No one spoke much during the remainder of the journey.

It pissed me off, because speaking is really my comfort.

"I just figured something out!" I said loudly.

"Yeah?" Harry asked. He looked curious...probably thinking that this had to do with the Dementor.

"The difference between stupidity and Genius - also known as Hermione - is that genius has limits."

"Stupidity is also known as Willow." Said Lupin with a small grin. Everyone laughed a bit.

"And I am proud!" I said standing dramatically, just as the train stopped. I fell right on top of Hermione and started laughing.

"You're going to be a nightmare in my class aren't you?" Lupin sighed.

"You're worst." I responded happily as we filed out of the train.

It was freezing on the tiny platform; rain was driving down in icy sheets.

"Firs' years this way!" called a familiar voice. I turned and saw the gigantic outline of Hagrid at the other end of the platform, beckoning the terrified-looking new students forward for their traditional journey across the lake.

"All right, you lot?" Hagrid yelled over the heads of the crowd.

I waved at him, but had no chance to speak to him because the mass of people around us was shunting us away along the platform. Harry, Ron, Hermione and I followed the rest of the school along the platform and out onto a rough mud track, where at least a hundred stagecoaches awaited the remaining students, each pulled, by some weird horse thingo, when we shut the door, the coach set off all by itself, bumping and swaying in procession.

The coach smelled faintly of mould and straw.

"EEWW!" I complained for no reason. "YUCKY!"

Ron and Hermione seemed content with my wellbeing, and kept looking at Harry sideways, as though frightened he might collapse again.

"Yar, He is good me maties." I said pirate like.

As the carriage trundled toward a pair of magnificent wrought iron gates, flanked with stone columns topped with winged boars, I saw two more towering, hooded Dementors, standing guard on either side.

Deciding to be happy and sing,

"I believe in miracles, where you're from, you sexy thing. Sexy thing you." I said even though I felt kind of like vomiting.

Hermione was leaning out of the tiny window, watching the many turrets and towers draw nearer. At last, the carriage swayed to a halt, and Hermione and Ron got out.

Sighing, Harry and I stepped down, a drawling, delighted voice sounded in his ear.

"You fainted, Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?"

Malfoy elbowed past Hermione to block Harry's way up the stone steps to the castle, his face gleeful and his pale eyes glinting maliciously.

"Shove off, Malfoy," said Ron, whose jaw was clenched.

"Did you faint as well, Weasley?" said Malfoy loudly. "Did the scary old Dementor frighten you too, Weasley?"

"I did, got a problem with that bro?" I cheered

"Oh shut up you stupid brat." Crabbe snapped.

"What about you granger?" Malfoy snapped turning to her. "Did you faint too, mudblood?"

"Is there a problem?" said a mild voice.

Professor Lupin had just gotten out of the next carriage.

Malfoy gave Professor Lupin a disrespectful stare, which took in the patches on his robes and the dilapidated suitcase. With a tiny hint of sarcasm in his voice, he said, "Oh, no -- er -- Professor," then he smirked at Crabbe and Goyle and led them up the steps into the castle.

"You're awesome sir." I grinned and we walked up the stairs, joining the crowd. I faintly hear him say: "I know."

The door into the Great Hall stood open at the right; I followed the crowd toward it, but had barely glimpsed the enchanted ceiling, which was black and cloudy tonight, when Minerva McGonagall's voice called, "Potter! Granger! Malfoy! I want to see you three!"

I turned, simply because I was wondering about Hermione and Harry, until I realised that she had actually meant me.

"That isn't my name." I chimed as we fought our way over.

"Well give me a new name to call you." She said.

"Tree." I grinned as we walked, up the marble staircase, and along a corridor.

"Willow Tree? Seriously?" McGonagall said looking at me ludicrously.

"I like it." I grinned

She sighed as we walked into her office and she motioned us to sit down. She settled herself behind her desk and said abruptly, "Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say that you were taken ill on the train, Potter and you..." She paused a moment and I gave her a meaningful look. "Tree." I beamed.

There was a soft knock on the door and Madam Pomfrey, the nurse, came bustling in.

"How you doin'?" I said brightly.

"I think she is okay." Madam Pomfrey said looking at me flatly.

"Nothing fazes me!" I exclaimed. "You on the other hand..." I added looking at Harry.

Harry went bright red.

"I'm fine," he said, "I don't need anything --"

"Oh, it's you, is it?" said Madam Pomfrey, ignoring this and bending down to stare closely at him. "I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?"

"It was a Dementor, Poppy," said Professor McGonagall.

They exchanged a dark look, and Madam Pomfrey clucked disapprovingly.

"Setting Dementors around a school", she muttered, pushing back Harry's hair and feeling his forehead. "He won't be the last one who collapses. Yes, he's all clammy. Terrible things, they are, and the effect they have on people who are already delicate --"

"I'm not delicate!" said Harry crossly.

"Of course you're not," said Madam Pomfrey absentmindedly, now taking his pulse.

I was shaking while trying to hold in laughter.

"What does he need?" said Professor McGonagall crisply. "Bed rest? Should he perhaps spend tonight in the hospital wing?" I began to shake more violently.

"I'm fine!" said Harry, jumping up.

"Well, he should have some chocolate, at the very least," said Madam Pomfrey, who was now trying to peer into Harry's eyes.

"I've already had some," said Harry. "Professor Lupin gave me some. He gave it to all of us."

"Did he, now?" said Madam Pomfrey approvingly. "So we've finally got a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies?"

I still shook violently. I was going to pee myself.

"Shut up Tree." McGonagall barked.

This time, I fell onto the floor crying with mirth.

"Tree-"I gasped.

"You named yourself!" McGonagall cried.

"Tree-"I laughed a bit harder.

Counting me as a hopeless case, McGonagall sighed and looked at Harry. "Are you sure you feel all right, Potter?"

"Yes," said Harry.

"Very well. Kindly wait outside while I have a quick word with Miss Granger about her course schedule, then we can go down to the feast together." I snorted, and then began to laugh at that. "Get out Willow." She said exasperatedly.

Harry dragged me into the corridor with Madam Pomfrey, who left for the hospital wing, muttering to herself.

We had to wait only a few minutes; then Hermione emerged looking very happy about something.

She followed by Professor McGonagall, and the four of us made our way back down the marble staircase to the Great Hall.

"Do you believe in ghosts?" I smiled as a ghost drifted past.

"I'm going to have to kill you this year, aren't I?"

It was a sea of pointed black hats; each of the long House tables was lined with students, their faces glimmering by the light of thousands of candles, which were floating over the tables in midair. Professor Flitwick, who was a tiny little wizard with a shock of white hair, was carrying an ancient hat and a three-legged stool out of the hall.

"Oh," said Hermione softly, "we've missed the Sorting!"

McGonagall strode off toward her empty seat at the staff table, and we set off in the other direction, as quietly as possible, toward the Gryffindor table. People looked around at us as we passed along the back of the hall, and a few of them pointed at Harry, or Hermione, or possibly me.

It would be easier to tell if we weren't walking together.

"Damn fish." I muttered.

Harry and Hermione sat down on either side of Ron, who had saved them seats. I sat across from them, next to George.

"You alright?" He said looking at me with worry.

"Of course I am." I smiled back at him.

He didn't look as though he believed me, though.

I started to talk more but at that moment the headmaster stood up to speak, and I broke off.

Professor Dumbledore, though very old, always gave an impression of great energy. He had several feet of long silver hair and beard, half-moon spectacles, and an extremely crooked nose. He was often described as the greatest wizard of the age, but that wasn't why I respected him. He was just epic. He was as epic as his nose was crooked.

I need to tell him that.

"Welcome!" said Dumbledore, the candlelight shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast..." Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business.

"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises -- or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added blandly, I smiled across at Harry. "It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the Dementors," he said.

Percy, who was sitting a few seats down from me, puffed out his chest again and stared around impressively. I smiled in spite of myself. Dumbledore paused again; he looked very seriously around the hall, and nobody moved or made a sound.

"On a happier note," he continued, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year.

"First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."

I started cheering and clapping, before I realised hardly anyone else was. I thought of stopping, but the I decided it was more fun to be enthusiastic.

Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes.

As I was cheering, my eyes scanned the teachers table.

Professor Snape was staring along the staff table at Professor Lupin. It was common knowledge that Snape wanted the Defence Against the Dark Arts job, but even someone like me who hates Snape, was startled at the expression twisting his thin, sallow face.

It was beyond anger: it was loathing. I knew that expression only too well; it was the look Snape wore every time he set eyes on me, or Harry.

"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as the lukewarm applause for Professor Lupin died away. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his game keeping duties."

I jumped up and started the cheering this time.

Thats right.

I'm cool.

The applause, was chaotic at the Gryffindor table in particular. I leaned forward to see Hagrid, who was ruby red in the face and staring down at his enormous hands, his wide grin hidden in the tangle of his black beard.

"We should've known!" Ron roared, pounding the table. "Who else would have assigned us a biting book?"

Harry, Ron, Hermione and I were the last to stop clapping, and as Professor Dumbledore started speaking again, I saw that Hagrid was wiping his eyes on the tablecloth.

"Well, I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"

The golden plates and goblets before them filled suddenly with food and drink.

I helped myself to everything that I could, and started devouring everything.

It was a delicious feast; the hall echoed with talk, laughter, and the clatter of knives and forks. Harry, Ron, Hermione and I however, were eager for it to finish so that we could talk to Hagrid. I knew how much being made a teacher would mean to him. Hagrid wasn't a fully qualified wizard; he had been expelled from Hogwarts in his third year for a crime he had not committed. It had been us four who had cleared Hagrid's name last year.

At long last, when the last morsels of pumpkin tart had melted from the golden platters, Dumbledore gave the word that it was time for them all to go to bed, and we got their chance.

"Congratulations, Hagrid!" Hermione squealed as they reached the teachers' table.

"YAY HAGRID!" I yelled.

"All down ter you lot," said Hagrid, wiping his shining face on his napkin as he looked up at us. "Can' believe it...great man, Dumbledore...came straight down to me hut after Professor Kettleburn said he'd had enough...It's what I always wanted..."

Overcome with emotion, he buried his face in his napkin, and Professor McGonagall shooed us away.

We joined the Gryffindors streaming up the marble staircase and, very tired now, along more corridors, up more and more stairs, to the hidden entrance to Gryffindor Tower, where a large portrait of a fat lady in a pink dress asked them, "Password?"

"Coming through, coming through!" Percy called from behind the crowd. "The new password's Fortuna Major!"

We went into our dorms and I collapsed onto my bed with a sigh.

"What's up Willow?" Hermione asked looking at me.

"I'm home my gorgeous friend, I'm home."

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FYI. your comments are amazing, you guys make me feel awesome, and I loaf/love each and everyone of you.

and you too little one.

you too.