| Blast-Ended Skrewt
Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: CrazyTown
Posts: 16,126
|  Because JKR said the Sorting Hat is Never Wrong... The Sweetest Thing Lissy De Vil
Today's post goes out to Dean Thomas, a most exellent writer and name creator! His input went into a detail in this post, for which I am immensely grateful! I am no good at making up names! He is the best! If you haven't checked out his work - you should: Patrick Thatcher and the Colonist's Compass
Without further ado: The Welcome Feast
“Gryffindor!” the hat proclaimed to one an all. Sirius repressed a sigh of relief. He was never truly worried, he told himself. After all, he knew there couldn’t have been any other decision. He couldn’t resist shooting a triumphant grin at the staff table, though, which was sourly ignored by the Potions Professor. He did notice a brief exchange between the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress. Dumbledore seemed amused and his eyes sparkled with mischief.
At the Gryffindor table, there was a slight commotion as students shuffled to make room for Sirius to sit, hoping to be the first to meet the new student. It was quite unusual for someone to start Hogwarts in their sixth year and they all wanted to be the first to know how that had come about. Of course, Sirius had always had a talent for attracting notice anyway. He scanned the table for a seat near Harry and his friends and spotted two girls sliding over with an exaggerated look in his direction. One of them, he was sure, fit the description of the girl Harry had taken to the Yule Ball a couple of years ago. He smiled at them and took the offered place. Before the girls could say anything, however, they were summarily interrupted by two small bundles of energy.
“Hi, I’m Colin Creevey and this is my brother Dennis,” the first boy gestured to the second who smiled and nodded enthusiastically. “We were wondering if we could get pictures,” Colin held up and enormous camera, “and an interview on what it’s like for you to come to Hogwarts?”
“Well, I should say you know what it’s like, being here yourself,” Sirius was slightly taken aback, but amused.
“Yeah, but we weren’t so old when we started,” Dennis said a bit bluntly, but meant no harm as he grinned happily.
Sirius laughed and thought, “you have no idea!” The girls at his side looked at the brothers and frowned their disapproval at the boys’ interruption; they had clearly hoped to be the first to talk to the new student. However, thought of continuing the conversation was ended as Professor Dumbledore was making his usual start of term announcements. All conversation hushed to a dull roar, though among the older students, who’d heard some of this for six or seven years in a row now, the whispers never truly stopped. The Creevey brothers settled in their seats with a promise to continue the interview later. The girls cast them a glance that clearly said, “not on your life,” but all politely turned their attention to the front of the hall.
At the staff table, there was a small disturbance going on as well. Behind the Headmaster, a woman was making her way down the table toward the empty chair next to Snape, blushing furiously. As she passed them, the professors were stopping her for quick hand shakes and smiles of welcome as she made her way to her seat. She was trying very hard not to cause a distraction, but was not succeeding. Professor Flitwick nearly toppled from his chair with excitement. Finally, she achieved her goal and took her place, Snape extended his hand for a brief, rather ungracious handshake, his expression that of someone who had bitten in to something rather nasty.
Sirius wasn’t the only one to notice it, as he heard Harry’s friend Ron snort with laughter and observe, “he looks like he just sucked a lemon.” Harry laughed and whispered something in agreement, but both were hushed by a disapproving glance from Hermione.
Dumbledore was continuing, quite undisturbed by the distraction, “Ah, I see you have arrived, I trust you had a safe trip?” he directed his attention to the newcomer at his table, who gestured back “oh, yes, fine.” Dumbledore smiled warmly, but Sirius recognized a shrewdness in the old wizard’s expression that indicated there was more to this then met the eye. Was he admonishing her for her lateness? The moment passed, and the Headmaster continued undaunted. “I am pleased to introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher,” he addressed the students.
This caused a bit of a stir at the four house tables, especially among the upper classman who had seen a number of different professors take this post during their time at Hogwarts. This newest addition to the staff seemed to be getting a favorable response, however.
“… Professor Tergins was one of our finest students,” Dumbledore was saying, “and a true testimony to the heights that one can achieve with a Hogwarts education,” he finished with a flourish. The hall responded with polite applause and Snape’s scowl deepened all the more.
Ron and Harry were unable to hold back their laughter at the Potions Master’s displeasure as Dumbledore finally gave them all leave to enjoy their feast. “Finally, one for the guys,” Ron observed looking up at the head table while diving into a plate of fried chicken.
“And what is that supposed to mean?” Hermione asked sharply.
Harry grinned, but was having none of answering his friend when she took that tone. Ron went on blithely, “the new DADA teacher,” he gestured. The professor was undeniably attractive. She appeared to be in her late twenties, Sirius figured her to be about Bill Weasley’s age, and looked out at her new students with eyes that were a very unusual shade of amber.
“And…?” Hermione asked dangerously.
“Well, come on,” Ron was finally catching wise. “You girls had Lockhart, what have we got so far? Umbridge?!?” the boy looked to his friend for agreement.
“You have to admit, he has a point,” Harry conceded.
The rest of the conversation was lost on Sirius as the Creevey brothers renewed their onslaught of questions. He did his best to answer them as simply as possible, while he enjoyed the best meal he’d had since Molly last came to Grimmauld Place. Before long, the feast had ended and it was time to depart for the dormitories.
The students began to file out of the Great Hall. Sirius could see Ron and Hermione, fulfilling their role as prefects, leading the first years out. Harry was further ahead chatting with a couple of other boys from his own year. Colin and Dennis appeared ready to continue hot on Sirius’ heels until the two girls who had made room for him at the table edged them out. They gave the boys a look that clearly said, ‘”back off,” and positioned themselves one on either side if Sirius.
“Don’t worry, we’ll show you the way," one girl said, practically batting her eyelashes, Sirius noticed with amusement. “I’m Lavender by the way. Lavender Brown.”
“Well that’s very considerate of you, Lavender, “Sirius drawled, and the girl simpered.
Not to be outdone, the other girl, who Sirius recognized as Harry’s erstwhile date, chimed in, “we know this place like the back our hands. Ask anytime,” she reassured him. “My name is Parvati Patil,” she smiled.
“Do you now?” Sirius smiled at the dark haired girl, “then I’ll be sure to ask you Parvati,” he replied, causing her to beam. “I’m Brian,” he informed them.
“We know,” the girls breathed. “We saw.”
On the way upstairs, Sirius’ companions helpfully pointed out landmarks and gave advice on getting around Hogwarts. He smile gravely and thanked them for their concern for his welfare. He was doing his best not to show his amusement. When they arrived at the Gryffindor common room, they proudly explained how one gained access to the common room. Lavender stood on tip toe and whispered the password “gobstones” in his ear, quite needlessly as they were surrounded by Gryffindors.
Inside, the common room was set up much as it had always been, Sirius observed with pleasure, it looked like home.
“We’ll see you in a bit, Harry,” Ron was saying nearby. “We need to tuck in the first years,” he pantomimed putting a baby to bed and grinned mischievously.
“We’ll be right back,” Hermione put in apologetically.
“Right, see you,” Harry replied, his expression unreadable.
Sirius took this moment to untangle himself from his escorts. “The way I see it,” he said to his godson, “it’s better to have your best mate be prefect. All the rewards, none of the work.”
Harry smiled at this and turned to look at the person who’d addressed him. “That’s true,” he answered. He looked at Sirius, suddenly bemused. “Not to be rude, but do I know you from somewhere?”   Tsk, tsk on you all for worrying... 
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