Not the First to Say

Hogwarts was bustling, as it always was on the first day of term. Three of the usually most active students were rather lifeless on this day, climbing out of their carriage and avoiding the sight of the thestrals pulling said carriage--one more difference from their long-gone carefree childhoods. It was their sixth year, a fact that both excited and terrified Hermione Granger. On the one hand, sixth year brought new responsibilities, another year of prefect duty with her best friend Ron Weasley, and it delivered her one year closer to leaving Hogwarts and setting out into the magical community a great witch.

    On the other, it meant they were a year closer to whatever doom surely awaited them. Hermione cast a glance at Harry Potter, her friend and recent charge. Since the death of his godfather several months previous, Harry had become an entirely different person. He had not smiled at Hermione or Ron all summer, and his rage was surely growing each day. He was quite prone to exploding things without realizing it--the Ministry’s Accidental Magic department had a bit of an issue with him these days.

    “’Ello there, ‘Ermione” Hagrid exclaimed as he shepherded the first years. She flashed him a quick smile and returned to her musings. Ron was silent beside her, his eyes strangely intent on the ground before him, as if walking required enormous concentration. At the sound of Hagrid’s voice he had jumped, but made no move to greet Hagrid himself. Ron’s attitude changes didn’t please Hermione any more than Harry’s did; he was withdrawn and tense, his eyes constantly flicking over Harry’s face, tensed for whatever eruption lay beneath the passive green eyes.

    Hermione caught up with Ginny Weasley, whose behavior had also altered, but not significantly enough to register with Hermione. As a matter of fact, everyone at Hogwarts had changed--and how could they not have? Students were divided now that parents had been exposed as Death Eaters; the fear was palpable on Hogwarts grounds. More eyes than ever were trained on professors--but the professors themselves were having a difficult time making everything seem normal.

    As the students settled in for the feast, Hermione’s eyes wandered tensely over the staff table. She felt her whole body relax as her eyes settled upon Professor Snape. The pale face stood out against his dark robes, his eyes intensely sweeping the student body, his ever-present sneer playing about his lips. Hermione quickly looked away as she felt his eyes turning towards Gryffindor table. She pretended to be paying attention to the Sorting, but allowed herself a brief glance back up and found Snape’s eyes boring directly into hers. She gasped without meaning to and knocked over an empty cup. Ron looked at her curiously and opened his mouth to speak, but she was saved by Professor Dumbledore’s appearance at the podium.

    “Welcome, students!” Dumbledore said, forced cheer in his voice. His face was set in a very grave expression, and Hermione nervously looked at Harry. The last thing he needed was a long-winded speech about the fractious times and horrid events surrounding them all. “Welcome, new friends!” he continued, looking at the scattered first years, whose nervous and young faces were easily visible in the crowd. A few smiled at the scattered applause, but mostly everyone kept their eyes trained on Dumbledore, awaiting his introduction to the new Hogwarts. It was both confusing and relieving when he smiled, “Eat up,” and took his seat at the head table. Hermione, cheeks still burning from her encounter with Snape, hurriedly filled her plate and began to eat. Ron, apparently having forgotten his questions, piled his and Harry’s plates--for Harry sat motionless, his eyes burning on Dumbledore.