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CHAPTER TWO: Announcements

Nymphadora had shared a carriage up to Hogwarts with Gemini, Bradley and Beverley. It was only when they reached the castle that they found two people waiting for them: Nymphadora's fellow Gryffindors Maxwell Jordan and Amanda Willis.

Beverley quickly ran over to hug her boyfriend. "Maxwell, it's so good to see you! I wish I could have spoken to you more over the holidays but we're not allowed to be on the floo network!"

Maxwell returned the hug. "Next summer, we are definitely going to make plans to spend the summer together. My grandad's trying to arrange an internship for me with a wizarding radio station."

Not too far away, Gemini was having a similar hug with Amanda. "How was your quidditch camp?"she asked her girlfriend.

"Great,"Amanda confirmed. "It would have been better if you'd been there though."

"I would have liked it but Mum and Dad thought it was too high profile. Perils of having the Minister and his deputy as your parents."

"Can we move on?"Bradley asked impatiently.

"We don't get to sit together at dinner,"Gemini reminded him.

"Neither do we,"Bradly replied, nodding to Nymphadora.

Nymphadora gave him a rueful smile. The opening feast, and the Sorting Ceremony that went with it, were the only time in the school year that house segregation was strictly enforced. With Bradley in Hufflepuff and Gemini in Slytherin, she had to sit apart from them. "Maybe we can talk as we go,"she suggested. "I think Professor Macmillan's dying to dock house points for anyone that turns up late."

Bradley laughed. "We'll start the year in minuses."

The party carried on. "So, what do you think they're going to spring on us this year?"Beverley wondered.

Harry's eyes ran over the Hogwarts hall, as was his habit. He and Hermione had taken their seats at the staff table, with their usual positions as Defence Against the Dark Arts and Charms teachers. Harry's son James, the school's Muggle Studies teacher, leaned close to him. "See anything interesting?"

Harry managed a smile. "I think Henry Navoy and Jane Gavin are dating,"he noted, nodding towards two of the sixth year Gryffindors.

"I'll alert the press."

Harry noticed his old friend Ernie Macmillan, now the school's deputy head, leading in the first years for the Sorting Ceremony. He paid little attention to the ceremony as the various students were sent to their new houses, until one student was called up.

"Amy Preston!"

Harry watched his youngest granddaughter with interest. He knew her parents' break-up had affected her but she seemed determined not to show it. He'd tried to spend time with her over the holidays but Lily's new situation made it difficult.

"Gryffindor!"the Sorting Hat announced. Amy headed over to the table to warm greetings from relatives Nymphadora and Tracey.

"Like there was ever any doubt,"Hermione said quietly.

Harry gave a slight smile. With the exception of Joshua in Ravenclaw, all of his children and grandchildren had been sorted into Gryffindor so far. It would be a few years before his youngest grandson Albus, named after his late father, would be attending Hogwarts.

Moments later, Neville Longbottom, Harry's other old friend and the school's headmaster, stood up. "We have one deviation from normal business. As most of you know, last year this school hosted the Triwizard Tournament. Over the summer, I was contacted by the head of Durmstrung who suggested that this interschool co-operation continues. He suggested an exchange trip. A group of our seventh years will be spending the majority of the year at Durmstrung while a group of their students will be joining the rest of us here." He gave an apologetic look at Harry and his family. "The three Professor Potters will be heading up our delegation."