Hermione Granger and the Two Lovers

Chapter Five

Hermione and Ron took their seats at the Gryffindor table. They sat near Harry and Ginny who had apparently not lost each other in the crowd in Hogsmeade. Hermione saw Neville follow Ron and her in when they had entered the Great Hall. Hermione spotted Professor McGonagall attempting to quiet the students. Hermione elbowed Ron who was one of the loudest students in the Great Hall.

At the back of the Great Hall stood a group of first years whispering and looking a bit nervous. "Welcome back to Hogwarts. Before we eat, we need to sort our new students, so first years," McGonagall motioned for the first years to come up front.

The tiny new students marched to the front of the Hall and lined up across the front, facing the teachers. Hermione noticed that there was an empty chair at the teachers' table. Hermione also noticed that there was no new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

McGonagall lifted the sorting hat and the list of new students. "Abbuhl, Emily," was the first student called forward.

A short girl with blonde hair emerged from the crowd and tripped on her robes as she walked up the steps to the hat. Giggles filled the Great Hall and the girl turned scarlet red.

Hermione noticed Ron staring at Ginny who was whispering to a scrawny brown haired boy. Hermione smiled to herself. Ron is too protective.

Hermione jumped when the Sorting Hat yelled, "Ravenclaw," for Emily Abbuhl. Hermione yawned; this was her least favorite part of the first night at Hogwarts. Hermione's stomach growled, but she waited patiently for the sorting to be over.

About ten students were sorted into Gryffindor; Gina Ager, Kim Carpentier, Ian Conroy, Nathan Jaffe, Jessica Kelly, Katherine Long, Joe Reed, Kirstin Shipp, Sarah Whetzel, and Anna White.

When all of the first years were sorted and seated at their tables, Dumbledore stood up to make several announcements before the feast.

"First years should make note that the forest is forbidden to any and all students. Also, the village of Hogsmeade is only open to students of the third year or higher and you must have a signed permission slip. Lastly, we have, yet again, a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Some of you may remember him from four years ago," Dumbledore said. The whole Hall broke out into whispers. Ron, Harry, and Hermione exchanged looks. Lupin was going to be their teacher again!

"Professor Lupin," Dumbledore continued, "will be arriving late tonight. Now, without further ado, let the feast begin." At Dumbledore's last words, food appeared on the table, just as Hermione had remembered it.

Hermione grabbed her fork and shoveled the food on her plate, into her mouth.

Ron and Harry gaped at her. She slowly looked up at them and explained, "I haven't eaten anything all day. The toaster burnt my toast, and I missed the sweets trolley on the train,"

Ron and Harry smiled and shook their heads as they turned their attention to the food. Hermione chuckled to herself as she turned back to the food.