping into the painting. Do not give out the password to anyone without prior permission from myself and you will need to change it every other month" McGonagall said and then lead them through the painting and into the common room. She proceeded to tell them what was required of them as far as their duties were concerned and handed them both a parchment listing everything in detail. The she asked them to both sit as she had something rather important to talk to them about, both heads looked at each other and Dain shrugged his shoulders before they complied. "Now you both must be wondering as to why we have given the head students their own dormitory this year?" Hermione and Dain just nodded "well…" began Professor McGonagall taking a deep breath "…Miss Granger, Mr Richards you will have someone else living here with you, it is imperative that you tell no-one of this students presence here, it is for his safety. I cannot stress enough how important that is. As a result both of your schedules will change; more so your's Miss Granger, I'm afraid you and he will be sharing all but one class it appears. Mr Richards as you have a few of the same classes the three of you will take those classes together, I'll get Mr Potter to take the class that neither of you have with said student. I'm afraid there is no other way around this…" McGonagall raised her hand before Hermione could ask a question and continued, "…I'm sorry Miss Granger I realise you don't get along with him but he wants our help and we will give it to him, it is what Professor Dumbledore would have done. Your classes will be at different times to your classmates and in some cases in the evenings. Please remember not to mention this to anyone, especially Mr Weasley Miss Granger, not at this time anyhow. Mr Richards I'm afraid you will also need to share your room with him as an extra safety precaution; I do realize it is unfair but I hope you understand, besides if it wasn't for him you would be in your house dormitories. If the are no questions I will bid you good night for now." The professor glanced at her two heads before rising from her seat. "Who is this student professor you haven't told us?" Hermione questioned. "Ah, it is Mr Malfoy Miss Granger; and I will return with him here after curfew to ensure that there are no students about. I will see you two later." And with that, she left briskly. Hermione just watched as she left through their portrait, going pale she sat back down on the couch and looked at Dain, he walked over and sitting beside her pulled her into a hug. "You'll be alright you always are and I'll be here for you," he said to her quietly.

"I thought I was finally rid of the insolent ferret and his insults, now I'm going to have to live with him?" she responded dejectedly.

"Hey you don't know what he'll be like if he wants protection from you know who then maybe he'll be nice to you"

"Well I won't hold my breath…" she said with a sigh "…I'm going to check out this place what do you say" Dain nodded and they got up to have a good look at their new surroundings for the next year.

The common room before them was circular due to the fact that it was in a tower. Hermione and Dain were in awe of the site around them the room was the colours from the four houses, the floor was covered in a plush Burgundy carpet, the walls were a deep green wood panelling. In front of the stone fireplace stood an ancient looking wooden coffee table with a Ravenclaw blue couch opposite and two Ravenclaw blue armchairs that looked like they would swallow you when you sat in them. On both the couch and the armchairs were Hufflepuff yellow cushions, there was also four floor cushions in the four house colours with the house crests on them. The wall on the far side was bewitched to reflect the outside view just as if the whole wall was made of glass. The bathroom was on the same floor to the immediate left as one came through the portrait. It had white tiles on the floor and walls except that a few of the wall tiles also had the various house crests on them, there were two vanities, a large shower and the toilet of course, but the most breathtaking part was the bathtub, the different fragrant taps were positioned in the middle so that when turned on they filled the tub like a fountain, the tub itself looked to be the same size as that of the prefects baths. Next to this, there were spiral stairs going up and to the right of the stairs but still on the left of the room was a kitchenette. Not set up as to make their own meals but they could make snacks and call for a house elf to bring food to them. They also had a cooler to keep drinks in and the facilities to make tea and coffee. The stairs going up lead to a mezzanine level where there were study desks and a comprehensive library that had both school texts and literature for them to read. Instead of the bewitched window, it had windows with seats for those who chose to sit there. This room was in the heads house colours with blue carpet and burgundy trimmings in the likes of cushions and chair coverings. The walls were left in the bare stone of the castles tower and the desks, chairs and bookshelves were aged oak. Continuing up the stairs you arrived at the head girls' room, which remained white with simple dressings, the idea being that with the use of a spell it could be changed to your hearts desire. To access the head boys room you needed to head down the spiral stairs that were to the left of the fireplace on the right side of the common room. This room was the same as the head girls so that it too could also be changed.

Having looked around Hermione and Dain went their separate ways to settle into their new rooms. Hermione couldn't wait to try the spell to convert her room to her liking dashing up the stairs she bounded excitedly into her room grabbing the spell and read over the instructions on how to use it. She then read over the spell before deciding on what she wanted her room to look like and then recited the spell. She'd been practicing wandless magic over the summer since she had turned 17 the year before, so she performed the spell without her wand.

Capio is vestis canvas

quod per meus mens oculus

EGO verto is in

meus pectus pectoris verus votum.

Hermione watched in awe as her room transformed into exactly what she imagined it would look like, the best part being that being magical it also moved the way she wanted, she was pleased with herself for successfully performing the spell wandlessly. There was a look-a-like white paling fence around the rooms' walls that stopped waist height; above this was a continuing mural of grass that lead to a beach that then continued into the ocean. On the ocean, there were boats that sailed around the other walls that contained only ocean; the ceiling resembled that of a blue sky with a few fluffy white clouds and the sun. It was a very relaxing scene. The floor remained wooden but had a sandy coloured plush pile rug covering much of the floor. The furniture had a white wash but weathered effect as if it had been exposed the elements. The queen size beds coverings were a sky blue and white; the sheets were blue, the duvet was white with blue trimmings, the four pillows that rested on her bed were blue with white and white with blue, there was of course a dresser and wardrobe as well. The room didn't have a desk or even much of a bookshelf since there was a study to retreat to, though the bookshelf it did have was shaped like a dinghy sat on its end. There was however a small couch to relax on in an ocean blue colour with a sandy throw. The sounds of the beach and sea could be heard as an added effect to the serenity of it all. All in all Hermione was rather pleased with her room; she unpacked her belongings before heading down for a shower and changing into her nightclothes.

Down in the head boys room the appearance of the room was something unexpected for a pureblooded wizard. Dain had to use his wand to transform his room and it turned into various hues of blue, aqua, green and white. Like the head girls room the furniture had a weathered look to it only in an aqua colour. The walls looked like they had waves on them in the various tones, it also have a few surf pictures on it. The beds also had the appearance of water with its blue, green and white bedding (remember he has to share with Malfoy). Shelves in the room were that of surfboards cut in half, on these he had a few photos of himself surfing. This room didn't have a desk either but did have the couch in a mix of the four colours of the room. The slightest sound of waves crashing could also be heard. Once Dain had unpacked he headed up to the bathroom to take a shower and change for the night, he arrived at the bathroom just as Hermione was emerging "darn you mean I missed out on joining you" he said with a slight smile and a wink "maybe tomorrow if you're lucky" she teased him back. 'I wish, I miss those showers' he thought. Hermione headed back to her room to put her things away before heading back to the common room. Dain met her not long after and they talked until Professor McGonagall arrived with their extra occupant.

Malfoy followed Professor McGonagall into the room with less than his normal arrogance. Hermione stiffened immediately as her guard went up, Dain remain neutral as they entered. "Ok Mr Malfoy remember what I said to you, I will not tolerate any trouble on your behalf. Miss Granger, Mr Richards, Mr Malfoy goodnight, I will see you tomorrow" Professor McGonagall then swept back out the door. The three students remained standing and just looked at each other, before Hermione said "I'm off to bed Dain, I'll see you in the morning" nodding his head he said "night". He then turn to look at Malfoy and said "well I'll show you were you're sleeping then" and headed off down the stairs with Malfoy following not uttering a word.

TRANSLATIONS – are done via a site Intertran, so sorry if they are wrong. Actually, Ī know the Chinese ones are right because Ī lived in China at the time of writing.

(Chinese) Xiao - Little; Long - Dragon

(Polish) Kwiecie - Blossom; Rozeta - Rose; Borsuk - Badger

(Italian) Azzurro - Blue; Breve - Little; Opaco - Matthew

(Welsh) Cigfran ? ; Mihangel - Micheal