Do not even begin to ask me where I came up with this idea. It simply popped into my head one afternoon whilst I was awaiting work time. The asinine ideas that sometimes assault my subconscious often frighten me. Thankfully this isn't one of those times. I rather think this will be a fantastic plot that will ensnare your senses, my dear readers.
I do hope that you haven't tired of Marriage Law fictions because I haven't. I love them, and I do hope to make this one a tad bit different than the usual.
I will warn that this story is rated mature for a specific few reasons including profanity, adult situations, and explicit material in general. No, it isn't one of "those" types of fictions, but it is nonetheless foul in certain parts, and I wish to offend no one with my naughty bits. No pun intended by that, of course.
I hereby disclaim any likenesses or quotes from the Harry Potter series written by one talented JK Rowling, nor do I hold claim to Warner Bros. or any of their other works.
I do, however, hold claim to all previously uncreated characters. They are mine, and mine alone.
"Here," a long list that had been rolled up into a scroll was shoved unceremoniously in Hermione Potter's hands. Her jaw dropped as the harried woman gave her a knowing look, "You will do fine. I simply can't handle this anymore."
"So you force the task upon me?" Hermione asked Minerva McGonagall with an incredulous expression.
"It must be done, The Sorting, and I would trust no one else to complete the task properly," Minerva huffed at the look on Hermione's face, "Don't worry, child. It's a simple spell and then your judgment to determine where these children will end up."
"If this was so simple you would have no qualms-"
"Hush, child. You must ready yourself. There is only an hour left before their arrival. I will be in my office gathering my speech," the headmistress smiled warmly to her favorite past student, patting the woman roughly on the shoulder before she spun on her heel and took off for the stairs.
Hermione was left in the vast entrance hall standing in her jeans and burgundy sweater looking as if she'd seen a three-headed dog (again). Things at Hogwarts had certainly changed in these many years.
The young woman took the stairs three at a time, flying up toward her office on the second floor. Once she rounded the corner and flung open her door, the scroll was tossed on the couch in her quarter's living room.
Soon she was in the shower, and then back in her bedroom, dropping her towel around her feet before flicking her wand at her hair. The wet, curly tresses floated upward, drying and twisting into a French braid which fell to the middle of her back within moments.
Then, the robes that she'd lain out flew into her hands, and she pulled them on quickly before turning and admiring herself in the mirror. Her cranberry turtleneck sweater was fitted, showing off her curves, the black slacks adorning her creating the illusion of legs that could go on forever. Her feet were clad in black dragon-hide boots, the scales polished over and quite rich-looking, silver buckles fastening at either side.
Over top of her Muggle-style clothing was a long, billowing, cranberry teaching robe, fastening with a tiny silver clasp in the shape of a lion right below her breasts. She looked like a woman of power and wealth, which of course she was.
After applying a light glamour of makeup with a swish of her wand, Hermione's lips shone with a glossy berry color, her eyes cat-like and smoky. Her cheeks were a soft rose color, and any worry-lines or wrinkles had faded, making her appear at least five years younger than she was, although thirty made her no old woman.
Finally, the young woman slipped her wedding band and engagement ring back onto her left hand, happy that the bond to Harry shone so beautifully against her pale skin. The engagement ring had always made her proud, so delicate and intricate. The platinum band of it was smooth and thin, curving and twisting like vines around the center which held a solitaire, princess-cut diamond. It sparkled magically, bringing the eye to it without thought. Her wedding band matched. It appeared that silvery vines curled together to create the beautiful, platinum band.
Hermione stepped out into the corridor just as she had pocketed her wand, the giggles of children of varying ages hitting her ears from downstairs. She'd nearly forgotten! Hermione turned just in time to slam into her husband's chest. She blushed and smirked as he handed her the scroll she'd left lying on the couch.
"You might need that," Harry allowed the all-important document to fall out of his hands and into Hermione's before placing a chaste kiss to her soft, red lips.
"Why are you here?" Hermione grinned, pocketing the scroll beside her wand inside her robes.
He pressed his finger to his lips with a smile, "It's a secret. You'll learn soon enough."
Hermione beamed at him and laced her finger's with his, "Come along then, my secret keeper, and let's get down to the Great Hall before I'm missed."
"Let's," Harry nodded his agreement and allowed Hermione to lead the way downstairs.
"Attention!" Minerva tapped her wine goblet, catching the eyes of nearly every student in the Great Hall. "It is time for The Sorting to begin! As you all know, our beloved Sorting Hat was destroyed in the fire last year. We must find another way to sort these young people into their proper houses. I believe that Mr. Harry Potter has found a way to do this job. He alone has invented a spell to bring out the true characteristics of every student. Based on these characteristics, Professor Hermione Potter will sort each of these first years into the proper house. I will ask each of you to remain silent throughout this process. No clapping and cheering until every student is sorted, please. The utmost concentration is required of Professor Potter, and therefore I need each of you to be respectful and keep your mouths properly shut."
The look in Minerva's eyes could have petrified each child, and therefore they all sat completely quiet, watching with bated breath for what would happen next.
Minerva nodded curtly, "I thank you. First years! Forward!"
With that, the large doors to the Great Hall swung forth, and Hagrid led in the largest group of first years Hermione had ever seen. There were at least two hundred. She gasped slightly as they all squeezed in, barely able to fit down the aisle between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.
"Right, then," Hermione cleared her throat, suddenly feeling as if it had tightened to nothing. She hated being in front of a large crowd. This was not her element. She unrolled the parchment, allowing it to fall down to her feet. She started at the top of the list.
"As Professor Potter calls your names, please come forward and take a seat on the stool provided beside her," Minerva instructed before finally taking a seat and watching with bated breath as the rest of the faculty and students were.
Hermione took a deep breath, "Aero, Blake!"
The small, blond boy stepped forward, pushing his shaggy hair out of his bright blue eyes. He took a seat on the stool, waiting patiently with slight fear in his features.
Hermione raised her wand and cast the spell she had never practiced, hoping that she'd done it right. She watched as a brilliant light glowed around the boy, and a tingling sensation filled her. She felt brave, her heart whole with goodness. She felt intelligent and wise, yet naïve and young. There was an urge to please others, a strong urge to lead.
"This is tough… I could place you in Slytherin, but I don't see you getting on well with the students there. I don't feel as if Ravenclaw is right for you either. Hufflepuff is out of the question… I suppose it shall be Gryffindor," she smiled warmly as the boy clapped his hands together in glee and jumped down from the stool, rushing over to the Gryffindor table.
"Almond, Lisa!"
The fragile looking, terrified, dark-haired girl shuffled up to the stool and took a seat and once again Hermione performed the spell. After a moment she smiled, "Hufflepuff!"
A few more names down the list and Hermione had reached the next girl, "Beachwood, Hannah!" The spunky brunette girl skipped to the stool, and it only took a few moments for Hermione to call out, "Ravenclaw!"
It wasn't long before Hermione was halfway down the list, having given more students to Gryffindor than any other house. She'd yet to give a Slytherin, but she was sure the next student would end up there.
"Lovegood, Laura!"
The girl was dark and wore an impassive expression, her blond hair falling around her face in a soft manner. As Hermione revealed her traits she knew there was only one place for the cunning child, "Slytherin!"
Hermione wondered to herself if this was Luna's child. If so, why would the girl have her mother's maiden name? Had Luna given birth to an illegitimate child? No one had spoken to her since the war.
Laura didn't appear to look like anyone Hermione knew, other than Luna of course. She seemed to be exactly like her mother in appearance, but there was something else to her personality. It was as if a dark cloud floated over the young lady, following her wherever she went. Her mood even affected people around her, Hermione noted. When Laura took a seat, the children on either side of her scooted away slightly, almost as if they were afraid she was cursed.
Hermione focused on the task at hand once again, "Malfoy, Valen!"
The girl that stepped forward was full of arrogant pride. She held her perfectly pointed chin high as she walked with purpose, finally taking her seat at the stool. She folded her hands primly in her lap, her ankles crossed. She was the picture of Pureblood upbringing, Draco's only daughter.
"This shall be easy," Hermione muttered to herself before swiftly calling out, "Slytherin!"
The girl hopped down from the stool with a look of sheer triumph before waggling her fingers at Draco who sat at the High Table, his sleek blond hair glistening under the light of the floating candles above. His daughter beamed and took a seat beside Laura, muttering something in the girl's ear. Her blond curls bounced as she moved her head animatedly, green eyes glistening with mirth as she watched Laura giggle at whatever she'd said. This one would be trouble.
Twenty more names down the list and Hermione grinned widely as she called out, "Potter, James!"
Hermione watched her son grin at his mother and take a seat at the stool, running a nervous hand through his messy black hair. His glasses were perched slightly askew on his nose as usual, and he adjusted them before staring up at his mother expectantly.
"Well I know you well enough, but let's take a peek," Hermione smirked and swished her wand at James. Many traits flooded into her head, showing her his pride and bravery, closeness with friends, and determination, "Gryffindor, without a doubt, James."
The boy clapped his hands together and jogged to the Gryffindor table, those honey eyes taking one last glance behind him at his mother before taking a seat amongst his friends who'd already been sorted.
Hermione called off numerous names again, sorting a few more Slytherins, a few more Ravenclaws, and a few more Hufflepuffs before finally reaching another name she knew.
"Weasley, Theron!" A redheaded, lanky looking boy walked forward, his freckles darkening as he nervously took a seat. He was a lot taller than most of the other first years, easily sticking out in the crowd. He looked as if he'd rather be anywhere but here at this very moment.
"Just don't sort me into Slytherin or Hufflepuff," Theron sighed heavily, "Dad would have my neck."
Hermione shot a glare at the giggling crowd of students. She performed the spell and smiled, "Gryffindor!"
After a few more names Hermione finally reached the last, "Zabini, Rose!"
A beautiful, toffee toned girl with brilliant hazel eyes and long, silky straight, black hair stepped forward, smiling and waving at Hermione before taking a seat. She was Ginny's daughter, with the coloring of her Slytherin father and the features of her gorgeous, Gryffindor mother.
Hermione absorbed the girl's traits before coming to a difficult decision, "I'm going to give you a choice, Rose," Hermione knelt down beside the girl, whispering in her ear, "You have the choice of Gryffindor or Slytherin. I cannot come to a conclusion. You could go either place."
Rose thought for a moment before whispering her answer in Hermione's ear.
The woman stood and bellowed proudly, "Gryffindor!"
With that, the Sorting Ceremony was done and loud applause and cheers echoed through the Hall as the houses celebrated their new additions with pride. Hermione held the skirt of her robe as she climbed the stairs up to the High Table, taking a seat between Draco and Harry.
"Well done, Professor," Draco patted Hermione on the back before taking a long gulp of wine.
Harry kissed her cheek, "Very good, love. James is thrilled."
"Between you and I," Hermione leaned in and whispered to her husband, "I was going to put him in Ravenclaw but I knew it would devastate him. He could have gone either way."
"I think you made the right choice," Harry smiled warmly and watched as Minerva rose from her seat and held her hands out to silence the students.
Minerva waited for the applause to die down before she cleared her throat, holding her wand to it and casting the sonorous charm.
"Students and faculty, I would like to make a few announcements before the feast begins," she wore a prideful grin as she turned toward Harry. Hermione was completely silent, unsure still of what was going on and why her husband was there.
"We have a new class as well as a new professor to teach it this year, students. This class will teach you all about the family aspects of life, such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, and caring for children with magic. This class is open to boys and girls, and first and second years are required to take it. I will now introduce, with a very warm, loving welcome back to Hogwarts, Professor Harry Potter," Minerva began the applause, and it didn't take long for the rest of the school to join in, welcoming Harry.
The students seemed completely thrilled to have such a celebrity teaching them. Yes, Hermione and Draco were famous, but Harry was the one who actually took down Voldemort in the end. This made him a hero and an idol in the eyes of the students.
Hermione was flushed with pride for her husband, completely shocked that he had managed to keep this all a secret up until now. She made a note to fuss at him when they got into their quarters that evening. Would they share quarters? Hermione sighed heavily and pushed it all from her mind as Minerva continued with her announcements. Finally the elderly woman called for the feast to begin, and the couple ate and talked, enjoying their time back at school with the people they'd missed.
Yes, this was long, but the Sorting had to be done and I figured it was best to get it all out in one chapter rather than split it up into two. That would have made the first section far too short. To answer some questions, Draco and the Potter's are friends. He is married to a woman you haven't met yet. You will meet her soon. Ron is married to a distant cousin that I have yet to introduce you to. Ginny obviously married Blaise Zabini. Don't ask about this pairing. It just came to me as I was writing. Threw you a curve ball. Didn't like it, did you? Yes, we will be hearing from Luna again. Otherwise, drop me a review if you have questions. I will try to answer them all. Please review!