The Pairing Hat
Author: Ambur
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I own nothing and am making no money from this.
Author's notes: This is a story that was originally done by an author named Elidally82. I came across it at the Granger Enchanted site and fell in love. It wasn't finished so I emailed her and asked her if she would let me finish her story and she gave me permission to do so. I LOVE this story, loved her plot, and loved her writing and her characterization. I hope that I do it justice. I have changed a couple things to suit my plans for the continuation of the story. I also changed around the chapters that she had already written just to change it up a bit.
Chapter one
"Welcome everyone to another year at Hogwarts," greeted Albus Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling merrily as he looked across the crowds of young faces. "Before we begin the sorting ceremony for our first years, I would like to remind you all that the third floor is strictly forbidden to students and all access to the Dark forest is prohibited to all students." The aging wizard nodded his head in agreement with his own words and continued. "I would also like all sixth and seventh year students to stay behind after the welcoming dinner. The rest of you may go on up to your respective dormitories."
As soon as the headmaster finished his speech, the Great Hall was instantly whispering. Hermione Granger sat quietly pondering the head master's request. She thought it odd as he had never requested such a thing before. She wondered with much trepidation if perhaps he was going to announce that there would be a winter ball for the 6th and 7th year students, but she thought that unlikely as he would probably just leave it to the prefects to deliver the news.
"Why aren't you eating Mione?" Ron asked with his mouth full of ham.
Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. "Honestly Ronald, how many times must I tell you not to chew with your mouth open, now close it," she said.
Ron glanced at Harry and both boys rolled their eyes. "Wonder what the old man is going on about?" Seamus asked to no one in particular.
Neville Longbottom spared him a quick glance and shrugged before returning to his Herbology book. After the sorting ceremony and a fabulous meal, by the request of Dumbledore, the only students who remained were sixth and seventh years.
"The reason I asked you to stay behind this evening will be answered shortly. First of all, I presume you are all aware of the tremendous loss of lives that took place due to the Great Wizarding War. There is a vast decrease in numbers of the wizarding world here in England as well as other parts of the world," he said as more murmurs followed. "It took much effort and research to find a plausible answer for this unfortunate problem." Dumbledore turned to his fellow colleagues and said, "Professor Snape will explain this more explicitly since this is his area of expertise."
Not wasting any time, the potions master arose from his respected seat and addressed the students. "Do any of you know anything about DNA?" he asked. Without even bothering to look out over the crowd of students or waiting for anyone to attempt to answer, he called out, "Miss Granger?"
"DNA is nucleic acid containing the genetic blue prints of all living organisms. It was discovered by muggles," she said proudly.
"Thank you Miss. Granger," he growled. "DNA makes protein and protein is what the body uses to control the function and structure of all cells that make up the body. Each set of genes codes for one protein and it is the genes which carry different characteristics or traits of an organism such as hair or eye color."
"You asked us to stay late to discuss some insignificant and useless muggle lesson?" Draco Malfoy interrupted from the middle of the Slytherin table.
"I would appreciate it Mr. Malfoy if you would let me finish before I am forced to take points from my own house," Snape snapped.
Fuming in his seat, all Draco could do was nod.
"Now," Snape continued. "DNA for magical folk is a bit complex. The reason for the decrease in our population, besides the death of so many from the recent war, is the number of rising squibs that are born to wizarding families. After years of research and testing, we have come to the conclusion that most of us are not properly paired. I will not bore you all with the details of what that means in particular."
Murmurs of outrage flooded the Great Hall predominantly from the Slytherin table. It was not hard to guess at what Snape was suggesting.
"If you are all quite finished then I will continue," Snape said as his cold gaze travelled across the Great Hall and within seconds all were silent again. "There are a few families however that have been fortunate enough to have found biologically compatible mates. Take the Weasley family for example," he said pausing for effect. There was no need to explain who or what the Weasley family was. Their red hair was known all too well throughout the Wizarding world. "Arthur and Molly Weasley have been blessed with not one, but seven children," he said as he eyed the Gryffindor table where a red faced Ginny Weasley and a bored looking Ron Weasley sat. "It will be a very long time before their family line is extinct if it ever is."
"Most of you have at least one sibling, but many of you do not," Snape said looking pointedly at Draco and Blaise. "Those of you who fall under this category are at greater risk in your family line dying out with you if not properly paired with someone compatible to you for a life partner." Snape turned back to the head master who in turn nodded.
The headmaster stood up and clapped his hands together once. Instantly a stool with a hat appeared. The hat looked nothing like the sorting hat they were used to seeing. This hat was very elegant and feminine.
"This is a pairing hat. This hat has not been used in a very long time. The difference between the magic of this hat and the magic of the sorting hat is that the pairing hat will only be placed on the head of the female sixth and seventh years. Once positioned on the girl's head it will give the name of the boy and the house for which the girl is most suited for. It is possible it may be the same house or one different," Dumbledore said.
"This is an outrage!" Two female voices in unison cried out. The fiery eyes of a raven haired Slytherin met the chocolate brown gaze of her outspoken counterpart in Gryffindor. Pansy Parkinson took it a step further before Hermione could. "How can you expect us to agree to such nonsense? We aren't living in the dark ages. Women have the right to make their own choices nowadays you know," Pansy snapped before looking over at Hermione in a rarely seen episode of comradeship. Hermione nodded her agreement to Pansy before crossing her arms over her chest and turning a hard stare at the head master.
Snape rolled his eyes as he stood. "Thank you Miss. Parkinson, for being the first volunteer," he growled at her with his disapproval of her behavior. "And ten points from Slytherin for your little outburst." He could not believe the audacity of his house. When Pansy made no move to obey, Snape threatened her. "Now, Miss Parkinson, or there will be more points deducted from Slytherin."
Pansy stumbled forward when Draco stood, grabbed her arm and jerked her forward. She turned around to look at him clearly shocked that he would not side with her, but he merely pushed her more gently towards the stool. "It'll be alright Pans. This is just a bit of fun," he said.
Pansy spared a quick glance at Hermione. Hermione raised her chin high and smiled at Pansy. Pansy gave the girl a quick nod and also raised her chin high and walked down the aisle to the pairing hat. Once she reached the stool she swallowed hard and balked slightly. Dumbledore smiled warmly at her and patted her arm gently trying to reassure her
Dumbledore then picked the hat up from the stool and held a scroll in his other hand. He gestured for Pansy to sit. Pansy looked up at the head master and he noticed she looked more pale that usual. "Do not trouble yourself so child, all will be well," he promised. "Before we begin, I would like all of the girls in the room to stand up and come forward just like the first years this evening. Please stand in front of the stool and wait to be called upon." All girls moved forward except Hermione Granger who stood staring at Dumbledore with an unreadable expression on her face.
"Miss. Granger," Snape barked. "You are not exempt from this, even if you are this year's head girl. I am sure that your name will indeed be called upon."
Ignoring the potion master, Hermione addressed the head master. "Professor Dumbledore, after being paired into the houses with our supposed compatible mates, is it our choice to carry out the pairing hat's prediction?"
All eyes went to Dumbledore, many of the girls visibly shaken and upset by the turn of events. Dumbledore smiled gently at the girls. "Not while you are in school Miss. Granger. However once you are away from Hogwarts and should you decide that you and your respective mate are not compatible then by all means go your separate ways. The choice is completely yours to make," he said as he pushed his glasses farther up his nose and looked pointedly at Hermione. His eyes twinkled with mischief as he spoke. "But as long as you are residing in this school, you will be expected to reside with your possible partner in your new house. Now please Miss. Granger, if you would take your place in line."
Hermione nodded and moved forward stopping when she noticed the horrified expression on Millicent Bulstrode's face. The tall Slytherin was staring wide eyed at her friend Pansy pointing to her own tie. "Look at your tie," she mouthed to Pansy.
Skeptically Pansy looked down to her own tie and gasped. The colors of her tie were no longer silver and green, but gold and red. Pansy's eyes instinctively shot to the Gryffindor table. Her heart beat faster and faster while her breaths came in short, shallow pants. A second after the change of her attire the Paring hat said, "GRYFFINDOR, PANSY WEASLEY!"
Another gasp filled the hall. Dumbledore picked up the hat from Pansy's head. "Now Miss Parkinson, please join Ronald Weasley at the Gryffindor table," he said.
Pansy nodded as she moved slowly to the table almost in a daze. Professor McGonagall squeezed her arm gently as she passed trying to comfort the girl. "Welcome to Gryffindor," she said proudly.
Pansy moved towards the only boy with fire engine red hair in the entire school and without a word or a glance sat down in Hermione's seat between Ron and Harry. Ron glared angrily at Pansy while Harry had a rather pained expression. He awkwardly patted Pansy's shoulder and gave her a small smile when she glanced at him.
"Millicent Bulstrode," called Dumbledore to the next girl from the scroll.
A second later the hat was placed and at another change of attire, the hat screeched, "HUFFLEPUFF, MILLICENT FINCH-FLECTHLEY!"
And so it went on…
"Hannah Abbott."
"RAVENCLAW, HANNAH BOOT!"
"Lavender Brown."
"GRYFFINDOR, LAVENDER LONGBOTTOM!"
"Luna Lovegood"
"GRYFFINDOR, LUNA POTTER!"
Dumbledore was getting close to the end of the list. Only three girls remained.
"Ginerva Weasley."
Nodding to Hermione for support and solidarity, mustering the famous Gryffindor courage, Ginny made her way to the Pairing hat. The hat had barely touched the girl's head when the color of her tie began to change colors. Ginny looked at Hermione who looked horrified as she watched the red and gold fade to silver and green.
"SLYTHERIN," the hat sang out. "GINERVA ZABINI!"
At that moment Ginny felt as if she would faint. She swooned ever so slightly and Dumbledore steadied her with a gentle hold on her arm. She looked into the head master's eyes with unshed tears. Dumbledore smiled kindly and squeezed her hand. Ginny swallowed hard and looked once more to Hermione and then to her brother whose face was a red as his hair. She slowly made her way towards the Slytherin table.
"Welcome to Slytherin," Professor Snape said surprisingly gently. "Please take your seat beside Blaise Zabini."
Ginny nodded and tried to locate Blaise. A scant second later, a raven haired boy with piercing indigo eyes stood up. With another nod, Ginny walked to the center of the Slytherin table and sat on Blaise's right side. Draco sat to Blaise's left.
"Patil Pavritti"
"RAVENCLAW, PATIL WOODSON!"
Draco Malfoy and Blaise barely acknowledged that names were still being called. They both were intent on their own conversation. Ginny had noticed while occasionally watching both Malfoy and Blaise, neither of them seemed to care what was going on around them. In fact out of all the students in the Great hall, they were the only two who seemed that way. Both Blaise and Draco had stopped their chatter only twice and that was when Pansy was paired with Ron and when Blaise heard his own name called.
Ginny snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Dumbledore call the last name on the scroll. "Hermione Granger."
The entire hall went silent. The tension was so thick that it could be cut with a knife. Ginny made a quick scan of the room and noticed only three boys had not been paired, all three from Slytherin. Ginny got a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach when she noticed how Draco stared at Hermione with that insufferable smirk on his face. She noticed that Blaise grinned at him as if they had some secret joke.
"I wonder what poor soul will be paired with the mudblood," Draco said to Blaise under his breath. Blaise rolled his eyes and turned to watch Hermione.
Head held high, Hermione sat on the stool and waited for her fate. Just as it was with Ginny the hat did not even touch her head before her tie changed from gold and red to silver and green. The pairing hat screeched excitedly.
"SLYTHERIN, HERMIONE MALFOY!"
The entire hall gasped in unison, to think that the Princess of Gryffindor, the Queen of the Golden Trio would be paired up with the Prince of Slytherin.
Hermione looked around in shock as if to be waiting for someone to tell her that this was all a big joke. Even the professors looked shocked except for Snape who actually looked rather pleased.
"Hermione, if you would please join Draco Malfoy," Dumbledore said gently.
Hermione stared at him. "Head master I can't…I can't possibly…please," she pleaded breathlessly.
"Hermione it will be alright. Please join Mr. Malfoy," he said.
Hermione felt numb. She wanted to run away screaming and hide as a small child would hide. She could feel Ron and Harry staring at her and she slowly made eye contact. Harry and Seamus had a hold Ron keeping him from rushing forward. Hermione's gaze fell to Pansy who gave her a small smile.
Hermione swallowed hard and raised her head. She squared her shoulders and walked proudly to the middle of the Slytherin table.
Draco thought at that moment Hermione truly did look like a princess…his princess.
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