Jigsaw Puzzle

Ron was just dreaming that he was holding the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup like he had seen himself in the Mirror of Erised when he found himself shaking and then rolling out of bed onto the floor. He woke up with a start to find Hermione in his room loudly telling him to get up.

"Whatidya do that for?" Ron grumbled, sitting up. He yawned and rubbed his head where it had hit the floor.

"Sorry, but I had to. Your Mum asked me to wake you up, and waking you up is no easy task, I can tell you." Hermione didn't look straight at Ron but around the room instead.

Ron suddenly remembered that it was September 1^st. "Oh," he said. "Did you have to push me onto the floor, though?" He glared at Hermione.

"Sorry. That part was an accident."

"I'm sure it was," Ron replied sarcastically.

"Just hurry up and get dressed," Hermione snapped, leaving the room.

"Awful cheerful this morning, isn't she?" Ron muttered to Pigwidgeon, who was in his cage by the window.

Pigwidgeon didn't make a sound. Ron looked closer and saw that he was still asleep. "Lucky little git," said Ron. "I can't believe you slept through that."

Ron went downstairs about five minutes later to find the usual start-of-term chaos. Everything was a blur. It seemed that one minute he was quickly eating some buttered toast and the next, on the Hogwarts Express.

Conversation on the train was very awkward, as Ron and Hermione were still refusing to speak to each other. Hermione eventually left the compartment, as she was tiring of hearing Harry and Ron talk about Quidditch.

As Ron and Harry exited the train at Hogsmeade Station, they heard McGonagall calling the First Years. This seemed perfectly normal at first, but...Hagrid always took the First Years to the castle...

"Where's Hagrid, Professor?" Harry asked McGonagall.

"I'm afraid he's still on a mission for Dumbledore," said McGonagall.

"Oh," Harry replied, obviously disappointed. "When will he be back?"

"I wish I could tell you, but I'm afraid no one quite knows."

"Oh. Thank you, Professor."

"Oh, boo hoo. Harry's great hairy pal isn't here..." said Malfoy's drawling voice as Ron and Harry stepped out of their carriage in front of the castle.

Crabbe and Goyle guffawed stupidly, as usual.

"Just shut up, Malfoy," said Ron before Harry could say anything.

Malfoy just snickered and walked towards the castle.

"Hagrid'll probably be back soon," said Ron. "And you know what?"

"What?"

"Maybe Snape won't be back yet, either!"

Harry grinned. "Good point."

Ron and Harry both looked at the Head Table carefully when they walked into the Great Hall. Ron sighed. Snape was there with everyone else.

"Oh, well," said Harry. "It was nice while it lasted."

"Who's that sitting beside Snape? I've never seen her before," said Ron.

Sitting beside Snape was a rather attractive young woman with short, chestnut hair that curled under at the ends. She was saying something to Professor Flitwick and smiling.

Dumbledore stood up. "Before we begin," he said, "Let us welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor McKee." He waved his hands in the direction of the young woman beside Snape.

"Well, that answers my question," said Ron.

"We haven't had a female Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher yet," said Hermione as she clapped with the rest. "She seems friendly. I can't wait to see what her teaching methods are like..."

"Wonder why this one'll leave at the end of the term," said George.

"Maybe she's a Death Eater in disguise!" suggested Fred.

"I hope not," said Harry, turning slightly pale. Fred and George didn't seem to notice.

"All I know is that I might like Defense Against the Dark Arts a little better from now on," said a boy Ron didn't know, staring up at Professor McKee. He wasn't the only one staring, either.

"Honestly," said Hermione, rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

"I also have another announcement to make," said Dumbledore when the chatter had subsided slightly. "There will be some new courses added to the curriculum this year..."

"WHAT?" exclaimed Ron. He had barely passed fourth year with the courses he already had. He looked around and saw many other people staring up at Dumbledore, including Harry.

"Quiet, please!" said Dumbledore patiently, raising his voice to be heard over the chatter which had broken out again. "These courses are optional, and include such things as art, music, and literature. Of course, though optional, you will be required to choose at least one to take this year. That is all. Now, let the feast begin!"

"Art, music, and literature? Who would want to take anything like that?" said Ron.

"I wondered why courses like that weren't offered before! I can't wait to sign up!" came Hermione's excited voice.

"I spoke too soon," said Ron dully.