"A muggleborn aye? Well this is quite unusual...But it appears...Yes, it is very clear-if the prophecy is to come true, you must be...Slytherin!" You could hear a pin drop the Great Hall is stunned silent. Hermione Granger sniffles as she walks towards the Slytherin table. They shuffled and allowed a small gap around her. As the sorting ceremony continues, Hermione buries her face into her hands, trying to control her breathing.
"The future demands you to be cunning and relentless! Better be...Slytherin!" The Sorting House announces after being placed on the nervous raven-haired boy. Harry Potter anxiously joins his new housemates at their table next to Hermione—one of his only friends currently. He was relieved to be in the same house especially if Slytherin was as ruthless as Ron had made it out to be. Harry nudges Hermione to clap halfheartedly as the Slytherin's raise to their feet welcoming Draco Malfoy. The boy takes a seat nearby smirking at the other first years.
The ceremony continues, Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan are sorted into Gryffindor with Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass, and Blaise Zabini joined them in Slytherin. Terry Boot and Anthony Goldstein are sorted into Ravenclaw. The Hufflepuff first years are Hannah Abbott and Susan Bones.
Finally, the ceremony draws to a close as Professor McGonagall calls forth, "Ronald Weasley!"
"Hm... A Weasley and the events to conspire mean I cannot place him into Gryffindor? Very well then, I suppose for the greater good it must be Slytherin!" The hat muses ignoring Ron's insistent that he must be mistaken. Begrudgingly, Ron takes a seat on the other side of Hermione.
Dumbledore clears his voice as he stands, gathering everyone's attention. "Welcome back, I will keep this brief as I'm sure everyone is starved! Of course, everyone must stay out of the Forbidden Forest or face deadly consequences. Curfew is early tonight to allow everyone to get settled. In light of some unusual sorting, I remind the prefects to be diligent in watching out for everyone. Let the feast begin!"
As food appeared bountifully on the table, Ron began to dig in and Hermione and Harry carefully began filling their plates. One of the older Slytherins noticed them and elbowed Draco over to correct them. With a mumbled, "Fine." He took a seat across from the trio. "Granger and Potter please do not allow Weasleys poor manners to give you a bad first impression here. We have traditions that you must uphold. Weasley clearly wasn't taught as his family is traditionally Gryffindor's, but he will catch on." He reaches over and takes Hermione's plate and vanishes the food away. "It is only proper to fill the ladies' plates and glasses for them," he instructs filling it with small portions of everything available, so that she can sample it. "so that she need not reach for anything. Even though it is unusual for someone of your blood status be sorted here you are no exception. A gentleman makes sure no woman is without anything she needs. Potter surely you can appreciate that and make sure she is taken care of so I can leave." Malfoy places the plate back in front of her and waits patiently to make sure they understand.
Nodding slightly Harry asks, "How do you take your tea Hermione?" It seemed like a small price to pay for everyone to get along.
"I can make my own tea!" She insists.
Draco sighs. "I do not doubt yours or any witches' capability. It is an insult to the wizards here to make her. We make chivalrous men Granger, allow us too. Let us carry your books and make your tea. Help us be good husbands to our wives in future by telling Potter or Weasley if they upset you. In turn, allow us to help you. Many of our mothers are the best politicians we have. Slytherin teaches you how to act to persuade others."
She closed her mouth and hesitates before mumbling her tea request. Harry hands her the cup gently before sharing a look with Ron before his eyes go back to Draco. "This is not some overnight change we can make."
Draco smirks before calling Pansy and Daphne over. "Daphne, you should help Potter learn our customs and Pansy you help Weasley." They nod before going to sit beside the boys and Draco glides to the other side of the table and offers Granger his hand. "It's a bit cramped, why don't you come sit with me on the other side." Her eyes soften as she takes his hand and he escorts her to her new seat.
The six finish their meals with little incident. As their head of house announces he will now escort them to their common room Draco is pleased to see Potter and Weasley have the foresight to help the ladies stand.
Once they are in the common room, they look around at the posh furniture and glistening water. He feels perfectly at home and from the excited gasp that Hermione gives when the Giant Squid taps onto the window. The sparkle in her eye that shows her determination to succeed stirs something inside of him. In that moment Draco knew despite her blood status she would be his. He gives her a small smile and guides her over to the window. As she gazes out, he focuses on the beauty in front of him as well.