There was a companionable silence between the two children, both immersed in their respective books before the door slid open with a clang, startling them.

Looking up at the intruder, Aster saw a tan girl with her black hair cut into a harsh bob ending just below her jaw.

"Nott! There you are. The boys have been looking for you. Well, more like whining that you weren't there. Honestly, they're being absolute berks. So, now that I've found you I'm staying here." She declared as she slid the door shut and flounced into a seat. For the first time she noticed Aster, taking in her small appearance and unremarkable clothes.

"Oh. Pansy Parkinson, and you are?" She said in a tone which had the childish attempt at being imperial but falling rather far off the mark.

"...Aster Potter. Pleasure." She replied, barely paying attention and not seeing the girl's lip purse in confusion.

"Potter? They're all dead."

"Really? I wish somebody had told me, I thought I was feeling a bit peaky." Was the dry reply, earning a snort from the boy in the corner.

"Well, you can't expect people to tell us children everything I suppose." Pansy giggled and getting a noncommittal hum from Aster.

Not comfortable with silence Pansy spoke after a couple of minutes. "So what House do you think you'll be in? Potters were all Gryffindors. If you're to be one, I'd rather know now, offer my condolences and sever any acquaintance we have with one another."

Aster looked at her and blinked a couple of times. "Dunno about all the Potters but not all my family have been Gryffindors. Apparently my grandmother was a Slytherin." She frowned before smirking, "so if you'd like to postpone your severance of me, you can maybe put a halt until we both know."

Nott looked up from over the top of his book. "She has a point, Parkinson. Despite all bluffing that everyone knows where they'll up end up, it's just that: a bluff." He shrugged, "Plus there are always the odd balls in the families who go somewhere else that was predicted."

Pansy rolled her eyes at him, "Yes, yes alright." She huffed a breath before turning to look at Aster again. "I'll not wash my hands of you yet."

"How magnanimous of you, truly." Was the other girl's dry reply, making Pansy's mouth twitch to repress a smile.

"It really is." With that conversation dried up and Pansy having left her things in the other compartment, she looked out the window at the passing countryside before sighing. She was already bored to tears. She had forgotten how bookish Nott could be and she was unfortunate enough to have stumbled on another bookworm.

It was quiet in the carriage except the occasional turn of pages and Pansy singing under her breath as she took in the sights of the passing train. Well, it was until the door slammed open again and another girl stuck her bushy head in.

"I don't suppose any of you have seen a rat? A boy called Ronald has lost his."

At their shakes of heads she rolled her eyes before slamming the door shut again and allowing the quiet to seep back in until ten minutes later the door slid open to another girl, this time with golden hair and bright sapphire eyes.

"Pansy! You have to come back to the compartment. Draco is going on incessantly about Longbottom and it's getting ever so annoying. At least if you're there I'll have a girl to talk to." Pansy jumped up, more than willing to return now that it would appear as if not simply due to boredom. With a goodbye to Aster and Nott she went out the door before gently sliding it shut.

"At least someone can use the door properly without slamming it." Aster mumbled, making Nott smile and make a noise of agreement.

After feeling his eyes on her keep glancing up she sighed.

"Just ask." She huffed.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You keep looking up at me. Ask or say whatever you're wanting to." Aster replied looking at him through her lashes.

"Ah. Um. Just, Parkinson had a point. We thought all Potters had been, well, killed... you're not a Muggleborn are you?" He asked relatively hesitantly with an edge of suspicion.

"And what if I am?" She narrowed her eyes, before clearing her expression. "I'm the last of the Potter line as far as I'm aware. As to why everyone thought me dead - someone must have just screwed up somewhere down the line." She shrugged unconcerned, aware that although it was a non-answer, it would at least, hopefully, be enough to hold any further questions at bay.

Accepting the dismissal of the conversation that it was, Theo couldn't help but think on it. It was a rather strange question to avoid, as she didn't seem particularly upset at the mentioning of her dead family, but that could perhaps be due to hiding her emotions behind a mask - something that he himself, and most Purebloods, were well practiced at.

For the real first time, he took in her appearance. Her glasses were a little big on her face, and hardly of fine quality, but the rest of her was well groomed, barring a few curls of her hair escaping its plait and pointing every which way. Her fingernails were clean, although not manicured, and he couldn't help but notice that her little finger on her right hand was a bit crooked. His heart lurched, recognising the sign of a badly healed broken bone - after all his arm still ached fiercely if he used it for too long a time.

She was unlike the other girls he knew, mainly because she wasn't primped and primed in dresses with shining hair, and her nose was stuck in a book instead of the air. Despite the few simple lines of conversation they had, he felt like they may have similar dispositions, even without their regards f or the written word. He really hoped that she'd be a Slytherin, or a Ravenclaw at worst, so that he could continue the possibility of friendship with her. His father would kill him if she was a Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, with Ravenclaw only being a marginal safety.

It felt like barely time had gone by when they were visited by the trolley lady again, followed by an announcement that the children should get into their robes. After a brief glance at the queue for the toilets for people to change they came to the agreement that one would change while the other stood outside the door, only coming back in once they had the all clear.

As such once Aster was in her uniform she had the urge to tug the clothes about and fiddle with her hair due to not being able to check she didn't look like a total twat.

As the train pulled into the station she told her familiars to stay put, and that they couldn't be an exception to the rule. She was pushing it as it was with not only having two animals but one being a crow and not an owl. Actually, she hadn't really thought about that before. She hoped Grandfather had managed to pull some strings or something.

Nott held her wrist as he followed the bellows of a man yelling for all the first years to come to where he was. As they approached Aster saw a giant of a man, with a black beard that covered half his face, and with his long black hair and bushy eyebrows his overall appearance was as if he was wearing a balaclava.

After they had all clambered into the boats they were directed to, Aster grabbing on to Nott gratefully, they shuddered before the dinghies started to glide across the black water of the lake.

Despite Aster's fear of falling into the lake, as she didn't know how to swim and her parents had regaled her with tales of the Creatures that lurked in the depths, she was calm. The journey was peaceful, the stars glittered in the night sky, their reflection along with that of the silver moon skittering along the surface. The outlines of the trees waved gently in the breeze and as they ducked under an archway of willow leaves, their first glimpse of Hogwarts emerged.

Aster gasped along with the others at the sight. It was like something from a fairy tale or epic fantasy novel. The castle clung to the edges of a cliff with spires and turrets standing proudly up to the sky. The structure dominated the skyline with bridges pointing out from it, including one that looked like it was well due for a collapse, another which seemed to be carved into the cliffside rock. The air around it seemed to almost shimmer in a multitude of colours in an aura that Aster hadn't yet seen.

When the boats docked on a rocky shore, the bushy bearded man waved them through the door before coming to a stop in front of a stern faced woman who's black hair was topped with a traditional witches hat in gossamer green.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here - you can head to the Hall." She said in a strong Scottish burr.

"Right yer are, p'fessor." He said as he nodded to her before lumbering up the stairs and out of sight.

The witch stared at them all with a raised eyebrow, taking in the sight of all of the nervous first years. Longbottom, as was expected, was leaning against the balustrade in a forced casualness while a boy of Weasley descent, seemed to gaze at him with undisguised awe. The boy who must have been a Malfoy from the platinum hair and pinched expression, glared at the two other boys.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," She began, stopping any whispered conversations. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts.You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarted yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." Her eyes turned to look at the boy with the bright ginger hair who's tie was crooked and dirt smudged on his face.

"I will return when we are ready for you," she said before sweeping away. "Please wait quietly." Whispers broke out among the children, with more than a few staring and pointing at the black haired boy who was standing with a bored expression.

It took Aster a minute to figure out who he was. When she had asked her grandfather during the summer about the Wizarding World he had said that there was a child who was accredited of defeating the Dark Lord. His house had apparently been attacked not too long after he had targeted her and her parents, and had been seen to almost vanish in a scream.

She couldn't help but feel that she had been cheated that she was left wholly alone because he went to her house first. Ifan had quickly tried to disabuse her of her jealousy, explaining that his mother had also been killed, and his father tortured to the point of insanity. Not only that, but he was stalked and had his privacy violated from infancy from overly enthusiastic people to see the Boy Who Lived, Neville Longbottom.

"Move along now," the Scottish woman said sharply, "the Sorting Ceremony is about to begin." She turned back around before leading them to huge wooden double doors which opened at her presence automatically.

The Hall was massive. The walls were solid rock with tapestries hanging off them with subjects that moved, the largest ones being one of a lion prowling in a field of grass, another of an Eagle flying about the sky before landing on a tree branch, one of a snake in grass rearing to attack before laying back down and one of a badger in a wheat field rolling about happily.

The ceiling couldn't be seen as it was overlaid with what looked like to be the night sky with cotton clouds dotting about like they were outside.

"It's not really the sky." A bossy voice of a young girl said from in front of Aster. "It's an enchantment, you see. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History." Aster couldn't help but roll her eyes; why the girl thought it best to announce something that most people would have read themselves was beyond her. Anyone who hadn't probably couldn't care less about it.

They seemed to walk for an age down the middle with the occupants of the four long tables staring at them as they talked. One table had red accents with golden plates, another had blue cloths and bronze plates, another had a weird yellow colour, just a shade lighter than ochre, with plates that appeared to be copper, and the final table was green with silver.

When they got to the front there was a dais with another long table which seemed to have no specific decoration but as it faced the entire room it showed every adult who sat there. The man at the centre had an epic beard which was made even more Wizard-like with the bright fuschia robes he wore, complete with a hat of the same colour sitting at an angle on his head. Aster didn't pay too much attention on who else sat there, not until she noticed a man who seemed to be familiar.

She looked at him for a while, trying to remember where she had maybe seen him before, when it finally came to her. It was the same churlish man she met at the potion shop. She took him in again. He wore the same robes it seemed, his hair still black and lank to his jawline, his dark eyes slightly narrowed as he glared at the room at large.

"When I call your name," the woman announced, bringing Aster's attention to her once again, "You will sit on the stool and put on the hat to be Sorted into your Houses." Making Aster aware of the low wooden stool just in front of the Teacher's Table which had a ratty old pointed hat on top.

The witch - she really needed to figure out her name - unrolled a scroll before calling in a clear voice: "Abbott, Hannah!" A girl with brown wavy hair stepped up slowly before turning around and awkwardly shifting about, flattening her skirt. The Professor gently placed the hat on her head before it suddenly yelled "Hufflepuff!" Making her relax and once taking off the hat, skipped to the yellow and copper table.

Well, a talking hat. She didn't know why she was even surprised at this point. She watched as names were called and the group of children waiting became more of a huddle.

For the most part there was only polite applause each time someone was Sorted, except for when the platinum haired boy had barely time to sit on the stool and the hat grazing his head before it yelled out "Slytherin!" which gained a more enthusiastic response. Before that Longbottom was called and similar to Platinum Head, the hat merely sat on his head for a moment before it shouted "Gryffindor!" making the red and gold table burst out into raucous applause and shouting.

As the woman called for Aster, she licked her lips before slowly making her way up, glancing up at the tall Witch who quirked her mouth in a semblance of a smile before placing the hat on her head.

Aster tilted her head down so that it slipped down a little so she could take in the room at large. Watching as the Gryffindors were still in raptures at Longbottom joining them, the Blue Table, the Ravenclaws help polite but bored expressions for the most part, the Hufflepuffs seemed to earnestly watch the proceedings and the Slytherins seemed to still hold conversations quietly while sending glances up to watch what was happening in an effort to be polite. She couldn't blame them to be honest. She was bored as hell at this and it was happening to her. Actually, what was taking the hat so damn long anyway?

You're a tricky one, that's why there's a ... delay.

OK, not only do you talk out loud you also think at me. Right. OK... do you access thoughts or just...project them at me?

I do not think at you, it seemed to grumble at her, making Aster have the idea that if it could it would be rolling its eyes at her.

Hmm. I don't see Ravenclaw. You possess a want for knowledge, but only if its relevant. Hufflepuff, too, I can't see being of a fit. Your kindness has too much of a limit.

Oi! You calling me a dumb twat? She frowned.

That just proves my point. It snarked back at her, making her shrug mentally and agree with him.

Gryffindor could be a good place. Your parents were there, you know. Most of your family has been.

They've also been Slytherin. At least, according to Dad. She bit back.

He's dead. How'd you know? It asked curiously, with the point seeming to point down towards her as if it wanted to see her face.

Aster shrugged, Spoke to his portrait. Along with Mum.

Aah. Thats good. That's good indeed. Resourceful - to access your parents when they have long been dead. Your bravery, while clear with your running away, is however calculated. I think, for your ability to use things otherwise forgotten, it better be "Slytherin!" It shouted, making the entire student body jump after the four minute conversation in Aster's head. She slid off the stool, her legs being so short they were dangling, and taking off the hat and giving it to the Witch beside her, who was giving her a curious look.

Flashing a smile at her, Aster moved to the Green Table and sliding into a spot by Theodore Nott who had shoved Pansy to move up. "Glad you deigned to grace us with your presence, Potter." Nott smirked, "Had a nice chat with a hat?"

Aster sniggered. "He's a terrible conversationalist. Just nattered on at me." Nott snickered back before turning back to the rest of the Sorting Ceremony.

It was maybe twenty minutes before it had finished and the old man stood up, raising his hands for silence.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts!" He said with a genial smile. "Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" He grinned at the chortling students.

Aster blinked at him. "Is he OK? He isn't...I dunno, senile?" She looked at him in suspicion. Anyone who spoke like that must've been a bit around the bend.

Someone higher up the table snorted. "He's always like that. I reckon it's a way for people to think he's harmless." Aster looked at the boy who had spoken. He had auburn hair that was combed like it was the forties with the ends curling at his ear, his eyes were a dark brown and had olive skin. At her look, he smiled, "Oskar Avith. It's Potter right?"

Aster nodded, "Yeah. Aster."

"Welcome to the Snake Pit." He said before going back to putting a heap of food on his plate.

Aster looked at the variety of everything on display, wincing at the thought of how long it must have taken to cook and the amount of washing up to do. After hesitating she decided on chicken in a red sauce with aubergine, celery, mushrooms and onion in a tomato based sauce along with some rice and salad.

As she ate, she scanned the Top Table again, taking in the adults who were now her teachers. Beside the old man, who she assumed was Headmaster Dumbledore, sat the prim Witch who brought in the first years, beside her was the black haired man who seemed to be glaring at the Slytherin Table and, as she was so paranoid, at her in particular.

"Err...who's the one who's burning a hole at us?" She asked anyone.The girl opposite Oskar looked up, noticing who she was talking about before rolling her eyes.

"That's Professor Snape. He's our Head of House and the Potions professor. He usually glares like that at, well, everyone. He's usually a bit lenient with us though. It's weird how he's doing that at us." She mused, before following his direct eyeline, and narrowed her eyes. "Seems to be looking at you though, Potter." She smirked, "not the best way to start Hogwarts. What'd you do?"

Bloody hell, so she wasn't being paranoid. "Er, nothing, as far as I know. I met him in Diagon Alley in the potion shop. He helped in how to choose a cauldron."

The girl raised her eyebrows. "He...helped?"

"Well. I say helped, more like he more or less told me not to be an idiot, said what I was looking for, said to look up Potions before coming and buggered off."

The girl nodded her head, that sounded like him before sending her a sly smile. "Well I hope for your sake that you did what he said. You don't want to be on the end of Snape's wand."

Oskar flicked a pea at her, "Don't scare the kid, Brenda." He shook his head before looking at Aster. "Don't worry, he won't put you at the end of his wand. He's not that bad. He can be a right dick though, but usually to other Houses, and especially Gryffindor." He shrugged at her before going back to his dinner.

Nott nudged her shoulder with his own. "Don't worry, I'm sure he's just realised who you are." He smiled at her, making her grin in return.

After another course of dessert had been eaten by everyone, Dumbledore rose from his seat once again, clapping his hands twice for attention.

"Now that we've all been fed and watered with another delightful feast, I'm afraid you'll have to hear me waffle for a little longer!

"I have a few start of year announcements. First, I must remind everyone" He said with a pointed glance at the Gryffindors, "that the Forbidden Forest is, as its name suggests, in fact forbidden. Mr Filch, our esteemed caretaker, wishes to reinforce that products of Zonko's and Gambol and Jape's are also prohibited - you may find the entire list on his door. The first Hogsmeade trip for third years and above is due next month. And finally." He said with a sudden serious tone, "I wish to tell you that the third floor corridor is strictly out of bounds, for your safety so that you don't die a horrible, meaningless death." He said flatly, looking over at everyone over the top of his spectacles, making everyone shift in their seats. "Now!" He exclaimed happily, "Off to bed with you! Prefects, if you could be so kind to show the first years their way!"

Blimey, that guy gave Aster whiplash. She climbed out from the bench, sending a concerned look at the old man before moving with Nott in the stream of students heading out the door, glad that he clamped his hand around her wrist again so she didn't get lost in the tidal wave.

Dumbledore watched as the students left the Hall for a moment, focusing on the young black haired Aster Potter. He returned the goodnight wishes of his staff before he himself ambled to his feet.

"Minerva, Severus. If you could join me in my office once you've finished seeing to the students?" They nodded before striding away in their respective directions.

Dumbledore wandered about the halls before climbing the stairs to the stone gargoyle who guarded the entry to his office. The gargoyle, who he had affectionately called Steve in his head, leapt away at his approach, and moved the stairs to his rooms without delay.

As he opened the door to his office he moved to the window, looking out at the darkness, picking out constellations absentmindedly as he thought about the new influx of students.

Mr Longbottom, as he had suspected, had gone into Gryffindor without issue, although he was wary of his posturing he was displaying. Mr Malfoy was unsurprisingly in Slytherin, although he was amused at the fact the Hat didn't really think on it. Mr Weasley, also had the predicted Sorting of Gryffindor. He couldn't remember a time when any of his family, dead or not, hadn't been Sorted to the House of Lions.

It was Aster Potter his mind turned to. His first look at her since he placed her in the care of Mrs Dursley was rather painful. To know that, if Ifan was to be believed, he had placed her under the care of abuse was shattering. Even now, he could see the effect of maltreatment. She was tiny, although some credit could be laid at the height of her mother, she could be confused with a child much younger than eleven. She was thin too, although he could imagine her smaller, as the Elves Eppy and Jospo no doubt lavished food on her.

It wasn't too long before his deputy and Severus arrived in his office, talking quietly amongst themselves.

"You wished to see us, Albus?" Minerva asked as he turned away from the window.

"Yes. I wish to discuss our new arrivals." Severus raised an eyebrow at that.

"I gather not the whole of them. Mr Longbottom I assume." He said flatly.

Dumbledore nodded as he sat himself down in his chair, waving for his colleagues to also take a seat.

"And Miss Potter."

"I must confess, I was...shocked...at her Sorting." Minerva stated as she folded her hands in her lap.

Dumbledore nodded again before sliding a hand down the length of his beard. "I admit so was I." He glanced at the young man who stood with his back to the fireplace. "And you, Severus? What are your thoughts on the matter?"

Severus shrugged, "It was...unexpected. However, if her grandfather is to be believed, she hardly has cause to be the token Gryffindor that her parents were." He sneered, remembering the smug face of James Potter and righteousness of Lily. Their faces gave way to the young one of the girl in the potion shop who seemed to at least have miniscule amount of sense that she not be stellar at his subject and be wary of the outcomes. It was more than he expected of the little pustules.

Minerva nodded, "Aye, I must confess I'm jealous that she isn't with Gryffindor." She shot a look at her dour colleague. "I don't suppose you'd like to take me off your hands."

Severus opened his mouth as Dumbledore chuckled. "Now, Minerva, you know that's not possible. The Hat clearly thought she belonged to Slytherin House. Unless, of course, you'd like to talk to it?"

Minerva pulled a face, "Gods no. For an inanimate object it isn't half argumentative."

Severus rolled his eyes. "I hate to tell you, Minerva, but it is in fact animated."

She waved her hand at him, muttering "semantics" at him.

"You can blame your blessed Founder Godric for its idiosyncrasies."

"Yes, yes, Gryffindors are the scum of the earth. I've heard this before from you, Severus." She scowled at him, making him smirk.

"I'm glad you've come to the right way of thinking. I truly despaired you were a lost cause." He mocked, with his ever present raised eyebrow.

Dumbledore chuckled at their antics before bringing them to the issue at hand.

"Do you think that the warning was given sufficient attention?" He asked them both.

Severus rolled his eyes again. "Albus you have the subtlety of a bull in a china shop. Of course it was notice. Whether they fell for it remains to be seen."

Dumbledore frowned, "Why would a bull be in a china shop?" Severus dragged a hand down his face, "its a Muggle expression. Would you perhaps prefer a herd of hippogriffs in a china shop?"

"Ah! No, I quite get it, my boy." Dumbledore twinkled at him, making the other man scowl.

"No matter the way the announcement was made, the question stands. Will it be taken seriously? And what are we to do with the children who will go there because of the warning?" Minerva questioned, raising her voice a little to prevent Severus responding to Albus.

Albus sighed as he leant back in his chair. "I think...with the curiosity of the intended listener, it will have been taken into account. As for the children," he spread his hands out, before quietly chuckling, "I leave them in the hands of my Heads of Houses."

"This is serious, Albus!" Severus snarled, "If it is thought that this is a trap then this could completely ruin everything." He leaned forwards, one hand on the desk. "You know what this hinges on. Do not be so blasé about this. It does not suit you."

Minerva pressed her lips into a thin line. "He's right, Albus. We are not doing this on a whim. And the children deserve more thought from you too." She chided, "to be so -so mellow about the possibility of the danger they will willingly throw themselves into...its disgraceful."

Albus nodded in embarrassment. "Of course. You're right. The both of you." He breathed in deeply. "I did not mean to be so unconcerned about this. Any of it." He sighed again, taking off his glasses and cleaned them on the sleeve of his robes. "I of course worry over these things. I'd be hard pressed to find someone who wouldn't."

Severus snorted, "I can think of a few people."

Albus chuckled as he put his glases back on, "Yes, well I was leaving them out of the equation. I have already placed wards on the corridor, specifically the door itself. We should know when someone is there. I've also asked Argus and Mrs Norris to patrol there more frequently, to try and at least stem the flow of adventurous students."

Minerva rolled her eyes, "Yes I'm sure the Weasley twins will truly be thwarted in their attempts. Honestly, Albus. Severus is right - your announcement ensured that students would explore the area. It was about as sneaky as Hagrid hiding behind a pole." Severus smirked; she wasn't wrong. For all of Albus' power and political finesse, he struggled with the sly movements required in cases such as these.

Oh, Severus knew beyond a doubt that Albus had the propensity to be cunning and move people artfully to where he wanted them. But when he knew there was something that needed to be said in an underhanded manner, he slid into the Gryffindor stereotype of blundering to the point. Sometimes Severus wondered if he did it on purpose. He wouldn't be surprised; Dumbledore had proven himself as more than capable in making people facilitate to his wishes.

His grandfatherly act helped this image, hiding the secretive man who brought down a global menace in the Wizarding World. Although, looking at the man in question now, the performance he made to the outer world wasn't so far from his personality. He could be ruthless, true, but it could be clearly seen that it weighed on him, such as when after Ifan Dylwythen left weeks ago, his shoulders had slumped and a brief flash of grief flickered across his features.

The three professors continued to talk for a little while longer, commenting on the annual introductions in the common rooms and the overall atmosphere of the student body.

"Well, everyone was in good cheer in Gryffindor." Minerva stated, crossing her legs, "Mr Longbottom seems to have already started to establish a court, as it were. He is a lot more precocious than I'd have expected after being raised by Augusta." She reported with a frown.

Dumbldore peered at her over his spectacles, "Now, Minerva. Augusta isn't that bad." He chided gently making her rise an eyebrow at him

"No? I was under the impression that she would have been more than capable and willing to hang a child outside of a window by their ankle and dropping them to see if magic would save them."

Albus ducked his head, "Yes, I rather have that impression as well, I must confess. Now, what of Slytherin, Serverus my boy?"

The man sighed, "The returning students are, as ever, concerned with their own politics and that of the standing of others. For the first years? Rather quiet. Draco, of course, has already done something similar as Longbottom and appointing his own Inner Circle, as it were. The standard people have already been collected. Crabbe and Goyle, Parkinson, Zabini, and Avery and Greengrass. Nott, however seems to be content thus far to be on the outskirts...along with Potter."

Albus raised his eyebrows. "Aster has joined with Mr Nott then?"

Severus inclined his head, "It appears so. I caught them sitting together at the feast, and he seemed to have ensured she stuck with him on leaving. Of course, I'll be able to assess this further over the course of the week." He recounted. "Parkinson, surprisingly, also seems to have become acquainted with the girl. How long that will last remains to be seen." He noted, thinking of the staunch ideals of blood purity that the Parkinson family upheld, as were the two other occupants of the room.

"And what of Miss Potter herself?" Minerva inquired, tilting her head as she looked at him with piercing eyes.

Severus cast his eyes up to the ceiling. Gods, this was going to be his next seven years - how is Miss Potter doing?

"She was quiet. Kept to the back, taking in the room quickly, immediately noticing the exit points from what I could tell." He had to admit he was impressed by her automatic response, until he thought on the reason for this which made his blood turn like ice.

"Well, as you say Severus, we shall soon tell more of them for the weeks to come." Albus acknowledged.

"Now, I think it best we retire for the night. We will know more in the days to come on our questions this evening, don't you agree?" Albus asked rhetorically. As Minerva nodded she left with a brief "Goodnight" to the men, but as Severus bowed his head and turned to leave, the Headmaster stopped him.

"Severus, be careful, my boy." He murmured, "I know I don't need to remind you -"

"Yet you continue to do so each year." Severus snarkily interjected.

"You are being watched. Even here." Albus continued ignoring him, "I suspect your...guard may pay even closer attention this week with the new first years."

Severus observed him for a few moments before sighing and incling his head. "Of course, Headmaster. I will continue to be ever alert for my babysitter." He sneered before leaving the room.

Albus sighed before moving to his phoenix familiar, stroking his head and back with two fingers.

"I think, that this year will be a long one." He murmured to Fawkes, receiving a trill in reply and a nuzzle to his hand.

A/N: I tried to summarise Dumbles' speech. I admit I used McGonnagall's introduction verbatim, which belongs to JKR.

Hope you guys enjoyed!