A/N: Thanks for the very first review and favourite! It inspired me to post another chapter of Yin and Yang.
Hermione Granger was awed by everything she saw from the moment Professor Mcgonagall demonstrated how she transfigured into a cat up to the moment she entered the Great Hall of Hogwarts for the sorting of the first years. Despite the rudeness of a little blonde boy, the absent mindedness of a chubby boy with a weird surname and the unlikely encounter with the boy who had a thunderbolt shaped scar, her initial impressions on the magical world were still wonderful.
The first years were all huddled together at the front waiting for the ceremony to begin. The Headmaster sat back down after he finished his speech, a speech which slightly worried Hermione because of the warning of an impending death if anyone tried to enter the Forbidden Forest. She made a mental note of the places she wouldn't go to and the forest was top on her list.
The sorting finally began, Professor Mcgonagall started calling out names of the first years and asked them to sit on the stool where she put a weird little pointy hat on their heads. Hermione knew that the hat was called the Sorting Hat. How quaint, she thought. She knew a lot of facts about Hogwarts after reading "Hogwarts: A History" from cover to cover, over and over again.
"What house do you think you'll be in?" Neville Longbottom asked nervously as they waited for their turn. A girl called Hannah Abbott had just been sorted into Hufflepuff.
"I don't know. But I do hope I get into Ravenclaw." Hermione replied excitedly.
Ravenclaw was known for having the best and the brightest students in Hogwarts. Being an avid reader, Hermione thought that she would fit in perfectly well in that house. Neville was finally called and Hermione was surprised when the boy was sorted into Gryffindor, the house of the brave. Hermione shrugged; maybe the boy would surprise her in the future.
"Hermione Granger." Professor Mcgonagall called.
Hermione confidently walked to the front and sat dutifully on the stool. Mcgonagall placed the sorting hat on to her head; it wasn't even on for a few seconds when the hat shouted "Gryffindor!"
Hermione was dazed for a little while; she looked at Professor Mcgonagall and was surprised to see that she was smiling at her. "Go to your housemates, Ms. Granger."
She finally stood up and proceeded to Gryffindor table and sat beside Neville. The older Gryffindors congratulated and welcomed her into the house. Hermione smiled, everyone seemed so be so nice to her, and she thought that maybe being sorted into Gryffindor wouldn't be such a bad thing.
The sorting continued, a few more first years were sorted into Gryffindor. Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley sat in front of her; the other Gryffindors were still congratulating the Potter boy. Hermione noticed that Harry was a bit overwhelmed with all the attention he was getting; she had already read about his role in the destruction of a very evil wizard who people always refer to as 'You-know-who or He-who-must-not-be-named. Given the fact that Hermione didn't grow up in the wizarding world, she had no idea how much of a big deal it was to be in the presence of the boy who lived.
Three first years were yet to be sorted, she didn't pay attention that much anymore after the obnoxious blonde boy who made fun of her at the train for having non-magical parents was sorted in Slytherin. Hermione grimaced; it figures that 'Draco Malfoy' would be sorted into house known for its prejudice and discrimination against the non-magical folk.
Hermione's attention was now focused on the ceiling, which was bewitched to show the weather outside of the castle when Neville called for her attention.
"Hey Hermione, that other first year looks a lot like you. Do you know her?" asked Neville, he pointed at the girl in question and what Hermione saw shocked her.
She and the girl shared the very same face; the only difference was that, while Hermione sported an unruly head of curly brown hair, the other girl had dark and silky locks which ended up just inches above her shoulders. She also had a mole at the right side of her cheek, just under her eye. She looked as if she was bored, even the talking hat didn't seem to impress her. She also had an air of aristocracy about her, similar to that of Draco Malfoy.
"Umm, Neville?" Hermione asked. "Is it normal in the magical world to have someone who looks exactly the same as you?"
Neville just shook his head; they were both waiting for Professor Mcgonagall to call out her name. While they waited, the mysterious girl who could readily pass as Hermione's twin sister, noticed their stares. She stared at Hermione with a blank expression on her face. Hermione didn't know why, but for some unknown reason, she felt a sense of familiarity towards the other girl. She was about to smile at her when the other girl's stare became fierce.
"What's her problem?" whispered Neville.
Hermione just shook her head, she didn't know why, but that glare she received from her look alike wasn't just an expression of annoyance, she looked as if she hated Hermione with all her being. The girl was the last one to be sorted; even Mcgonagall looked a bit nervous when she looked at the girl.
"And finally, Syrine Lestrange." Called Professor Mcgonagall.
Everyone fell quiet, those who were previously inattentive to the sorting ceremony where now all focused on the last first year to be sorted. Despite the attention, Syrine looked unfazed, she looked rather pleased. She sat gracefully on the stool, and even before the sorting hat was completely placed on to her head, it had shouted "Slytherin!"
The Slytherin erupted in cheers, clearly celebrating the fact that another snake was sorted in. Hermione continued to observe Syrine as she made her way to the Slytherin table beside Malfoy. The blonde boy looked ecstatic; it seemed as if he and Syrine were close friends even before Hogwarts.
The Headmaster finally signalled for the feast to begin. Hermione decided to stop staring at Syrine and returned to face the table. She then became aware of the shaking mess that was now Neville Longbottom. Harry Potter also became aware of Neville's actions and it prompted him to ask if the boy was okay.
Neville stared straight into the eyes of Harry Potter, "Lestrange." He whispered fearfully. "Deatheaters."
Not knowing what Neville meant, Hermione and Harry just looked confused. It was Ron Weasley who broke the tension.
"Snap out of it, Neville." Ron said, "Here, drink this pumpkin juice, it would make you feel better." Ron handed Neville a cup and he took it from him carefully and had a sip.
"Thanks." Said Neville, although he stopped shaking he still looked a bit pale like he saw a ghost.
Harry turned to Ron and asked, "What are Deatheaters?"
"Well, it's a long story mate. I'll tell you after the feast, food is waiting." Ron replied excitedly.
Harry looked a bit annoyed, but at that moment, his stomach growled loudly. There was a blush of pink on his cheeks; he then remembered that it had been hours since he had a proper meal. The candy he ate on the train wasn't considered as a proper meal.
"Well, as long as you don't forget to tell us." Said Harry, and he finally started to eat as well.
Although Hermione was curious, he took the cue from Harry and started to eat as well. She also felt relieved when Neville finally calmed down and started eating too.