Half of My Heart [[Draco Malfoy]]

Chapter 8

“GRYFFINDOR!” the hat shouted out, making it's voice echo throughout the hall.

Roaring applause came from the Gryffindor table as the hat was lifted from my head and everyone from it stood to cheer. I couldn't help, but laugh as all my friends at that table cheered the loudest. I rushed over and took a seat. People patted me on the back and shook my hand as I did.

“Way to go Jaden!” Fred and George congratulated me.

“You're a Gryffindor!” Hermione smiled.

“Congrats!” Ron said grinning.

“Welcome to the Gryffindor house Jaden,” Harry said to me.

“Thank you everyone,” I said to them.

A short man from the teacher table took the stool and hat from the platform while Dumbledore moved to a podium and raised his hands, silencing the chatter now.

“Welcome!” he said as the candles illuminated his face and silvery hair. “Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I have a few things to say to you all and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled my our excellent feast.”

He cleared his throat.

“As you would all be aware, after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban who are here one Ministry of Magic business... They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds and while they are with us, I must make it plain, that no body is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises or even invisibility cloaks. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I, therefore, warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the Prefects and our new Head Boy and Girl to make sure no student runs foul of the Dementors...”

I looked to Percy and he puffed out his chest again, looking around with a meaningful stare as if daring someone to mess with his duty as a Prefect. I would have laughed at him if it weren't for the deafening silence of seriousness. Percy really does try too hard sometimes. I put my attention back to Dumbledore and he was looking around the hall which was very still and very quiet.

'Whoa..... Heavy stuff Dumble-dude. Heavy stuff...' I said using my own nickname that I had given him. I have mistakenly called him that one time in a letter and he merely laughed at the scratched out scribble of ink when he received it.

“On a happier note,” Dumbledore continued. “I have two good things to announce! One is that I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year! Firstly, Professor Lupin who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.”

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and I were the only few who had clapped loudly for the professor. Everyone else seem unenthusiastic about it. I didn't see why though. He was still a teacher even though he sort of looked out of place amongst the more nicely dressed teachers. A mean looking man with dark, long locks looked at Lupin. His face showed absolute loathing and the aura around him grew even darker the longer he stared at Lupin.

'That must be Snape!' I exclaimed in my head. 'Ooh... He does look nasty. Better stay clear of him just like Harry said.'

“As to our second new appointment,” Dumbledore spoke now as the clapping died quickly. “Well, I am sorry to tell you the Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of the last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his game keeping duties.”