Charmolypi

Chapter 135

It was a sea of pointed black hats; each of the long House tables was lined with students, their faces glimmering by the light of thousands of candles, which were floating over the tables in midair. Professor Flitwick, who was a tiny little wizard with a shock of white hair, was carrying an ancient hat and a four-legged stool out of the hall.

"Oh," said Hermione softly, "we've missed the Sorting!"

"You get bored of the sorting after watching it at the beginning of every year," Sirius said. "The only exciting part is when you have a sibling that's getting sorted."

When he finished his sentence, he instinctively looked towards his younger brother, who was already looking at him.

Thea followed Sirius' line of sight, and her eyes connected with a pair of gray ones. She shot him a small reassuring smile, knowing that he would need all the support he could get during this movie.

Professor McGonagall strode off toward her empty seat at the staff table, and the small group of students set off in the other direction, as quietly as possible, toward the Gryffindor table. People looked around at them as they passed along the back of the hall, and a few of them pointed at Harry, but the majority of their focus was on the handsome new student that was walking alongside Thea.

The quartet sat down on either side of Ron, who had saved them seats. Not knowing that there would be one additional member, they had to squeeze into their sports.

"I can go sit with the twins," Thea suggested.

"No that's okay," Harry answered quickly, feeling better if his sister was near him.

"I'm Helios by the way," the newcomer introduced himself to the rest. Everyone quickly followed by introducing themselves.

"What was all that about?" Ron muttered to Harry. Harry started to explain in a whisper, but at that moment the headmaster stood up to speak, and he broke off.

"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." He paused, and Harry remembered what Mr. Weasley had said about Dumbledore not being happy with the dementors guarding the school. "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 Invisibility Cloaks," he added blandly, and Harry and Ron glanced at each other.

"Well that's not good," Thea mumbled, rolling her eyes.

Thea threw a wink at her father, who grinned broadly at his daughter.

"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," 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. Only those who had been in the compartment on the train with Professor Lupin clapped hard, Harry among them. Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes.