Dumbledore's welcoming ceremonies are always a delight to be heard by returning students, although some new arrivals might be easily frightened by his overwhelming presence. As headmaster, Dumbledore is the kindness soul of Hogwarts. That's not to imply he can't be strong and ruthless when required, though. Dumbledore merely adapts himself to the current situation and takes on the most comfortable personality for the environments he's given. For example, allowing someone from the Ministry of Magic to interrupt his traditional speech with something of her own creation.

This visitor to Hogwarts, its newest addition to the teaching staff as well, is not a mysterious stranger to Dumbledore, neither Harry Potter. In fact, if she was more influential in the Ministry, beloved Harry Potter might have found himself locked away in Azkaban Prison. Indeed, for whatever reason, this currently un-named woman has quite the vendetta against young Potter of Gryffindor.

Appearing under the guise of a sweet, little 'ol lady dressed in that ridiculous shade of pink...no one suspected how truly demonic this primly wrapped gift of sunshine could actually be. Well, perhaps Harry had his skepticism regarding her intentions, but nothing he could openly accuse her of. She introduced herself as Dolorous Umbridge. Such an innocently appearing woman was given the charge of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Isn't that ironic?

"I can tell we're going to be great friends."

Hogwart's devious pair, the Weasley twins, shared their immediate dislike of this woman by uttering two words beneath their breath. "That's likely." Upon hearing their vocal remarks, Umbridge straightened her pose and continued on with her speech. The entire time she spoke, students visibly cringed at her insinuations of Hogwarts. Even headmaster Dumbledore could be seen shaking his head in dismissal. However, he said nothing. Umbridge finally concluded her tedious rambles and sat back down at the staff's table. Dumbledore granted his students the delicious feast and soon the Great Hall was busy with chattering voices and sounds of amusement echoing from each table.

Gryffindor seemed less joyous than the others. The source of this rooting from Harry and his close friends. Ron, busy stuffing his face with an assortment of food, knew very well that Harry was distressed. As for Hermione, she caught onto the sickening realization that the Ministry is interfering in Hogwarts. Across from the other side of Gryffindor's table, the elder of the Weasley twins tried to comfort Harry. "You want us to give ol' toad face there a proper welcome?" The mischievous nature of their plan quite obvious.

* * *

[I'll add Hillary in the next post. ^_^]

She rolled her wand back and forth, her tummy giving a ravenous growl. The other hand was supporting her bored face as she watched her wand, back and forth, back and forth. This woman was boring, whatever she was prattling on about was making Robyn go cross eyed. The empty golden plate was teasing her, and her stomach growled louder as she reminisced over the delicious food that Hogwarts offered. “Oh my word… If she doesn’t shut up I will eat her!” Hissed Robyn to the rest of the Seventh year student, looking to the women with irritation in her eyes. She was short and fat, and dressed in pink. She looked ridiculous and had a very patronising tone to her voice which irked Robyn. Eventually she ended with a statement of friendship, and Robyn rolled her eyes. Dumbledore eventually announced the feast and Robyn cheered loudly, gaining several looks. “What? I’m hungry” She said as she pocketed her wand and looked to the delicious platters of food that now stood before her. She grinned and ladled lamb stew onto her plate, and placed a large spoonful in her mouth as she buttered a roll.

Fred and George wasted no time in offering mischief, and Robyn looked up as she chewed through a succulent cube of lamb. “I think I could get a pastille in from here” Said George, eyeing up the target as if he had a gun. “I believe I have some puking’s in my pocket” he concluded, as he pulled a crinkled packet from his pocket and pulled out a coloured sweet. He inspected it before looking to the curious eyes of those around him. Including Robyn and she received a cheeky grin in return. “What you think?” he asked, nudging his brother. Robyn eyed the sweets and made a mental picture of their appearance and remembering never to accept a sweet of them. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust the Weasley twins, on the contrary she adored them, but they were the kings of pranks. And when she had dared to challenge them back one year and made them walk around with a buttock on show, she had walked with a very elaborate and decorative moustache courtesy of some powder they blew in her face. She had found it funny, and conceded to the fact that they were always going to be the king of pranks.

“Ron, say something!” Snapped the tones of Hermione Granger, and eyes quickly turned to view the latest Prefects of Gryffindor house.

“Ssh” He replied, lowering his blushing face to shovel in his potatoes.

“Ron, we are prefects, just because they’re you brothers…”

“Give it a rest, Hermione” Came his ever lower voice, his face burning red now. Hermione straightened her back and turned to look at the twins. Robyn raised an eyebrow and was ready to burst out laughing. Hermione was just about tolerable before, now with a shiny P attached to her robes, Robyn had the distinct impression she would be unbearable now.

“Now now, Hermione” George said, after swallowing a chunk of chicken. “We only talked of giving her a welcome was all” George finished with a smirk to his face. Hermione rested her knife and fork down rather stiffly and turned to look at George.

“Do I need to remind you of what your mother said about those tricks of yours?” She said. Robyn raised her eyebrows and looked back nodding her head. Whilst it was a very petty comment to make, and telling tales was not her style, it was one way to get the attention of Fred and George.

“Low blow” George said shaking his head, placing his bone onto the plate. “Low blow” but he pocketed the sweet, and leaning into Fred. “Remind me to slip her something sometime” He spoke.

Fred encouraged his brother's suggestion with a wink, the mischievous gleam of his eyes unmistakable. Hermione is their friend, but sometimes, she can become a tad crotchety and quite annoying. She's the type of person that's way too high strung, always prepared for something to happen, but never enjoys the spontaneous delights of day to day life. Well, the twins were going to change that. At least, they'd surely try and have fun while doing so, of course.

Harry, although he seemed rather quiet during the feast, was deeply troubled by this woman's sudden arrival to Hogwarts. Reasonably so, considering she elected to have him severely punished for just trying to protect himself and his ungrateful cousin from Dementors. Whatever plans she held for Hogwarts, Harry theorized, they wouldn't be pleasant changes. As the feast continued, Ron consuming a majority of the available food served at the Gryffindor table, Harry merely nibbled on some fruit. His behavior didn't go unnoticed by another student's amber eyes.

"Harry?" He knew the voice and immediately responded, tilting his eyes upwards and gently pushed his glasses back into place.

"Yeah, Ginny?"

The youngest Weasley extended a hand, quite literally shaking from her nervousness, and gently dropped it onto his own. "Is everything alright?" She could sense his troubled state of mind. All she wanted was to help, perhaps take away his anxiety a tad. However, the lad just offered a simple smile and assured her that he was fine. Even though Ginny knew he was lying, she didn't question him further.

By the time Dumbledore requested everyone return to their Common Rooms, Ginny and Hermione were both saddled with the responsibility of lugging an overstuffed Ron to the Gryffindor dorms. Harry watched, curiously, and rose an eyebrow in amusement as the two girls struggled. He'd offered his help, but they both declined to accept. Once he was left at the table with just the twins for company, Harry decided to retire for the night as well.

Fred waved him off, a wide set grin on the ginger-haired lad's face. "Y'know, George, Harry seems a bit more distraught than usual." The elder twin noted, rising from the table and leaned back slightly to stretch his back. "Come on, mates." Fred motioned his brother to follow and Robyn, "Let's head back."

* * *

Ravenclaw's table, the house of blue and bronze, was fairly vacant by the time both twins made their approach towards the exit. A few students lingered, those seated beside a girl with rather brilliant blue and lavender toned hair. Cho, Luna and this apparent Metamorphmagus, lifted their eyes when the twins happened to walk by their table side. Cho smiled, waving kindly. As did Luna, a sweet smile at her lips. The third female, well, she merely rolled her eyes and playfully stuck out her tongue.

The brightly colored female caught Fred's attention, she wasn't like the majority of other Ravenclaws. She actually carried a sense of humor, something he found endearing in anyone. Gently tugging on George's sleeve, Fred redirected them to the table. "Oi!" He called out loudly, startling Cho from her seat. "What's your name?"

Cho frowned, "It's Cho."

Fred laughed, "Not you. Her" He even pointed to the colorful girl for emphasis. "What's your name?"

Suddenly an airy laughter settled around the table, all eyes landed on Luna. "That's Hillary."

Fred smirked, crossing both arms. "What?" He leaned forward, placing himself dangerously close to the silent girl's face. "Can't you speak for yourself?"

Hillary, as she's been identified, smirked identical to Fred's own. "On the contrary, Gingersnap. I can articulate quite beautifully."

"Gingersnap?" Fred deadpanned, expression going blank. Cho and Luna giggled beneath their breaths, amused to see the famous trickster so taken back.