Chapter two
Chapter two: Resorting
Harry, Hermione, the Weasley family and the Order members arrived at Kings Cross (only 5 minutes before the departure of the train of course). Harry had just found an empty compartment, when Moody and Kingsley called him to the window.
"Be careful this year, boy. And don't forget: CONSTANT VIGILANCE." Moody shouted the last words at him, which made the boy to take a step back in surprise.
"Voldemort isn't here, but that doesn't mean that his Death Eaters are not a threat any more. Watch your back! We don't want you to get yourself killed." The other auror boomed.
"I know! I'm not a complete imbecile you know."
Moody looked at him doubtfully, but let it pass. The train started to move.
"Take care of yourself, Harry. And don't forget to write" Lupin waved to the boy.
The compartment door opened and Ron and Hermione entered. They stood next to Harry and waved goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley for the last time before closing the window and sitting down.
"Where is Ginny?" Harry asked.
Ron was the one to explain.
"She saw Looney just before we reached the compartment and they went searching for…Huffily Plumps…or something."
"Oh, alright." Replied Harry not really interested and took a book out of his backpack.
"Oh Harry, what are you reading?" Hermione asked enthusiastically. She sounded kind of proud with her best friend. Harry turned the book to show her the cover.
"Transfiguration for N.E.W.T.s? Do you need help? Which chapter are you on?"
"No it's ok, Hermione. I've read it twice already. I just wanted to check the chapter about the animagus forms again."
"Oh that's my favorite chapter! Have you ever thought about becoming an animagus before?"
--
While Harry and Hermione were discussing their possible forms, Ron was glaring at them maliciously.
Harry is a great actor: trying to get Hermione's attention, talking about school and stuff. It's obvious that's just an act to get her in bed. Harry's always been such a stuck up prick, relaying on his fame to get what he wants. I've allays let it pass, but not any more. I won't let him steal Hermione right before my eyes. He can fuck her, but only after me. Argh! I'm definitely not letting them flirt in front of me!
His mind made, Ron was just going to interrupt them when Harry asked the girl to talk with her in the corridor. They left one furious redhead alone in the compartment, glaring at the door.
--
Hermione and Harry found a place where they couldn't be overheard and the girl asked:
"What's this all about, Harry?"
The raven haired boy took a deep breath and avoiding her eyes said:
"Well….I kind of… doubt… that things between me and Ginny… are going very well."
Hermione didn't look too surprised. She had a knowing look on her face and, actually, looked kind of happy. She didn't interrupt him though, waiting for what was to come.
"And…. I don't think that things will get better…. I was actually contemplating the thought… of breaking up with her."
"I think that's the right thing to do. If you delay it, it will only get worse."
"There's something else. It's not that I don't like Ginny, she's a great person. It's just that I don't enjoy being with her."
"Physically?"
"Well….yeah." Harry blushed a deep shade of crimson.
"I knew it! I knew it!" Hermione screamed and started to jump around, pointing at Harry. But she suddenly stopped, realizing that just this didn't mean anything yet.
"You don't like Ginny because she isn't pretty or because she is a girl?"
Harry looked anywhere but at Hermione and his voice was almost inaudible when he replied.
"The second one."
"Oh, Harry, that's great!" Hermione squealed. Like every true yaoi fan she had always wanted to have a gay-friend and now her dream was becoming reality. After a while the girl continued in a conspiratorial tone. "So…do you like somebody?"
"No…I just realized that…I'm…."
"Gay?" Hermione helped him.
"Yes…gay. But how could you ask me if I liked somebody?!" Harry looked scandalized and really embarrassed.
"Of course I'll ask- that's the most logical question. Come on, you can tell me."
"Well…don't you have a prefect meeting to attend to?"
"Don't avoid my question! And anyways this year there isn't one. It was written in our letters that the reason will be explained during the Opening Ceremony. Now…answer my question, Harry!"
The train was slowing down and that saved Harry from answering. When the two returned to the compartment Ron was shocked by what he saw. His friends were both flushed, Hermione was holding Harry's hand and from time to time she jumped to hug him.
"Where, the hell, have you two been?! We're almost there." Ron said his voice full of jealousy.
"We just needed to discuss something." replied Harry avoiding his friend's eyes.
"Something you can't discuss with me?"
"Yes." was the quick, simultaneous answer from Harry and Hermione.
If they hadn't been so preoccupied, thinking about their conversation, they would have noticed how suspiciously they sounded and how hurt Ron looked.
The train stopped and the three made their way to the carriages.
--
When Harry, Ron and Hermione entered the Great Hall they noticed that some people were missing. Hermione suspected that was because their families were frightened and wanted to keep an eye on their children. Since it became common knowledge that Voldemort was back there hadn't been any major attacks, but still the wizarding world wanted to be prepared for the unexpected. She wasn't sure that taking the kids away from the protection of the school was the best thing to do, but fear sometimes makes people do the most illogical things. When Hermione shared her thoughts with Harry he took a brief look around the Hall too. He spotted Luna Lovegood at the Ravenclaw table and he gave her a nod and a smile. When he turned his gaze towards the Huffulpuffs Harry waved at Justin and searched for his other friends from the House. He immediately noticed the absence of Hannah. Maybe Hermione was right.
The Gryffindor and the Slytherin tables were the fullest. But there was something strange going on, on the Slytherin table. As if there was an invisible line, the Slytherin students were divided into two groups, which stared at each other with hatred. Harry spotted Draco Malfoy He was surprisingly not surrounded by his gorillas, who he saw, sitting at the other end of the table. The raven haired boy wondered what this was all about, but decided to let it go for the moment.
The trio took their places on the Gryffindor table and greeted their friends.
Neville had matured a lot. His hair was now longer, which made him look taller. He was much slimmer too. The baby fat from his face had disappeared and he had become almost handsome. Neville looked more serious and his gaze never stopped at one place. Seamus and Dean, who were just the same as last year, were sitting across from him and grinned at their dorm mates.
The Gryffindors were just starting to catch up, talking about their summers, when Harry noticed the Irish and black boys' behavior. They were trying to hide it, but they were actually holding hands under the table, occasionally smiling and stealing glances at the other. The-Boy-Who-Lived assumed they had gotten together during the holidays. He grinned and winked at the boys, who understood that he had found out their secret and smiled guiltily. Alas, Harry's good mood immediately disappeared when Ginny arrived at the table and took the place next to him. She was ready to join the conversation when Dumbledore stood up.
"Let the Sorting Ceremony begin."
The door of the Great Hall opened and McGonagall entered followed by the first-years, who, this year, were no more than twenty.
Hermione was fuming next to Harry.
"I can't believe that some parents didn't let their kids to start school!"
The boy nodded his agreement.
The new students were already lined in front of their schoolmates and the ceremony started. At the end approximately five new students were sorted in each House.
Harry could hear Ron's stomach rumbling and felt his own hunger. He hadn't eaten anything on the train due to his conversation with Hermione. He couldn't wait for the feast to start. He then noticed McGonagall still standing with the Sorting hat in hand, looking at the headmaster. Dumbledore stood up again.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. The first years and some of the older students, who have forgotten must know that going into the Forbiden Forest is not allowed as is doing magic in the corridors. Also our dear caretaker Mr. Filch will show you the list of forbidden items in his cabinet. Thanks to the Weasley twins and their new shop in Hogsmeade this list had increased by 150."
The Headmaster received the usual applauses, but this time he didn't sit down as he was expected to do.
"I bet you are all wondering why the feast isn't starting already. Taking into consideration the fact that Lord Voldemort is back and that we're in a time of war we need to be more united than ever. This early separation into Houses limits the communication between people and puts borders on friendship. And so it was decided that a reform was in order so that we can fix this mistake. From now on the students from year four and year seven will be resorted."
First there was a stunned silence, but after a few moments the Hall exploded. And it wasn't the usual whisper that followed Dumbledore's speeches, but it was a whole rebellion. Some of the students were on their feet shouting.
"What the hell is that?!"
"Are you totally mad?!"
"Dumbles lost it."
"He's out of his mind!"
Dumbledore cast a Sonorus on himself so that he could be heard over the noise.
"Settle down! Settle down please! Your reaction proves what I said. The decision had already been taken, but I promise you that if by the end of the year you still don't understand why I had taken these measures I'll resign from my post as Headmaster of Hogwarts."
This statement caught everybody unprepared and, shocked, the students sat down again.
"Quietus. Thank you. Now, if the fourth-years could come forward?"
With grumbles and silent curses the teenagers did as they were told.
This turned out to be an unusually noisy Sorting Ceremony. Throughout the Great Hall people were discussing what had just happened and many different opinions were heard.
On the Gryffindor table the commotion was the greatest. The seventh-years were talking about the consequences and what this new reform meant to them. The two Weasleys were furious.
"Dumbledore must have really gone mad! If that's the man who's leading the battle against Voldemort we are all doomed. What is he thinking? Does he really believe that if someone is sorted into Slytherin he'll become friends with the snakes? We'll have a lot of corpses on our hands." Ron muttered through gritted teeth.
"Oh, Haaaarryyy! Wouldn't it be terrible if they separated us!" Ginny whined, through tears.
Seamus and Dean weren't hiding that they were holding hands any more and were quietly whispering to one another.
Neville and Hermione, who were discussing between themselves till now, looked with irritation at the Wesley's and Hermione said:
"Why are you all so upset? I believe Dumbledore is right and we all need some changes. We can't afford petty arguments during this time of war and this reform will create new friendships and will increase inter-house unity."
Harry stayed quiet during all the bickering of his friends, lost in his own thoughts.
This new Sorting Ceremony changes everything. Seven years ago I decided where to be sorted and not the Hat, but now I won't interfere with the choice. Tonight we'll see weather I have changed or I'm still the innocent, naive child I was, when I started Hogwarts.
At the same time on the Slytherin table there was no confusion at all. Everybody seemed to be calm, sure that they will be resorted in the same house. Draco Malfoy, the Prince of Slytherin, was observing the reaction of the other Houses to see if somebody shared his opinion.
For once I agree with Dumbledore. That was the right move to make. Not that I'm all for making friends with the Gryffindorcks, but united we're stronger and we might actually be some kind of obstacle before the Dark Lord. And if you actually think about it, it was really stupid from Godric Gryffindor's part to make only one Sorting Ceremony. It is a fact that people change, especially in our age. I am the living proof.
For those who watched, the resorting of the fourth-years had proven the Headmaster's point. There were a lot of students who changed Houses. The number of teenagers in each one was now dis-proportioned. There was a good explanation for this. A lot of the children had disrespected their parents' wishes and had come back to school against their will. That bravery was the reason why the Hat decided to put a lot of them in Gryffindor.
It was now the turn of the seventh year students. The Hall was deadly quiet. Everybody was paying attention since they all knew at least one person from the senior year. Not to mention that the all-popular Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were being resorted and everybody wanted them in their own House.
Harry watched attentively as Susan Bones and Terry Boot stayed at respectively Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Lavender Brown returned to the Gryffindor table. Millicent Bulstrode was the first to change Houses to the shock of all the Slytherins, who expected their ranks to stay intact. She was now a member of Hufflepuff. Harry's friend Justin became the first new Ravenclaw. Crabe and Goyle, the inseparable duo, stayed in Slytherin.
"Finnigan, Seamus."
"GRYFFINDOR!""
"Granger, Hermione."
After a while the Hat shouted:
"RAVENCLAW!"
Ron couldn't believe his years. First Harry and now the Hat were all against his future relationship with Hermione.
Harry wasn't surprised. He had actually always wandered why Hermione, the brightest witch in his year, wasn't in Ravenclaw. He clapped along with her new housemates. When he looked at his Transfiguration professor he noticed that she looked disappointed- probably of the lost of the best student in her House.
"Longbottom, Neville"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Again this wasn't a surprise for The-Boy-Who-Lived. After all, professor Sprout was head of the House and Herbology was Neville's favorite subject. Not to mention that the boy was more loyal and hard-working than brave.
"Malfoy, Draco."
"Oh, Young Lord Malfoy we meet again. Last time I had no doubt where you belong, but it seems that the idea with the resorting was good for you. You've changed. How about I put you in Ravenclaw?"
"My family is having a hard time right now. I don't think it's a good moment for another so blatant show of betrayal. And I'm sure that my house mates will see a transferring as such."
"I agree with you. Your choice may be…"political" at the moment, but I'm sure you won't regret it later."
"SLYTHERIN"
While Malfoy was returning the hat to McGonagall and was graciously making his way back to his table Harry noticed the different reactions of his schoolmates. The girls from the other Houses (and some of the boys) were groaning in disappointment. That wasn't a big shock, after all Malfoy was popular. What was strange, were the reactions of the Slytherins occupying the side of the table, opposite of the one the blond was sitting on. They were hissing threats, glaring at him.
"You traitor! You don't belong on the Slytherin table!"
Malfoy just ignored them and there weren't any more audible comments.
Harry was shocked.
What the fuck is going on! How come the Prince of Slytherin is hated by his House mates? And what is this traitor- thing all about?
While Harry was musing Theodore Nott and Pansy Parkinson were resorted and took their places next to Draco.
Since the Patil twins hadn't come to school this year it was now Harry's turn.
"Potter, Harry"
The Hall went silent, waiting for what was to come.
Harry heard the Hat talking in his head.
"Harry Potter. Nice seeing you again. Well, what do I see here? You've been through a lot of changes since your first Sorting. Do you have any preferences this time?"
"It's all in your hands. Shoot."
"Are you sure?"
Harry gave a mental smirk. He could hear the laugh of the Hat in his mind when it shouted.
"SLYTHERIN!"
TBC
A/N1: Another chapter done. Hope you'll like it even though all chapters about the returning to Hogwarts are boring.
A/N2: We decided to make a trailer for our fan fiction. So be prepared, it will be ready with the next chapter.
A/N3: And now a really big thank you to our first reviewers and those who put our story on their alert list or favorited it. We hope we won't disappoint you and we'll try to meet your expectations.
Love you all guys!