Harry couldn't keep the grin off his face when they stepped into the Great Hall. He took in a deep breath sighing in content. This smell of old wood and food, even though the Feast hadn't appeared yet, made him smile. Like always hundreds of candles floated in the air about ever burning. The four long house tables stood there like every year, table cloth in the respected house-colours. Most started filling up with students on the long benches. The enchanted sky was clouded and represented the rainclouds on the outside. Luckily they had got to the castle dryly but the first raindrops had fallen when they walked from the carriages to the great wooden doors upfront. Harry chuckled slightly when Dawn stuck out her head cooing slightly while she looked around. Susan nudged his side.

"Looks like Dawn likes it here." She pointed at the small bird, before waving. "See you guys! Hey Hannah!" Susan jogged off to her friend calling out for her at the Hufflepuff table. Harry chuckled and made his way over to the Gryffindor table together with Ron, Hermione and Ginny. Ron's sister had joined them during the carriage ride. She had spent quite some time cooing over Dawn again and made Harry smile in the process. She had laid off a little from him and was more focused on Dawn, who in return basked in the affection. She had hopped around the carriage and fluttered her wings, getting pets and cuddles from everyone in it. Only one time Harry had to catch her before she would fall out of the window and after that, he had kept her in her pouch. He had been panicked after that and while it wouldn't have been a deep fall, she still couldn't fly and was way too young for something like that.

Hermione had smiled at Harry as he had started lecturing the small bird about being careful and not jumping around so much. The way the bird had stared at him she wondered how much the Phoenix really understood of these words. She had stared at Harry like she really understood. She shook her head to lose the thought and followed Harry down the table. Her eyes wandered over the head table, noticing quite a few more people there as well. Her eyes wandered over the table. On the far side sat would normally sit Hagrid, but he was fetching the first years so his huge chair was empty. He had looked a little depressed when Harry, Ron and she had greeted him at the platform but he had smiled at them. He would manage and Hermione just hoped these awful things in the Prophet would calm down. Next to his was an equally empty plate and chair, whoever was supposed to be there, hadn't shown up yet. After that, her eyes hurried over the next person because she knew better than starring at Professor Snape. His cold and unmoving face was still framed with greasy hair and he wore the same black robes he had done before. If any he could have sat there for the last two month and not moved a single muscle. Hermione quickly looked on, she knew the potions master didn't like to be stared at. There was no love between House Gryffindor and him. Next to him sat Professor Babbling, a dark-haired woman in her late forties and the Professor for Ancient Runes. Hermione liked her quite a lot. She was a calm woman who enjoyed teaching but sometimes she lost herself in her own lesson, talking on and on from one topic to the other and had to be brought back onto topic. Yet you could pick up quite a lot obscure knowledge that way. She was in an intense discussion with Professor Sinistra, the dark-skinned Professor for Astronomy. Hermione knew quite a few of the older boys had a crush on the beautiful young Astronomy professor but of course, that was all just boys being boys she thought. Still, Astronomy wasn't her favourite subject. Being up that late wasn't something that sat well with the early sleeper. Professor Flitwick, who was sitting on a stack of books to reach the tabletop, was brushing through his white beard while he was nodding in agreement to whatever they were talking about. She smiled when she saw the small man. He had been there the entire time and he had a light way of doing things. He also was the first one to ever reward her house points. His eyes were smart and flashed over every now and then to see if his Ravenclaws were all right. The seat next to him was empty as well, but that was normal at the start of the feast because she would be at the side door, greeting the first year students.

In the centre of the head table was as always Professor Dumbledore, in a shining orange and red robe, his hands folded in front of him. His chair could be more described as a throne but she had read in 'Hogwarts a History' that this chair hadn't been his decision. But it fits him perfectly. He looked out with a warm smile at the students while he talked to the person next to him. She didn't know the man but he was old, maybe eighty or so. He had white short hair and wore glasses with simple robes, that looked a little like the were ruffed up a little. He didn't look at anyone really, only raising his eyes shortly only to stare down at his seemed to talk to the headmaster but he didn't look at him either. It was a little odd. Next to him was Professor Sprout in a deep discussion Professor Vector. The Arithmancy professor was gesturing with her hands wildly, her hair looking uncombed and wild as well. Hermione smiled a little. The woman was the striking image of a mad scientist but she knew her stuff and was a great teacher. But she was also very energetic and sometimes even for Hermione it was difficult to follow her lessons. Next to her was Professor Burbage, the Muggle Studies teacher, talking with a man she didn't know either. He was tall, his brown hair combed back and he was wearing a dashing suit and fine robes. He looked like a true gentleman with his trimmed beard and curt look. Hermione was surprised but also careful. Two years ago had shown her that having good looks meant nothing in the teacher compartment at all. The end of the table featured Madam Hooch and Professor Trelawney, who weren't talking to each other. Hermione never had much contact with the flying instructor and Quidditch referee. She disliked the heights and had only done the bare minimum to pass flying lessons, one of only two subjects she lagged behind. Of course, she read all there was about it but that was it. Same was with the subject of her neighbour. Hermione had a deep antipathy against Divination. Madam Hooch stared out at the students with her piercing hawk-like eyes while the Professor for Divination was reading something. Next to her was the always empty chair of Professor Binns, since he was a ghost he never cared about attending the Great Hall.

Hermione sat down beside Harry, while Ron took his seat on the other side of their friend. Ginny joined Fred and George on the other side of the table. One of the twins pointed up to the table.

"Quite a few people up there. Anyone know anyone?" He asked looking around. He got only shrugs while he looked up and down the table. George shrugged a little.

"Maybe that one is the new Defence teacher." He pointed at the gentleman who had now taken up speaking with Madam Hooch. Ron shrugged pointing at the man next to Dumbledore.

"And what is he doing here then?" He asked while looking at the man who still wouldn't make eye contact with anyone. Hermione sat up more straight pointing out. "Probably Care for Magical Creatures. Hagrid isn't allowed to teach anymore remember?" All their face fell a little and Ron grumbled.

"All because of stupid Malfoy and his dad. Rotten family, all of them." Then his head tilted to the side, staring at Harry when he realized what he said.

"I mean of course not Miss Black, I mean." Harry waved it off, smiling at his friend. "Narcissa isn't part of that family anymore, so don't worry. But, whose seat would that be next to Snape then?"

All of them shrugged, none was smarter than the others. Harry petted an excited Dawn who tried to wiggle her way out of her pouch to jump on the table. He patted her on the head, holding her in.

"No Dawn, you can't come out to play right now okay?" The bird chirped and stared at him with something Harry could only describe as a phoenix pout. He chuckled. "Oh don't give me that look you. We play later okay?" The still pouting phoenix retreaded into the pouch, sulking and after a moment Harry felt the purring vibration that indicated she had gone to sleep. Hermione leaned over.

"Everything all right?" Harry raised his head, smiling at her. "Oh yeah, Dawn is sulking because I don't want her hopping up and down the table right now. I think I will be paying for that later." Hermione grinned at him nodding. She wanted to tell something but then Dumbledore rose to his feet and stretched out his hands. Slowly the hall quieted down and the headmaster raised his voice.

"Let the sorting begin.."

The big doors in the back opened and Professor McGonagall strode in with a nervous line of first years behind her. Harry looked the line down but they were no familiar faces in the line and so he tuned out mostly, petting the still pouting Dawn to coax her out of her pouch. He only raised his head once, when Dennis Creevey was sorted in Gryffindor and applauded accordingly. After Nigel Wolpert had also been sorted into Gryffindor with large applause, Professor McGonagall put the sorting hat away and Professor Dumbledore rose once more, calming the Hall again.

"Hello and welcome to the new ones, I hope you will enjoy your time at Hogwarts School of Wizarding and Witchcraft. May happiness and eagerness for learning be the things you remember about this place. For those who returned here, welcome back for another year and new knowledge. There are a few announcements to be made, but not with an empty stomach. Therefore let me only say these few words. Nitwit! Blubber! Tweak! Oddment! Enjoy the feast!"

And just like that, the tables arched under the amount of food that suddenly appeared in front of them. The first years, especially the muggle-born awed at this while the older students dug in quickly. Ron filled his plate with mashed potatoes and beans only to grab a chicken leg in both hands. Harry on the other side had a more sensible approach helping himself with steak and grilled sweet potatoes. Hermione followed his lead. Harry turned to his bushy-haired friend.

"Do you know what these words mean? He says it every year and I still didn't get those. Have you figured it out?" He asked while cutting his meat. Hermione shook her head, chewing on a piece of sweet potato before swallowing and answering.

"No, not really. I'm not sure what these mean. I think it is either a personal joke or him just being a little...weird." Hermione meant it. Dumbledore was brilliant and a genius but also crazy. But her voice coaxed a laugh out of Fred and George on the other side of the table. She turned her head to them frowning while putting her fork down.

"What are you laughing about?"

Fred and George looked at each other, grinning widely before they turned to Hermione with these wide to innocent smiles which were famous as their trademark for being up to no good.

"Ohhh sweet Granger Granger Granger."

"You know, you think too little"

"Of our dear headmaster."

"Who is a genius"

"After all."

"But maybe it needs"

"An equally talented mind"

"To understand his words."

"Lucky you."

"Because we"

"Figured it out."

Hermione crossed her arms, frowning at him. "Reall you got behind the secret words of the headmaster. So do tell, what do they mean?" Fred and George grinned at her, widely shacking their heads.

"Oh nonono, that's not how it works Mrs Granger."

"You see, we have invested too much effort."

"To just tell you. But" George raised his finger.

"We could be persuaded."

"Accept we have the superior minds to yours"

"And the answer will be yours."

Hermione stared at them shaking her head in disbelieve. Harry kept eating, while he looked over, watching the two grinning twins. Ron didn't mind he was full-on focused getting chicken in his stomach. Hermione squinted at both of them then she nodded with a huff.

"All right fine. You are superior IF you really have the right idea about this."

George smirked at his brother before turning and agreeing. "All right. My brother, will you bestow wisdom on these mere fourth years?" He asked waving dramatically over the three of them. Fred bowed slightly, making a smirk too.

"Oh yes, my dear brother I will. You see, my lovely Mrs Granger, you are asking the wrong question. The question is not what, but who." He said grinning at them. Hermione rolled her eyes. "What is that supposed to mean?" She said in an annoyed tone, before eating another sweet potato. Fred smirked leaning closer.

"You see these words, that are no words its names. More so the names of the four head house-elves designated to each house. Nitwit for Ravenclaw. Blubber for Gryffindor. Tweak for our friends in the dungeons and Oddment for our badgers. It is the signal for the four of them that the feast is starting." He said with a wink, while Harry stopped eating, looking surprised.

"How do you know?" He asked after swallowing. Fred turned to the boy who lived and grinned.

"Well last year, shortly after the beginning we were in the kitchen because...well no matter, anyways we heard one of the elves call out Blubber, because of Gryffindor. We remembered Dumbledore's words and asked. So yeah our minds work so well, don't you think Hermione?" Fred grinned at him in a smug way. She rolled her eyes again and resumed eating. Then George turned to Harry with a grin.

"See...Prongslet..." His grin widened at Harry who groaned at that. He had known Sirius nickname would be used. "Now Now, Lord Peverell, a Lord does not groan in public would your proxy say don't you think? Anyways, we came across a peculiar rumour at the train and would like to confirm it with you if you don't mind."

Harry chewed his piece of steak finish, swallowed and nodded.

"You see, our dear little sister here." George pulled an annoyed-looking Ginny into a one-sided hug. "Said you didn't come alone. That you have brought a fair lady with you, who brought into your life a new Dawn. Is that true?" Harry grinned. He didn't want Dawn to jump on the table in worry she would have problems when the food appeared but now there was no problem. He put his hand in the pouch only to flinch slightly. Dawn had nipped on his finger slightly hard.

"Oi, Dawn okay sorry. You can come out now okay?" He petted her in the pouch and then scooped her out. Katie and Alicia next to Fred looked wide-eyed and awwwed and cooed when Harry placed his small familiar on the table. Dawn chirped and looked around, hopping a little back and forth. Fred and George grinned at Harry as the bird hopped around a bowl with beans and chirped happily.

Both Harry and Dawn learned something that evening during the feast. Dawn learned that she would get so many pets and tickles when she hopped up and down the table, everyone googly-eyed over her and showered her in attention. Harry, while he was talking with an overeager Oliver over this year's Quidditch l kept a constant eye out for her. She only swayed shortly to the ends of the table, making him rise from his seat to keep looking at her. But mostly she stayed really close to him and after a few minutes, she nuzzled into his lap and fell asleep again, purring slightly. He learned that Sirius was right.

A lot of girls were suckers for the tiny creature, some coming over from other tables to see and coo over the sleeping beauty in his lap.

After everyone was full and satisfied with pop all the remaining food and so on disappeared. Harry had stopped eating for a while now, petting the sleeping Dawn. The sleepy bird had woke for a while demanding to feed and turned right back to sleep after that. Harry chuckled a little. She was a little diva. Clapping hands made him quiet down and turn his head. Professor Dumbledore had risen to his feet waving them down, making ready for a speech. Quickly the conversations around the hall calmed down when everybody turned to their famous headmaster. The old man fixed his half-moon glasses and smiled at them. He raised his voice that easily got to every corner of the room.

"Ahh yes, I hope everyone is fed and watered quite well now. Before I send you all off to your dorms I would like to say a few words, if you can indulge an old man for a few minutes." He chuckled a little and some laughter came from the tables.

"First of all, I want to once again greet you all to a new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I hope you will all find new friends and learn new things. Hogwarts has many secrets and those who are strong-willed will find a lot to discover in these hallowed walls. Curfew and so on are pinned in your common rooms." He nodded a little.

"I must remind everyone here, the forbidden forest is exactly that, forbidden. Do not enter it under no circumstances, it can be quite dangerous in there." Ron snorted next to Harry. So dangerous you would send first years there for detention to search for you-know-who. But then he thought of Aragog and her children and a shiver ran down his spine. Long hairy legs filled his mind and suddenly he agreed more with the thought of being dangerous. In his mind, he had a moment to think about how fast these beasts were and how long they would take to run from the forest, into the castle and into the great hall right to him. For just a fracture of a moment, Ron's eyes turned to the large oaken doors before he shook himself. What a stupid thought.

"Mr Filch asked me to remind you about the forbidden items, which are not allowed in the school's premise, such as fanged frisbees and others. The entire list can be found outside the caretaker's office on the first floor." The grumbly old caretaker was standing near the entrance with his beloved and utterly ugly cat Mrs Norris. Once again a new year of kids, making everything dirty, being loud and nasty. He gripped his mop tighter when he looked at the Gryffindor table and to the two redheads who were the bane of his existence. They alone almost doubled the length of the banned items list and while Argus Filch had a file for every student who ever broke the rules (so basically every student), the Weasley twins had their own cabinet in his office. Yet with all their rule-breaking and all their misbehaving he couldn't pin down enough on them to have them expelled. Most of his files on them were mere guesses, he knew they did it but he couldn't prove it. Like last year when all the toilets in school exploded at the same time. He knew these two were responsible but the headmaster had made clear he would only consider punishment when Argus had proof. This year! This year for sure he would get the two of them! He would just wait and see, the two would make some mess and they were bound to run out of luck eventually.

Professor Dumbledore nodded for once towards the caretaker before resuming his speech.

"Now, it is my privilege to introduce you all to quite a few teach-" A loud rumble was heard from the ceiling and all people looked up the clouds in the enchanted sky had thickened and a thunderstorm with loud rumbles of thunder was brewing. This was rather unusual and the thunder roared loudly through the hall. Lighting illuminated the hall and just then a stream of white light arched up from a side door. It hit the clouds, spreading out over the entire ceiling and pulled them back until the ceiling was calm stary sky. All eyes in the hall turned to the door where the white stream had come from. In it stood a rough-looking man in a large trench coat. He held a wooden staff in his hand, reaching to his shoulder. His hair was scruffy, and he had a disfigured face. Scars ran all across it and one ear seemed to be missing. One eye stared into the room with suspicion while the other, a large blue orb swirled around eyeing everyone and everything all around him. He started walking into the hall with a limp, every step of his left leg was a bang of metal on stone. He hurried along the tables towards Dumbledore.

"That's Mad-Eye." whispered Ron next to Harry making him turned his head away from the imposing figure towards his best friend.

"Mad-Eye?" Harry whispered, looking up again. Hermione scowled at the horrible nickname. That was really not nice. "Yeah, 'Mad-Eye' Moody, he was an Auror, no the Auror. No one put more Dark Wizards in Azkaban than him. He is a legend in the Ministry but he is also a little crazy. Dad said retirement didn't fit him well and he had to come to his house quite often to calm the waves when Moody thought he was being attacked. What is that man doing here?"

While Ron had talked Moody had reached Dumbledore who stepped two steps towards him, smiling brightly at him. They shook hands, while the Ex-Auror grumbled at him. "That bloody ceiling." "Ah yes welcome." Then Dumbledore raised his voice to address the Hall again, while Moody stepped to the side.

"Quite fitting, well then let me introduce you to my dear friend Mr Alastor Moody. He was kind enough to come back from retirement to aid us here and to take up this year's Defence Against the Dark Arts position." Dumbledore started clapping, something that was taken up by parts of the Hall, while most people started talking to each other in a hushed whispered tone.

"Moody? Isn't he crazy?"

"Oh man, we will learn so wicked things from him!"

"I heard he is an excellent fighter."

"If he hunts dark wizards, maybe he will look into Snape."

Dumbledore waved his hands after a moment, silencing the Hall again. Then he turned with a smile towards the elegant gentlemen sitting between Madam Hooch and Professor Burbage. The man raised his eyebrow slightly, with a curt smile on his face.

"Also I would like to welcome Professor Cambridge to our school. He will teach the newly created subject of 'Wizarding World and Etiquette'. The board of governors has realized that while the Wizarding World is pretty different from the Muggle-world, the amount of explanation is rather...inadequate. So every muggle-born attendant of Hogwarts will from this day on learn about the ins and outs of the Wizarding world." Again he started applauding and quite more people were applauding as well. The muggle-borns were happy to not scrape up everything by themselves anymore, because the wizarding world could be quite confusing, even with Professor McGonagall's explanations. The man stood and took a gracious bow, while Ron leaned over to Harry. "Thank god we are not muggle-borns, one more subject am I, right mate?" He chuckled. Harry smiled nodding at him, while he wasn't so sure. Yeah, Narcissa had explained quite a lot to him but still, this was mostly high-society and etiquette. He had no idea what he did not know, so on the other hand was delighted. She had talked to Sirius at Harry's birthday party about all the problems muggle-borns had with the wizarding world and that she often wished for help in this. The man had said to her she could ask him anything at any time and she had thanked him. It seems he had taken more thought to this idea. Dumbledore returned again the attention to himself.

"But this also goes the other way. We wizards tend to ignore the muggles quite a lot and missed out on a few things. That shouldn't happen. Therefore muggle-studies is hereby declared a mandatory class for every student from a pure wizarding family. Those of you who are both from the wizarding and the muggle world will have a meeting with our Deputy headmaster Professor McGonagall to deem what class is more beneficial for you." Ron groaned loudly at that statement, ruffling his hair. One more subject? That was torture. Hermione, on the other hand, chuckled at his demise. Served him right for his previous comment. Harry frowned a little his fingers gliding through soft and warm feathers. He knew what class he should attend in the future, so his eyes found Professor Cambridge on the table. The man didn't show any clear emotion except for his slightly arched eyebrow and a polite smile.

"And finally for new staff, I have a sad announcement. Due to..unfortunate circumstances, our Groundkeeper Rubeus Hagrid will no longer teach Care for Magical Creatures." Harry's eyes darted to the large man at the side of the table, next to whom Professor Moody had sat down. He had come in shortly after the sorting and had looked really sad. The tall man looked down at his empty plate, not looking at the student and Harry could see tears running from his eyes. Hagrid had loved teaching and it broke his and the hearts of his friends seeing the big man so sad. Somewhere in the hall, from the Slytherin table, Harry heard a snigger and Malfoys whispered voice. "Serves the big oaf right." Harry clenched his teeth and could only barely hold his hands back from clawing into Dawn's feathers. Damn Malfoy! The small bird stirred in his lap, feeling his distress and nibbled on his finger with affection. Harry smiled sadly and petted her head.

"We thank him for his hard work in the last year and of course he is still our beloved groundkeeper." Dumbeldore again applauded turning to his and nodded at his friend. This time the applause in the Hall was really heartfelt. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and even parts of Slytherin applauded the now openly crying man, who pulled out a tissue the size of a pillowcase and blew his nose. The applause continued for a while and Dumbledore waited patiently till it died down.

"For that reason, I asked another old friend of mine to help us out. I knew it is his life goal to care for our beastly friends and educate his fellow wizards about them. So please give a warm applause for my dear friend and a new teacher for Care for Magical Creatures, Newt Scamander!" This time there was really big applause. Scamander was well known around the world and his books could be called the base of all creature related studies. The white-haired man smiled faintly, looking at the hall shortly, before looking down and waving it off, a faint blush on his face. It was quite obvious he didn't like to be in the centre of attention. Harry tilted his head curiously while clapping. He had heard of Newt Scamander, no wonder his Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them was with him since year one. Hermione couldn't almost keep herself together in glee. Scamander! The Newt Scamander! He was famous and a great idol of hers together with the famous transfiguration legend John Bilkfort and Arithmancy genius Johanna Bonnet. Dumbledore placed a hand on the shoulder of the slightly flinching Newt with a soft smile and then returned his attention to the school body.

"Now I have the unfortunate business of telling you that there will be no Quidditch tryouts this year since there is no Quidditch tournament this year. I am very sorry about that." His last words had to be yelled because the whole hall erupted in protest and yells. Quite a few students called out and demanded answers. Oliver Wood and Markus Flint even stood on the benches demanding Dumbledore would tell them this was untrue. Harry and Ron just stared at the headmaster bewildered. This couldn't be, right? It was a joke right? Dumbledore waved two times trying to stop the commotion and then Professor McGonagall rose to her feet and let out a bang from her wand, to get them calm down. Albus nodded thankfully at his deputy and resumed.

"Now yes, I know this is very sad for you all, I know how much you love your Quidditch."

"This is a joke right?" A completely dissolved Oliver Wood called out, probably close to tears. Professor McGonagall shot him a stern look, while Dumbledore shook his head.

"Oh no Mister Wood, I must inform you it is not. You see, Hogwarts will be the host for a special event this year and therefore the Quidditch tournament was deemed too much for this year. There is an old and long tradition that has been revived this year in hard work between us and two other schools. The Bulgarian school or Durmstrang and the German school of Hohenehr have agreed to partake and will arrive here with their representatives at the end of this month. All three schools will part take in the Triwizarding tournament. And now, I wish you all a good night."

With that Dumbledore just sat down, leaving a stunned Great Hall alone with their thoughts.