Struggling Through New Beginnings

Chapter 6

The students of Hogwarts found yet another change when they went to their house flats that evening after dinner. The common rooms had been made larger, with more sofas, chairs and desks and the students were astonished to see, a small kitchenette added to the room. It wasn’t big enough for them to consider making full meals or stop going to the Great Hall, but they would have snacks and drinks available at all times.

They also found two new sets of stairs leading up to the flats, marked for the fifth through seventh year students. The original staircase had been extended and now went to a new third floor where the first through fourth year students would find their rooms. As the younger children hurried to their flats to see what, if any, other changes had been made, or to see their rooms for the first time, the older students stayed behind to read the note left for them by their headmistress. Neville was the first to the table and read aloud to everyone.

Dear Students,

Welcome to your new dormitory. It is my hope that you will enjoy the benefits being an older student has afforded you. As you are aware, a large portion of the castle needed to be rebuilt after the events of last year. We, your teachers and mentors, felt it was time for a change and looked at it as a chance to bring the castle into this century. As your studies are going to be more difficult this year with O.W.L.S, N.E.W.T.S., or preparation for them, we felt you should have a more personal, quiet space in which to study. Considering that, we have made your new dormitories more like flats.

- Fifth and sixth year students will have four students to a flat; two to a bedroom and all four will share a bathroom.

- Seventh year students will have private bedrooms and will share a bathroom and study area with one other student. The bedrooms and bathroom are on the second floor of the flats; the study/common area below.

- The Head Girl and Boy will, as expected, have their own rooms, as well as, their own bathrooms upstairs. Downstairs they will also have their own common room, library and kitchenette at their disposal.

Seventh year students are encouraged to continue to make use of their house common room, as well as the new All-House Common Room near the library in order to interact with the students from other houses. Please bear in mind that we look to all of you to set an example for the younger students about civility and new beginnings.

You will find your name on the plaque on the door of your new room. Once you enter your room, you will need to touch your wands to the lock to set your door’s password. You will need to do it together for the password to be accepted on the outer doors.

I sincerely hope you are pleased with the changes and look forward to your comments. Should you have any concerns about your flatmates, or wish to switch rooms, please contact your head of house as soon as possible. No changes will be accepted after the first week of school.

Thank you and welcome back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

Everyone talked excitedly, as they hurried for the stairs. As they searched the second floor for their rooms, cries of excitement echoed through the halls.

Ron and Harry smiled and laughed, as they found their shared flat, and hurried back to the hall to see where everyone else’s rooms were. They were very happy to find out that Seamus and Neville had been placed in the room next to theirs, while Dean and his new flatmate, Andrew Kirke, were across the hall. When they returned to their room, Ron teased Harry about how Dean and Andrew would have loads to talk about, as they compared notes on their previous relationships with Ginny.