The Guardians of Hogwarts.

Harry, Ron and Hermione entered the Great Hall.

'Whoa' Ron said. Floating high in the rafters of the great hall was a massive, revolving globe of the Earth. Harry could make out the individual countries marked out across the globe. Crisscrossing the globe were thousands upon thousands of individual golden lights, shimmering and glittering like stars.

The next thing they noticed was that five new figures were sitting at the staff table. One of them looked a lot like Hagrid and was virtually the same height, but his hair was white with the exception of his eyebrows. On his massive arms, Harry could make out two tattoos. The one on the right arm read 'Naughty' and the one on the left read 'Nice.' He was wearing a massive red coat trimmed with black fur and a small, black, furry hat.

The second figure was probably the most unusual. It was a massive rabbit with blueish-grey fur. Professor Trelawney, who sitting next to him, looked slightly unnerved. Around his upper torso, straddling his shoulder, was a belt into which large, painted eggs were strapped. Just pointing over his shoulder was what looked like the tips of two large boomerangs. He was leaning back in his chair with a bored expression on his face.

Two seats across from the rabbit was a half-human, half-hummingbird woman. She had iridescent feathers of green and blue. On the top of her head was a single yellow feather sitting there like a headdress. Behind her, were two, massive, insect-like wings that were fluttering quickly. Floating around her were what looked like tiny little specks of light, but on closer inspection Harry could see that they were miniscule versions of the woman herself. She was chatting animatedly to Professor Sprout.

Sitting next to Professor Flitwick was a man just as small as him, but golden-yellow in colour. He seemed to be sparkling as though he was made of sand. He was talking to Professor Flitwick, but he wasn't moving his lips. Instead he was conjuring images over his head like a game of Charades. Professor Flitwick seemed to be trying to guess what the golden man was saying, but seemed to be failing. The man's golden hair stuck up in five places making him look like a sunrise.

The final figure took Harry by surprise. It was a teenage boy, barely a few years older than himself. He had pure white hair that was even more untidy than Harry's. Instead of robes, he was wearing a blue hoodie with brown trousers and bare feet. In his hand he was clutching a long staff that looked like it had been pulled of a tree. He looked even more bored than the rabbit.

Then Harry noticed another figure. It was a stout woman dressed in pink with short, curly, mouse-brown hair. She looked like a toad with a pair of prominent, pouchy eyes.

'It's that Umbridge woman!' 'Who?' Hermione asked. 'She was at my hearing, she works for Fudge!' 'Nice cardigan,' said Ron, smirking. 'She works for Fudge! What's she doing here then?' 'Dunno. Hey do you think the other new staff members are with the ministry?"

After the Sorting and the feast, Dumbledore rose to his feet to give his usual speech and the hall turned it's attention to him. 'Well, now that we're digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices. First-years ought to know that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students - and a few of out older students ought to know by now, too' he said, eyeing Harry, Ron and Hermione who grinned.

'We have a number of changes to the staffing this year. First, 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 Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher,'

'I would now like to introduce the teachers of five new subjects to the school this year.' A murmur ran around the great hall. 'New subjects?' Hermione gasped, 'but what if we don't the right text-books?' Harry and Ron smirked.

'Our first new teacher is Professor North' Dumbledore said, gesturing to the tall man with the thick beard who waved, smiling widely, 'who will be taking the new classes of Wonder in dungeon ten.' A couple of groans echoed across the hall. The only other class that took place in the dungeons was Potions, taught by Professor Snape, was extremely unpopular.

'The second new class; Hope, will be taught by Professor Bunnymund.' The rabbit waved his hand vaguely. Several giggles ran around the hall, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil among them. 'Hope classes will be taking place in Greenhouse 8.'

'The third class will be Memory. It shall be situated in the South Tower, and Professor Tooth will be hosting it.' The humming-bird/woman hovered above her chair and waved tentatively. Several whispers broke out among the younger students.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. The whispers subsided. 'The next class shall be taken by Professor Sandy...' Dumbledore had gestured to the figure of the golden man, but he had fallen asleep and was snoozing gently. Several of the students began to laugh. 'Um...' Dumbledore hesitated, 'Professor Sandy. Professor Sandy!' But Professor Sandy stayed asleep.

'SANDY, WAKE UP!' The deep, russian voiced boomed across the hall causing everybody to jump. A few of the first-years let out minor shrieks. Professor North was standing up, glaring over at Professor Sandy who quickly woke up. 'Well... yes,' Dumbledore continued. 'Professor Sandy will be taking Dream classes which will be in the East ower.'

"The final classes will be Fun classes. They will be hosted by Jack Frost.' He nodded to the teenage boy. All of the girls in the hall even the ones in Slytherin, began either giggling or swooning over the handsome figure. Even a couple of the boys had to look away to avoid blushing. Jack looked over at Hermione... and gave her a tiny wink. Hermione smiled and blushed. Ron looked furious and turned red.

'Please, calm down,' Dumbledore said waving his arms. 'Now...' he continued 'Quidditch trials will take place on the...' but he broke off. Professor Umbridge had gotten to her feet and it was clear she was intending to make a speech. 'Hem, hem, Thank you Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome.'

'Well...' she said surveying the hall 'it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts I must say.' She smiled revealing very pointed teeth. 'And to see such lovely little faces smiling up at me!' 'Ah rack off ya bloody show pony!' came a voice with a strong Australian accent. Professor Umbridge looked shocked and everyone in the hall turned to face Professor Bunnymund who was still leaning back in his chair. Laughter broke out again. Harry thought he saw Professor Umbridge betray a slight look of revultion.

After Professor Umbridge's speech, Professor Dumbledore clapped lightly and said 'Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating. Now as I was saying, Quidditch tr...,' 'Wait, come she gets to make speech, but we don't?' Professor North had gotten to his feet, looking distinctly disgruntled. Dumbledore looked even more suprised, but nodded and North stepped forward. 'I wish to make a brief speech about myself and my companions.' The teachers exchanged glances.

North cleared his throat and began 'We go by many names and take many forms. We bring wonder and hope. We bring joy and dreams.' Several of the students began muttering again. 'We are the Sandman, we are Jack Frost and the Tooth Fairy. We are the Easter Bunny and Santa and our powers are greater than you ever imagined.' Harry found himself attempting to suppress a burst of laughter.

'It is our job to protect the children of the world, for as long as you believe in us, we will Guard you with our lives.' Harry saw Draco Malfoy lean back in his chair looking bored. 'Professor Dumbledore has told us of the return of Lord Voldemort.' All the muttering ceased immediately. Students who'd been only half awake, now sat up straight on the benches. Even the teachers seemed surprised at this. 'It seems that we have never faced a greater threat... and so... we will fight.'

A stunned silence followed the end of this statement. Harry suddenly felt a great respect for the tall, fearsome man standing in front of the entire hall. North returned to his seat and a smattering of stunned applause began to fill the hall. Professor Umbridge was looking very disapproving.

Later that evening Harry lay in his bed, still fuming. Seamus Finnagan had accused Harry of being mad. Harry was now wondering how many attackers like Seamus it would take before people began to believe him.

A soft, golden glow sudden lit the room. Harry pulled back the curtains on his four-poster bed... and saw a trail of glowing golden sand floating through the window across the room. He picked up his wand. The sand floated over Ron's head. Harry was about to shout a warning, when the sand twisted above Ron's head and a golden image of Ron flying a broomstick appeared. Ron began to smile and hummed contentedly.

Harry's eyes followed the sand round the room. Neville had an image of himself holding his Mimbulus mimbletonia and a trophy hovering over his head. Seamus seemed to be having the same dream as Ron. Dean, however seemed to be playing football in his dream.

Harry looked at the strange sand... then extended his hand and touched it. Instantly, it coiled around his fingers and formed a miniature golden stag. It cantered around the room before dissipating. A sudden trail of the golden sand flew into Harry's eyes. He stumbled backwards, felt onto his bed and was asleep instantly.

The dream was beautiful. Harry was flying through the Quidditch World Cup stadium. 100,000 witch's and wizards were watching him from the stands, cheering. He could hear them all crying "HARRY! HARRY!" Harry saw the Snitch, flew forwards and caught it instantly. A roar of applause echoed throughout the stadium. Professor Dumbledore appeared in front of him holding the World cup. 'Congratulations Harry,' he said handing him the cup. Harry turned to face the crowd... and his parents were standing there. They looked so happy. 'We are so proud of you Harry,' his mother said. James and Lily Potter stepped forwards and embraced their son. Harry felt tears of happiness slide down his cheeks.

Harry smiled contentedly as his dream unfurled the golden sand curled around his head. A tall figure stepped out of the shadows of the Dormitory. The pale flesh and the black hair contrasted perfectly with his yellow eyes. The figure stood over the sleeping form of Harry. 'What a wonderful dream,' the figure said. 'And look at you, so full of hope and happiness and wonder. Why, there's only one thing missing; a touch of fear.'

The figure extended its finger and was about to tap the sandy image of Harry and his parents when 'Then again, maybe such and action would not be wise with tha Sandman on alert.' The figure turned away. Before disappearing into the shadows, he turned back to Harry and said 'Harry Potter, you will fear more than Lord Voldemort by the time Pitch Black has finished with you.' And smiling, Pitch disappeared into the darkness.