The Feast

Snape swiftly walked past back to the dining hall and returned to the teacher's table. It appeared that the sorting ceremony was just coming to an end. Cassandra was startled by the indifference in the room. She was a nobody now, not one who turned heads. Taking a minute to regain her composure, She walked to the Slytherin table and sat with her "new family."

"What did he want with you?" Malfoy questioned.

"He was just welcoming me to Hogwarts." Cassandra told him. "He seems to like me."

"He likes any Slytherin" He snickered. "Watch out for McGonagall though, she'll come down on you hard."

"I'll keep that in mind." Cassandra commented.

"Welcome, Welcome, students." Dumbledore's start of year speech boomed through the hall. "An adventurous year of magical education awaits you here...."

"Look at the old man's hand" Draco pointed to Dumbledore's almost charred hand. "What did that?"

"Whatever it was, it was powerful." Cassandra explored possibilities. "And incurable, it would appear."

"...Our caretaker, Mr. Filch has placed a blanked ban on Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes products...."

"Fat lot of good that did." Draco commented on their smuggling. "It's piss easy to get past him."

“...Those wishing to play for their House Quidditch teams should give their names to their Heads of House as usual. We are also looking for new Quidditch commentators, who should do likewise..."

“...We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year. Professor Horace Slughorn” — Slughorn stood up, his bald head gleaming in the candlelight, his big belly casting a huge shadow — “is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master...”

"Potions master?" Draco asked with disbelief. "Dumbledore wouldn't give Snape any other-"

"Meanwhile, Professor Snape will be taking over teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts." This caused the entire room to break into a murmur over the new appointment. Malfoy seemed to somber up.

"The DADA job's jinxed. No one stays in the job for a year or more." He said with a hint of sadness. "Snape doesn't deserve it."

"Everybody knows that Lord Voldemort has once again returned to his reign of terror. I emphasise how dangerous He and His followers are. Security around the castle has been stregnthened considerably, this room has been protected in novel and powerful ways. However, we must maintain vigiliance against carelessness and malice by any student or member of staff. Please abide by all arrangements made for your safety." Dumbledore warned. "Now, beds await all of you, do not be restless, you have many lessons ahead of you. Goodnight, Pip Pip!"