While Harry was on his way to the Hearing with Mr. Weasley, Cortney was getting more caught up on the family.

" This is all very interesting," Cortney stated.

" It's a lot to take in, isn't it? " Sirius asked.

" Yes, a lot to remember," sighed Cortney.

" Also since I filled you on Voldemort, do you think what he is doing is alright? " Sirius asked.

" No," Cortney said. " But my mom back home did say sometimes did say certain people need to be put back in their place".

" Oh? " Sirius questioned raising his eyebrow.

" Exes" Cortney answered

" Who might this person be? " Sirius asked

" Theodore Nott," Cortney said looking out the window.

" Ron told me about you and him," Sirius said.  " I agree with you and your mother back home, he needs to be put back in his place". Cortney laughed.

*************

Harry was no longer expelled and able to come back to Hogwarts.  At the rain station, Moody and Tonks were with them. Sirius tagged along in dog form.

" Have a good time cuz, study for them OWLS! " Tonks shouted as the train took off.

" Hope to see you soon! " Cortney called before her cousins were out of sight. Cortney found the compartment congaing Seamus, Dean, and Neville.

" I'm glad you met another cousin," Dean said.

" Thanks, she was a Hufflepuff our first year! " Cortney cheered.

" That's cool," Neville said holding a plant.

" What is that Neville? "Cortney asked.

" A Mimbulus Mimbletonia, it is a rare plant," answered Neville as he adored his plant.

" Cool," said Seamus.

" What's on your shirt? " Dean asked. He reached over and plucked a hair off Cortney. " Is this a fox hair? "

" No," Cortney said a bit too quickly. She then got up and hurried away to a different compartment. When they got off the train, Cortney ran into her cousin. He was wearing all black. They nodded at each other as Cortney passed Luna Lovegood. She was a very interesting girl, but Cortney didn't mind. She sees a lot of interesting people back home. She hopped onto a carriage with De'lexi, Joey, and Milan.

" New school year, what do you think is going to happen this year? " De'lexi asked.

" What do you mean? " Joey asked.

" Well our first year was the thing with Quirrell, the second year was the snake thing, then Sirius Black, and the You-Know-Who being back," De'lexi explained.

" He's not back! " Milan argued.

" Yes, he is," De'lexi argued back. "Everything is different now, the atmosphere is. Can't you feel it? "

" Maybe that's because someone got killed here last year," Milan pointed out. It was like this the rest of the carriage ride. When they got to the Great Hall, Cortney quickly found a seat next to Pansy of course. Cortney noticed that Hagrid wasn't at the staff table.

" Can I have your attention? " Dumbledore asked. Everyone went quiet. " Now we have changes in the staffing this year. We're pleased to welcome back Professor Gruby Plank who'll be taking Care of Magical Creatures. While Professor Hagrid is away. I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Dolores Umbridge. I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing her good luck". The woman next to Snape was in all pink. Snape and McGonagall looked at each other before looking at the all-pink woman.

" That is so much pink," Daphne said.

" She should try some black once in a while," Cortney advised. 

" Maybe that's the color of her soul, and she's hiding it with all the pink madness," said Millicent. All the girls smirked at each other not wanting to cause a scene. Dumbledore started up again.

" Now, as usual, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you-" Umbridge cleared her throat. Everyone looked at her, nobody ever interrupt Dumbledore. Unless you were Filch last year running down the hallway to tell him like the other schools are here and ready to come in.

 Dumbledore got out of the way for Umbridge.

" She was at my hearing. She works for Fudge,"  Harry whispered. 

" Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome. And how lovely it is, to see your bright, happy faces smiling up at me," she began. Nobody was smiling. " I'm sure we'll be very good friends".

" That's unlikely," Fred and George said sarcastically.

" The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be a vital importance. Although each Headmaster has brought something new to this historical school. Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let's us preserve what must be per-sued perfect, what can be perfect, and prove practices ought to be...prohibited," she said sickly with a girly giggle.

" Thank you, Professor Umbridge, that was really something," Dumbledore said. Everyone clapped in a rush manner.

" What does it mean? " Harry whispered as Dumbledore continued.

" It means the Ministry's interfering with Hogwarts," Hermione whispered.

****************

At dorms, all the girls sat on their beds.

" I can't believe the Ministry is getting involved," Cortney said standing up, she walked over to the window and stared at the lake.

" Father said he saw it coming," Kierra said. " With the words about You-Know-Who and everything".

" What do you think she meant by sake progress must be discouraged? " Tracey asked as she brushed her hair at her desk in front of her mirror.

" I'm not so sure, but it doesn't sound appealing," Daphne said.

" Please girls, it will probably be the good of this school," Pansy said flipping through a magazine.

" How can you be so sure ? " asked Millicent

" That's what Draco's father says, the school needs a bit of a check-up," Pansy answered.

" I don't know about that Pans," Cortney said. " I don't trust girls that wear that much pink in one outfit".

" Cort, she's new, everything is going to be fine," Pansy assured her. Cortney continued to stare out of the window. Watching the creatures swim by.