The Forgotten Potter; DM

XXVII. It's Killed Me!

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Ivy found the school choir, led by Flitwick, quite comical actually. She didn't understand a single thing that was said but still found it amusing how massive, cheerful frogs were used as instruments. As the choir ended, applause echoed throughout the room and Dumbledore walked to the podium.

"Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts," He announced. "Now, I'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin who's kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, Professor."

Lupin stood up from between Professor's Amari and Snape and smiled warmly as everyone clapped. Ivy lightly clapped too and focused on the expressions of the three teachers. It was obvious they knew each other but Amari seemed more pleased by his presence than Snape was which made her wonder if he was trustworthy. Then again, Snape was probably just bitter that the position was taken from him again.

"Potter. Potter!" Ivy faced Draco but noticed his head turned to look at the Gryffindor table. "Is it true you fainted? I mean, you actually fainted." Theo pretended to faint as they both laughed.

When Ron turned Harry around, Ivy threw food at Draco to get his attention,

"Idiots! I told you that in confidence."

"You should've known better," Theo laughed.

"Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other than our own, Rubeus Hagrid."

Ivy clapped along and smiled for sweet, half-giant Hagrid who stood up with an eager grin and accidentally shoved the table forward.

"Finally, on a more disquieting note, at the request of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts will, until further notice, play host to the dementors of Azkaban, until such time that Sirius Black is captured. The dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. Now, whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day-to-day activities, a word of caution: Dementors are vicious creatures. They will not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one who gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving.

But, you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." 

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"What about you, Ivy?" Blaise asked. The green-eyed girl looked up from the sofa opposite him and raised her brows in question. "How was your summer?"

The group all slouched around their usual seats in the common room, talking about all they did during their summer holidays. Theo and Blaise hadn't said much that they did other than hanging out with Draco or the girls, too, or the matter's mother getting remarried during the summer which he didn't seem to enthusiastic about. Davina, Daphne and Draco had mentioned stuff that they had done with their families too and places they visited.

Ivy shrugged, "It was... boring, as usual."

"Of course," Daphne sighed, "I doubt Muggles know much about fun."