Mischief Managed (George Weasley-Love Story Book 2)

Chapter 25

Kat's POV:

The train ride had been full of laughter as we all caught up with one another. Lee's stories kept us all in tears as we laughed about the trouble he kept getting into the summer. His mother got so frustrated with him at one point, she actually jinxed his legs together for a whole day. I would love to meet that woman one day, she may have some pointers on how to get the twins, vampire and Weasley, to behave better.

We walked into the Great Hall after leaving the thestrals and the carriages before I again realized that this year would be very different from last year. The first difference I can already recognize is that Hagrid isn't back from his trip to visit the Giants yet. I know this because he is absent at the head table. Not to mention, it was Professor Grubbly-Plank that was meeting the first years at the train station. I wonder what that will mean for me on full moons, well at least until Hagrid gets back anyway.

We all sit down a few seats down from the trio and I hear them talk about how he might not be back from his mission over the summer yet. They are only too right on that one, but it's odd because Madame Maxine returned a few days ago. I'm sure he's alright though, and at least if there was bad news we would have heard about it by now. He was alright when she left him so he is fine I'm sure, or least I hope he is anyway. The remaining hope I have for this year is slowly diminished though as I see the awful woman herself sitting right next to Dumbledore. I knew she had the job, but there a part of me hoping that she wouldn't really be here.

The evil toad woman was one of the members who was against me coming to Hogwarts in the first place, though my family made them all agree if a bit begrudgingly. I see Dumbledore look over towards me and offer a slight nod, as the horrible woman starts talking into his ear again. I already know it's not going to be conversation worth listening to so I don't bother trying to listen. Instead I hear Harry's conversation with Ron and Hermione about the woman in the hideous pink outfit. If I didn't already dislike pink, I surely do now it's just a hideous color.

"She was at my hearing, she works for Fudge!" (H)

I smirk some as even Ron comments on the ugly sweater thing she's wearing. I also watch as Hermione begins to piece everything together as she looks up at the staff table. She really is the smartest witch in her year. Possibly all of Hogwarts.

"No.....no, surely not....." (Hermione)

I take this as a chance to lean over to Hermione and tap her on the shoulder to get her attention. She looks at me with a concerned look on her face just as the first years begin to walk in after Professor McGonagall. I give a brief nod while looking between her and the staff table, and her eyes seem to look shocked and she opens her mouth almost in protest. I just shrug my shoulders at her protest, agreeing with her, as the sorting hat begins to sing. But it isn't exactly a comforting song as it was last year, it's more of a warning really, especially the last bit.

"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 crumple from within.
I have told you, I have warned you....
Let the Sorting now begin."

I felt George squeeze my hand at the end of the song and I forced myself to clap with the rest of the students as the hat bowed to each of the four houses before Professor McGonagall began to read the names off the list. The hat knows all too well what is happening outside Hogwarts and even worse, what is about to happen inside. I lean into George's side a bit, to remind myself that everything will be alright, just as Gryffindor gets its first new member a boy named Euan Abercrombie. Bless his heart he looks down right terrified from all this attention.