So Much for No Strings Attached

Chapter 99 A Very Different Hogwarts

'Through the corridor behind you, you will find your dorm rooms. They are all clearly marked. And at the other end of the corridor there is a study room - talking is allowed but I do ask you to respect each other's needs.

'Secondly, as I am sure you heard from Professor Flitwick there are many changes occurring this year which is why you are dorming with your year mates. This is to aim to improve your time at Hogwarts - if anyone has any concerns about this or anything else, I can only reiterate that you are able to come to me at any time. Does anyone have any questions?'

There was silence.

Charity nodded, 'okay, then lessons will be beginning on Monday the ninth of September - a week from tomorrow. This is to allow you time to get settled in before classes start.'

It was more to allow the House Heads time to talk to their OWL and NEWT students many of whom would likely be changing courses due to the new subjects now being offered. Charity knew that Pomona had been stressing about how she was going to talk to all her students whilst teaching as well. Filius had decided to hold off on starting lessons to give the teachers and students time to talk. Charity too was going to use this time to have meeting with her first years.

'In this time there will be several clubs operating that you are more than welcome to join,' Charity said. 'You will find advertisements and times of meetings on the noticeboard.

'Okay, I am going to assign you to your dorm rooms - as I call your name come up and receive your timetables. Female Dorm One - Georgina Antema, Iris Beasley, Augusta Beringer and Luned Bloxam.'

Charity handed out the last set of timetables and then looked at the expectant faces, 'goodnight. I hope that you find Hogwarts as enjoyable and instructive as many of your predecessors. Curfew is nine o'clock - if anyone is not in their dorm rooms by that time the wards will let me know.'

And with that Charity left them to it.

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Ron was seated in the common room when Babbling, the new Head of Gryffindor came to see them. Ron was seated far away from the rest of his year who on the train ride had made it quite clear that he was not welcome. Neville probably wouldn't have said anything, but as he was in the same cabin as Dean and Seamus both of whom were disgusted with what he had done to Harry that was moot point. The girls had made comments about if he was willing to drug Harry for money what was to stop him for doing the same to them. Ron had spluttered at that, but it was looking like it was going to be a very lonely year with no Hermione or Ginny, and the rest of his year treating him like a monster.

Never mind his Uncle had made it clear to him that he was already on thin ice with the school if anything happened, they would probably expel him so to be on his best behaviour. With everything Ron was almost glad that he wouldn't spend his weekends at Hogwarts. But underneath that all he was worried ... what would happen if he was expelled?