Speak, Memory

An Unexpected Newcomer

Harry sat in the Great Hall at a table with the rest of the Gryffindor sixth-years, waiting for the Sorting Ceremony to commence. And sure enough, the antediluvian piece of haberdashery began its song:

As Sorting Hat I make the call

As to which house you will be sent

I'm ancient; yes, I've seen it all,

But yet my power is far from spent.

For it is Deep Magic that I sense;

I look into your soul and mind

And judge your magical essence

And which House truly suits your kind.

But before I start the task at hand

Here's some advice from one who knows:

Deeps Magic you must understand

As well as the hearts and minds of your foes.

Now for the Houses: Well, all four

Have valuable qualities and traits:

Impassioned courage from Gryffindor;

They fight for right in the direst of straits.

Ravenclaw is astute and clever;

To them, knowledge is its own reward.

Hufflepuffs are loyal forever

And diligent even when tired or bored.

For Slytherin, wizarding heritage counts

And power is the utmost goal.

Now we begin, I shall pronounce

Which House you are; let's roll!

As Harry watched the Sorting, he wondered why Slytherin was even a part of Hogwarts. Their founder had disappeared and hid a monster in the castle, for Merlin's sake. Why didn't the other three just get rid of his accursed House as soon as he left? And what was the hat talking about with "Deep Magic" or whatever it was?

The Sorting now finished, Harry could see the entire teaching staff up on the platform sitting on either side of Professor Dumbledore. Harry's heart gladdened at the sight of Lupin, who was wearing the new set of robes that Sirius had insisted on buying him for his birthday. Sirius had the same problem with his best friend that Harry did; they both would have happily given half of their fortunes to Lupin and Ron respectively, but of course neither would ever take it. And much as Sirius and Harry wanted to buy presents for their friends, they didn't want to offend Lupin their dignity by giving so much that it seemed like charity instead of simple friendship.

"I hope Dumbledore's paying Lupin well," Harry whispered to Ron and Hermione.

"Well at least Lupin'll be eating lots of Hogwarts food," Ron said. "He could use fattening, poor bloke."

Harry then noticed a completely unfamiliar woman seated among the professors. "Who's she?" he asked the table in general. "She can't be the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, because Lupin's back."

"Dunno," Dean said, "but she's pretty hot." The woman was very good-looking; Harry could see that she was quite young, under thirty, cocoa-skinned and sloe-eyed with high cheekbones and full, luscious lips.

"Well if you're prettier than Professor Umbridge, that's not hard," Ron said.

"She sure dresses better," Parvati said admiringly. "What a beautiful robe."

Dumbledore now mounted the podium. "Welcome, all of you, first-years and returning students alike. I regret that I must discuss with you a very grave matter indeed. The Dark wizard Lord Voldemort has indeed returned to corporeal form and is currently at large with at least two of his followers. Extra caution on the part of all will be necessary this year, which the Heads of House will discuss with their students first thing tomorrow morning. However, I cannot stress enough that panic and repression would be the worst possible responses to the dangers around us. It is calm and openness that are truly needed. Naturally, I will do my utmost to promote both, but every individual must do his or her part as well. United we stand, divided we fall."

Dumbledore paused to let his words sink in. Then he began, "However, I have three excellent pieces of news for this year. One," he said with a hint of a smile, "all of Dolores Umbridge's Ministry Educational Decrees have been repealed." After the cheering died down, Dumbledore continued, "Two, after a two-year absence, Professor Remus Lupin--" here Lupin stood up and gave a small bow to the audience--"has returned to teach Defense Against Dark Arts. I am sure he will be outstanding as usual." Again there was much applause, after which Lupin returned to his seat. Snape's standard expression of hatred looked especially intensified and potent. When all was quiet again, Dumbledore said, "And last but not least, I have news about the History of Magic class. Over the summer, Professor Binns, after many sessions with a Spiritualist, 'moved on' as they say and ascended to a higher plane of existence. Therefore, it is my pleasure to introduce to you our new History of Magic teacher, Professor Veronica Mohan-Gao." As the willowy figure stood up and bowed, the applause from the crowd was that of relief mixed with sheer curiosity.

"Mohan-Gao?" Lavender whispered in a puzzled voice. "So she's Chinese and Irish?"

"Hey, any bird that gorgeous must be a true daughter of Erin," Seamus said.

"Really, why do males always judge females exclusively on their looks?" Hermione said with irritation. "It's so degrading, objectifying women like that, and who cares what she looks like? What matters is if she's a good teacher or not."

"Relax, Hermione," Ron said. "It's just such a relief to finally have a woman teacher who doesn't look like breeding experiment between a toad and a horklump. And I wouldn't say it's only men who judge people by their looks--"

"Professor Mohan-Gao," Dumbledore continued, "has come all the way from the United States and is new to Hogwarts. So I'm sure she can expect a warm welcome from all of you."

"Well, from three-quarters of us," Ron muttered. "Let's just hope the Slytherins don't sic a basilisk on her or something like that."

"And with that being said," Dumbledore said, "I have only this to add: Am-pompico-lanico-lanassa. Now dig in!" A great feast materialized on the tables, and the students did as the headmaster had instructed.