Hey guys! I could not believe the response that the first chapter got! I was expecting a couple likes but you guys amazed me! It means sooo much! Thank you all! I would like to thank my beta and best friend, Missy, for making sure everything is perfect! I appreciate you all so much! I own nothing; all characters belong to the magical J.K. Rowling. Even my social life.
"Well," the ancient wizard started a twinkle in his old, worn, eyes. "Shall we begin the pairing?"
Hermione sucked her breath in as reality hit her. The odds of her family involving Ron were slim to none. The sorting began. The headmaster tapped the bowl with his thin wand and the water bubbled. The hall was silent with anticipation. Dumbledore pulled up his wand and two names floated up.
"Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley. I hope you show each other that strength and courage can be found, even when they may not show it." The hall clapped as they beautiful ginger and awkward teen shuffled up to their professor. He took a strand from Neville's head and put it in a potion; he then handed it to Ginny and nodded to her, signaling to drink it. The youngest Weasley lifted the cup, looked directly at Harry and drank the contents. The Gryffindor table exploded with applause. Neville looked uncomfortable as he shifted from one foot to another, obviously not enjoying being the center of attention.
The process continued for a while longer. The headmaster repeated the spell time after time. Harry ended being paired with Luna, so "they could learn to accept what cannot be changed". After a while, Hermione started to get nervous, waiting for her turn to arrive. As each pair of students drank the potion and stood with their spouse, Hermione's chances of being with Ron became more and more realistic. Then the words she most feared were read.
"Ronald Weasley" Hermione felt her heart in her throat. "And Lavender Brown. To remember that patience and to remember that second chances should always be given." And just like that Hermione wanted to throw up. No, she thought as Ron gave her an upset look, no. This could not be happening. She had just gotten Ron. She could not lose him to that….that witch! Lavender shot Hermione an evil and cynical glare as she skipped towards Hermione's Ron. She drank the potion and it s done. Lavender was having Ron's first child.
The great hall was silent. Ron and Hermione's relationship was quite public, thanks to the press of course. What was a better story than the relationship of two of the golden trio? But, Ron and Lavender's sixth year relationship had also been one of the hottest topics at its time. All the girls gave Hermione sympathetic looks. But Hermione ignored them. She stared into Ron's eyes. Locked in, they conversed without words. Letting each other know that neither was comfortable with this arrangement.
The headmaster, unaware of the tension building in the school, continued. Next, a couple of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, with a few Gryffindor and Slytherins thrown in, Hermione started to get more anxious with each pairing. Looking around, all she saw was Dean Thomas, a couple of sixth year Ravenclaws and a dozen of seventh year Slytherins, including the prince himself, Draco Malfoy. As that thought entered her mind, Hermione quickly pushed it away. No way would she be paired with Draco Malfoy. How could they possibly be good for one another?
But as Dumbledore read the names, the idea became more and more frightening. Any other Slytherin, she thought, anyone but Malfoy. Heck, Pansy Parkinson would be better! There were about 20 students left when Hermione's name was called.
"Hermione Granger," Dumbledore began, "Will be paired with someone who will show that people may not always be what they seem and that people are more than their past."
Hermione gulped and closed her eyes, her darkest nightmare becoming a reality.
"Draco Malfoy will be paired with the lovely Miss Granger."
The great hall burst as Ron screamed NO and whispers traveled from student to student. But in all the excitement, only Draco had noticed that Hermione had fallen to the ground, eyes still closed. Not moving.