Chapter Text
“Children, please settle down,” the Headmistress chided, earning herself an immediate reaction. It was almost hilarious how fast the Great Hall became silent.
“Now, before we allow the new members of our student body in, I would like to prepare you in advance by informing you of the many new students that will be transferring in this year. Besides the first years, that is,” she said, and the hard-earned silence she procured just moments ago was blown in shambles.
“Silence, please! Do not worry, many of the new students who have joined us last year have already been sorted. Today, you will simply be meeting the first years, so do not worry yourselves about going hungry over an extended sorting,” Headmistress McGonagall sighed.
There were a few scattered chuckles around the hall, and Harry found his lip twitching into a smile. Hermione listened attentively, clearly curious as to what their former Transfiguration teacher might announce, while Ron sat beside her, grumbling about being hungry.
“However, the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic has reached out to us over the summer regarding an exchange program with the students,” she informed everyone, and more chatter occurred, but it did not deter her from speaking. “Their options normally consist of the schools in America, so this is the first time we’ll be hosting them here, aside from the Triwizard Tournament.”
“As much as I love our school,” Harry began in a soft voice. “What could they want to gain from coming here? I’m sure there would be more of a cultural exchange if they went to the schools in America.”
“Shh,” Hermione hissed, waving a hand at them. “Maybe their interest has to do with the Battle of Hogwarts. Either way, this is so exciting!”
Well, she had a point there, he supposed. “I’m afraid we are not quite fit to be sending off students from our own school this year, however,” this elicited many disappointed groans from the students. Harry wasn’t feeling particularly put out, though, because the only reason he came back was to finally enjoy a year at Hogwarts without attempted murder.
Hermione, on the other hand… well, she wasn’t looking as excited as she was before, to say the least.
“They are supposed to be joining us sometime in January after once the school year has resumed, and will be leaving 2 weeks before their OWLs and NEWTs take place,” she informed them. “Now, the reason I’m telling you this so early on is because they will be needing a to partner with them and guide them around in the months they will be staying here. They won’t be assigned until before the Christmas Holidays, but this is your chance to inform your parents and talk about it, as well as possibly learn their language to talk to them better.”
“I’d love to partner up with one at least,” Hermione sighed.
“Merlin, I can already see her brain forming plans to fit this in with our NEWTs revisions,” Ron sighed. Then, he turned his pleading eyes towards her. “You’ll still help us, right, love?”
“Yes, Ronald,” she rolled her eyes fondly. “Think of how exciting this could be! What if the student I get also loves to study? Maybe we could trade notes and ideas of projects!”
“May the Gods above help this poor student that gets assigned to her,” Harry snickered, and Ron joined him soon after. Hermione glared at them and rolled her eyes once more before refocusing her attention back to the sorting, as the first years entered while they were talking.
“Do you think you’ll be signing up to partner with one of them?” Ron leaned over the table and asked Harry.
“I don’t think so,” he shrugged. “From what I’m understanding, this means they might also have to take the student with them over the Easter Hols, and Grimmauld Place isn’t exactly the best place to\ be hosting guests right now.”
Or at least, that’s what he assumed. When he offered the place to Andromeda over the summer since it was her family home, she said she didn’t want it because she’s let go of that part of her life already, and it reminded her of everything she stood against. But when Harry said it was alright, and he’d probably try to fix it up so that Teddy could inherit it in the future, she quickly offered to help remodel it, saying something along the lines of “It’s a Black House, and the only way to properly remodel it and know the ins and outs of its magic is by being a Black.”
He took no offense to that and gladly let her get to work, but offered the help of Bill Weasley when it came to the curses. While he knew that she knew what she was doing, having grown up there, he didn’t want her to accidentally hurt herself while getting rid of cursed family heirlooms. She accepted, of course, and he told her she could take whatever she wanted from the house if she ever found anything.
“I think it would be fun,” Ron said, “But there’s not exactly any space in the Burrow.”
Harry nodded sympathetically before seeing another child get sorted into Ravenclaw.
“I think this year will be interesting,” his red-headed best mate said.
“I think so too.”