The Ties That Bind

The Ties That Bind

Chapter Five: The Sorting

September 1, 1971

"So you really know all those curses?" Erica Baddock asked as she sat across the compartment from Severus Snape. Her green eyes were wide under her mop of black hair.

Severus smirked, leaning back against the seat. With a rather large nose and slightly oily black hair, he wasn't the best looking, but if there was something he prided himself on, it was his knowledge of curses and hexes. Some of them were Dark magic, but as he didn't really care, it mattered not.

"I do."

Three other first years, Tom Avery, Evan Rosier, and Christina Sanderlin occupied the compartment as well. After Avery had made the mistake of pissing off Severus, he had found himself at the business end of a wand, with Severus ready to spout any number of curses. Walden Macnair and Rudolphus Lestrange had intervened before it had become nasty, but the first years that had been standing there now looked at Severus with wide-eyed interest. And though Severus wasn't exactly a social person, he did like it when people looked up to him. Power was a good thing to have, especially when all his life he had been at the lower rungs of the food chain, despite being part of a pure-blooded wizarding family. On the outside, he looked wealthy enough, but looks were very deceiving.

"Smashing," Evan grinned. "Sticking with you would be very good."

Christina nodded. "For sure."

Severus smirked. "Well, taking we're all in Slytherin, I don't see why that would be a problem."

Erica looked around. "Seeing that we're all from Slytherin pure-blooded families, I'm sure we will be." She shrugged, leaning back next to Evan.

"There are two Blacks now," Avery pointed out.

"How very observant," Severus sneered. "I realized that a while ago."

Avery shrunk back a little. "Sorry."

"Sirius seemed nice enough the last time I met him," Christina said, running a hand through her auburn hair.

"But what if he's not in Slytherin?" Avery asked.

"You're such a dolt, Avery," Evan said, rolling his eyes. "What Black wouldn't be in Slytherin?"

"Exactly. So should we go talk to him?" Erica asked.

"Talking about me? Why am I not surprised?" a voice said. They all looked up and over at the compartment door where Sirius stood, his arms folded in front of his chest.

"What makes you think that?" Severus asked. He didn't like Sirius, especially since the last dinner party where Sirius had embarrassed him completely. Severus had been given a chance to speak to the grownups and when he was speaking, his clothes were suddenly orange and yellow pin striped and a mess of random words had come out of his mouth. He knew Sirius had been behind it, as the boy had been snickering around the doorframe.

"Could it be that I heard Black and Sirius? It might just be me, but I thought that was my name," Sirius replied, looking coolly at Severus.

"Picking fights already?" another voice added. A boy appeared behind Sirius. James Potter.

"Hanging out with a Potter?" Severus sneered. "And I thought you could go no lower."

"Why should it matter to you who I hang out with, Snape?"

"It matters if you care at all about your family. A Potter is not someone you want to talk to."

James had a cold look on his face. Clearly, he wasn't too keen about even being in the same place as Severus. "You have no room to talk, Snivellus."

Sirius snickered. "Snivellus, I like that one James."

Severus stood, glaring. Evan stood as well. "So you choose a Potter over your lineage. Why am I not surprised," Severus spat.

"Down doggy," James smirked, his wand out in a flash and a spell sent to Severus, making him sit on the floor and large dog ears spring from his hair.

Sirius was laughing heartedly now and a few passerbies had stopped. Now there were a few laughing and pointing.

Evan glared. "Get out, you're not wanted here." He reached to slam the door but Sirius put an arm in the way. Being much bigger than the thin boy, Sirius blocked the door easily.

"Couldn't leave without giving him a bone," Sirius said, producing a dog biscuit and tossing it to Severus. He and James disappeared out the door; their laughter could still be heard down the hall.

"Gits, the both of them," Christina scowled.

"It's not right, that they do that," Evan said, helping Severus to his feet. He tried to get the ears to disappear but failed.

"I'll go get help," Avery said, running out.

"They'll probably be Gryffindors," Erica said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "They already act like them."

Rudolphus and Walden appeared at that time and a few moments later, Severus was back to normal.

"Why is it that we're always back here in this cabin getting you out of messes?" Walden scowled.

"Not our fault Gryffindors always try to pick fights," Evan muttered.

Rudolphus looked at him, frowning darkly. "If you can't even hold your own against a Gryffindor pillock, then how do you expect to get anywhere?"

"I don't know," Evan mumbled.

"Ambition," Christina said simply, not afraid of the older Slytherins. She had older brothers, she knew how to act.

Both the older Slytherins looked at her. "At least one of you has smarts," Rudolphus said coolly. He turned away, heading out the door.

"I don't want to be hearing about any more of this fighting," with that, Walden followed Rudolphus out.

Evan sighed, sitting back. "Why is it that they always make you feel like dirt."

"It's their job. They're older, they expect us to just deal with it," Erica said, looking nonchalantly at her nails.

"Not very nice," Avery said, munching on a chocolate frog.

"Of course not, Avery," Christina said, rolling her eyes. "We're Slytherins, not Hufflepuffs."

"You don't know that for sure," Evan pointed out.

"Of course I do," she said smugly, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Oh and how is that," he retorted.

She looked at him as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Because our families are all Slytherins." She rolled her eyes again. "Honestly."

"Will you just stop rolling your eyes, it's annoying," Evan snapped.

"Both of you, just be quiet," Severus said. They all looked at him, as he had been silent for quite some time.

"But she -" Evan protested.

"Zip." Severus made a zipping motion across his lips, looking at them coolly. "Arguing isn't going to get us anywhere."

Erica walked over to the door. "You're all acting like a bunch of brainless dolts, grow up already." She gave them one snobby upturn of her nose and walked out the door, straight into someone else. "Excuse me," she said snobbishly.

"Oh, sorry, didn't mean to -"

She looked up at the boy who stood in front of her, with dark brown hair and a light complexion. "Who are you?" Even if he was taller, she still acting on airs.

"Jacen LeMay."

"Well, Jacen," she said his name as if it was something dirty, "you can shove along now and get out of my way. Hmph," She flipped her hair out of her face and walked off.

Jacen stared after her, not really knowing what to say. It wasn't his nature to be nasty, and he definitely didn't know many comebacks. His sister had all the wit.

"You know, people like that should just be thrown off a cliff."

Jacen looked behind him to see Jaina, his twin sister, standing behind him, a smirk on her face. "You may think so, but people like her can change."

Jaina laughed. "You and your ideas. You definitely don't get them from Dad."

"No, that's all for you, sister." Jacen replied, smiling.

"Oi! Jacen, you coming?" a voice called.

Jacen glanced at the black-haired boy that had called to him. "One minute, Jordan." He looked back at Jaina. "I'd better get back with him; we were helping one of the smaller first years with his owl." He held up a bag of owl treats. "Had to get that from my trunk."

"You and your animals," Jaina teased, laughing. "Go on." Jacen smiled and then ran after Jordan. Jaina just laughed and headed down the other direction.

~***~

Hogwarts met them with a cloudless night, the crescent moon shining brightly beside the dark castle. Torches lined pathways; lighted windows in towers and the Great Hall, and a black lake gave the castle an aura of mystery and magic. Boats were lined up on the shore, where the first years piled in, four to a boat of course, with Hagrid in the lead.

Despite the fact that most of the first years were gaping at the enormous castle, wide-eyed in awe, there was one first year, whether intentionally or not, decided to provide entertainment.

"Aye, forward and straight ahead till mornin'," Sirius said in a ridiculous pirate accent, standing up in the front of their boat. James, Leon, and one other first year were in the boat as well, looking up at Sirius. James and Leon were both laughing, the other too quiet to do much else than just stare.

"Get down from there before you fall out," Leon said between laughs.

"Moi? Fall out? Never!" Sirius said, puffing out his chest, still talking in the accent. He placed a hand on his hip, pointing out ahead of the boat.

"Oh look, it's a stuffed pillock," a snide voice called over from a nearby boat.

"Avast ye, it's a serpent," Sirius pulled out his wand, pointing it at Christina Sanderlin.

She rolled her eyes. "So witty, you should write a book."

Leon, meanwhile, watched as the boat tipped precariously, and began to get a little nervous. "Oy, mate. You might want to step down."

"And back up from a challenge? Never!" Sirius was too caught up in the game he was playing to really notice the boat.

"I'm getting seasick," the little first year complained at the back of the boat.

James was laughing at Sirius but had noticed the boat as well. "We'll have plenty of time in the castle, Sirius. Stand down, mate." He reached up to grab Sirius' robe, but at the same time, the boat tipped a little too much and out fell Sirius, with a big splash. The boat righted, leaving the remaining three high and dry.

Now everyone that had seen this was laughing, even James, though he searched the waters around the boat.

"What's goin' on 'ere?" Hagrid asked as he pulled the boat back to where theirs was.

"Brainless git fell into the water," Evan smirked, snickering.

"Eh, that'll be enough of that," Hagrid waved Evan off, glaring slightly. He looked around the water and then reached down, hauling Sirius out of the water and dropping him into the back of his boat.

Sirius, after coughing a little, stood up and bowed. "Thank you thank you!" He was laughing, even as Hagrid reached around behind him and pulled Sirius back into the boat.

"Don' want yeh t' be fallin' out again," Hagrid said, though if anyone looked, he was smiling beneath his great beard.

"Thanks, Hagrid," Sirius said, and grinned at James, giving him a wave.

Everyone was laughing, except the would be Slytherins, who just looked at him as if he was positively idiotic.

"Nice going, mate!" James yelled over, laughing.

"Very smooth," Leon called. Sirius just grinned back.

When they reached the shores, a tall medium-aged witch waited at the entrance into Hogwarts. "And what, may I ask, happened to you?" she asked, taking in Sirius' drenched and bedraggled appearance.

"He fell into t' water, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said, glancing at Sirius, the smile still on his face beneath his beard.

A small smile twitched at the corner of McGonagall's mouth, but all she said was, "Happens every time." She produced a cloak, which she handed to Hagrid. He placed it around Sirius, which instantly dried and warmed him, so he wouldn't catch cold. "Follow me," she said to them all, and the first years began their long trek up the staircase to the Great Hall.

~***~

"I wish I had the nerve to do that," Peter said wistfully as he and Remus walked along with the rest of the first years.

"You want to be some arrogant bolshie?" Lily asked, walking nearby with Jaina.

Peter looked over. The four of them had met up when they had paused outside before entering the castle. "I'm just saying it takes guts."

Lily rolled her eyes slightly. "Boys." She walked a little ahead.

"I think it was wicked," Jaina said to Peter, grinning and hurried up to catch Lily.

Peter laughed and looked over at Remus. "What do you think?"

Remus shrugged. "At least the trip wasn't boring." It had been entertaining, but it wasn't really his thing to make fun of people, or get up and do something like that. He had heard about Severus Snape getting humiliated, but he had never met him, so he couldn't pass judgment. So far, it just seemed that James and Sirius did what they pleased and pulled pranks on those they didn't like.

Meanwhile, up ahead, Lily walked with Jaina. "I just don't see the point, sorry," Lily was saying.

"Let's just forget it now. We've got more important things."

Lily looked at her friend cautiously. "Like what?" Even if she had only known Jaina for a little while, she already knew the girl loved pranks and important things to her were pulling and planning more.

"Food!"

Lily couldn't help but laugh. "Food?"

Jaina nodded, grinning. "You can't live without food."

"You mean candy."

Jaina looked at her innocently. "Why would you say that?"

Lily just shook her head, laughing.

"Did you hear about that huge tree?" a voice asked excitedly. Lily and Jaina both looked over at the speaker, a short boy with light brown hair. He was walking with two other boys.

"Who hasn't? They said they just planted it this year," another said.

"Why do you suppose?"

"What tree?" Lily asked and all three boys looked at her as if she had just sprung a third head.

"What tree??" one of the boys exclaimed. "You mean you haven't heard of it?"

"That's why I'm asking," Lily responded.

"Blimey, you are really out of the loop," the first boy said. "It's this monster tree, with huge branches!" He made hand gestures as he spoke.

"Really sharp branches that try to hit you if you get too close!" the second exclaimed.

"They say it knows exactly what it's doing," the third one added in a hushed voice, trying to be spooky.

Lily just rolled her eyes. "Honestly. A tree that thinks? I think you've had too many sweets."

The boys looked rebuffed. "It's true," the first said. "Not our fault if you don't believe us." He turned to the next boy, puffing out his chest, trying to act tough. "I'm going to touch it."

The other two grew wide-eyed. "That would be wizard, Davey." They walked away chattering.

"All the boys are talking about that tree. Not smart trying to touch it. It looks nasty." Lily and Jaina both looked over to see a girl with long auburn hair and blue eyes walking next to them.

"Who are you?" Lily asked curiously.

The girl smiled. "Andromeda Black."

Jaina arched an eyebrow. "Black?" She knew enough of the Black family. True, Sirius was different, but there was no way there could be two oddities in the family.

Andromeda nodded. "But don't think I'm like the rest of my family." She glanced around and looked back at them. "I'd better go right now though. See you around?" she said hopefully. She smiled, gave them a small wave and stepped away from them, disappearing into the crowd.

Lily looked at Jaina. "She didn't seem that bad."

Jaina was just looking after Andromeda. "She'll be a Slytherin." Jaina began walking again. Slytherins were a touchy subject to her as well, for her grandparents had all been Slytherins. Not to say all Slytherins were bad, but Jaina's weren't the nicest and so it had soured her to all of them, which of course was why she liked targeting them the most with her pranks.

It had grown hushed and they looked forward to see that they had stopped. Looking around, Lily was amazed at the high ceilings and vast marble staircase that adorned the room. In front of them were two large doors and before her eyes, they opened.

~***~

Now, to say the first years weren't scared would be like saying a griffin makes a great pet. The older students watched as the first years filed through the Great Hall. Some had younger siblings and were nodding encouragement.

Andromeda Black glanced at the Slytherin table where Bellatrix looked coolly back. Sirius and James were talking with hushed tones, most likely planning their next prank. Leon was talking with a boy about Quidditch and how wicked it would be if they could play that year. Leon gave a wave to Amelia, his older sister. Severus Snape, Evan Rosier, Avery and Christina Sanderlin were grouped together, giving many a dirty look. A group of would-be Slytherins. Erica Baddock followed behind, her head up high, snobby as always.

The hat sang its song and Professor McGonagall called out the first name.

"Avery, Tom."

Severus pushed Avery forward, who looked very tiny compared to the large hat that was placed on his head. Although he certainly looked scared of it, the hat called,

"SLYTHERIN!"

Tom sighed in obvious relief and ran to the Slytherin table.

"Awill, Dean."

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Baddock, Erica."

Erica looked smug as she walked up to the stool, sitting there primly.

"She looks like she knows what she wants," Leon whispered to Sirius and James.

"Slytherin, for sure," Sirius whispered back, watching.

A little ways over, Jaina and Jacen stood together, Lily beside them. "Isn't that the girl you ran into on the train, Jacen?" Jaina asked.

Jacen nodded. "Little upstart that she is. As long as she's not in my house, I'll be happy."

Jaina chuckled. "I wouldn't worry about that. She'll be in Slytherin."

The hat was quiet for a few moments and then they watched as Erica's normally smug face take on a surprised look. And then,

"GRYFFINDOR!"

McGonagall took the hat off and Erica stood up, an angry look on his face. "Bloody hell!" they heard her mutter, followed by a string of curses. She sulked over to the Gryffindor table and took a seat. Jaina noticed the hurt and offended looks some of the other Gryffindors were giving her.

"Nippy git doesn't deserve to be in Gryffindor," Jaina muttered.

Sirius and James looked at each other, surprised. "That's something I didn't expect," Sirius said.

"Black, Andromeda."

Andromeda took a deep breath, walking up to the stool and taking a seat. She glanced around, her gaze landing on the Slytherins. She felt the weight of the hat being placed on her head. Then her eyes moved to the Ravenclaws. They loved books; to be with them would be perfect. But then her eyes moved back to Slytherin and the hat called,

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Doesn't bode well for you, eh mate," James whispered to Sirius, who had many thoughts running through his head. If Andromeda got Slytherin, just like the rest of his family, that would mean he would too. And he did want to be with his cousins, but what about James?

"There's going to be a lot of Slytherins this year."

Sirius glanced at the speaker, a girl that was giving his cousin a dirty look. Then the girl looked at Sirius and he ignored her, looking at James. "Some people just don't know when to shove it."

James nodded. "I know what you mean, mate."

"Black, Sirius."

"Wish me luck," Sirius said.

James grinned. "You'll be fine. Go on, before we all age waiting for you," he laughed, pushing Sirius towards the front.

Sirius walked up, taking a seat. The hat was immediately placed on his head and he looked up at it.

"Don't you dare mess up," he whispered. He still didn't know which house he wanted, however. Slytherin, because his cousins were there, or Gryffindor where James would surely be put?

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Sirius was stunned, the Great Hall was stunned, but Dumbledore only smiled knowingly. Gryffindor?? Then the Gryffindors began clapping and whistling and Sirius felt much better. He grinned as the hat was removed and stood up.

"Thank you! Thank you!" he called out, taking a bow. At the same time, the charm he had placed on his hair to turn the Sorting hat into a bouquet of flowers worked and the Great Hall was filled with laughter. McGonagall just shook her head and transformed it back, the hat none too happy about what had just transpired.

He walked proudly to the Gryffindor table, taking a seat next to Frank Longbottom. "I think we've got some pranksters on our hands," laughed Frank. He grinned across the table at Alex McKinnon, one of the Prefects.

Alex laughed. "We'll see." He looked back at the Sorting and Frank nudged Sirius who turned to look at him.

"Alex'll be too busy with his girlfriend, Marlene, to do much about your pranks," Frank whispered loud enough for Alex to hear.

"I heard that," Alex said, mock glaring at Frank.

Frank just grinned innocently back. "Hear what?" He looked at Sirius. "You hear anything?"

Sirius grinned. "Nope, not a thing." And they both burst out laughing, even Alex after awhile. Sirius gave an immense sigh of relief and looked up front where a girl had just been sorted. Gryffindor was definitely right for him. Even if he wasn't with Andromeda and Bellatrix, he could still talk to them sometimes. Hopefully. Then a pit of dread formed in his stomach. His father would not be pleased. But since when did Sirius care what his father thought?

"Bones, Leon."

Leon looked at James, who gave him a grin and thumbs up. He took a deep breath and headed up to where he took a seat. Would he be in Ravenclaw like his sister? Or Gryffindor like his brother? Or maybe even Hufflepuff. His mum had been in there. He took a deep breath as the hat was placed on his head.

Moments later,

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Leon grinned, sighing in relief and leapt up. He ran to the Gryffindor table, taking a seat next to Alex.

"Evans, Lily."

Lily jumped slightly, startled that her name had already been called. She had been too busy looking up at the enchanted ceiling. It was amazing.

"Oh, wow, my turn?" she asked.

"Yeah! Get up there, Lils," Jaina said, laughing.

She looked at the hat nervously but held her head high as she walked up. It's just an old scruffy hat. What can it possibly do? She took a seat and watched as McGonagall placed it on her head, the hat just a hare too big, flopping in front of her eyes. Oh brilliant, now I can't even see. It smelled musty and old.

"Excuse me? I'm in perfect ship shape, thank you very much!"

"Oh!" she started, her eyes going wide. Who said that?

The voice coughed. "I'm on your head."

She held back a yell and just stared. "T-th - you talk in my head?" she stammered.

"Of course I do! How else do you think I sort you?"

"So you know all my thoughts?"

"Yes. I'd have to say you are either a Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. But I think I'll go with ...

"GRYFFINDOR!"

She sighed, relieved the hat was off her head and ran to the Gryffindor table, taking a seat next to Erica, who slid down, glaring.

"Gudgeon, Davey."

"RAVENCLAW!"

"LeMay, Jacen."

When Jacen had been called up, Jaina gave him a "good luck" and walked over to James, standing next to him. She looked at him. "Gryffindor for you?"

James smirked, confident as always. "Of course, what else would suit me?"

Jaina just looked at him like he had ego problems and looked back at her brother.

"Your brother?"

Jaina looked at James. "No, just someone with the same last name as me," she said sarcastically. "Of course he is."

"I knew that."

"Then why did you ask?"

"Can't someone just ask?"

She chuckled, looking back at Jacen. "I guess."

Up on the stool, Jacen searched the diminishing crowd of first-years for his sister. When he caught her eye, she grinned up at him and he felt immensely better. The hat was put on and a few moments later,

"RAVENCLAW!"

He gave a small wave to Jaina and then ran over to where he took his place at his table.

"LeMay, Jaina."

Jaina grinned and sauntered up there, every bit as confident as Sirius. She sat down and before the hat had even grazed her hair, it yelled,

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"What else?" she laughed and stood, walking down to the Gryffindor table and sliding in next to Sirius, who was busy entertaining a few of the older Gryffindors. Jaina grinned at Lily. "Looks like we ended up in the same place after all."

Lily smiled. "Thankfully."

"Lupin, Remus."

Lily looked over as Remus walked up. She remembered him from the bookshop. Hm, wonder what he'll get? He seemed quiet, maybe Hufflepuff?

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Sirius looked over to see who the new Gryffindor was, recognizing the name. "That's the kid that never shows up to anything," Frank said beside him.

Sirius watched as Remus walked towards the table and took a seat. He looked pale -faced and sickly, looking around at the other kids tentatively. His gaze landed on Lily and he smiled a little before looking back towards the Sorting.

"Don't know why he's in Gryffindor," Fabian Prewitt added, who was sitting on the other side of Frank.

"Lupin, Romulus."

"Now that kid is just a bomb waiting to go off. He's nothing but trouble," Jeff said and the Gryffindors around them looked at him.

"Really?" Sirius asked.

Jeff nodded. "He's been given several warnings about wizardry. Like charming lawnmowers to go against their owners. The only reason I know this is because I helped out Chris Hastings, the head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department, this summer."

"Huh." Sirius looked back at Romulus, who was smirking as the hat was placed on his head.

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Figures," Fabian muttered.

"Ortner, Barbara."

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Pettigrew, Peter."

Peter walked up, swallowing down his nervousness. Being nervous in front of that entire room wouldn't help him much. He took a deep breath, sitting.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Peter looked shocked, pleased, a mixture of emotions but he was grinning as he ran down, tripping over his own feet in the process and nearly falling. But Remus caught him just in time, helping a very red-faced Peter slide in next to him.

"That one's a real winner," James smirked as he stood, waiting for his turn.

"Potter, James."

Sirius's attention immediately flew to the Sorting hat, watching as his best friend ascended the stairs. "Slytherin for sure!" Sirius yelled, producing laughter from a lot of people. Everyone knew the Potters were Gryffindors. James just grinned and saluted Sirius, who saluted back.

The hat was set.....

"GRYFFINDOR!"

James looked smug and walked down to where he took a seat by Sirius. "Of course I'm a Gryffindor, what else would I be?"

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

"No."

They both laughed.

"Rosier, Evan."

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Nasty little snake, that one," James said.

"He's fine," Erica put in and they all looked at her. She had kept to herself mostly, just glaring at the others, so it was amazing that she had finally spoken.

"You would think so, you're one of his minion friends," Jaina retorted.

Erica just glared. "It's not like I want to be in this stupid house anyways, I'd much rather be in Slytherin and I don't care who knows it. Hmph." She turned her head away, crossing her arms in a glare.

"Sanderlin, Christina."

"SLYTHERIN!"

Christina happily joined Evan and the other Slytherins.

"Sellers, John."

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Snape, Severus."

Severus was one of two left and knew exactly what house he wanted. And he got it.

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Slimy two-faced -"

James clapped a hand down on Sirius' shoulder. "Calm down, Sirius. We'll get Snivellus in good time." He smirked.

"Waters, David."

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Sorting ended and right before their eyes, plates full of food appeared, covering all four of the House tables.

"Oh yeah, food!" Jaina exclaimed, grinning and digging in. Right along side of her were James, Sirius and Leon. Lily just took a dainty bite of chicken, watching them with an eyebrow raised.

About five helpings a piece later, the four Gryffindors were content, with full stomachs. And it was just in good time as well, for the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, stood up at that moment. Wearing star and moon robes and with a medium-sized whitening beard, he certainly looked the part of a Headmaster, but there was a twinkle in his eye that gave him an aura of being very much a child at heart, despite his wisdom.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As many of you know, I've replaced Armando Dippet, a very good Headmaster, and one I had the pleasure of serving under as Assistant Headmaster, but who has grown to a point where he wished to retire."

He gave a small motion to Professor McGonagall.

"This is my Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration Professor, Minerva McGonagall. I expect you to treat her with the exact same respect that you give me, as well as all the other wonderful professors here," he motioned to the U-shaped table behind him, where the professor's sat. We have two new professors this year. Alastor Moody will be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

A tall man, mid 20's, with dark eyes and his dark hair pulled back in a ponytail stood. He smiled, but underneath the friendly exterior, there was a powerful presence.

"He is an Auror in the Ministry of Magic as well."

Professor Moody nodded his head and took a seat.

"Deborah Sharaff will be our new Potions Mistress."

A young woman with shoulder length brown hair and matching eyes stood. She smiled and gave a nod.

"She was one of the top students in Potions in her year and I expect she will be a brilliant professor as well."

"You sure know how to make a woman blush," Deborah said, chuckling, taking a seat.

Dumbledore gave her a smile and turned back to the hall. Now he looked very serious. "As some of you may have noticed, there has been an addition to the grounds of Hogwarts. A willow tree has been planted on the grounds between the castle and the forest. This is not just an ordinary tree; however, it is a Whomping Willow."

Several murmurs of 'wicked!', 'smashing!', and 'wizard!' could be heard around the hall. Dumbledore held up a hand.

"This is not some joke, to all you adventurous students," Dumbledore continued. James and Sirius looked at each other with smirks. "The tree can do serious damage, as anyone that goes near it will be hit by one of its many branches. I would also like to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits. It is not a place for students to be wandering, for werewolves on top of other nasty creatures live there.

"For the last announcement, Quidditch team tryouts will be in three weeks and our first match will be right after Halloween. Rest up tonight; you all have big days tomorrow. Schedules will be handed out in the morning. Thank you."

Dumbledore sat and immediately the Great Hall erupted into chatter, excitement and plots. Among these students were James and Sirius, already having their first few weeks of pranks planned out.

"First years, follow me," a girl's voice called above the ruckus. The young Gryffindors gathered to the Prefect and followed her out of the hall.