Platform 9 ¾ was far more crowded than usual, with another years' worth of students, trunks, and owls assembled there. Families elbowed their way through the crowds, pushing trolleys, giving final hugs and kisses, and dragging along reluctant students with promises that school would be different from last year.
"But Snape's still Headmaster!" cried a young girl, maybe a 2nd- or 3rd-year, clinging to her father and refusing to mount the stairs to the Hogwarts Express.
"Sweetheart," her father said, squatting down to her eye-level. "There's a new Potions professor for the younger students. I heard that Professor Snape was actually on our side in the war."
"He's mean!" she replied, unconvinced and petulant.
"War does strange things to people, Amarantha. But it's over now, Voldemort and his followers are defeated, and things will be fine." She didn't appear convinced. "The Ministry of Magic is watching Headmaster Snape carefully. Anything untoward and he's out. The Carrows are gone, too. Besides, how will you learn to be a strong witch to stand up to Dark Magic if you don't go?"
With this last piece of persuasion, she attempted to square her small shoulders and lifted her chin and reluctantly allowed herself to be put on the train and her trunk stowed for the journey.
Hermione arrived but without her parents (they'd never been able to find the platform before and this year was no exception), running forward to give Ron, Harry and Ginny a collective hug before grabbing Ron's hand and not letting go, despite his glowing red face.
"Let's board," she said. "It'll be extra crowded this year, so let's find a car before they are all filled up."
Harry had been dreading the train, expecting everyone to embarrass him with congratulations and admiration. Except for Malfoy. From him, he didn't know what to expect; the typical derision or some degree of at least begrudging respect. He needn't have worried, as his and Malfoy's paths didn't cross. Pansy Parkinson boarded and walked past, but seemed not to know what to do, so she remained silent and moved on with her pack of Slytherin girls. Most everyone just gave him, Ron, and Hermione a wave, a handshake, or a back slap, and moved on, for which he was grateful. The four of them found an empty compartment and got settled in. As the train began to move and accelerate northward, talk turned to the coming year, subjects, teachers, and the headmaster. Harry, Ron, and Hermione quizzed Ginny on what it was like the previous year, but she declined to offer judgement or speculate about the coming year. "Snape was just barely managing to hang on, what with the Ministry people there and the Death Eaters circling. Of course it was horrible, not knowing where you guys were, terrible things happening every day. This year can only be better, no matter what."
On this point, they all agreed. Harry pondered aloud as to what the "apprenticeship" part of their year would be.
"I asked my parents about that. In dental school, that was where they started to actually do procedures and things, like work in a clinic," Hermione said. "Maybe we'll be starting working in the jobs we are thinking of."
Ron scoffed. "I've done enough already. I'm ready to just cruise through the year. I mean, they can't bloody well fail us now, right?"
"I wouldn't bet on it, Ron," Ginny said. "Despite everything that was going on last year, there were still classes, homework, and grades. The letter said this would complete your education. Besides, if you flunk out or quit like Fred and George, mom and dad will kick you out AND you won't have anyone to wash your socks."
Ron rolled his eyes, as Harry laughed. "So, what do you guys think you want to do after Hogwarts? College, jobs, or what?"
Hermione spoke first. "I think I might try for being a Healer at St. Mungo's or an Auror, but I'm also considering studying history more."
Ron snorted. "You could replace Binns, if anyone could convince him he's dead."
Ginny said "I'm thinking of working for the Ministry, maybe in the Department of Muggle Relations, like dad." Harry hadn't heard her say this before. "After a stint on the Chudley Cannons, of course," she added. That's more what I expected, thought Harry.
Hermione said "What about you, Ron?"
Ron considered his answer, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "After a few seasons on the Cannons, I'll probably get recruited to the national team." They all laughed at this, as Ron's face reddened. "But at some point I suppose I'll retire and run a Quidditch shop. Joining the Department of Magical Games and Sports is my back-up plan."
"Very ambitious, Ron," Hermione said, the reproof in her voice softened. "What about you, Harry?"
Harry had actually given it a lot of thought, more than the others knew. "Well," he said, leaning back expansively, "after my retirement from the British National Quidditch team, I'll probably be an Auror for a time before embarking on a long career teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. Before being killed in an unfortunate duel gone bad."
They all laughed at this and enjoyed the remainder of the train trip north. Harry stared out the window, thinking that he almost sounded like he believed what he was saying. In truth, little of what he'd said held a lot interest to him, though the Quidditch part at least brought some bit of hope to his future.
As usual, they disembarked from the train, their trunks having been loaded on carriages and their passenger carriages, drawn by thestrals waiting. The lively mood on the train brought on by reuniting with friends turned quiet and somber. Now they could all see the skeletal horses, as could many of the other students, but no one spoke of what they'd been through to make this so. No one needed to. The night was clear with thousands of stars sparkling overhead as the great castle at last came in to view. The damage from the war was still clearly visible in the bright moonlight, with some walls remaining broken and the new repairs clearly contrasting with the ancient parts of the structure, lacking vines and moss. Some windows were still missing, though this wasn't critical in the warm summer air. Come fall, though, and it would be all wool robes and hats if their repair wasn't completed by then.
They entered the Great Hall and quickly found their house tables, meeting with warm congratulations again from those they hadn't yet seen on the train. The first-year students, an unusually large class, nearly twice the size of those before, filed in the back and waited, with wide eyes and shaking knees. Where they would go was anyone's guess, as the presence of 8th-year students filled the house tables even before the new students joined them. A few students for each higher year were also gathered, which was unusual. McGonagall and Sprout herded them like frightened sheep, even the older students. "This way, new students," said McGonagall. "And you, too, Miss Ames," she said to a considerably older student who was with the others. The remaining staff was at the head table, except for Snape.
Hermione whispered, "Where's Professor Snape? I wonder if he's still not recovered?"
"Yeah," Ron said. "Probably takes a long time to get over being dead."
Harry said "I wonder who the new staff is. There's at least 3 new professors up there."
Luna Lovegood leaned in. "One of them is the new Potions professor. She's American. She's the one with the long braid."
"And there's a new 7th-year student back there, new to the school," Neville said, gesturing slightly with his head. "She's here for Advanced Potions with Snape. American, too," he noted.
At the quizzical looks from the others, Neville blushed. "She was in my carriage on the train," he said. "Seemed the decent thing to introduce myself."
"Nevermind that she's drop-dead gorgeous," Ginny smirked. "No, it was just the gentlemanly thing to do."
Neville smiled wryly. "I am ever the gentleman, as you well know, Ginny." Harry sent him daggers, but Neville only grinned back.
"Was she nice, Neville?" Hermione asked.
"Very," he said, blushing only slightly. "I wonder what house she'll be in."
"Hoping for Gryffindor, no doubt," Ginny said with a smirk, but she was thinking the same thing. It would be nice to have someone new in the house, someone who might talk about something other than the previous year. And an American, someone exotic.
Sprout and McGonagall had just herded the first years and the other new students aside, as the twin doors into the Great Hall burst open, and the Headmaster strode forcefully up the main aisle toward the head table, his black robe flowing behind him. The rumble of chatter died quickly to silence. Harry was the first to stand and applaud, followed by the rest of the Gryffindor table, then by Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, the Slytherin applause decidedly muted. Snape gave no signs of noticing, but continued to the dias, turning on his heel to face the room.
Just as the applause died down, Ron said "Looks just as scary as ever," which seemed to travel over the heads of the others and right into Snape's ear, who glared directly at him.
Snape's voice, always penetrating, enforcing silence whenever he spoke, was the same as ever. From that point forward, there was no talking or whispering in the Hall and every student, even those new-comers now cowering in fear in the back, heard every word as clearly as if they had been on the front row.
"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am Headmaster Severus Snape," he said crisply. Snape went on to introduce the staff, many of whom were well-known to those in the upper grades. Binns was still teaching History of Magic, Sprout was still in Herbology, Hagrid had been retained for Care of Magical Creatures, Trelawney still for Divination, Babbling for Runes, Vector for Arithmancy, Sinistra for Astronomy, McGonagall for Transfiguration, Flitwick for Charms. The new teachers were Doctor Morgan Hunter for Potions, Arabella Figg for Muggle Studies, and Hestia Jones for Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Just as Ginny whispered "A new Potions professor? Snape continued to teach last year," Snape announced "I will continue to teach Advanced Potions, which is now required for all 7th and 8th year students." Harry nearly groaned simply from reflex, but thought the better of it, considering how useful the knowledge had been lately. But there were audible groans from many in the Hall, despite the general admiration of the Headmaster based on the stories told by those who had fought in the Battle of Hogwarts. It was one thing to admire the man for his acts, but another altogether to endure his classes and the inevitable detentions that few managed to avoid.
"Wow," said Luna. "How about Dr. Hunter's robes? That green shade is right off the runways."
"And that hat! Wow. A little fashion sense wouldn't hurt this place," added Ginny with admiration. Hermione nodded, watching the beautiful young witch as she chatted with the older staff witches nearby.
Harry looked at the first-year and new upper-year students. Even with the kindly and elderly Professor Dumbledore as the Master of Ceremonies, the first night at Hogwarts and the Sorting were terrifying. But with the tall, dark Snape biting off every word and his domineering presence, it was certain that at least a dozen of them would likely simply faint. It had happened before.
As the Sorting began, Ron leaned over to Harry. "Oy, we were never that little, were we? They look like tiny shrimps." Hermione overheard, but said nothing in rebuke. Surely they were never that small? Ginny snorted whenever another student passed out from fear. This year it was 11. "That sets a new high bar for the first night. Snape will need to be more intimidating next year if he wants to top this," she noted.
"Maybe he'll hire back the Carrows once their probation is over," Neville added.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were forced to grin at the thought of the terrible pair herding the gaggle of small first-years, imagining most of them passed out or hexed before they even reached the hall. Harry considered it a remarkable recovery that Neville was able to make a joke about the vengeful Death Eater teachers from the previous year.
After the students were sorted and the tables were magically stretched to accommodate them, Snape stood again. Harry and Ron had hoped for a cheery "Dig in," a la Dumbledore, but they were to be disappointed.
"As you know, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor is a graduate of Hogwarts, from Hufflepuff House. Mrs. Figg, our Muggle Studies Professor and our new Potions Mistress, Dr. Morgan Hunter, from the United States, will also be sorted into Houses, if for no other reason than to define their Quidditch loyalty," Snape said indifferently. "Dr. Hunter, please step forward and be sorted."
Hunter stared at Snape uncomfortably for a longer moment than one would expect if this event had been known to her in advance. She handed her large feathered hat to Professor Sinistra and stood. Recovering, she strode smartly to the Sorting Chair and had the old, ragged hat placed on her head. A hush befell the room, as no student present had even seen an adult, never mind a teacher, undergo Sorting. The hat took its time, as the everyone sat silently, barely breathing.
At last, the Hat called out "Ravenclaw." The Ravenclaws cheered, Professor Flitwick applauded more loudly than necessary, while the other tables booed their disappointment. A bronze brooch with blue feathers appeared on Dr. Hunter's shoulder as she returned, delightedly smiling, to the staff table. Mrs. Figg beamed from ear to ear at being sorted into Gryffindor.
After the feast was over and Harry, Hermione, and Ron returned to Gryffindor tower with the new students, Ron said tiredly "That speech was probably longer than every speech Dumbledore ever gave put together. I think Snape was pleased to be starving us all to death."
At this, Hermione couldn't argue, but in his defense said "There have been a lot of changes since last year, a lot of new things we all needed to know."
Harry intoned "Yeah, like we all have to take Advanced Potions and undergo career counseling. But we still don't know about the apprenticeship part of things. So basically, we got all the bad news, with none of the good."
Once they reached the portrait hole and gave the new password to the Fat Lady (gillyweed), they entered the Gryffindor common room, which by now had a roaring warm fire going and an even warmer greeting for them. At long last, they felt free to share their fears from the past year and acknowledge how grateful they truly were to be together once more, though for the last year at school. Late into the night, despite having classes beginning in the morning, stories were shared. Harry made sure Snape's story was clear, though the reporting of his trial and sentencing in the Daily Prophet were rather opaque. Neville didn't speak on his own behalf, but the words of others made clear his new status. He was now surrounded by admirers and friends, but still seemed humble, despite the tales of his heroism.