Never The Same

Chapter Three-The Great Hall

The three of them walked into the Great Hall, apprehension clear on their faces. They had not been in this room since the Battle. Harry was half expecting it to look the same, rubble everywhere, people crying next to loved ones, Madame Pomfrey running around fretting over bleeding faces or broken limbs, but a warmth came to his heart when he saw it as magical as the first time he had stepped into it.

The room was glowing with soft golden light, he looked around to the four house tables each with slightly fewer people than before but none the less full. He looked up to the teacher's table catching the eye of Hagrid who gave him a warm smile, then over to Professor McGonagall who was looking at him closely along with the other 8th years. She had expressed to him earlier in the summer that she was wary of their year returning due to the impact it would have on their mental state, however, he reassured her by saying it would be better to experience the worst with people around you who understand completely what you are going through than being alone. 

Making his way to the Gryffindor table he caught the eye of a certain Slytherin, giving him a small smile, he sat down next to Hermione who was opposite Ron.

"Honestly Ronald, the password is Flobberworms, McGonagall told you that minutes ago! Do we need to get your memory assessed, did you get hit with a stray Obliviate?"

Harry chuckled, some things never change, he had almost forgotten Ron and Hermione's status' as Prefects, something he wasn't too jealous to be completely honest with you. He had held enough responsibility as it is let alone a whole house. Looking up from his empty plate he once again caught the eye of a certain blond, who was eyeing Harry with a look of uncertainty, what this look pertained to though, Harry had no idea.

Soon enough his attention was snapped from Malfoys gaze and up to the Headmistress who was now explaining the sorting ceremony to the frightened looking first years.

"When your name is read you will come up to the stool, I will place the Sorting Hat on your head and you will be sorted into your houses" 

Her explanation was almost identical to the one Harry received all those years ago in his first year, thinking back he remembered how scared he was if only he could imagine the terror that was to follow- maybe he wouldn't have gone with Hagrid, shaking that thought away as he imagined a life with the Dursleys 24-7, he shuddered at the thought, the wizarding world was his only haven, not like he had to see them much now anyway, he's certain they would be happy to never see him again.

Snapping back to the present he heard the next name being called,

"Keller, Rebecca"

Harry watched a small girl with mousy hair, and freckles walk slowly up to the stool, the Sorting Hat was placed onto her head and after a few moments the hat yelled out,

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The entire table yelled, somewhere even standing up cheering, Harry leaned over to Hermione,

"Why's everyone so excited?"

Hermione laughed, shaking her head at him,

" don't you listen to any wizard music Harry?"

He shook his head frowning,

"She's the daughter of a famous wizard singer, Will Keller" 

Harry still had no clue, he really could be oblivious sometimes.

"Oh, I hope she's nice"

Hermione nodded back at him,

" I've heard they are nice people, genuine- I don't think shes too spoiled, her parents wanted her to have a normal upbringing I suppose"