House Unity

Chapter 1

A.N. - The idea for this fanfiction came from Tumblr. Credit to to the creator of the idea. I've just fic-ed it. I do not own Harry Potter. Harry Potter is property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. Do not steal.

A sixth year named Savannah Jiles sat in the Great Hall, at the Slytherin table, on September 1st. Everyone had just arrived, and all students, save the first years, were at their tables and chattering. She was not talking to anyone, herself. She was watching the interactions between others, listening intently to their conversations and occasionally glancing at the front. This was her penultimate year at Hogwarts... The thought consumed her mind. She was nearly done with Hogwarts, a thought that created mixed feelings for her. On one hand, she was almost ready to really begin her life, which she had planned carefully to be exactly what she wanted. On the other hand, however, Hogwarts was her favorite place in the world. Everything was magical and lively. Internally, she couldn't decide whether she was glad to nearly be at the end of her school years. These were the thoughts in her mind when her attention was redirected to the front. The sorting had begun.

"Adler, Irene" was the first to be sorted, and was placed in Slytherin. The table roared with cheers, glad to be the house to get the first student of the new school year. Savannah wasn't among those cheering, as she wasn't particularly interested in the sorting. She had had hers, and after that, she was pretty much done being excited by it.

She tried to stay attentive, but when "Donovan, Sally" was sorted, her thoughts started to wander. She began to wonder what her schedule would be like. She had really abhorred Divination and given that up, but she wasn't entirely sure what she wanted her classes to consist of. Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration were given. She loved those classes. However, aside from those, she had no idea what she wanted to take. Care of Magical Creatures didn't particularly interest her, and Astrology was a bit of a drag. She considered Arithmancy, but numbers weren't really her thing. At least, she didn't think they were.

Her thoughts, which had been consuming her mind for longer than she had realized, were interrupted when Professor McGonagall began to speak. Savannah couldn't help but notice that she looked older, but happier, as though something had really brightened her day. She couldn't help but smile at the thought. McGonagall had been teaching for so long; she deserved to be happy.

"This year's new students here at Hogwarts have been sorted. If you would now turn your attention to Headmistress Greneda, she would like to speak a bit before you eat." McGonagall said, and turned to the Headmistress. The rest of the Great Hall followed suit. At that, the woman at the middle of the front table stood.

This woman, who was now Headmistress, was relatively young. She was in her early 30s, and had a kind face. Her eyes were a shocking blue, her hair was a long, straight black. She was dressed in a purple velvet robe speckled with little golden stars. On her head was a matching witch's hat. She was tall and lean, and of a lively olive colour.

Greneda let her eyes rove over the Great Hall before she began to speak in a kind but firm voice. She radiated authority as she spoke.

"Welcome, students, to another magical year at Hogwarts! It's great to see so many new faces, and, of course, the old faces who have already known Hogwarts." she said, smiling at them all. "First, I would like to give a few notices for this school year. Mr. Filch is getting increasingly older, and it is difficult for him to do his job when kids are playing around in the corridors, shooting spells and playing with items that are supposed to be forbidden. As always, to see the full list, it is on Mr. Filch's door for the observation of all. I would also request that you stay out of the usual forbidden areas, such as the Forbidden Forest. Students found in these areas will face detention at least.

"Now that those notices are out of the way, I would like to inform you of a new practice that is to start this year and carry on if it is a success."

At these words, there was the low rumble of whispers and quiet words between friends spreading over the Great Hall. A new practice was an attention-grabber for any students that had not been listening before. Anything that was important enough to be mentioned at the Welcoming Feast was certainly of interest to every person in that room, student and faculty. Disregarding the low murmurs, Greneda continued.

"We are going to do what we would like to call an Exchange-Student program. Four students, all from 6th year, have been selected to switch houses for the duration of the year. They will be placed in a house that is not their original one. The aim of the program is to promote house unity and to allow you to try to gain an understanding of your fellow peers of other houses. To the four that have been selected, one from each house, I would ask that when I call your names, you will please come to the front so that we may determine which houses you will be moved to for the year.

"First, from Gryffindor: Joshua Stevie, please come to the front."

Low murmurs emanated from the Gryffindor table as a tall fellow with a stocky build, brown eyes, and ginger hair made his way to the front. His confidence was unwavering, though a bit of uncertainty was also visible.

"Second, from Ravenclaw: Andrea Stewart, please come to the front as well."

Murmurs from the Ravenclaw table joined those coming from the Gryffindor table as a short, thin girl with green eyes and blond hair made her way nervously to the front. It was clear that she was anxious and knew not what to expect.

"Next, from Hufflepuff: Alisha Randall, please join the others in front."

The Hufflepuff table broke into quiet whispering as a girl with a very freckled face, mousy brown hair, and light blue eyes walked to the front. She seemed uncertain, but not nervous. She seemed more curious as she took her place next to the other two.

"Finally, from Slytherin..."

The Great Hall fell completely silent, the tension mounting and bound to break at any moment. It seemed that the whole room was holding its breath. A Slytherin being pulled into this program with no notice or choice was something that concerned every student in every other house.

"Savannah Jiles. Please make your way to the front."