A True Gryffindor

As Professor McGonagall carried away the Sorting Hat and stool, Neville Longbottom looked around the Great Hall and sighed. The house tables were emptier than he had ever seen them (with the exception of the Slytherin table), and the excited murmuring that usually accompanied the aftermath of the Sorting was replaced with uneasy whispering. He surveyed his own table, where a wide gap in the group of students highlighted the absence of some of Neville's closest friends. The most keenly felt absence, however, was not that of a student, but at the Head Table.

"I can't believe they let that greasy git back here after what happened last year," said Seamus beside Neville, looking in the same direction. Neville grimaced, observing the loathing expressions on the faces of many of the other teachers. "And who are those two?" continued Seamus, indicating the man and woman sitting on the Headmaster's right. They looked very similar, both having doughy faces and hunched shoulders. Both were gazing at the students the way wolves would regard their prey.

"They must be the Carrows," Neville replied. He had read something in the Daily Prophet about them.

Seamus was unable to reply because, at that moment, Snape rose from the Headmaster's chair and began his speech.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," he recited. Neville could think of few people less welcoming than Severus Snape. "We have two new teachers this year. Firstly, following the, ah, resignation of professor Burbage, Professor Alecto Carrow will be teaching Muggle Studies this year." Here, the woman stood and smiled sickly at the students, none of whom applauded. "Professor Amycus Carrow will be filling the once more vacant post of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor."

At the last words, the crowd of students buzzed with confusion. Why was the new Headmaster still allowing Defense Against the Dark Arts to be taught? Neville glanced at Seamus, who shrugged.

"Most of you are familiar with the school rules; but I will repeat them for the benefit of the first-years and those of you too dull to remember them. The Forbidden Forest is forbidden to all students. Mr Filch asks me to remind you that products purchased at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes will be confiscated. Students are not to perform any magic in the corridors. I look to the prefects and the new Head Boy and Girl to help uphold these rules. You may now go to your dormitories." He sat back in the tall chair, brushing a stray strand of hair from his face.

***

Seamus and Neville ambled to Gryffindor Tower, neither wanting to face the three empty beds in their dormitory that would remind them of the danger their friends were in. They were the only two Gryffindor seventh-year boys now, and only Parvati and Lavender remained of the girls. Dean, Hermione and the other two girls were unable to return on account of being muggle-born; Ron had spattergroit; and Neville could only imagine where Harry was.

Neither boy said much as they approached the portrait of the Fat Lady. It was only when they stood immediately before her that Neville realised they did not know the new password.

"Neville! Seamus!" panted a voice behind them. Neville turned to see Ginny, a prefect's badge glinting on her chest, sprinting to greet them. "I've just set the new password- it'll really annoy Snape and the Carrows!"

Neville had forgotten that as Ron and Hermione were both away, Ginny and Colin Creevey were the most senior Gryffindor prefects and therefore chose the passwords. Ginny reached the two boys and bent over, panting, and faced the Fat Lady.

"The new password is... Harry," she smiled.

Well, this is one password I won't forget, reflected Neville as the portrait swung forward to admit them.