Merlins sake this house was getting crazy. First off the twins had attempted to levitate their trunks downstairs yet had ended up knocking Ginny down two flights of stairs. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were taking ten years to get ready. I was trying to get some last minute work in. Sirius had decided he was coming with us. Guards didn't show up. Molly was screaming. Everything was a mess. So I was more than happy when we could finally head off. As we get to Kings Cross and then the platform we finally regroup. We collect our belongings as the whistle blows.

"Well, look after yourselves," Remus says shaking hands all round. He reaches me and leans down. "Remember what you-"

"I got it," I tell him.

"Yeah, keep your head down and your eyes peeled," Moody says shaking hands, "And don't forget, all of you—careful what you put in writing. If in doubt, don't put it in a letter at all."

"It's been great meeting all of you," Tonks says hugging Hermione, Ginny, and I. "We'll see you soon, I expect." The whistle blows again.

"Quick, quick," Molly says distractedly, hugging at random, "Write... Be good... If you've forgotten anything we'll send it on... Onto the train, now, hurry..." I pet Sirius's big dog ears then way to the others.

 "Goodbye!" I exclaim. I rush off onto the train with the others as Harry lags behind. "Harry James Potter!" He looks at me then nods as he runs over to the train.

"He shouldn't have come with us," Hermione says worriedly.

"Oh lighten up," Ron says, "he hasn't seen daylight for months, poor bloke."

"Exactly," I tell them.

"Well," Fred says, clapping his hands together, "can't stand around chatting all day, we've got business to discuss with Lee. See you later." 

"My trunk!" I yell and they nod.

"Well get it later," George says. They head and I look back to the trio who were confused and I just wink at them.

"Shall we go and find a compartment, then?" Harry asks us.

"Er," Ron says.

"Yeah funny story," I say to him quickly.

"We're—well—Ron, Y/n, and I are supposed to go into the prefect carriage," Hermione says awkwardly.

"Oh,"Harry says, "Right. Fine."

"I don't think we'll have to stay there all journey," Hermione says quickly. "Our letters said we just get instructions from the Head Boy and Girl and then patrol the corridors from time to time."

"Fine," Harry says again. "Well, I-I might see you later, then."

"Yeah, definitely," Ron says casting a shifty, anxious look at Harry. "It's a pain having to go down there, I'd rather—but we have to—I mean, I'm not enjoying it, I'm not Percy." 

"I'm going to let you have your moment," I tell them, "I need to figure out who the other Slytherin Prefect is." I wave to Harry as I rush off to the front of the train. As I step in I see Draco sitting reading the Daily Prophet. "Well isn't this rich," I say teasingly, "Draco Malfoy a prefect." He looks up and smirks at me.

"Damn Cultven you get prettier every time I see you," He says.

"You're eyes are deceiving you," I say as I walk over and settle beside him. I plant my lips on his and my hands on his cheeks. 

"Ew," Ron groans as he and Hermione walk into the compartment I without breaking the kiss flip him off. Several others join us but the make out session continues, His hands resting on my waist.

"Malfoy Cultven Knock it off," Someone says. I smirk as I pull away from the blond and take his hand. It was apparently was our head Boy as he and The Head girl join us. They hand us our schedules, our duties, everything that we need. I look around Of course there was Draco and I for Slytherin, then Ron and Hermione for Gryffindor. The Ravenclaws had Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil. While the Hufflepuffs had Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott.As they dismiss us I follow Draco back to his compartment hand in hand. I had spent all summer with Ron, and most of it with Hermione and Harry. But I only got a few sparse days with Draco and I missed him. The moment we got inside I was perched on his lap as we he pushes his lips agaisnt mine. 

"Well hello to you guys too," Blasie teases as he smirks at Pansy who seemed pissed.

"Not even a wave or anything," Theodore mocks. I roll my eyes as I place my hands on Draco's shoulders as he deepens the kiss. The mixture of whistles and groans around us were highly amusing. 

"Cut it out!" Pansy yells. I pull away from Draco and look over at her.

"What are you doing here?" I ask her. Her and Blasie exchange looks quickly before he rolls his eyes and goes back to his book.

"She thinks making out means we're automatically dating," Blasie says, "its annoying." I chuckle as I look back at Draco. 

"What a drag," I tease as cuddle up to Draco. "So how was your summer?"

"Boring," He groans, "especially without you." 

"Well luckily for you I'm right here," I tell him.

"Girl got a sex drive over the summer adorable," Theodore mocks. I turn to him and stick my tongue out at him.

"Leave her alone," Draco demands. I smirk at his tone as they stop and lean back in much to the disapproval of the other kids in the compartment.  Finally I get bored and pull away from the blond. "God i love you," He sighs.

"Good," I tell him, "because I love you more."

"Gross they are getting sentimental," Theodore says in disgust.

"You're just jealous that you aren't dating The Good Slytherin," Draco mocks them. I chuckle and stand up.

"Well I should get to the others," I tell them, "they have my belongings and I need my robes." 

"I'll meet you in the great hall," He says. I nod then leave the compartment and walk down the train looking around for the trio. I finally find them deep in the back of the train in a compartment with Luna Lovegood, Ginny, and Neville.

"Hello losers," I say jokingly as I sit beside Harry and Luna. "Hello Luna and Neville."

"Hello," Luna says whispily. I had met Luna some where in my Hogwarts years and I grew to liking her. She was the only one who didn't think I was crazy about the horse pulled carriages. 

"Hey Y/n," Neville says. I smile at him and his plant.

"Cool Mimbulus mimbletonia," I say to him as I look at the green and orange plant, "nasty thing those things are. Very neat defense tho. No one wants that gunk on them."

"Yeah," Harry says to Neville harshly.

"Thanks," Neville says to me, "I got it for my birthday. Oh and I loved the book you gave me."

"It was from Ginny, Ron, Harry, and I," I tell him, "we thought you would love it." He smiles gratfully as I catch Ron staring at me.

"What?" I ask him.

"I still can't believe you and Malfoy have been dating for over a year," Ron says, "and now you're making out."

"Be grateful you aren't one of the slytherins in his compartment," I tell them, "because we resumed the party after the prefects meeting."

"Why are you still dating him?" Harry asks.

"Why do you still have a thing for Cho?" I snap back. I look around and sigh as I grab my robes from my bag. "I'll be back." I walk back to the bathrooms and switch clothes. Once I return I see Draco walking away from my compartment. Once I get inside I see the anger filled faces of my friends. Godric sake what did Draco do now? Soon Prefects were rounded up to supervise the transition from train to the school. Draco and I waving 2nd years and up to the carriages. As the last leave he rushes off to find his goons while I wait for Hermione and Ron. After they meet me we walk up the path to the carriages. Once again am I met with the grim thestrales pulling them. I catch Harry staring at them entintly.

"I was saying, what are those horse things?" Harry says as we all climb inside the carriage.

"What horse things?" Ron asks.

"The horse things pulling the carriages!"Harry says impatiently.

"What are you talking about?" Ron says.

"I'm talking about—look!" Harry says pointing to the creature.

"What am I supposed to be looking at?" Ron says.

"At the—there, between the shafts! Harnessed to the coach! It's right there in front—" Harry stops and sighs. "Can't... can't you see them?"

"See what?"

"Can't you see what's pulling the carriages?"

"Are you feeling all right, Harry?"

"I... yeah..."

"Shall we go then?" Ron says. They climb inside and I look at Harry.

"It's all right," Luna says in her dreamy voice, "You're not going mad or anything. I can see them too."

"Can you?" Harry asks.

"Oh yes," Luna says, "I've been able to see them ever since my first day here. They've always pulled the carriages. Don't worry. You're just as sane as I am." Harry sits beside and I nod.

"I can see them too," I mumble quietly, "always have like Luna."

"Really?" He asks. I nod reassuringly.

"But I might just be mad."

******

   "Did everyone see that Grubbly-Plank woman?" Ginny asks. "What's she doing back here? Hagrid can't have left, can he?" We step from the carriage and head inside the school.

"I'll be quite glad if he has," Luna says, "He isn't a very good teacher, is he?"

"Yes, he is!" Harry, Ron, and Ginny angrily say. Harry glares at Hermione and I.

 "Erm... yes... he's very good," Hermione says.

"Yeah I love his class," I tell them.

"Well, we think he's a bit of a joke in Ravenclaw," Luna says unfazed.

"You've got a rubbish sense of humor then," Ron snaps.

"Guys you have to be fair. You have to realize not everyone can follow with his teaching style," I tell them trying to calm the tension. 

"He's the best teacher!"Harry yells.

"For you but everyone's learning styles are different," I say quickly.

"Yes yes," Hermione says. Attempting to bring sense to the angry gryffindors.  As the carriage pulls to a harsh stop we pile out and I take on last look at the thestrals. They weren't the most appealing creatures. They looks like repitlish horses. Rather horrific creatures if I had to say. We embark to the Great Hall and I separate from the others to the Slytherin table. I sit down beside Draco as I hear them disscussing the "Voldemort is back" drama.

"Saint Potters just mad," Draco says.

"I mean why would he be back?" Blasie asks. They look over at me waiting for an answer.

"He's mad," I lie to them. I didn't want them to keep harassing me about it. Besides its easier to spy on them if they think I agree. Their eyes widen as they look at me.

"You don't believe him?" Theodore asks. I shrug.

"There isn't any proof," I say, "I can't blindly agree with someone- especially in something this serious."

"Huh," Draco says sighing. 

"See even she doesn't believe him," Blasie says pointing to me. 

"Oh look the first years are here," I tell them changing the subject. They look and see the Sorting hat preparing to sing. 

"Oh dear god this again," Draco groans. I rest my head on his shoulder as the hat starts.

"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 Hufflepuff 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."

"Damn," I mumble as I watch the first years slowly get sorted between the houses.

"He wants all the houses to be friends?" Goyle asks.

"Cultven's already got that covered," Blasie sneers. I roll my eyes as I wave to the new slytherin. 

"Sorry?" I ask slightly.

"Shhh," Some 7th year says to us. Soon the ceremony ends and we all are allowed to eat. Much to the pleasure of Crabbe and Goyle. While I just stab at my food. I wasn't really in the mood. I pull a book from my jacket as I listen among the conversations around me. 

"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," Dumbledore says,"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." I look over at the trio and smirk. "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," Dumbledore says, "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." We polietly applaude as I look at Grubbly-Plank nervously. I'll have to ask Lupin about that. "Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the—" He stops as he catches Professor Umbridge now standing. 

"Hem, hem," She says.

"Oi what a work," I groan.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpers, "for those kind words of welcome." She has a rather annoying high pitched voice, and an ugly pink cardigan.   "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see such happy little faces looking back at me! I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"

"Does she think were five?" Theodore sneers.

"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 says, "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..." I scoff and pull out a book on Herbolgy that Neville had sent me over the summer since he had noticed I was one of the few people who actually seemed to listen when he talked about his passion. "...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."

"What a nutter," I mumble.

  "Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating," Dumbledore says bowing slightly as people lazily clap. "Now—as I was saying, Quidditch tryouts will be held..."

"Are we all going to tryouts?" I ask them.

"We lose half the team if we don't," Theodore says.

"Come on lets get those first years Draco," I say to him as I stand up quickly. I take his hand and walk to the end of the table. "Slytherin first years follow us!" 

"Yeah come on you brats!" Draco screams.

"Draco!" I hiss, "be nice." He sighs as I wave the first years with us. We lead them down to the dungeons and reach the door. "Now our passwords don't change often but we did have to change them due to it being five yeas of no change. But now its Wolfsbane." They nod and we lead them into the common room. 

"Boys are down here and girls are that way," Draco says, "dormmates are on the bulletin over there." They all spread out leaving Draco and I.

"I'm going to bed," I say to him.

"Can I join?" He asks teasingly.

"You wish," I whisper to him as I pull away from him, "goodnight though."

"Night," He says.