The Sorting was finished after Blaise was made Slytherin, and McGonagall took the hat away, rolling up the scroll and dragging the stool with her.

My stomach growled.

"Hungry, are we?"

I looked up and saw that the second year that had blocked my view was talking to me, raising an eyebrow.

He had tussled, chocolate hair and had eyes to match. His face was rectangular and tanned, yet some part of me told me that his perfect smile wasn't genuine to the rest of my friends.

"Felix Rower, second year, Chaser for the House. And you are-"

"Vanice Crypton." I responded looking sideways at Lydia.

"Well, just wait until Dumbledore finishes his welcome, then you'll be able to eat." Felix winked at me, then turned to the front.

"Who does this guy think he is?" Draco hissed into my ear with pure disbelief.

I didn't get time to answer; Dumbledore has stood up. He stretched his arms wide open, as if trying to hug us all.

"Welcome!" He said in a booming voice. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

Thank you!"

Then he sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered, but I looked at Lydia with confusion.

"This man's mad!" I exclaimed, blowing a strand of hair out of my face.

"Don't worry about him, just start eating. Food's here." Crabbe said, indicating with his fork to the sudden pile of food before us.

Happily, gratefully and quickly, I filled my plate with some roast beef, a boiled potato, fries, steak and carrots.

As I took a bite of my fries, something cold brushed behind my back, and I spun to come face to face with another ghost.

"How are you, Bloody Baron?" Felix asked it, raising his goblet in salute.

"Well, thank you Rower. New Snakes I suppose?" He said in a dreary voice.

He had a silver stains on his robes, a gaunt face and blank eyes, and just the sight of him made my spine tingle. Not in fear though. Just with the energy he set around him.

When we nodded back to him, he walked through the table and sat next to Pansy, who seemed irritated with the seating arrangements.

"Dis ish delishus." Goyle managed to say, with a mouthful of peas in his mouth.

"I don't like peas. They taste nasty." Lydia said, biting into her bacon.

When we had eaten as much as we could, and everyone was rubbing their stomachs, the plates cleaned themselves of all traces of food, leaving them sparkling like before.

And then, the dessert took the empty patters place.

"Tarts!" I exclaimed, diving for a cherry one and biting into it.

Draco, Crabbe and Goyle started laughing, and Lydia was giggling, taking a spoonful of chocolate-chip-mint-ice-cream.

And then at last, the desserts too disappeared, and Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat in the middle of the table at the front. The hall fell silent.

"Ahem- just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.

First years should note that the forest grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

His eyes flashed to the Weasley twins.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch and Mrs. Snape, our caretakers, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.

Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madame Hooch.

And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

A few people laughed, but I stayed focused on him. What would be hiding there?

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!"

With a flick of his wand, a golden ribbon flew out of the tip, floating above the candles and tables and curving itself into cursive words.

"Everyone pick their favorite tune," Dumbledore said, "and off we go!"

Mother always said I had a beautiful voice, only it's was difficult to sing without a melody. I tried my best, and beside me, Crabbe and Goyle sounded like screeching crows, while Lydia sounded very off in pitch. Draco was muttering under his breath, scowling at the words above us.

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do some filling

With some interesting stuff

For now they're bare and full of air

Dead flies and bits of fluff

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

Everybody finished the song at different times, and the Weasley twins were last, singing to a slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted them to the last line, and when they were done, he clapped the loudest.

"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes, "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Why such a short chapter!? Why!? Calm down, that's why I'm adding another one at the same time.

•Q for the Chapter...

-Who is your favorite professor?

Comment answer, R&R, F&F and remember, NEVER TICKLE A SLEEPING DRAGON!