Well, here it is, my first attempt at Harry Potter FanFiction! I hope it doesn't suck!:) i don't think I copied anything, but maybe it resembles another story, if it does, I apologize, it is purely coincidental! I own no HP characters!

ALLONS-Y

In a school of magic, there is very little that comes as a surprise. Explosions are a common occurrence. Owls swooping in and out of windows are expected, and unconscious students on the floors of classrooms hardly cause a stir. Years can pass without anything remotely interesting (at least for the wizarding world) happening. No one could have expected the events of this year, seeing as they had never happened before. And thus the story begins.

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The tables in the great hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were filling quickly as students returned for yet another year of learning. Because of the war, all students had been invited to repeat the year if they chose. It was not required, but it was encouraged and the majority of the 7th years had come back to the school they all loved. The students were sitting closer than they had before with the extra students.

For couples like Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley, this was a welcomed change that gave them an excuse to sit close together, even under the disapproving eye of Ron. But for post-breakup friendships like Hermione's and Ron's, it was extremely awkward and uncomfortable.

"Ow!" Hermione squawked, "Ron, those were my ribs you just elbowed!'"Ron quickly pulled his arm out of the way, only to hit Neville, who occupied his other side. Neville glared, thinking that Ron hit him on purpose and pushed him back. After the war, Neville had stopped taking any abuse or teasing. He was hardened and always cautious. Neville was the new face of 'Constant Vigilance'. His action caused a shoving match between them and Hermione was caught on one end of it.

Just as she was about to fall out of her seat, McGonagall's magnified voice filled the hall.

"Welcome everyone to another year at Hogwarts." The hall was silent within seconds and everyone was staring at the new headmistress. The sorting hat twitched where it sat on the familiar stools and began its tale, this year focusing on tragedy bringing togetherness. The hat was as cryptic and confusing as always, but its long speech was concluded with the loud applause of the students. Without anymore introduction, McGonagall began to read the names of the new first years. The list was shorter than previous years, but still too long for the hungry, uncomfortable students already at the tables.

As the last student was sorted, the headmistress stepped forward with a small smile.

"I am not going to keep you from your food for any longer, let's eat!" She raised her arms and the delicious food appeared on the tables. The war had obviously not affected the house elves much because the food was as good, or even better, than it usually was.

When everyone was done with their dinner, it disappeared off the golden plates and they waited expectantly for the dessert to appear. Ron had even gone so far as to pick up a fork so he could be the first one to get to the dessert. Hermione looked at him, disgusted, and wondered what she had ever seen in him. Looking at her friends, she couldn't help but be a little embarrassed. All of her friends were acting like children. Poking each other with spoons and flicking pieces of paper at the first years, who were already nervous. One little girl looked like she was about to cry after Ginny flicked the 5th paper football at her.

As soon as she thought it, she felt guilty. These were the people who had stood up for her since she was 11 and they would be there until she was 111. They were just trying to have fun. Hermione hung her head, but couldn't shake the feeling that her friends were not even trying to include her in the conversation.

Hermione tried to hide her expression, but soon had to pull her head up when she head angry voices from around the room. She looked to see what was wrong and didn't see anything out of the ordinary. She turned to ask Ron what the matter was when she was him, not yelling, but staring at his plate sadly. The dessert had not appeared.

"May I have everyone's attention?" A voice spoke clearly over the crowd and the yelling stopped as everyone looked to the head of the room. Despite having already been stored away, the voice could only have been from one being. The Sorting Hat was back.

Mouths hung open in surprise and Ron dropped his fork. The sorting hat had never come back after the sorting was over and now, it was floating at the front of the room. Clearing its…throat?...it began a new song.

"A war has been won at quite a cost

While lives have been saved, many were lost

A new time has come to this school

A time with new people, a time with new rules

While nearly everyone has remained the same

A select few of you students have changed

No longer do you sit where you belong

Which is why I bring this new song

Please do not fret, it is not the end

Those who are enemies will become friends"

From the hat dropped a piece of paper. Professor McGonagall quickly reached down to pick it up and read through the words. Mouth in a straight line, she looked up at the students.

"The hat has decided that a new sorting must be held.'"Everyone started talking at once to their friends and neighbors, but the chatter did not last long. "As I was saying!" McGonagall interrupted. "The hat has decided to re-sort a few students, and as it always seems to know a bit more that we do, I say we listen to what is has to say. If the rest of the faculty will agree, then we will continue with the sorting. Remember, nothing is set in stone." She looked back at the head table for the permission of the rest of the teachers. They all looked nervous but none objected.

Without another word, she looked back at the piece of paper and read the first name.

"Dean Thomas." Dean's face was terrified, but his actions were strong and sure. He moved to the front of the room and, because there was no stool, he stood facing the students who were now perfectly silent. The hat perched on his head like it would a first year, but instead of deciding which house to put him in, the hat bathed Dean in a faint gold light. "RAVENCLAW!" The light turned the deep blue of the Ravenclaw crest, and the badge on his robe, which had previously shown him to be a Gryffindor, turned into one that identified him as a Ravenclaw.

Gasps were heard throughout the crowd as the spectacle before them, and Dean's face was blank as the hat rose from his head. He moved to go and sit back down in his seat only to realize he had no idea which table to sit at.

Catching his problem, McGonagall directed him to sit back down at his old table. The stunned faces of the audience kept their form as the next name was called, then another, and another. Soon, about ten students were wearing robes that held unfamiliar colors.

Finally, McGonagall looked at the paper for a final time. For a moment, all color left her face before she quickly regained composure. She opened her mouth slowly, as if not believing the words she was about to read.

"Hermione Granger." You could have heard a pin drop on a pillow. All rustling stopped and all eyes were one the unsuspecting girl. One of the golden trio was being separated? Impossible.

Hermione slowly stood from her seat at the table and carefully made her way to the front of the room. Her palms were sweating as she fingered the sleeves of her robe. When she reached the hat, Hermione turned to face the crowd as it slipped down to just below her eyes. A voice cut into her mind, as she saw the gold light from underneath the brim of the hat.

"Do not be alarmed child," The voice spoke comfortingly, "Every single one of you has been wondering the same thing… Why?" It chuckled, "The answer will come in time."

The hat spoke aloud as Hermione was bathed in a bright green light, and it gave the word no one expected.

"SLYTHERIN!"

If anyone has tips to help make my writing better, please tell me! I love feedback!