Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, locations, or everything at all to do with Harry Potter, as it officially belongs to J. K. Rowling. I do not own any of the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha characters, elements, or worlds, as they belong to Seven Arcs.

Thank you to those who have reviewed my story, sorry it has taken me so long to update. However, to the person who is constantly using the guest/non-members review system to say they are disappoint that I'm not working on Guardian of the Gods, a story I removed two years ago, please stop as it is getting annoying to constantly remove them. I stopped working on it because it was going nowhere, plus it was harder to write the duels then what I originally thought.

There is an important question at end of the chapter, so please read it once you have read the chapter. So, here is Chapter Four, I hope you all enjoy the new chapter.

Key:

"Talking" = 'Thinking' = "Unison Device Talking"

"Using Spell" = {Mage Mind}

[Device Talking] = [Device Spell using]

The train slowed right down before finally coming to a complete stop at the Hogsmeade Station. Students were pushing their way toward the door and out onto a tiny, dark candle-lit platform. Harry shivered slightly as he felt the cold night air on his skin. The teen could smell the pine trees that lined the path down to the lake. He stepped down onto the platform and looked around, listening for the familiar call of – 'firs' years over 'ere ... firs' years...' – Only it did not come. Instead, a quite different voice, a brisk female one was calling out: "First years line up over here, please! All first years to me!"

A lantern came swinging towards Harry and by its light the boy saw the prominent chin and severe haircut of Professor Grubbly-Plank, the witch who had taken over Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures lessons for a while in the previous year.

Evidently, it left the key question. "Where's Hagrid?" The boy murmured to himself when he felt a hand placed on his shoulder. Looking to the side, it was Luna was standing there. Harry noticed that she also had the same questioning look his him, but didn't say anything on the matter as it wasn't the right place to talk about such a thing. They were soon followed out onto the platform by those who had shared the compartment with the pair. It could be said that many students who had noticed them were wondering who they were, as it was easily noticeable that they had never seen students with the same hair colour as this group.

"Well then, we will see you at the feast," Nanoha said to the pair, as she led Vivio, Corona, and Rio over to where the group of first years were forming around Professor Grubbly-Plank. Fate give them another smile before she led the remaining four older members after Nanoha's group.

"I guess they have to be sorted like the first years do," Luna commented, as the duo moved off along the platform and out through the station. Jostled by the crowd, Harry squinted through the darkness until they reached the hundred or so horseless stagecoaches that always took the students above first year up to the castle. However, the coaches weren't horseless.

There were creatures standing between the carriage shafts. If he had had to give them a name, he supposed he would have called them horses, though there was something reptilian about them, too. They were completely fleshless, their black coats clinging to their skeletons, of which every bone was visible. Their heads were dragonish, and their pupil-less eyes white and staring. Wings sprouted from each wither – vast, black leathery wings that looked as though they ought to belong to giant bats. Standing still and quiet in the gathering gloom, the creatures looked eerie and sinister.

These were Thestral's, a breed of winged horses with a skeletal body, face with reptilian features, and wide, leathery wings that resemble a bat's. Though, they are they are visible only to those who have witnessed death at least once and were affected by it. – For Luna is was the death of her mother at a young age, for Harry is was because of the death Professor Quirrell in his first year and then Remus in his third year.

Walking among the coaches, staying out of the way of certain groups, the pair soon found a free one. Climbed into the coach, they were about to close the door when a hand reached out and grabbed it, pulling the coach's door open once more. It was Justin Finch-Fletchley, a fifth year Hufflepuff, who climbed in and closed the coach's door behind him, which caused the coach to begin to move on down the track towards Hogwarts. Silence had filled the cabin as both sides looked at one another.

"How was your summer, Potter?" Justin asked, finally breaking the silence.

"Good. Yours?" Harry simply replied as it couldn't be said they were friends. While Justin had apologised to him after the Chamber incident in their third year, there was nothing else that could be said between the pair. Though Justin was the only Hufflepuff, let alone one of a handful, that had approached and apologised for accusing him because of the incident. Then again, from Justin's perspective, the boy at least had a right to be scared of Harry as it did look like he turned the snake on Justin during that Duelling Club.

"Good," Justin replied, scratching the back of his neck. In truth, he would have gotten on a coach with his fellow Hufflepuff's but sadly it was full, plus there was another reason why he had picked this particular coach compared to other ones. "I, well…I want to apologise."

Looking at the Hufflepuff across from him, Harry raised an eyebrow as he asked. "What for?"

"Since the Chamber Incident, I've been more alert to things…" Justin replied since he had been one of the few to be petrified by the Basilisk. It had been reported that, when awaken, those who had been petrified had become slightly more alert with their surroundings to not be caught off guard again. "Because of that, as well as thinking over past memories, I wanted to apologise for how Hufflepuff has…"

"Don't." Harry's voice cut in, stopping Justin in his line of thoughts. "Don't apologise for the others. I can accept your apology since you backed off and didn't take part with the verbal attack because of the tournament's champion picking. I can't, however, accept you apologising for anyone in your house." He informed the boy opposite him. "I admire your loyalty to your house, but I have taken far too much from them, to forgive with a simple apology."

As much as he wanted to think it, Justin couldn't call Harry out on being unfair. From parts of the Black Incident, to the majority of the Chamber and then the Tournament incident, Hufflepuff had become the worse at taunting him for being an outcast. Ravenclaw and Gryffindor come in second, with Slytherin following from the shadows. To think, all of this outcast stuff had begun when Harry punch Ronald Weasley back in their first year when they red head had insulted Harry about how his parents would be disappointed with him. Since Ron was one of the Chosen Three, everyone supported him over the boy opposite him.

"I see," Justin said lightly mulling over his thoughts, before he looked at Harry again. "In that case, I would like to start over." He stated, holding his hand out. "While I doubt we could be friends, after everything that has happened. I would like to at least be on neutral terms."

Looking at the hand before him, Harry looked at Luna for her opinion on this. The girl had given Justin her 'stare' before looking at the boy next to her, she smiled and shrugged her shoulders as if telling him that she would be fine with whatever he decides. Sighing slightly, Harry took Justin's hand. "I'll accept being on neutral terms for now, Justin." Harry told the Hufflepuff, to with Justin nodded his head in acceptance. He may have step in this cabin for a different reason, but he was happy with the outcome. Now he just hoped that he could subtlety convince others in his house to back off.

Meanwhile, back with the first years who were still on the platform, as the number of older years dwindled in size.

"First years line up over here, please! All first years to me!" Professor Grubbly-Plank called out as the first years walked over to her, the substitute professor had also noticed four older students among the group with two adults standing beside them. "Ah, you must be Professors Takamachi and Harlaown?" The woman asked, making her way over to them.

"That would be correct." Fate replied politely, showing the letter that Dumbledore had informed them to hand to this woman as proof.

Taking the noted and reading through it, the professor nodded her head before she looked through the list of first year names she was given and was relieved that everyone on the list was present. None had wondered off in different directions, or went along with a group of older students. "First years, please follow me, and mind your step!" Grubbly-Plank called out as they set off down the path that all first years take.

There was plenty of slipping and stumbling among the small students as they followed the lead professor down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that you would have thought there must be thick trees there. Everyone was whispering to each other.

"Hold on, you first years will get your first sight of Hogwarts in a second," Professor Grubbly-Plank called over her shoulder to the group behind her. "Come on now, it's just around the bend here." She stated as they reached and went around the final bend, the sight before them had caused a loud chorus of 'Oooooh!' from the new students. As the narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

They seemed to be in slightly luck, the skies were clear for the moment. However, she could see rain clouds starting to form again. "No more than four to a boat," The professor called quickly, signalling to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. "Otherwise they will capsize." Grubbly-Plank walked around making sure that everyone was in, the three older students had taken a boat to themselves, while the fourth one had joined a boats alongside three other first years.

Once they were all seated, she climbed into Hagrid's boat, which was far larger than the rest. The professor signalled Nanoha and Fate on the boat with her, before looking around once more and making sure that everyone was seated. With a wave of her wand, the boats moved forward in the direction of the castle.

~~HP-GSoTF~~

Upon passing through the doors to the Entrance Hall, the first thing that anyone heard at that moment was the sound of several second year Gryffindor girls screaming. One didn't have to look far to find the answer to the cause, all they had to do was simply look up.

Peeves the Poltergeist was already welcoming the students back to the castle in the only way he knew how, with chaos. Last year it had been a barrage of water balloons, ice cold water balloons with it pouring down outside. This year he had decided on throwing ink pots at the new arrivals. Not only coating them in ink, but slightly hurting the one that got hit by the ink pot. And, as usual, looking around the Entrance Hall there was no staff about to deal with the pest, as they usually ignore him and let him do what he wants, to an extent. Normally, Harry would just ignore the pest, but when one of the ink pots almost hit Luna in the head, the boy moved forward to do something.

"Peeves!" Harry yelled up at the poltergeist. "Stop that now!"

The Poltergeist turned to face him, a wide and sadistic grin on his face. "Why, if it isn't Potty wee Potter the Outcast! Thinks he can tell Peevesy what to do does him?" He asked, shuffling through the ink pots in his arms.

"I don't think I can Peeves, I know I can. If I need to." Harry retorted.

Peeves stuck out his tongue, blew a massive raspberry and then hurled one particularly large ink pot towards Harry. However, the young wizard was prepared for this. From the first moment he had called out to Peeves to stop, he had had his fingers clasped tightly around his wand. The moment Peeves made to throw the ink pot, Harry raised his wand and waved it through the air.

"Depulso!"

The ink pot came to a stop right in front of Harry's face and then shot back towards Peeves, smacking into him right between the eyes. The Poltergeist flipped over backwards twice before righting himself. Then he threw his sack of ink pots over into an empty corner and then raced away, making noises that sounded suspiciously like sobs. Around the Entrance Hall, many were sighing in relief that the poltergeist had been dealt with.

"Mr. Potter!"

All eyes turned to see Professor McGonagall, the deputy head of the school marching towards Harry with a rather stern look on her face. There were snort comments about the outcast already in trouble before the Welcoming Feast has started.

"See you inside, Harry." Harry acknowledge what Luna said, as the blonde-haired girl head on into the Great Hall. As McGonagall reached him, the boy noticed that she was holding a roll of parchment. No doubt holding the names of the new first-year students.

"I hope you enjoyed your summer, Professor McGonagall." Harry greeted the Transfiguration Professor.

"To you as well, Mr. Potter," She replied tersely. "Now, I would like to know what you think you were doing when you confronted Peeves."

"I think that I was giving the sorry excuse for a phantom a taste of his own medicine," Harry replied truthfully. "Plus, as a prefect it's my job to stop chaos from happening in the halls."

"Why did you simply not vanish the ink pot after stopping it?" McGonagall asked, not acknowledging that bit about being a prefect. "Why did you have to fire it back?"

"Because that is about the only thing that a bully like Peeves understands, Professor," Harry replied, trying to remain polite and not come off sounding otherwise. "He learned a long time ago that no matter what he does, all he will get is a stern talking to by one of the teachers. Maybe a few threats of exorcism by Filch, and then he can go back to causing havoc."

"Still, it was a very irresponsible thing to do," McGonagall stated as if she didn't want to lose an argument to a student. "What if it had hit another student?"

"I had faith in my aim," Retorted Harry in a firm tone. "Had I hit another student, I would have promptly apologised to them."

The professor regarded him with a steely gaze for a few moments longer, before letting him go off into the hall. "I have to go and greet the new first years now, just don't do anything irresponsible like that again, Mr. Potter. Prefect or not." She told him, with that she turned in a swish of tartan robes and stalked off to greet the new first-year students. However, before she was fully out of hearing range, Harry could hear her say. "Not even your parents were this disrespectful, why can't you be more like them."

Harry shook his head and turned towards the Great Hall. Once again, the boy was being compared to people he had never met. While he respected his parents, he hated that fact that people would always compare him against them, as the boy would never live up to their expectations.

Professor McGonagall was a prime example of this. Harry respected her as a professor and for her transfiguration abilities in magic. But, he doesn't like that fact that she would constantly compare him to his father or mother. That he doesn't have his father's abilities to handle transfiguration spells as fast as James Potter did, that he doesn't have Lily Potter/Evans' gentleness and outgoing personality around over students. The biggest insult against the professor seemed to be the fact that he wasn't sorted into Gryffindor House, as his parents were.

Shaking his head again, Harry pushed those thoughts aside as he walked over and took his seat next to Luna at the Ravenclaw table.

The four long house tables in the Great Hall were filling up under the starless black ceiling, which was just like the sky they could glimpse through the high windows. Candles floated in mid-air all along the tables, illuminating the silvery ghosts who were dotted about the Hall and the faces of the students talking eagerly. Exchanging summer news, shouting greetings at friends from other houses, eyeing one another's new haircuts and robes. Harry also noticed that people putting their heads together to whisper as the Chosen Three passed them. He could see the trio had gritted their teeth and tried to act as though they neither noticed nor cared.

"He's not there." Luna told him looking at the Head Table, as Harry turned his gaze and scanned the staff table too. Though there was no real need to do so, as Hagrid's size made him instantly obvious in any line-up.

"Who's that?" Harry asked looking towards the middle of the staff table.

Luna's eyes followed his. They lit first upon Professor Dumbledore, sitting in his high-backed golden chair at the centre of the long staff table, wearing deep purple robes scattered with silver stars and a matching hat. Dumbledore's head was inclined towards the woman sitting next to him, who was talking into his ear. Luna was surprised that she didn't notice her, as she looked, in her thoughts, like somebody's maiden aunt. Squat, with short, curly, mouse-brown hair in which she had placed a horrible pink Alice band that matched the fluffy pink cardigan she wore over her robes. Then she turned her face slightly to take a sip from her goblet and she saw, with a shock of recognition, a pallid, toad-like face and a pair of prominent, pouch eyes.

"Umbridge."

"Who?" Harry asked, as while he has lived with his godfather since Christmas time of his third year, he still didn't know members of the ministry well enough.

Biting her lip, Luna looked back at Harry and explained what she knew. "She works for Minister Fudge. She's the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic."

"She works for Fudge," Harry repeated, frowning slightly. "What on earth is she doing here, then? I mean someone with her position wouldn't just give it up, just to become a professor."

"Dunno…"

Harry's attention had suddenly been caught by Professor Grubbly-Plank, who had just appeared at the staff table. The woman had worked her way along to the very end and took the seat that ought to have been Hagrid's. Fate and Nanoha had appeared to follow her from the side room though they took seats at the other end of the table. Their appearance did catch the attention of some of the older male students in the hall. Anyway, with professor Grubbly-Plank arrival, meant the first-years must have crossed the lake and reached the castle.

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 wizards 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, Professor McGonagall placed the stool carefully in front of them and 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. Harry recalled, fleetingly, how terrified he had felt when he had stood there; waiting for the unknown test that would determine to which house he belonged.

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. Only this sorting song was far different, from previous ones. The hall remained silent as they listened to the hat sing.

Soon the Hat became motionless once more. Applause broke out though it was punctured, for the first time in Harry's memory, with muttering and whispers. All across the Great Hall students were exchanging remarks with their neighbours, and Harry, clapping along with everyone else, knew exactly what they were talking about.

"Branched out a bit this year, hasn't it?" said Luna in a slightly quiet voice to not draw attention.

"Too right it has," Harry replied. The Sorting Hat usually confined itself to describing the different qualities looked for by each of the four Hogwarts houses and its own role in sorting them. Harry could not remember it ever trying to give the school advice before. "I wonder if it's ever given warnings before?" The boy asked curiously.

Thought the hall quiet down again as Professor McGonagall, who was waiting to read out the list of first-year names, was giving the whispering students the sort of look that scorches. The muttering came to an abrupt end. 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 the first name.

"Abercrombie, Euan." The terrified-looking boy Harry had noticed earlier stumbled forwards and put the Hat on his head; it was only prevented from falling right down to his shoulders by his very prominent ears. The Hat considered for a moment, the rip near the brim opened again and shouted – 'Gryffindor!' Cheers roared from Gryffindor house as Euan Abercrombie staggered to their table and sat down, looking as though he would like very much to sink through the floor and never be looked at again.

Slowly, the long line of first-years thinned. Out of all the students on the list, only three names stood out the pair near the end of the list.

"Takamachi, Vivio." The hyperactive blonde haired girl walked forward and sat on the stool. Many of the students had taken notice of her two different eye colours before the hat placed on her head. Like with all other first year students, there was silence as the sorting hat made its judgement.

'HUFFLEPUFF!' The hat called out. The table of the badgers burst into cheers with the newest member of their house. Like with all first years that are sorted, on Vivio's robes a black and gold crest with a badger appeared as the trimming turning yellow. The girl smiled as she made her way to the Hufflepuff table. It soon died down as the list continued.

"Timil, Corona." The shy twin-tail haired girl walked up to the stool and took a seat before the hat was lowered onto her head. It seemed she was marked as a hatstall for taking more than five minutes to be sorted. Surprisingly, she remained under the hat for ten whole minutes before the hat announced – 'RAVENCLAW!'

The house of Ravens clapped as the girl smiled and walked over to the table. She took a seat alongside the other first years sorted there. The list continued on a bit more as it came down to the final two names.

"Wesley, Rio." There was slight amusement as some students believed the professor had said Weasley instead of Wesley. Making them believe she may be a Weasley that came from a different country, due to not having the red hair or freckles a normal Weasley has. Of course, the whispering was stopped dead by McGonagall's stern gaze as she read the name again, clearly stating the girls real surname. Stepping up, Rio took a seat on the stood as the hat was lowered onto the girl's head. It only took a minute or so, before the hat called out – 'GRYFFINDOR!'

Like with all the others sorted to their table, the house of Lions cheered for the new student joining their house. Following her the last name, 'Zeller, Rose', was finally sorted into Hufflepuff. Many older students were in relief that they could finally eat now, with the sorting complete.

The hall remained silent as Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet. "Now before we being the feast. I would like to say for the first time in a long while, Hogwarts will be sorting four new transfer students from the St. Hilde Academy of Magic for this year. One will be joining our third years, and the remaining three will be joining our fifth years." The headmaster informed the students.

The announcement had caused more whispers as the students were wondering where the St. Hilde Academy of Magic was. The purebloods have never heard of the school before, epically one that included a church and magic together. It was never heard of to them. It was then that the students had taken notice of four students who were standing at the back of the hall, having entered in with the first years. The chatter in the hall ceased as Professor McGonagall, still holding the parchment in her hand, called out the first name.

"Third Year. Stratos, Einhart." The silverish green hair girl walked towards the stool and took a seat. Like with Vivio, many had taken notice of not only her different coloured eyes, but the fact her hair was a completely different colour. The hat was lowered onto her head, where it remained for a few minutes until it called out. – 'RAVENCLAW!'

The table of ravens cheered as Einhard walked over and joined the table. She took a seat opposite Corona, the girl was inwardly sighing in relief that she knew someone in this house.

"Fifth Years. Alpine, Lutecia." The purple haired girl smiled as she walked forward, brushing her hair back as she walked, gaining the attention of the older boys. Caro and Erio sighed, knowing she was just doing this for fun as the girl had her normal playful smile present. Taking a seat on the stool, the hat was lowered onto her head. Many were watching and wondering where this girl would go, the results were shown as the hat called out – 'SLYTHERIN!'

The house of snakes gave a polite round of applause like they do with every sorting. Groans of disappointment could be heard from a couple of males, in the other three houses. Lutecia smiled as she walked over to the green table and took her seat at the end, with the first years.

"Mondial, Erio." The professor called. The only male of the group walked up to the stool, taking a seat. It was easily heard with what some of the female students were whispering, along with growing heart eyes towards the new boy. Like with the boys, there was silence as the hat made its choice – 'GRYFFINDOR!' The table of lions roared with cheers as Erio walked over and joined them, like with Lutecia, taking a seat with the first years, sitting next to Rio.

All then looked back at the final student that was waiting, many couldn't believe that she was a fifth year, due to having the height of a third-year student.

"Ru Lushe, Caro." McGonagall called for the final time. The pink haired girl slowly walked forward as the hat was lowered onto her head, which sadly dropped down to cover her nose, causing them quiet laughter from the students. Like with Corona, Caro was made a hatstand sitting there for seven minutes before the hat came to its decision – 'HUFFLEPUFF!'

Hufflepuff table cheered for the final time as Caro made her way over taking a seat at the end with the first year students, luckily getting a seat next to Vivio. From his seat, Erio could really see that she want to be in the same house as him, which he wanted as well, as for the last five years that had always been together with the work they have done.

With the sorting now complete, Professor McGonagall picked up the Hat and stool and marched them away. "To our newcomers," Said Dumbledore in a ringing voice as he rose to his feet once more, 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 Dumbledore 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 and sauces and flagons of pumpkin juice. Like every year, Gryffindor table was the loudest, followed by Hufflepuff. You could still hear some of the Ravenclaw house members talking, with Slytherin house like normal whispering between each other.

The moment that all the students had finished eating, along with the noise level in the Hall was starting to creep upwards again, Dumbledore got to his feet yet again. Talking ceased immediately as all turned to face the Headmaster. "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 said, looking around the hall at the students. "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."

If one could see that hall from the Headmaster's spot, you would notice that there was some exchanged smirks happening. "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 a couple of changes in staffing this year. Firstly, we are very pleased to welcome back Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons. We are also delighted to introduce Professor Fate Harlaown, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." The hall began clapping again though the students could easily see both Snape and Umbridge glaring at her. Snape's glare was a simple annoyed one, as everyone in Hogwarts knew he wanted the position. Umbridge, on the other hand, was oddly darker as it seemed she had wanted the position even more.

Upon standing slightly so students knew who she was, like Professor Grubbly-Plank did, the applause was slightly more vocal coming from the older boys. After all, before Fate or the brunette seated next to her showed up, the youngest female professor on the staff was Professor Aurora Sinistra, who is now in her early thirty's.

"I should inform all of you, as of one day ago, Professor Binns decided that it was time for him to pass on." This was all he could say, as the older years burst into rounds of cheers. This was good news, to an extent. Binns didn't pass on his own free will, ministry members had performed exorcism on him. "Because of this, the woman in the pink cardigan is Professor Umbridge. She has agreed to take leave from her job in the Minister's office at the Ministry of Magic in order to teach History of Magic."

The applause that followed was not as loud as the one that Fate received, but it was certainly louder than what one had expected. It seemed that a few people were looking forward to seeing what History of Magic lessons would be like when they were not taught by a ghost with a monotone voice.

When the applause finished, Dumbledore continued on once more. "Finally, I would like to introduce our…"

He broke off, looking enquiringly 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 cleared her throat, '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. Giving the brunette woman near to Fate a look of apology, he sat down smartly and give Professor Umbridge his attention. 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 as thin as then any of the older students had ever seen it. 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 and, again, many felt a powerful rush of dislike that they could not explain. All they knew was that they 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 up at me!"

If you were to glance around, you would see that none of the student's faces looked happy. On the contrary, they all looked rather taken aback at being addressed as though they were five years old. "Throughout the past thousand years, this school has gone through many changes, some for the better, some not so good. But each and every Headmaster and Headmistress that had made their way through these walls offered a unique perspective to the magical students that they oversaw in their day." She spoke in a sweet sugary voice that induced tooth decay for everyone who heard it as she looked around.

"The Wizarding World has evolved beyond what the four founders have seen in their day and if they were alive today, they would find themselves in a strange new world. Progression is sometimes a necessity but rarely done for all the right reasons. Rather many people try and progress to something more unfamiliar, that turns out to be less efficient. The attempts to do so are benevolent but unnecessary that do much more harm than good." Umbridge paused for what she assumed to be a dramatic effect, but it only had the effect of prolonging the agony longer.

"We must maintain the old traditions that have not worn themselves out and not change them for the sake of change. The Ministry of Magic has given much room for progress but once individuals try to make their own room is where problems occur. The foundations that have held together should not be rocked, a revolution should be held off. We must maintain a safe and logical world, but also learn the basics of Defence on the off chance. Until then, there is no need for an overabundance of knowledge and this year will be the first steps for this school to be righted down a proper path."

Umbridge stopped and sat down as everyone seemed numb after that speech that seemed like it went on for an eternity despite it being mercifully short from Ministry of Magic standards.

Dumbledore clapped. The staff followed his lead though it was noticed that 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, the headmaster had rose to his feet once more.

"Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating." The headmaster said, bowing to her. "Now, as I was saying, I would like to introduce our newest professor. She will be only teaching this new elective for one year, many of you know the year requirements as it was sent with your booklists." There was some mumbling from the older students since the class was open for those in Third, Fourth, or Fifth year. "Without further ado, allow me to introduce Professor Nanoha Takamachi," Dumbledore announced, as the brunette haired woman sitting next to Fate rose to her feet. "As said, she will be teaching this elective for this year alone. All those interested are to show up to a demonstration that will be held here in the Great Hall, tomorrow at eleven thirty, after breakfast."

Just like with Fate, the applause was slightly more vocal coming from the older boys, for the same reason as the blonde haired professor. Nanoha simply smiled and waved at them, before she took her seat.

"Now, just some information that Professor Takamachi had given me earlier about the class. It is open to all years from Third to Fifth, but those who have or will be studying Arithmancy will understand it easier then others. There are two sides to the class – one is theory, the other is practical." The headmaster informed the listening students, who seemed to be paying very close attention. "Also, this elective isn't run or funded by the Ministry's Department of Education. Meaning, the professor has the authority to throw you out of her class if you are doing nothing more than wasting her time. You have been warned."

Hearing the bit about not being connected to the ministry, many could see that Umbridge had turned a darker shade with the look she was giving the two young female professors. However, it looked like she couldn't say anything on the matter.

"What's the class called?" A student called out, wanting to know what the name of the new elective was.

Looking at the table that said voice came from, the headmaster replied. "Mage Studies." Like normal with Hogwarts, when something interesting happens there were mass whispers erupting left, right, and centre. Though there was still those that didn't find it fair, they found it interesting but were angry that they couldn't join in the class. Clearing his throat, the Headmaster got their attention again. "Now moving onto our final notes, the Quidditch try-outs will be held in the second week of the term…"

Tuning out the rest of Dumbledore's notices, Harry had thought back and went over the announcements made. What stood out the most from that list, was what that Umbridge woman had said. 'Dam, I guess it means the Ministry's is really trying to interfere at Hogwarts. All because of those Chosen Three.' The teen thought, having been one of the few to listen to the entire of Umbridge's speech. One of the others who had listened was over at the Gryffindor table, the person being one with bushy hair, also shared her thoughts with Ron and Neville. None liked it, but they couldn't do much as 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. Realising this, Hermione jumped up looking flustered, as she looked down the table to where the first years were. "Neville, we're supposed to show the first-years where to go!" She said in a panicked voice, not wanting to be called out for not doing her job.

"Oh yeah," Neville said, who had obviously forgotten.

Not wanting to be caught in Hermione's irk, Ron rose to his feet and left the Great Hall with the twins and Lee. "First-years!" Hermione called commandingly along the table. "This way, please!" A group of new students walked shyly up the gap between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables, all of them trying hard not to lead the group. They did indeed seem very small.

The Gryffindor first years, along with Erio who was walking alongside Rio, followed the two Gryffindor prefects through the chattering crowds, out of the Great Hall, and up the marble staircase. Neville looked at the group as they walked, grinned at them. A blond boy next to Euan looked petrified; he nudged Euan and whispered something in his ear. Euan looked equally frightened and stole a horrified look at Neville, who felt the grin slide off his face like Stinksap.

Unlike Ron, Neville was not stupid enough to not expect this. Unquestionably everyone was staring at him and the other two. The three had appeared in front of the Triwizard maze, claiming to have seen Lord Voldemort return to power. There had not been time last term to explain their story before the students all had to go home. But during the summer he had thought about the whole situation, the boy realised they must have looked crazy from the audience point a view. Just appearing out of nowhere and ranting about a so-called dead man. He had originally hoped that Madam Bones could help them, as she was the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. They could present memories and tell the truth under Veritaserum, so the wizarding world knew the truth.

Though it seems the Death Eaters in the Ministry acted faster, getting Madam Bones fired so they had no way to present their side of the story. For the rest of the summer at Grimmauld Place, he, Susan, and Hermione had tried to find a way to present the truth within the wizarding laws. Ron didn't care, like normal, believing it would simply go away and they would be hailed as the Chosen Three once more. Sadly, they couldn't do much as Sirius Black had completely forbidden them from entering the Black Library on the second floor. Neville was sure the man was doing it for everything they had put his godson through, and in honesty he had more than enough right to do so.

Looking forward, the group had climbed the final staircases. Most of the first years were yawning and dragging their feet along. Reaching the very end of the corridor, they stood before a portrait of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress.

"Password?" The Fat Lady asked.

"Mimbuius mimbletonia." Hermione spoke, telling the group to remember the password as it changes once a month. The new password would be on the notice board so it would be wise to check it every now and again.

"Correct." The Fat Lady told them, as the portrait swung forward to reveal a round hole in the wall.

They all scrambled through it, a few first years needed a leg up before they found themselves in the Gryffindor common room. Looking around, the first years could see that the common room was a circular room where Gryffindor students could relax. It was full of squashy armchairs, tables, and a bulletin board where school notices, ads, lost posters, etc. was posted. A window that looked out onto the grounds of the school, and a large fireplace dominates one wall. The walls are decorated with scarlet tapestries that depict witches and wizards, but also various animals.

At the current moment, the Gryffindor common room looked as welcoming as ever, a cosy circular tower room full of dilapidated squashy armchairs and rickety old tables. A fire was crackling merrily in the grate and a few people were warming their hands by it before going up to their dormitories. On the other side of the room, Fred and George Weasley were pinning something up on the noticeboard.

Once all the first years were present, Hermione turned to them. "Welcome, I am delighted to welcome you to Gryffindor House. Out emblem is the lion, the bravest of all creatures. As you can see, our house colours are scarlet and gold. This is our common room present in the Gryffindor Tower." She begun, moving on to informing them about following the rules of the house. Neville remained quiet, only waving his hand when Hermione mentioned him as the fellow prefect, due to not liking the whispers from those that were still present in the common room.

Hermione finished up by directing the girls through one door to their dormitory and the boys through another. Informing them they have group rooms, with are labelled by year groups making it easy to find. All beds were the same, five four-posters hung with deep red, velvet curtains. Plus, their trunks should have already been brought up. With that said, she dismissed the first years. Hermione bid Neville goodnight, before leading some of the female first-years up the staircase to their dorms.

Neville waved goodnight to her and headed straight for the door to the boys' dormitories, he was not in much of a mood for talking at the moment. The boy also signalled for Erio to follow him since they were in the same year group so they would be in the same dorm. Neville's mood became worse as they neared the male fifth-year dorm and heard shouting emerging. Pushing the door open slightly, he could see Ron and Seamus in a shouting match over what had been written in the Daily Prophet during the summer. Neville sighed as he knew this was going to be a long night.

"Leave my mother out of this, Weasley!"

"What's going on?" Neville asked as Erio and he entered into the fifth year dorm room. There was silence as the pair had just appeared. The prefect's eyes travelled from Ron, who was kneeling on his bed with his wand pointing at Seamus, to Seamus, who was standing there with his fists raised. "Is everything okay?"

"He's having a go at my mother!" Seamus yelled pointing an accusing finger at Ron though the look he was also giving Neville wasn't any better.

"Well, she was nice before she started believing every word the stinking Daily Prophet writes about us!" Ron replied at the top of his voice, his ears were starting to glow red – always a danger sign that the redhead was about to blow his top.

"Oh," Said Neville, comprehension dawning across his face realising it was tied into what he was thinking about before. "Right…"

"You know what?" Seamus said heatedly, casting Ron then Neville a venomous look. "I don't want to share a dormitory with neither of you anymore, both of you are raging mad with the nonsense you are sprouting."

"That's out of order, Seamus." Neville spoke up, trying to calm everything down.

But the boy cut him off. "Out of order, am I?" Seamus shouted, who in contrast with Ron was going pale. "It was the pair of you, along with Bones, that started all this rubbish about You-Know-Who's return. The pair of you are bloody mad." He said in disgust.

"Yeah? Well, unfortunately for you, pal, I'm also a prefect!" Neville stated, pointing a finger at his Gryffindor prefect badge. "So unless you want detention, watch your mouth!"

Seamus looked for a few seconds as though detention would be a reasonable price to pay to say what was going through his mind. But with a noise of contempt he turned on his heel, vaulted into bed and pulled the hangings shut with such violence that they were ripped from the bed and fell into a dusty pile to the floor. Ron glared at Seamus, then looked at Dean and Erio.

"Anyone else's parents got a problem with the pair of us?" The redhead said aggressively.

"My parents are Muggles, mate," Dean said, shrugging his shoulders. "They don't know nothing about no deaths at Hogwarts because I'm not stupid enough to tell them."

"You don't know my mother, she'd weasel anything out of anyone." Seamus snapped at him. "Anyway, your parents don't get the Daily Prophet. They don't know our Headmaster's been sacked from the Wizengamot and the International Confederation of Wizards because he's losing his marbles."

"Enough!" Neville stated, seeing that Ron was about to open his mouth. "It's late, so why don't we call it a night to let everyone calm down."

Nobody else said anything.

Seamus got out his wand, repaired the bed hangings back to their original position and vanished behind them. Dean got into bed, rolled over and simply fell silent. Ron, who's ears were still red had copied Seamus' actions and pulled his bed hangings closed, vanishing behind them. Neville copied Ron's actions and upon closing the bed hangings lay back on his bed, the boy was slightly shaken by the argument with Seamus, whom he had always liked very much as a friend. Now he couldn't help but wonder how many more people were going to suggest that he and the other two were lying, or unhinged? How many more attacks like Seamus's he and the others would have to endure before the time of the Dark Lord's true return occurred.

However, from all of this he had never really introduced himself to the new student in their dorm. Neither did any of the other three. Erio just sat quietly on the bed that he guessed was his since it was the only free one and his trunk had been placed at the end. The young male couldn't help but wonder if all wizards were like this, or if it were something to do with that was being said in the wizarding newspaper. But whatever the case is, he unpacked, the boy was hoping the others were settling in okay.

~~HP-GSoTF~~

Just like Gryffindor, each group of fifth-year prefects from all four houses were leading their group of first-year students to the location of the houses common room. Slytherin heading down to the dungeons under the lake, or Hufflepuff heading down to the dungeons near the school's kitchens. For Ravenclaw, the group was led through several corridors, up a few flights of stairs, which they warned the first year about how they change direction all the time. They continued on up until they finally arrived at a door without a handle or keyhole, nothing bar a bronze knocker in the form of an eagle. Reaching his hand out, Harry knocked on the knocker once.

Many of the first years jumped startled, shock if they were raised in the muggle world, when the head of the eagle moved and spoke. Not in a normal sense, but that of a riddle:

'I am hot or cold, but you can't see me,

I'm cherished or cursed, it doesn't care me,

I can cause wars but also bring peace,

I can boil your blood but also freeze.'

The Ravenclaw Prefects, Harry and Padma, turned their heads towards the first year group, signalling to the knocker. "This is how we enter our common room, not with password or code, but answering a riddle that the Ravenclaw Knocker gives you," Harry explained to them, just like it was done when he was a first year. "This one is slightly tricky, but who would like to have a shot at this?"

"Can we hear it again, please?" A shy first-year girl asked, the bronze eagle bobs its head and repeated its riddle once again to the group in front of it. From here, many of them gave it a try but had guessed wrong as the knocker shook its head and wouldn't open. The prefects were about to step in when a voice near the back spoke up.

"Love?"

Looking back, it was Einhard who had spoken as she stood at the back of the group with Corona, having been told to follow them since she didn't know where she had to go. The eagle turned its head to her and said. 'Are you saying or asking?'

"S-saying." She replied, slightly startled by the animate object stern voice.

'Correct.' The knocker said, as it went stationary and allowed the door to swing open. The prefects led the group into a wide circular room. Graceful arched windows punctuated the walls, which were hung with blue and bronze silks. The ceiling was domed and painted with stars, which were echoed in the midnight-blue carpet. The room was furnished with tables, chairs, and bookcases. By the stairs leading up to the dormitories stands a tall statue of Rowena Ravenclaw made of white marble.

"Congratulations! I'm the fifth year Prefect Padma and this is Harry, the other fifth-year prefect." Padma introduces as she begun the small house welcoming speech once they were in the Ravenclaw Common Room. The first years were seated on the armchairs and sofa in front of the fireplace, there were also some older students who were sitting around the tables and talking to one another. "We are delighted to welcome you to Ravenclaw House! Our emblem is the eagle that soars where others cannot climb. Our house colours, as you can see, are blue and bronze. If you look out the arched windows, you can look down at the school grounds: the lake, the Forbidden Forest, the Quidditch pitch and the Herbology gardens. No other house in the school has such stunning views."

Stepping back, the prefects gave the first years a few minutes to absorb all this information in before Harry stepped forward and addressed them.

"Without wishing to boast, this is the house where the cleverest witches and wizards live. Our founder, Rowena Ravenclaw, prized learning above all else, and so do we." Harry stated as a fact, or rather following the paper dialogue given to him by Padma on the way up, something that he 'had' to follow. Around the common room most of the older students listening in agreed on what was said. "Unlike the other houses, who all have concealed entrances to their common rooms, we don't need one. As we showed you the enchanted bronze knocker back out there. This simple barrier has kept out everyone but Ravenclaws for nearly a thousand years." There was of course over things that he wanted to say about this house, but as a Ravenclaw prefect, he had to speak in a strong light of it.

"Another cool thing about Ravenclaw is that our people are the most individual – some might even call them eccentrics," Padma explained, stepping forward and cutting Harry off. "But geniuses are often out of step with ordinary folk. Unlike some other houses we could mention, we think you've got the right to wear what you like, believe what you want, and say what you feel. We aren't put off by people who march to a different tune; on the contrary, we value them!"

The two prefects looked at each other. They nodded before continuing on the next part. "With our relationship with the other three houses…well," Harry began biting his lip in wondering what to say. Despite wanting to speak his thoughts, he knew it was just get him in trouble. So he just kept to the given dialogue. "You've probably heard about the Slytherins. They're not all bad, but you'd do well to be on your guard until you know them well. They've got a longhouse tradition of doing whatever it takes to win."

Padma nodded in agreement and added. "In our own opinion as a house, I'd say Gryffindors tend to be show-offs. They're also much less tolerant than we are of people who are different. In fact, they've been known to make jokes about Ravenclaws who have developed an interest in the most littlest of things. Those Lions haven't got our intellectual curiosity."

Harry then finished up, wanting to wrap this up. "As for the Hufflepuffs, well, nobody could say they're not nice people. In fact, they're some of the nicest people in the school. Just be careful as they tend to travel in packs, so insult one, you insult them all. But, at the same time, let's just say you needn't worry too much about them when it comes to competition at exam time."

"I think that's nearly everything," Padma stated looking around the room when a sudden thought clicked into her head. "Oh yes, our house ghost is the Grey Lady. The rest of the school thinks she never speaks, but she'll talk to Ravenclaws. She's particularly useful if you're lost, or you've mislaid something."

"I'm sure you'll have a good night sleep. But please don't leave the common room tomorrow morning as our Head of House, Professor Flitwick, will also give a little introductory speech at that time before breakfast." Harry also stated. Looking around again, his attention drew on the stairs causing him to remember one last thing. "One last thing, we do not have group dorms but two people per room." He told them, causing Padma to nod in agreement. With this said, they got them to pair up with someone, thankfully they had an even number with the first years, so everyone was paired.

Turning her attention towards Einhard, who was standing by herself, Padma spoke. "If I remember correctly, the second and third-year group have even numbers." She got some confirmation for this. "But I believe the fourth years have an odd number…yes, Luna Lovegood doesn't have a roommate."

At this, there were snickers from the older students. Einhard looked confused at what was so funny since she sat with the girl on the train, but Harry bit his lip. The boy wished they would cut this stupid behaviour off already, they were fourteen to eighteen-year-olds for crying out loud. One would have thought that they would have stopped acting like childish bullies already.

Clapping his hands, he brought attention to him. "Okay, enough." He spoke firmly, looking around. "First years, please go on up and find your rooms. If something is missing from your belongings, then let Padma know." Harry informed them before turning to Einhard. "Your roommate will be up on the fourth floor, there will be a nameplate for you can easily find her." He then turned to the rest of the common room, he so wanted to say something but held it off. Since he's a prefect, they may lay off him but if their treatment of Luna start's going overboard again, then he will step in.

With that said, the first years headed on up the staircase to get sorted into their rooms. While the older years went back to doing their own things though it appeared that the main topic on their minds was to do with the discrediting campaign. In the end, having finally heard enough of the students talking down about Dumbledore due to the campaign. Harry rose to his feet and walked on up the staircase to his dorm room on the fifth floor of the boy's dormitory.

As said before, it is usually two per room. However, Harry seemed to have gotten off lucky this time around, as the year above him and the years below him have had an equal amount of boys. Since his year group had an odd number and the fact he was prefect, Flitwick award Harry with the room to himself this year. Something that he was happy about, as he knows no one can enter his room without either his permission or if it is a teacher that opens the door.

The room looked like normal with a four poster bed, a set of draws for storing clothes and personal belongings, and an empty bookcase along the other side. Finally, a well-spaced desk and chair, allowing one to study in their room if they so wish. Naturally, since the room is meant for two, it was quite large as a second bed and desk were missing. Giving the boy plenty of space to move around or set up things on the floor.

He began to set everything up around his bed, even though it wasn't a lot.

A single pictures on the bedside table, the picture having been taken from his first birthday party. He didn't really have any posters to put up on the wall, so they were left bare. He pulled out some novels and placed them in the bookcase with his school books. Then the teen the miniature-sized version of the Hungarian Horntail he had pulled out of that bag last year. The one representing the actual dragon he had faced off against during the Triwizard Tournament, it was also placed on one of the shelves.

Finally, on the bedside table, he placed the small case for where the ring would remain during the night. Along with it, a doll size bed for nights that Luca didn't wish to sleep in the ring.

There were a few minutes of silence, the boy threw some protective spells on certain items around the room. Just as a safety precaution should someone, somehow, get into this room. Once that was done, along with him being changed into his pyjamas, he sat on his own bed and told Luca what happened during the Welcoming Feast. The fairy had been brought up here in her cat form by the house elves.

"It seems that we are going to have to be very careful this year." She said the boy nodded his head in agreement. {Goodnight, Master.} Luca gentle spoke as the boy climbed into his bed.

"Goodnight Luca." Harry replied drifting off to sleep, wondering what else will happen this year for him.

The fourth chapter has officially come to an end. I hope you all enjoyed it. From the next chapter and on, the chapters will be working between Harry, Luna, and the MGLN cast. I'm going to try and split it up so there is equal development of character between all of them – Starting with an inside look into the Slytherin and Hufflepuff Common Rooms.

Next Chapter: Two days before Hogwarts official begins its school year. One day for the demonstration and decision on if you're going to join the class, the other to get yourself use to being back at the castle once more. What is to happen on these days before Hogwarts officially begins?

Please read this next section carefully.

QUESTION: Do you want two versions of this story on fanfiction – This version with the Ravenclaw Harry and the other version with Gryffindor Harry (The original story plotline)? I ask this question because it seems many of you prefer the original plotline with Gryffindor Harry compared to this one with Ravenclaw Harry – So I'm putting a poll up on my account.

If the votes is 'No' – Then this story will simply continue on like normal. / If the votes is 'Yes' – Then this story will simply continue on like normal, but another Grey Side of The Feather will be put up alongside this one which will have the Gryffindor Harry with the original (fixed-up) plotline.

Should the vote be 'Yes', this is what the difference between the two story's will be, as well as what is kept the same:

The Difference – Chamber (2nd)/PoA (3rd) like canon. Gryffindor Harry (Boy-Who-Lived), friends with Ron and Hermione. The campaign to discredit Albus and Harry. ONLY Vivio (3rd) and Einhard (5th) for students, since TSAB state it would be suspicious for a group to suddenly appear out of nowhere.

Kept the Same – Awakening of the tome with the Chamber incident. Cedric is alive. Teaching positions that Nanoha and Fate have.

Please don't say, it's your choice in the end. I do understand that, however as an author I would like to hear the thoughts of those who read my stories. So please review with your thoughts.