Matt stood off to the far-right side of the Great Hall, against the wall beside Gryffindor's table. He kept close to where Hermione, Ginny and Neville sat. Even though he could not easily talk with them, he could at least hear parts of their conversation. He noticed Luna had sat with other Ravenclaws, although there were not many sitting near her, only one other person was nearby to talk to her, and they looked like they were in deep conversation. Matt felt even worse for Draco. He was sitting at the Slytherin table at the far opposite end of the hall and in the far opposite corner. While Hermione, Neville and Ginny sat at the head of Gryffindor table, nearest the staff, Draco sat nearest the entrance and in the corner completely alone.
Matt shook his head as noticed Pansy and her gang, the one Draco called Goyle sitting on her right, the heavyset girl whom Hermione had identified as Millicent Bulstrode was on her left. The blonde-haired-blue eyed girl who was with her on train, identified as Daphne Greengrass was across from her. A tall lanky boy with short hair and high cheekbones identified as Pike was next to her. Draco had also pointed out two other former compatriots of his as they had filed in, ones to watch out for. Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini were sitting across from one another, talking, but not near either Pansy's increasing gang, or Draco. Matt saw points and glances followed by glares from both the duo and the gang.
He felt nervous for Draco. Yes, he had a record against him, officially outside of school as well as inside. A lot of things were easy to access and a matter of public record if you knew who to ask and where to look for them. Matt had studied up on all his potential classmates. Although he had spent most of the time looking over what he could about Harry, Ron and especially Hermione. She had fascinated him ever since their first meeting. He never would have expected to become such good friends with her in such a short amount of time. He felt fortunate, and maybe something a little more. He shook his head, feeling little butterflies in his stomach as the doors to the hall opened, Hagrid ushering in the soaked first year students. It was just his nerves, he told himself. It was merely a coincidence that he had been looking at Hermione and she had given him a smile when he felt the butterflies.
'I don't believe in coincidences, Wiz-Kid.' A voice from Matt's past rang in his thoughts, an old professor he had not seen in over five years was coming back to haunt him now.
Professor Flitwick stood in front of the Headmistress' podium, a stool, and a hat next to him.
"When I call your name, please come to the stool, sit and place the hat on your head to be sorted!" Flitwick told the first-year students. The hat then came alive and broke into song explaining the founder's ideals and beliefs about what each house espouses. After the song ended the hall broke out into applause, Matt included. He thought about what he heard and knew that with his inventiveness and wisecracking, Ravenclaw was a likely choice for him. He would not mind joining Luna, she was always wonderful to talk to, but he knew he would miss Hermione too much. There were those butterflies again.
'It ain't a coincidence, Wiz-Kid.' The old professor's voice rang in his head. Matt could picture him, tall, lean with dark graying hair and thick mustache, a cigarette always in one hand. His Southern drawl and gravelly voice admonishing him. 'Stop lyin' to yourself!'
Professor Flitwick began to call off the first-year names as the young children came up to the hat to be placed in their respective houses. The ceremony was fascinating, much different compared to his own original sorting. But he supposed that each school had to have its own set of rules and styles on how it did things, even though the concept of four houses seemed to be universal. The sorting went surprisingly fast as the group of first years was small, smaller than previous ones he gathered.
"Now, we have one final sorting." Flitwick said "This year we have a seventh-year transfer student, from Ilvermorny. Santini, Matthew!" Flitwick called out. There was a wave of murmurs and more than a few gasps as Flitwick spoke.
"Guess that's my cue." Matt said as he walked past Hermione and the others. He felt as nervous as he ever had before. As he had gotten older and overcome the many challenges of school life, nerves had become a thing of the past; so why were his acting up now? He gave
Hermione one final look and took a seat on the stool. Every eye in the room was on him and Flitwick, who was too short to put the hat on his head simply handed it to Matt. 'Here goes…' he thought to himself as he placed the hat on his head.
"Oh, you're different." Came the voice of the hat. "Yes, quite different. Much older than my usual lot. And you're not from here, no. You've come a long way to be here. Yes. I see you were in Wampus at Ilvermorny."
"You heard…" Matt replied.
"No, it's all here, inside your head. Yes, I see. Plenty of wit, a fair bit of cunning and some leadership. Slytherin would fit you well. Ravenclaw is not a bad choice for you either. However, there's a bit of recklessness in you I see. A fair bit. Not afraid of danger or a fight, not that you like them either. Yes…better be…GRYFFINDOR!" The hat roared. The Gryffindor table erupted in applause, and it seemed to be Hermione, Ginny and Neville were cheering the loudest.
Matt gently handed Professor Flitwick back the hat as he took it and the stool away. Matt felt relieved as he walked over to the table, his robes transfiguring to reflect the Gryffindor crest and logo. Hermione had saved him a seat next to her and he sat down with a heavy sigh.
"I'm so glad you're here." She said beaming at him.
"Me too…I damn near ended up in with old dog face over there." Matt nodded at Pansy.
"Well, you didn't! You got the best house!" Ginny said.
"Thanks Gin!" Matt replied with a grin.
"Ah Matthew! Good to see you've been sorted out!" said a voice as a ghostly pearlescent figure rose through the table.
"Hey Sir Nicholas. Yes, I'm officially one of the Gryffindors." Matt replied proudly.
"Excellent! How's the leg?" Nicholas asked.
"It's slightly better. It'll never be one hundred percent, but I'll take what I can get." Matt said.
There came a rapping sound as Headmistress McGonagall stood in front of the student body. She tapped her wand on the podium and all eyes were drawn to her.
"May I have your attention please? I would like to inform you of all of the start of term notices. As some of you may well have realized, our student body has been reduced this year. Many families felt things were too dangerous to return or send their young ones here at all. I assure you that the danger has passed, and Hogwarts is as safe as ever." McGonagall spoke. "Now, our caretaker Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you all, no spells in the corridors between classes and the rather extensive list of forbidden items, which has been updated yet again, is in his office to view at your leisure.
"I would like to remind all students that the dark forest is out of bounds to everyone, except for staff. Some of our older students need to heed this as well as our first-year students. In addition, Hogsmeade Village is out of bounds for anyone who does not have a signed permission form or is below third year. The only exception to this is our students who are above seventeen years old."
Matt looked over at Hermione. "We're allowed to go to village?" he asked her.
"Yes, on certain weekends, although, we might be allowed to go any weekend, being overage." Hermione said.
"We'll have to get some clarification." Matt replied. "I wouldn't mind going with you." He let it slip out without even thinking. Hermione's cheeks turned red.
"Furthermore, this Christmas, for those students who wish to stay at the school, Hogwarts will be hosting a celebratory ball, to commemorate the end of the Second Wizarding War and downfall of Lord Voldemort. Anyone wishing to attend, should use a visit to Hogsmeade and acquire dress robes." McGonagall continued.
"Guess I'll need to get some spiffy clothes." Matt snarked.
"You could use a bit of dressing up." Ginny quipped quietly. Matt grunted and pulled at his side.
"Another knife for that set, I see." He shot back with a playful grin.
"I wish to address some additional changes we have chosen to implement for this year."
McGonagall announced. "As our student body has diminished, we do not see the need for Head Boy or Head Girl, nor do we see the need for Prefects. Especially, considering curfew is lifted for those students who are overage. We'll trust them to keep any younger students in line and following the rules they so very well should know at this point." McGonagall spoke and almost looked directly at Hermione. Matt noticed his friend looked slightly disappointed. "You wanted the badge, didn't you?" he asked.
"Well, I do still have the ones from my fifth and sixth year." Hermione tried to hide her disappointment.
"Lastly, I wish to introduce some of our new staff appointments as several positions had to be filled following the end of the war." McGonagall announced. Matt watched as Hermione turned her attention to the staff table. He looked over and could see there were three empty chairs amongst the standard staff, almost all of whom were in attendance. The door behind the staff table opened.
"Allow me to introduce Professor Fabrisham Sharp, who will be taking the position of Transfiguration and Deputy Headmaster," McGonagall began. Students clapped as a medium build man walked out with dark hair and hard features. He scanned the student body as he sat, his eyes finally resting on Matt and Hermione. He scowled at them.
"Next, Professor Cho Chang, who will be taking the post of Muggle Studies," McGonagall introduced with increased cheers from the Ravenclaw table. The pretty Asian girl took her seat, a bright band gleaming on her left ring finger.
"What's she doing here?!" Ginny hissed.
"I'm not sure…" Hermione replied, apprehensively. Matt looked confused.
"Wait, what am I missing?" he asked. He noticed Professor Chang was young, but that did not seem to be enough to warrant Ginny's reaction.
"Well, you see, Cho once dated-" Hermione said but was cut off by Professor McGonagall making the final introduction.
"And lastly, Professor Harry Potter, who will be our interim Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and temporary Head of Gryffindor House." McGonagall announced. The entire hall fell silent for a moment as Harry took his seat to the immediate left of McGonagall. Suddenly, there were whispers, rumors and finally raucous cheers as Harry waved to the student body. "Now I believe I have said far enough, let the feast begin!" McGonagall concluded, food appearing in enormous quantities at all the tables.
"Who did Professor Chang date?" Matt asked as everyone began to load their plates with the delicious looking dinner.
"She dated Harry, Matt." Hermione said. Matt's eyes widened with understanding as Ginny looked furious. Apparently, Harry had not deigned to tell anyone about his new position.
"Oh, that's gonna be awkward." Matt said as took a bite of roasted chicken. "Trouble in paradise!" Matt sang. Hermione looked at him confused. "It's a song…" he said and sighed. "Sometime, someday, I'll have my music collection back, and then," Matt grinned evilly and rubbed his palms together, like a movie villain. "I'll introduce you to all sorts of new and exciting things!" he gave a chuckle at his own overdramatic antics. Hermione could not help but giggle, seeing he was not serious. At least he wanted to share something with her beyond school, something that was personal.
"We should go talk to Harry." Neville suggested as they were winding down from the delicious food.
"Yeah, why don't we?" Matt agreed. The four Gryffindors stood up from the table and moved over to the front of the staff table to talk to Harry.
"Hi Harry." Hermione said as they gathered around him.
"Hey Hermione, although it's going to have to be Professor from now on." Harry said gently.
"Of course, Professor Potter." She grinned.
"Why didn't you say anything about this!" Ginny said, almost angry.
"Well, I was only told this morning after you all left on the train. I had an owl from
McGonagall and the Head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement was in my office
when I got there. I thought it was going to be about Ron," Harry said and looked apologetically to Hermione. "But it was about taking this position here."
"Why was the Headmistress saying you're temporary and interim?" Matt asked.
"Well, you see, she's still looking for someone to permanently fill the spot. I've still got Auror duties to the Ministry. I'll only be here for a month." Harry replied.
"Why did she bring her back?" Ginny demanded, looking venomously at Professor Chang.
"I think McGonagall felt Cho was the best fit for the job. Afterall, she did marry a Muggle." Harry responded.
"I thought I noticed a ring…" Hermione said. Matt caught a twinge of sadness in her voice. Without thinking, he put his hand on her back and gave her a gentle rub. Hermione only looked up at him with a faint blush on her cheeks.
"You lot better get back to your table though, before someone starts to think I'm playing favorites and classes haven't even started yet." Harry said. They agreed and shuffled back to the table as desserts were popping up, replacing the main courses and side dishes.
They ate dessert and chatted with each other about how they were going to get through the coming school year and make it through their N.E.W.T. exams. Matt stayed by Hermione's side the entire time, feeling the need to be close.
As the feast was slowly winding down it occurred to Hermione, they needed their passwords for entry into their common rooms and dormitories.
"I'm going to go ask the Headmistress for our passwords." Hermione said standing up.
"Mind if I join you?" Matt asked. Hermione gave a giggle and nodded.
"Sure." He quickly got up to follow her to the staff table. McGonagall gave her the passwords written on pieces of paper and asked the pair of them to hand them out to the eldest students in the other houses. Hermione gave Luna hers and Hanna Abbott the password for Hufflepuff.
As the pair of them approached Slytherin table, Pansy stood up.
"I'll take that, Granger." She spat. However, Hermione was not the one carrying the password for Slytherin house, Matt was. He immediately bypassed Pansy's outstretched hand, walked around the opposite side, and leaned over to give it to Draco instead.
"That's for the adults. Better luck next time, little girl." Matt said, beaming at Pansy as she scowled.
Matt swore he heard McGonagall say, as he and Hermione passed by "…should have simply made them Heady Boy and Girl apparently…" Matt shared a grin with Hermione as they joined the others. A moment later McGonagall dismissed them, and the respective houses made their way through the corridors back to their dormitories.