7

Professor McGonagall strolled over to the teachers' table and occupied her seat.

"What was that all about?" muttered Ron to the black-haired boy, but loud enough for Ary to hear. The boy started to explain in whispers, but at that moment headmaster stood up to speak, and he broke off.

Professor Dumbledore. though very old, always gave an impression of great energy. He had several feet of long silver hair and beard, half-moon spectacles, and an extremely crooked nose. He was often described as the greatest wizard of the age, but that wasn't why Aurora respected him. You couldn't help trusting Albus Dumbledore, and as Ary watched him beaming around at the students, he felt really calm for the first time since the train incident.

"Welcome!" said Dumbledore, the candlelight shimmering on his beard. "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. . . ."

Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "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."

A few groans could be heard around the hall but everyone soon became quiet when Dumbledore continued with his speech.

"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued, "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 InvisibilityCloaks," Ary didn't know id it was just her or Ron and the black-haired exchanged glances from behind her "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 HeadBoy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors," he said.

Percy, who was sitting a few seats down from Harry, puffed out his chest again and stared around impressively. Dumbledore paused again; he looked very seriously around the hall, and nobody moved or made a sound.

"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."There was some scattered, rather unenthusiastic applause, with the exception of few Gryffindors. Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes.

"Look at Snape!" she heard Ron hiss to the boy.

"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as the lukewarm applause for Professor Lupin died away. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of MagicalCreatures 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."

Now Ary happily joined in with the applause, which was tumultuous at the Gryffindor table in particular. She leaned forward to see Hagrid, who was ruby-red in the face and staring down at his enormous hands, his wide grin hidden in the tangle of his black beard.

"We should've known!" Ron roared, pounding the table. "Who else would have assigned us a biting book?"

"Well, I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"

The golden plates and goblets before them filled suddenly with food and drink. Aurora was always one to eat so she reached across the table and grabbed whatever she came across.

It was a delicious feast; the hall echoed with talk, laughter, and the clatter of knives and forks. Ary tried several times to make a conversation with Ron who was in some kind of rush, just like his friends.

At long last, when the last morsels of pumpkin tart had melted from the golden platters, Dumbledore gave the word that it was time for them all to go to bed, and they got their chance. Ary stood up as Percy walked over to her.

"Congratulations on making to the best house, Ar. I'll find someone to show you around. wait, CREEVY!" he yelled over the crowd and soon a boy with blonde hair appeared. "Colin, do you mind showing Aurora around?"

"Of course not!" with that Percy left to do his head boy duties, leaving Ary and an overly excited Colin "I'm Colin Creevy, the second year Gryffindor"

"Aurora Mckinnon, the second year as well. So mind showing me where the Gryffindor common room is?"

"Oh, yes, follow me." they started making their way out of the Great hall.

Colin and Ary soon joined the Gryffindors streaming up the marble staircase and, very tired now, along more corridors, up more and more stairs, to the hidden entrance to Gryffindor Tower. A large portrait of a fat lady in a pink dress asked them, "Password?"

"Coming through, coming through!" Percy called from behind the crowd. "The new password's 'Fortuna Major'!"

"Oh no," she heard someone say from behind her. Turning around she saw the boy she met at Diagon alley, Nevile Longbottom. Ary wasn't sure if he remembered her so she just followed her fellow Gryffindors inside the common room.