Harry and Ron sat in a grumpy silence ever since they had entered the castle to find out that Snape was the temporary Headmaster of Hogwarts. His was scowling about the dining hall as if he was just waiting for someone to say or do something to cause his wrath. Ginny had chosen the seat next to Harry; he wasn't sure if it was just coincidence or not but he enjoyed her company. She was trying to stifle a giggle as she pointed out a yellow sticky note that had been placed onto Snape's back with the words: "ONE UGLY TOAD" on it.
"This is a new year and it will be filled with new rules while I am Headmaster here at Hogwarts…" Snape droned on over his new rules and regulations; both Harry and Ron were almost falling asleep by the end of it. All the fun and excitement had been stripped of the first year's hat sorting ceremony; even the singing hat only did one verse before getting down to business. It had been good to Gryffindor this year; six new students to fill the benches.
After the ceremony was finished it was announced that Harry Potter would be Gryffindor's newest and youngest captain of their Quidditch team. The entire Gryffindor table exploded into cheers; Harry turned bright red and did his best to slink out of the spot light. He reflexively glanced over at the Slytherin table to where Malfoy sat to receive his normal scowl; Harry was still surprised to see that seat empty.
"Alright, quiet down!" Snape's voice snapped loudly over the hall. He rapped his wand against the table, "When you are finished with your dinner, you are to report to your prefects and stay in your dormitories. No wandering around the halls or grounds or points will be taken from houses."
A bounty of food appeared before each student, dinner was served. Ron began to pile food onto his plate. Ginny rolled her eyes but followed suit. Harry wasn't hungry; he just wanted to go lie down.
"Do anything this summer Harry?" Ginny placed a buttered roll onto his plate.
"No, was just harassed as usual by my 'family'. You?"
Ron spoke with his mouth full, "Oh Ginny here got all the fun this summer didn't you?"
"Shut up Ron and don't talk with your mouth full. You look like a cow." Ginny daintily began to slice her food, "But yeah, I spent the summer at a Witching camp."
"Oh she had fun alright…" Ron grinned evilly, "Met a boy there and snogged all day didn't you?"
Ginny glared at her older brother, "Shut up! God you are so…so…insufferable!" She slammed her fork and knife against the plate, grabbed her bag and stormed out of the dining hall.
Ron's eyes widened, "Man she can't take a joke these days."
Dinner ended an hour later; Ron was a Gryffindor prefect so he collected up the first years and herded them towards the stairs. Harry was always a little jealous Ron had been picked prefect over him, but he supposed that he had enough on his mind just being him and now Quidditch captain. Still he wouldn't have minded a shiny badge.
As they approached the Pink Lady portrait, they found Neville Longbottom standing outside begging her to let him into the dorm. Harry smiled; it was like he was home again.