Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, JKR and WB own him.
A/N: The second chapter. Revised for some grammar errors. The rest will be uploaded tommorow and the new chapter should be finished by the end of the next week. Review and enjoy.
Chapter 2: Sorting, what sorting
Harry, Hermione and Padma were trying hard not to shiver in the cold as the boats entered the cave beneath the castle. As they hopped onto the shore they noticed a stern looking woman waited for them near the steps that probably led to the castle proper. She was a tall old lady with a grey hair and she was dressed into the green robes with a tall witch hat. Hagrid stood on the shore.
"First 'ears, professor McGonagall," he announced.
"Thank you Hagrid. Children, please follow me," she responded and motioned for them to follow. She led them further into the castle and into a large room where she asked them to wait until she returned from the Great Hall.
Harry looked around the room at the rest of the first years. They were huddled into small groups silently talking. Several children were boasting to their peers trying to hide their fear. One of those that were boasting around was the blonde boy that accosted Harry in the train. He turned and spotted him and his face turned into a malicious grin. He made his way towards Harry followed by his two bodyguards.
"Look who we have here. An owl lover that can't defend himself," the blonde boy mocked.
"What it is to you Malfoy," the red headed boy answered to him.
"Well, Weasley, a lot. You see, I don't know him and I know everyone who matters, so he must be a nobody," Malfoy turned towards Harry with a sneer on his face. "You'll find that there are different kinds of wizards, I'm pureblood and that's what's important, you aren't pureblood so you aren't important to anyone."
Harry knew that he shouldn't listen to what Malfoy was saying, but his words still struck something inside him. All those feelings that were ravaging him on the train came back with a vengeance.
Hermione saw as Harry looked down. She understood what he was going through, as she went through the same almost daily in her primary school. She always wanted someone to save her from her bullies and now she was seeing same thing happening to Harry, one of her first friends. She steeled herself for what she was going to do. She took his hand and softly said into his ear.
"You are important to me, Harry."
Harry looked into her eyes startled. He saw her nod and shy smile. He shyly smiled back. Another voice said into his other ear.
"You're important to me too."
Harry looked at Padma and saw her smile. He smiled back. Unfortunately, Malfoy chose that moment to interrupt.
"Pathetic. Can't even fight back."
Harry's respond was cut off by the Weasley boy.
"Why don't you piss off, Malfoy?"
"Mr. Weasley, that's a detention, for you too Mr. Malfoy. I would take points but you aren't even sorted. You will report to my office after classes in Monday to serve your detention. Is that understood?" Professor McGonagall cut in. She heard what was going on and decided to intervene before fight broke up.
"Now, I'm Professor McGonagall, deputy headmistress and Head of Gryffindor. You will follow me to get sorted in your house. There are four houses, each with their own qualities and flaws. There are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Huflepuff and Slytherin. Follow me," she began to walk towards the large door opposite the entrance but before she could reach them she was interrupted by several shrieks as a number of ghosts glided through the room. She scowled at the ghosts who were engaged in a spirited discussion while they travelled through the room.
When they finally reached the great hall Harry was amazed at the sight. Huge room was filled with four tables full of children. On the head of the hall was a table with teachers. The Hall was full of light coming from the hundreds of candles that were floating above the tables. Above the four tables were banners that contained animal that represented each respective house. Behind the teacher's table was a banner with the Hogwarts crest. Harry's sight was actually drawn on the Hall's ceiling that depicted clear sky with moon and stars. He heard Hermione as she spoke about the Great Hall and he listened intently wanting to know everything about his new world.
"Ceiling is magically enchanted to show weather conditions on the outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, a History," Hermione noticed Harry listening to her and she was startled that someone was actually interested in her narration. Through the whole excitement Harry didn't even notice that the old hat that was sitting on a stool in front of the teacher's table started to sing. He intently listened to its song and then to the explanation of the sorting from Professor McGonagall.
"First years, when I call your name you will step to the chair and put the Sorting Hat on your head. He will decide in which house you will be for the next seven years."
Everyone fell silent as they waited for the beginning of the sorting. Harry was nervously fidgeting in place as Professor McGonagall began calling names.
Harry anxiously awaited his turn, all the while trying to find enough reason to convince the Sorting Hat not to place him in Slytherin. He looked at the Hat as Hermione's name was called and she ran towards the chair. She put him on and Harry could see the Hat talking with Hermione. After several minutes in which few of the more impatient children began talking, Hermione was placed in Huflepuff. Her reaction to that proclamation was a slight frown and a worried look towards Harry and Padma.
Sorting continued with a calm pace while Harry hardly paid notice, he was worried even more now that Hermione didn't get Gryffindor, which was her first choice on the train. He noticed when Malfoy's name was called and he was sorted into Slytherin. When Padma's name was called Harry wished her good luck. She was placed into Ravenclaw and her sister into Gryffindor. Harry smiled at her as she happily skipped to her table. Finally Harry's name was called and he noticed the stares that the whole hall pointed at him. Harry slowly walked towards the Hat. As he finally put him on he was surprised by the soft chuckle that the Hat had on his expense.
"There is nothing to fear young Potter. I'm not going to bite your head off."
"I'm not scared, I'm nervous."
"Yes, yes, that you are. Now, where to put you."
"Anywhere but Slytherin."
"Not Slytherin, are you sure? Yes, not Slytherin. By Merlin, what is this? No, no, that will not do," Harry heard.
Several things happened after those proclamations of the hat. He suddenly yelled for all to hear.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, I request a meeting with four Heads of the houses and you. Also, presence of the school's Healer will be required and the Head of the Ministry's law department needs to be present. Please, join me in the antechamber." with that, the hat took control of Harry's body and walked out of the great hall and into the antechamber behind the professor's table. He was followed by the six teachers he called for.
"What is the matter," Dumbledore asked. He was trying to think what was wrong with Potter, when he asked Hagrid he found that everything was currently acceptable.
All of the professors were gazing at the hat, some with concerned expressions, as they knew what this was about, and one in wonder as he didn't have a clue. Professor that was blessed with ignorance was Severus Snape, a very foul man that currently served as Hogwarts potion master and the Head of Slytherin. He was present to several interrupted sorting but he actually didn't know that because the Sorting Hat was an artefact that was directly linked to Hogwarts, who was a sentient castle that took care of the children entrusted in its care. Sorting hat usually scanned the person's mind seeking qualities and flaws of one's character to sort them into one of Hogwarts' houses. He saw everything that the person went through until that moment and he had power to act on that information if person's health was endangered or he saw something that was against the law. Fortunately for many, laws that Hat headed were those that Founders wrote when they enchanted him. Occasionally he would see some foul deed that he warned the Headmaster about, but more often he would warn the Headmaster about the abuse and danger that child he was reading suffered. Only in case of Harry Potter the hat knew that a simple warning wouldn't be enough as the Headmaster Dumbledore had an unhealthy interest in the boy, so he consulted with Hogwarts and decided to help the young boy.
"Madame Pomfrey, please do a medical scan on Mr. Potter. Headmaster, notify the Head of law department at the ministry or Scotland Yard, whichever works for you. Mr. Potter and the rest of children will be sorted when we deal with this situation," hat demanded.
"And what situation is that," asked Prof. Flitwick.
"Mr. Potter's health and future well being," answered the hat.
Madame Pomfrey cast several spells on Harry. Unsatisfied with the results she began more thorough examination. With each spell she frowned more. Finally she stopped and with a fierce glare ordered Snape to bring her several potions from his supplies. Snape didn't even move a little at her demand, which was met with strong stinging hex at his nether regions from Pomfrey. She explained to him that his classroom was nearer than medical wing. Professor Snape ran from the room before she could hex him further.
"Poppy was that necessary," asked Dumbledore.
"Yes, it was. I will not divulge results of my diagnostic to anyone but Mr. Potter and Madame Bones when she gets here. Also I would like to speak with Harry alone after that and with his Head of house when he gets sorted." she answered.
Harry was very confused and nervous, he wondered what was happening but the hat wouldn't answer his questions. He was wondering what will happen to him, maybe he wasn't a wizard. He feared that someone would say that he wasn't a wizard and he would have to return to his relatives. His fears were growing steadily as Madame Pomfrey and headmaster began to argue about him.
"Surely Poppy I can know what is happening with Mr. Potter. I am after all the headmaster of this school."
"I'm sorry Albus but you know better than to ask that of me. Mr. Potter's condition is a matter between me and him."
Albus Dumbledore looked intently into Madame Pomfrey eyes. To those few that knew about legilimency and occlumency everything would be clear. Dumbledore used legilimency to take the needed information directly from Pomfrey's mind. As he realized what Harry went through he stopped. It was his mistake that led to Harry's condition. He scowled as he thought things trough. Blood wards should have prevented any bodily harm to come to the boy while he was in that house. If the wards fell that would mean that Potter wasn't safe there anymore. He sighed, so much more work was to be done and now Potter needed a new home and he would have to make sure that it was safe and in his sphere of influence. Maybe the Weasleys or the Reddals could be convinced to take the boy in. It was most unfortunate that blood wards fell, so much more work for him.
Madame Bones strode towards the Hogwarts main door. She was concerned, her niece was being sorted today and she was called by Dumbledore. He didn't even say what the matter was. She scowled at the shabby security Hogwarts had. No one was in sight except that squib caretaker. Anyone could infiltrate Hogwarts and no one would know. She tried to het herself to calm down. Dumbledore was here, who would be dumb enough to try something when he was present.
She entered the room behind Snape; she itched to send several curses his way. She never believed that a person could reform and thought that everyone with a dark mark should be deep in the pits of Azkaban or hell, she didn't care which one.
"Madame Bones, welcome. We have a bit of a situation that you should resolve," Dumbledore greeted her. Amelia took the scene in and smiled at Harry. She understood immediately, she was called once before for this same reason.
"We will leave you with young Harry and Madame Pomfrey. I hope that it won't take too much time as we have to continue with the sorting," Dumbledore continued. McGonagall glared at him, take too much time indeed. She was trying very hard not to hex him so hard that his beard would grow from his ears.
Sorting Hat also thought similar things. But he also agreed that they should continue with the sorting. He asked the castle to keep an eye on Harry and continued with sorting Harry.
"So Harry, where would you like to be sorted? You are smart, not overly ambitious, brave indeed, you were loyal to your family until you realised that they don't care for you. Very hard," the hat thought to Harry.
"Can I go in the same house as my friend Hermione, please," Harry asked the hat.
"Hmmm. Yes, you will do well with a loyal companion. Let it be Huflepuff." hat announced.
Reactions to the hats proclamation were varied. Dumbledore nearly had a stroke, thinking of a future saviour from Huflepuff, McGonagall and Flitwick were disappointed not to have the Boy-Who-Lived in their respective house, Snape smirked so hard that it looked as he was in physical pain and Sprout appointed hard, determined look that was better suited for a bear protecting her cub. After several moments of silence hat finally yelled:
"We have a sorting to finish, people."
This brought everyone from their stupor and everyone left except Sprout, Pomfrey and Bones. Hat was taken by McGonagall. As they left, two ghosts passed through the opposite wall. They were the Grey Lady, ghost of Ravenclaw and the Fat Friar, ghost of Huflepuff. They asked the four people still in the room to follow them to someplace more comfortable. Professor Sprout realized it wasn't a request so she suggested following them. They walked to seventh floor of the castle where a door stood that no one ever found before. They entered the room and the door disappeared. But three ladies and a boy didn't even realize that as they found themselves in a most wondrous room they have ever seen and for a Professor who worked in Hogwarts for more than fifteen years that was saying something.
Room that they entered was huge with a large hearth on one wall, two big windows on the wall opposite the entrance with a view over whole Hogwarts grounds. In the middle was a large willow tree with a small statue of dragon beneath it; around the tree were small seats carved in marble. On the far side of the room a large work desk was positioned with a number of books and a large stash of parchment on it. Around the desk were a number of chairs. Near the entrance were several armchairs with a small table in between. Around the room you could also find a number of desks and bookshelves without any order. Also in the middle of the room was a large banner with the Hogwarts' crest.
Two ghosts that led them there had disappeared along with the door of the room. At the same time, two persons appeared sitting at the large work desk. Both were women of indefinite age. they were tall and beautiful, one had a long black hair with a silver diadem that held it together, she looked strict and proper, her blue eyes gazing disapprovingly at everything at once, the other woman was shorter with absurdly long dirty blonde hair, her eyes were unnatural yellow and she had a small badger in her arms. She spoke with firm but gentle tone.
"Welcome to our study. I'm Helga Huflepuff and this is Rowena Ravenclaw. We aren't actually ourselves, but parts which we gave to the Godric's Hat. We are here because young Harry needs our help. So Harry please begin your story."
Harry suddenly felt overwhelming need to talk about his life at the Dursleys. He began from the earliest memories he had and continued towards this summer. He spoke for hours, speaking about his desires for acceptance and his efforts of last year. He finished with this summer and his treatment.
As he finished, Amelia was preparing an one way ticket to prison for Dursleys, she had several good friends at the Scotland Yard so everything could be done with minimal fuss. She took notes with Quick Quotes Quill and prepared for the visit to the Dursleys.
When Harry finished, Helga smiled at him and softly waived her hand making him fall asleep. She turned towards the three women and told her orders.
"Harry will remember what has happened tonight but you will not. You, Amelia, will have a memory of taking Harry's statement and will make his relatives pay for what they did. You, Pomona, will be his Head of house, I hope that you will give him the support and guidance that he needs. You, Poppy, are always in our debt for your selfless work and life call. Harry will be under our protection and under protection of Hogwarts. He will found love and acceptance here and you need not to worry about his life any further. But I know that you will," she finished with a smile.
Amelia left the room first going home after the hard day, Poppy returned to her quarters and Pomona Sprout led Harry to his dormitory near the kitchens. She told him password and urged him to bed. Harry was amazed when he noticed Hermione lying on the couch in front of the fireplace. He softly shook her shoulder to wake her. When her eyes fell on him she sat up and grabbed him in a hug so quickly that Harry didn't catch her with his eyes. He tensed in her arms. After few moments she let go off him and asked him what happened. Harry told her that Prof. Sprout wanted to talk about something and that the Sorting hat had some questions he wanted answered before he sorted him. Hermione saw that he was telling the truth but not the whole truth but she was happy that Harry remained in Hogwarts and was even her housemate. She told him to go to bed in her most bossy voice and Harry had to smile at her. He understood that she was really concerned about him and he asked her the one question he wanted answer to.
"Hermione, will you be my friend?"
Hermione stared hard at him, this was something important to him and she realized that, but this was important to her too.
"Yes, I will Harry, but only if you will be my friend too," was her shy reply.
Harry smiled and something made him say: "Thank you."
As he said so, soft light enveloped them and Hermione felt his happiness at finding true friend. She said the same to him and light disappeared. They stood watching in shock at each other. Then they both said good night to each other at the same time and went to their respective rooms. Harry had to seek his room but he found it in his second try. There were five beds in and Harry found his as it was only one empty.
As he prepared for bed he smiled. He has found a new home and a true friend.
Life couldn't get better than this.
