HARRY POTTER AND THE REALLY LONG BOOK

Harry, Ron and Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table. A few people waved at them or called out "Have a good summer". Harry and Hermione waved back. But Ron, who was glaring at Dean Thomas holding hands with Ginny, didn't seem to notice that anyone was speaking to him.

"I wonder who the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher is" said Hermione. She looked up at the staff table. A few seconds later she gave an excited shout.

"Ron! Look! It's Bill!"

Harry and Ron looked up at the staff table where Ron's oldest brother was talking to Hagrid.

"Do you know him, Ron" asked Colin Creevey, who was sitting next to Harry.

"Yeah he's my brother, Bill. My oldest brother" said Ron. He turned back to Harry and Hermione.

"But what's Bill doing here?"

"JK Rowling is saving time by putting in an already developed character instead of writing a new one" explained Hermione "Besides it gives Malfoy plenty of opportunity to insult your family"

As if on cue Draco Malfoy shouted across the Great Hall,

"Hey Weasel. Did your brother have to get a job here because your mum and dad can't afford to have all of you at home?"

"Ignore him, Ron" hissed Hermione as Ron's ears turned red. "He's not worth it. And anyway no one's reading this bit"

"They're not?" said Harry and Ron together.

"Everyone's skipping ahead to see who the Half Blood Prince is" said Hermione.

"Yeah I s'pose they would" said Harry "Any idea who it is?"

Before Ron or Hermione could answer to doors into the Great Hall opened and Professor McGonagall led the first years to the front of the hall. Each student tried on the sorting hat and sat down at the appropriate table as Professor McGonagall called his or her name.

"What's going on" said Ron "The Sorting only went for three lines. The hat didn't even sing a song"

"I don't think any of the first years are going to be important to the story" said Hermione thoughtfully. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if we skipped to tomorrows lessons"

"They better not skip the feast, I'm starving" said Ron.

The feast went ahead as usual. When it was over the students went to bed.