It was the night of the sorting ceremony and the great hall was alive with the student's excitement of being back at the academy. Though William thought it necessary to keep the start of term events somewhat traditional there were also obvious hints of new touches thrown in to celebrate the arrival of an all new staff. The mahoganey house tables as well as the head table were polished to a brilliant sheen, making the tables glow with the reflections of the lights overhead. Though there were still the house banners hanging proudly over each table, now emblazoned atop each table was the insignia of their respective houses, intricately painted with colors that seemed to illuminate it's surroundings.

A wonderful event was taking place within the night sky and the enchanted ceiling mimicked the real thing. A most brilliant meteor shower would be lasting the entire ceremony as well as the feast. William surmised that it would be a wonderful backdrop as the students ate. The headmaster looked down each of his sides to smile welcomingly at his employees. He was glad that Gwendolyn and himself had picked such a lot of competent and bright people to teach at Hogwarts. At the very end of the row William saw Annika Whitmore, the Head Girl at Hogwarts. He had sent owls to both the head girl and head boy before the start of the school year to inform them that he would like them both to give speeches after he and the Deputy Headmistress had given theirs. However he had been informed that Bradbury Milton, the Head Boy, would be transferring to Durmstrang for his last year.

After taking one last look at the newly retouched Great Hall, William stood soundlessly, waiting for the chatter to die down. Once everyone had quieted and were paying attention the Headmaster spoke, "Welcome all to another year at Hogwarts. I trust you all had a most interesting summer what with all that has been going on recently." William knew that the students were aware of the war that has commenced against Voldemort, "I would like this opportunity to introduce myself. I am your new Headmaster, William Von Holdt. I know all of you were very fond of your Headmaster Dumbledore, but he has resigned to aid in the war against Lord Voldemort, as have a lot of your former professors. Please take the time to adjust to your new professors as well as you new Headmaster- I promise I'm not as stuffy as I look." He winked jokingly at the students and hoped that his saying of Voldemort's name aloud had not caused too much of an uncomfort.

"I would like to introduce to you your new Deputy headmistress. Her name is Miss Owens. She will be addressing you in a moment. Before that, on a graver note, I would like to discuss the war that has started. I would like to stress the severity of the situation and would strongly advise all who wander from the grounds- such as on trips to Hogsmeade, do so in groups. I've always thought that there was more security in numbers and now is not the time to lax on that most important aspect. But do not think that these dire times are cause for depression. For even the most foreboding situation does have some positivity to it and it is now our job to find that and hold on to it."

After giving his speech, Headmaster Von Holdt smiled at his students and nodded towards Gwendolyn to say some words as well.