The entrance hall was ablaze with torches and echoing with footsteps as the students crossed the flagged stone floor for the double doors to the right, leading to the Great Hall and the start-of-term feast.
The Great Hall looked as magnificent as always. The four long House tables were filling up under the starless black ceiling, which was just like the sky they could glimpse through the high windows. Candles floated in midair all along the tables, illuminating the silvery ghosts who were dotted about the Hall and the faces of the students talking eagerly to one another, exchanging summer news, shouting greetings at friends from other Houses, eyeing one another's new haircuts and robes.
Delilah tried to spot Lyra as she sat down next to Draco, but there were too many people. She could barely even see Harry, and the only reason she could was because everyone kept glancing at him.
She moved her attention to the teacher table. Unsurprisingly, Hagrid wasn't there either. There was a new teacher who must have been the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She looked like a pink toad with her horrid, pink cardigan.
"Is it just me, or does the new DADA teacher look like a pink toad," Delilah commented to Draco.
He looked up at the table and slightly paled.
"She does, but don't cross her. She works for Fudge. My father has told me about her. If she's here..."
"It means that Fudge is interfering here."
Draco nodded.
"I'm serious though, be careful around her."
Delilah smiled.
"Don't worry, I will. Harry won't, but I will. I promise."
"Good."
There was a movement at the head table, Grubbly-Plank was back, so the first years must as well.
Sure enough, a few seconds later, the doors from the entrance hall opened. A long line of scared-looking first years entered, led by Professor McGonagall, who was carrying a stool on which sat an ancient wizard's hat, heavily patched and darned with a wide rip near the frayed brim.
The buzz of talk in the Great Hall faded away. The first years lined up in front of the staff table facing the rest of the students, and Professor McGonagall placed the stool carefully in front of them, then stood back. The first years' faces glowed palely in the candlelight. A small boy right in the middle of the row looked as though he was trembling.
The whole school waited with bated breath. Then the rip near the hat's brim opened wide like a mouth and the Sorting Hat burst into song:
In times of old when I was new And Hogwarts barely started
The founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted: United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning,
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning.
"Together we will build and teach!"
The four good friends decided
And never did they dream that they
Might someday be divided,
For were there such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffndor?
Unless it was the second pair
Of Huffepuff and Ravenclaw?
So how could it have gone so wrong?
How could such friendships fail?
Why, I was there and so can tell
The whole sad, sorry tale.
Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those
Whose ancestry is purest."
Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose
Intelligence is surest."
Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those
With brave deeds to their name,"
Said Hufflepujf, "I'll teach the lot,
And treat them just the same."
These differences caused little strife
When first they came to light,
For each of the four founders had
A House in which they might
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin
Took only pure-blood wizards
Of great cunning, just like him,
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor.
Good Hufflepujf she took the rest,
And taught them all she knew,
Thus the Houses and their founders
Retained friendships firm and true.
So Hogwarts worked in harmony
For several happy years,
But then discord crept among us
Feeding on our faults and fears.
The Houses that, like pillars four,
Had once held up our school,
Now turned upon each other and,
Divided, sought to rule.
And for a while it seemed the school
Must meet an early end,
What with dueling and with fighting
And the clash of friend on friend
And at last there came a morning
When old Slytherin departed
And though the fighting then died out
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four
Were whittled down to three
Have the Houses been united
As they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting Hat is here
And you all know the score: I sort you into Houses
Because that is what I'm for,
But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfill my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wonder whether sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within.
I have told you, I have warned you....
Let the Sorting now begin.
The hat became motionless once more; applause broke out, though it was punctured, for the first time Delilah could remember, with muttering and whispers. All across the Great Hall students were exchanging remarks with their neighbors and Delilah, clapping along with everyone else, knew exactly what they were talking about.
"The hat went deeper than normal this year," she commented.
Usually the Sorting Hat only described the different qualities looked for by each of the four Houses and its own role in sorting them; Delilah couldn't remember it ever trying to give the school advice.
"Yeah, it's an interesting story. Do you think it's ever given advice before?"
Delilah thought for a moment.
"Probably. It stays in Gandalf's office, so it must hear all the reports. It most likely just wanted us to — how did the Hat phrase it — 'unite inside her.'"
Draco scoffed.
"Like that's going to happen. Quite a few Gryffindors are idiots."
"Not all though," Delilah argued. "Plus, there are some Slytherin idiots too."
Surprisingly he nodded.
"Blaise is an idiot. I guess the Weasley twins are pretty smart, same with that Granger girl."
She smiled. Finally he admitted that not all Gryffindors were—
"Of course, they still can be rather annoying," he added, interrupting her train of thought.
Delilah laughed, but cut it off quickly. Professor McGonagall was waiting to read out the list of first years' names. She gave the whispering students a scorching look. With a last frowning look that swept the four House tables, Professor McGonagall lowered her eyes to her long piece of parchment and called out,
"Abercrombie, Euan."
A terrified-looking boy stumbled forward and put the hat on. A moment later it declared, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Abercrombie stumbled to the Gryffindor table, which was clapping and cheering as if they had got a bold kid instead of a scrawny, terrified one.
Slowly the long line of first years thinned; in the pauses between the names and the Sorting Hat's decisions, Delilah heard Draco's stomach rumbling loudly. She resisted the urge to chuckle.
Finally, "Zeller, Rose" was sorted into Hufflepuff, and Professor McGonagall picked up the hat and stool and marched them away as Professor Gandalf rose to his feet.
"To our newcomers," said Gandalf in a ringing voice, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips, "welcome! To our old hands — welcome back! There is a time for speech making, but this is not it. Tuck in!"
There was an appreciative laugh and an outbreak of applause as Gandalf sat down neatly and threw his long beard over his shoulder so as to keep it out of the way of his plate — for food had appeared out of nowhere, so that the five long tables were groaning under joints and pies and dishes of vegetables, bread, sauces, and flagons of pumpkin juice.
Delilah filled her plate and started eating. As usual, everything was delicious.
"You're pretty," a new Slytherin girl sitting across from Delilah observed.
Draco grinned, putting his arm around her.
"Yep, she is."
"Thanks," Delilah replied, smiling at both of them. "What's your name?"
"Nicole, but I go by Nicci. What about you?"
"Delilah."
Nicci looked up excitedly.
"Delilah Potter?"
Delilah glanced at Draco, baffled.
"Yeah, so...?"
She grinned.
"You're my idol and why I wanted to be in Slytherin! My dad's a twin himself, he was stuck in auntie's shadow for most of his life, so he told me all about you, since you seem to shine even in the biggest shadow ever!"
Delilah had no idea what was going on. How could she be someone's idol? Well, Nicci hadn't met McGonagall yet. Now there was an idol worthy person.
"Cool...? I still don't get why—"
Nicci's grin grew wider.
"Well you've gone on so many cool adventures, most by yourself," she explained as if it was obvious. "In your first year you helped rescue the Sorcerer's Stone. Then, only a year later, you helped kill the Basilisk. In your third year you almost died from a werewolf attack, and last year you were a part of the second Triwizard Tournament task. If that's not impressive, I don't know what is."
Desserts replaced the main courses.
How did Nicci know all that? Even the press didn't. Who the crap was her dad?
"Thanks? You know, I think you're the first person who cares more about my story than Harry's."
Draco turned to her, looking offended.
"What am I?"
"Chopped liver," Delilah instinctively replied. He stared blankly.
"Muggle thing," she elaborated.
"Harry's awesome and everything, but he relies a lot on others. That's not a bad thing, but it can be dangerous. You, on the other hand, asked for help only when it's needed, and provided a voice of reason. Who wouldn't admire you?"
Even when it was put like that Delilah couldn't really see why. Hermione did that for Harry too.
Draco seemed to understand though. He grinned like the maniac he was. Delilah elbowed him. He shouldn't look so freakishly handsome in front of first years.
"What? Nicci is right, you are pretty awesome." He nudged her playfully.
Nicci glanced between them. Her eyes lit up.
"You two are dating, aren't you?"
Draco's grin broadened.
"Yep."
Before Delilah could change the topic from her love life, the desserts vanished and Dumbledore stood up. The Hall immediately fell silent.
"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," said Dumbledore. "First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students — and a few of our older students ought to know by now too."
Delilah saw him glance at the Gryffindor table.
"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door.
"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Interesting, he hadn't said how long Grubbly-Plank would be staying. He probably didn't want to bring attention to it.
"Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the —"
He broke off, looking inquiringly at Professor Umbridge. As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but then Professor Umbridge said, "Hem, hem," and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.
Dumbledore only looked taken aback for a moment, then he sat back down smartly and looked alertly at Professor Umbridge as though he desired nothing better than to listen to her talk. Other members of staff were not as adept at hiding their surprise. Professor Sprout's eyebrows had disappeared into her flyaway hair, and Professor McGonagall's mouth was thinner than should be possible. No new teacher had ever interrupted Dumbledore before. Many of the students were smirking; this woman obviously did not know how things were done at Hogwarts.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome."
Her voice was high-pitched, breathy, and little-girlish. Delilah felt a powerful rush of dislike that she could not explain; all she knew was that she loathed everything about her, from her stupid voice to her fluffy pink cardigan. She gave another little throat clearing cough ("Hem, hem") and continued:
"Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. "And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!"
Delilah glanced around. Noone she could see looked happy; on the contrary, they all looked rather taken aback at being addressed as though they were five years old.
"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"
Students exchanged looks at this; some of them were barely concealing grins.
"I'll be her friend as long as I don't have to wear that horrendous cardigan," Pansy whispered to Daphne, and both of them lapsed into silent giggles.
Professor Umbridge cleared her throat again ("Hem, hem"), but when she continued, some of the breathiness had vanished from her voice. She sounded much more businesslike and now her words had a dull learned-by-heart sound to them.
"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wizarding community must be passed down through the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching."
She paused and made a little bow to her fellow staff members, none of whom bowed back. Professor McGonagall's dark eyebrows had contracted so that she looked positively hawklike, and Delilah distinctly saw her exchange a significant glance with Professor Sprout as Umbridge gave another little "Hem, hem" and went on with her speech.
"Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation..."
Plenty of people stopped paying attention. Delilah didn't blame them. It was tortuous. Nicci had fallen asleep, and a bunch of people were talking, not even bothering to keep their voices down.
"Can I eat her? She's boring," Midnight complained.
"Nah, it needs to look like an accident."
Professor Umbridge did not seem to notice the restlessness of her audience. A full-scale riot could have broken out under her nose and she would have plowed on with her speech. The teachers, however, were still listening very attentively.
"... because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgment. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."
She sat down. Dumbledore clapped. The staff followed his lead, though several of them brought their hands together only once or twice before stopping. A few students joined in, but most had been taken unawares by the end of the speech, not having listened to more than a few words of it, and before they could start applauding properly, Dumbledore had stood up again.
"Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating," he said, bowing to her. "Now — as I was saying, Quidditch tryouts will be held..."
"I think we found someone who could take over for Binns," Draco murmured.
"Yep, she even hid some important stuff in it too."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Like what?"
"I missed most of it, but I think the Ministry is trying to interfere. It makes sense, they'll want to make sure Dumbledore isn't doing anything behind their backs."
There was a great clattering and banging all around them; Dumbledore had obviously just dismissed the school, because everyone was standing up ready to leave the Hall.
Delilah stood up and shook Nicci awake.
"It's over. Come on, we're going to show you where the common room is."
Delilah dragged Draco up to the front of the Slytherin table.
"First years here!"
The group of first years clustered near them. Delilah sent a few Hufflepuffs in the direction of Alex and the Ravenclaws towards Lyra.
Delilah led them down to the dungeons and by the black wall.
"Ambition," Draco reluctantly said.
"Remember the password, it's the only way to get inside," Delilah added as they walked inside.
The newbies gawked at the common room.
"Ok, I know you've already had a boring speech today, so we'll make this quick.
"You'll have arguments with other Slytherins, it's inevitable. But when you do, you need to keep them in the Common Room. Outside we're all friends. Also if you want to learn sign language to talk to the merfolk there are books all around as well as blankets; it gets pretty cold in the winter. Got it?"
The sleepy first years nodded.
"Ok," Draco said through a yawn. "Guys follow me, our rooms are this way."
"Girls follow me."
Delilah headed down the girl hallway.
"We all have our own rooms. Each year it will change. First years in the first branch, second in the second, and so on. They all are labeled so don't stress about it. Good luck finding them. I'll be in the main area if anyone needs help. Goodnight."
With that she left. They'd most likely figure it out. Nicci followed her.
"Um... can I pet your snake?"
Delilah shrugged.
"Let me ask." She turned to Midnight. "You ok if she pets you?"
"Of course! I love affection from delicious — I mean innocent first years."
She rolled her eyes.
"You can't eat Nicci either. She seems nice."
Midnight sighed.
"You never let me have fun. Sure I guess she can pet me."
"Midnight says it's her pleasure."
"I did not!"
Nicci grinned.
"You're a parselmouth? That's awesome!"
Nicci hesitantly petted Midnight.
"Can I feed her a treat?"
"Ah..."
"Yes!"
"I guess that's fine. Here —" Delilah pulled one out of her pocket.
Nicci put it in her hand and Midnight lashed out and ate it. Surprisingly Nicci didn't flinch.
"Wicked. I'm going to go find my room now, thanks!"
"You're right," Midnight admitted as Nicci left. "She is good."
Delilah smiled. Draco came and sat down beside her, putting his hand in hers.
"We weren't that idiotic, were we?"
"I wasn't, can't say the same for you."
"Ouch."
"Don't worry, you grew out of it. Mostly."
Draco chuckled.
"That's fair."
Delilah smiled at him.
"We should probably head to bed," she suggested, frowning at the thought.
"We have a few minutes til lights out."
Delilah gazed into the lake, where a group of merfolk were smirking at them. She ignored them, returning her attention to Draco.
"Yeah, that's true."
"But since you're obviously tired, we should head to bed," Draco stated.
Delilah nodded, standing up. She pulled him into a hug.
The merfolk started signing. Delilah recognized enough of the motions to know that they wanted them to kiss. Something about a bet. She contemplated flipping them off.
She pulled away from him.
"Come on, that's all I get?" he complained, grinning.
Delilah thought about wiping that smirk off of his face, but she was too tired to really care. She yawned.
"Night."
"Oof."
"See you tomorrow."
"You better."
Delilah fell asleep grinning.