Hiraeth

4

As Harry Potter and his posse walked into the great hall, people turned and stared at him. Whispering, pointing, and laughing. Everyone was talking about him, what happened last year, and how he claims that you-know-who is back. It was painfully obvious that they didn't believe him, and he hated that. Behind him, Weasley glared at everyone who was looking at Potter, whereas Hermione was looking around, face anxious as if looking for someone.

As the doors of the great hall opened, a flood of students rushed in. A sea of grey robes, blonde, black and brown heads, and anxious faces. The looks on the first years almost made Briar laugh. A tall flash of green strode past, leading the terrified young souls, and taking her spot next to the old, worn out sorting hat.

Every year the sorting hat would sing a song. Sometimes it would be a joke, sometimes it would be about education, but this year it gave a warning. The sorting hat had never given a warning before.

Though I must fulfil my duty,
And must quarter every year,
Still I wonder whether sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs, The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her,
Or we'll crumble from within.
I have told you, I have warned you.
Let the Sorting now begin.

As an eerie feeling settled over the great hall, people huddled closer, talking about the warning. Briar's' own group looked at each other, confusion splattered on their faces. Draco had opened his mouth to say something, but Pansy nudged him, telling him to not say anything.

As the sorting ended, Dumbledore stood up to make his speech. "To our newcomers," he said in a ringing voice, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips, "Welcome! To our old hands — welcome back! There is a time for speech making, but this is not it. Tuck in!"

And immediately, the tables were filled with various foods. As everyone started scooping food into their plates, Briar had only poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice, not in the mood for eating. Noticing this, Theo turned to her with a confused expression which she replied to with a low 'I'm not hungry.'

Theo didn't buy that lie, and scooped a small portion of mashed potatoes, and other foods into her plate. When Briar made no movement of eating it, he took her spoon and fed her, himself. She still didn't want to eat, but for Theo, she did. She had two biites before taking the spoon out of Theo's hand, and feeding herself a little more.

When all the students had finished eating, and the noise level in the hall was starting to creep upward again, Dumbledore got to his feet once more. Talking ceased immediately, as all turned to face the head-master.

"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," said Dumbledore. "First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students — and a few of our older students ought to know by now too."

This made Briar snicker, getting flashbacks of her and the Weasley twins exploring the forest and planning pranks.

"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door."

"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons. We are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."