Samantha Nightshade, the God Daughter [Book 2]

Chapter 11

"Ah the sorting ceremony, I remember when it was me up there," Ron sighed happily.

"Ron, that was literally three years ago," Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Yeah well, it still brings back memories," Ron said hotly.

"You mean like the time you helped Harry come face to face with him and get knocked out in the process?" Fred asked.

"Or the time that you got trapped in the Chamber of Secret with Samantha and almost died?" George continued.

"And this year there's a man escaped from Azkaban," I rolled my eyes.

"Try not to get involved with him will you guys?" Ginny asked the trio and they shrugged.

"We definitely don't choose to get involved with anything we become involved in," Hermione sighed.

"We know, it's like asking a werewolf not to change during a full moon," I sighed and everyone shrugged.

"Welcome!" Dumbledore said cheerfully one the sorting had finished. "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 by our excellent feast."

"As you will 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 on 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 nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises -- or even Invisibility Cloaks," he went on. Yes, but what about vampire spells? "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 that no student runs afoul of the dementors," Dumbledore paused and looked all around the room. No one made a sound, no one even dared to look away at that moment as he seemed to read all of our minds.

"On a happier note," he continued, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," I applauded hard along with Ginny, Fred, George, Harry, Hermione, and Ron while everyone else either didn't clap at all or clapped quietly. I'll admit, Uncle Remus did look a bit more "straggly" than the other teachers, and I did feel a bit guilty at that moment. I just felt like if I hadn't gotten into that thing with Lucius and he didn't have to take care of me then he'd have nicer things.

"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as the applause died down. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of 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 gamekeeping duties."

"No way, Hagrid's going to be our teacher?!" I exclaimed silently as all of he Gryffindors applauded loudly.

"Well yeah, of course, who else would tell us to buy a biting book?" Ron whispered back and I shrugged and grinned.

"And the last announcement of importance," Dumbledore said and everyone quieted. "Will miss Samantha Nightshade please come forward?"

"Did you already do something? School hasn't even started yet," Ginny whispered and I shrugged and stood up. I walked to the front of the hall and stopped in front of Dumbledore.

"Not too long ago was I informed by the sorting hat that it did indeed make a mistake for the first time in it's history," Dumbledore said and everyone began murmuring as McGonagall walked next to Dumbledore and held the sorting hat. "Therefore, I shall allow the hat to rechose the house of Miss Samantha Nightshade."

"WHAT?! NO ONE'S ALLOWED TO DO THAT!" a random girl shouted and everyone instantly began arguing.

"Silence. Silence!" Dumbledore called and everyone shut up. "Professor McGonagall, if you would," Dumbledore said and I turned my back to them so she could set the hat on my head.

"Well, well, it seems I had you all wrong now doesn't it? You told me to put you in a place where you would be accepted and I chose incorrectly. Forgive me, I am a rather old hat," the sorting hat communicated with me. "Now, let's see here. Ah, I see, instead of your intellegence growing something else did. That means..." it trailed off.

"GRYFFINDOR!" it yelled after a few moments of silence. Everyone was silent but then applause and cheers broke out from the Gryffindor table as McGonagall lifted the hat from my head and I bounced back over to Ginny, Fred, and George.

"Now who would've thought," George started.

"That our little Sammy-kinz had more courange than she does intellengence?" Fred continued.

"Weird isn't Fred?"

"That it is, George."

"Oh can it you tossers," Ginny and I said in unison and instantly giggled. I have to admit, this year is definitely off to a good start, but...

Something is definitely off.