Chapter Eight: Not your average Gryffindor

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" A voice boomed in the night. The low, scratchy timber almost vibrating through her very bones as Hermione moved to exit the train.

Neville and the Potter Twins, she'd since lost track of which was which, close behind her, Hermione followed the booming voice to a giant of a man.

"C'mon, follow me, follow me!" The large man continued as he herded the first years around him. The small stature of her year mates only highlighting the huge difference in height between the bear of a man and the growing crowd around him.

From her spot not too far away from him, Hermione was more than positive that this man was definitely the largest man she'd ever seen, much larger even than anyone she'd ever met. On a closer inspection, she found that he didn't look like he had the gigantism disease. As it was, all of his features seemed well proportioned for his body.

A quick thought crossed her mind that he might be a giant. The pure fantastical nature of the idea causing her to scoff before she remembered where she was. This was the wizarding world. Here in her new reality she couldn't just dismiss the idea as she might normally. Not when now, anything could be possible. She'd have to remember to look it up later. Professor McGonagall had mentioned Hogwarts had the best magical library available. Surely she'd be able to confirm the theory there.

"Any more firs' years?" He glanced around before heading down a steep narrow path. "Mind yer step, now!"

Hermione felt a chill run down her as she placed each foot in front of the other as carefully as she could. It was cold, the path was slick, and she just wanted to be inside already to get this sorting business done and over with.

"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," their giant guide called over his large shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."

Hermione quickened her steps, slipping a little in the process. Before she could fall and likely end up with a bruised side knowing her luck, one of the Potter twins grabbed her elbow to steady her. "Easy now. We'll get there eventually."

She pulled her arm out of his grip with a huff. "I can manage just fine on my own, thank you," she sniped, unhappy with needing his help in the first place.

"Come on Charlie," Harry replied ahead of them, allowing Hermione to momentarily identify them separately. Charlie shrugged at her before heading over to his brother and she would have kept them firmly in her sights so that she wouldn't lose track of which was which again if it wasn't for the gasps of surprise filling the air ahead of them. The sound pulled her attention away from the Potter Twins as the path finally opened ahead of her. There they stood on the edge of a black lake, the dark waters holding her attention for but a moment as she caught the reflection of a magnificent castle in its surface. Quickly looking up, she caught her first sight of her new school. There, perched atop a mountain, was the vast castle that could be nothing other than Hogwarts.

"Wow." She heard Neville speak beside her. And she had to agree. She'd seen many castles before, but this one was something else entirely. Magical even.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Their guide called out as he pointed to a small fleet of boats at the water's edge. "Oy, whose toad is this?" he continued, holding his massive fist up high in the air.

"Trevor!"

Ignoring Neville's exclamation as he raced to retrieve his toad, Hermione moved to pick the closest boat. Surprisingly enough she was quickly followed by the Potter twins, one of which was denying access to their fourth spot to one of their year mates as his brother boarded the boat. Soon enough his intentions were made clear as Neville rejoined them, toad in hand.

Rolling her eyes, she should have known that was what he was doing, Hermione sat quietly as both Neville and the other Potter Twin joined them in the small boat. She didn't bother trying to figure out which was which this time already aware that she'd lost track of them the moment she'd taken her eyes off them to gaze upon the castle. Instead she simply watched as the twins seemed to fawn over Neville's toad while the rest of the first years loaded into the boats surrounding them.

She caught a comment about Trevor from one of the twins, but again she couldn't decipher which one was which. Unfortunately, they sounded remarkably alike and in the growing dark she couldn't look for any specific features, not that she knew of any to begin with. One of her books had mentioned different scars on the foreheads, but she'd not been able to tell which twin had which scar while still on the train. At least not with their hair as long as it was. The messy black tresses seemed to cover their foreheads completely. She'd have to figure a different, more reliable way to tell them apart without it, and soon. After all, she hated being at a disadvantage. Not to mention she didn't want to go about calling them the Potter Twins forever. That was just rude and tacky.

Soon enough her attention was on the magical second gaze of Hogwarts. This was to be her new school. As long as she could make it she thought before turning back to look at her riding companions.

"We're really here."

"Yeah. The real deal."

"I just can't wait."

"Yeah, I know. Things will be different."

"Yeah. Different. Better?"

"Yeah."

She turned to Neville to see if he was just as confused as she was at that particular display. Given the look he shot her, a reciprocal of her own she was sure, he was.

At least they'd used words this time. When they'd met back up on the train, still searching for Neville's toad, they'd had some kind of conversation in the short space of time it had taken her to assess their progress. Of course, Hermione wasn't entirely sure that it counted as a conversation as it had lacked any form of spoken words. In fact, she'd only known it had occurred based on the few statements Charlie had managed to get through while she was taking a breath.

Granted this stilted conversation of half sentences couldn't really be considered much better. It wasn't like it actually helped all that much when it came to deciphering the meaning of their conversation. Still, it was something. While it didn't actually confirm nor deny her theory on what they needed to communicate with each other, it at least left the possibilities open. It was always possible identical magical twins weren't like normal twins. She hadn't been sure earlier if they even needed to talk to communicate, but she wasn't sure she'd rule it out just yet either. Now she really wished she'd gotten that extra reading on magical twins.

Hermione led the way off of the boat to follow the friendly giant. Despite his size, he couldn't be all bad, after all, he had helped Neville find his toad.

Of course his friendly presence didn't stop the nerves from coming. No, the closer she got to the castle the more nervous she became. What if she didn't get sorted? What if she wasn't magical enough? Or what if this was all just some big mistake? Perhaps she wasn't as special as her parents and Professor McGonagall had made her believe.

Worry consumed her thoughts, creating a great distance between the world around her and their spinning thoughts. Enough so that she was just barely aware of Professor McGonagall's presence as she took over as their escort. The next conscious thought found Hermione in a large room, waiting. To be judged she was sure.

She tuned out the conversation around her the very moment that the Professor left them alone. There wasn't time for her to be distracted by the random chatter of her year mates, not when she had so much to review. Every spell, every theory, every flick of her wand, needed to be remembered with perfect clarity. Everything she knew about magic, she knew, would be tested. And more, she was sure.

She'd only managed to learn so much in the time between first receiving her letter and now. Which wasn't nearly enough. Not for the likes of Hogwarts. Oh god, why wouldn't Professor McGonagall just tell her the means of sorting into the different houses? Why the cryptic statement surrounding the event when she'd been so forthcoming with everything else?

Once more she reviewed her spells. Going over each charm one at a time. Every potions ingredient and its properties she'd managed to learn. She should have read all of her textbooks, and not just the first half of each one. What had she been thinking willing giving herself such a disadvantage?

Hermione's right hand absentmindedly went through the wand motions as she practiced the spells she'd learned whispering them under her breath. Professor McGonagall had assured her that everyone was sorted. She would have a place. Had too. The likelihood that she was the first student to not be sorted was just so slim. There were hundreds of muggleborns that had made it into all the houses over the years. Of course she didn't want to be in just any house.

Hermione squeezed her eyes shut as she continued her mental review. Whispering some of the information out loud as she practiced. She was only broken out of her concentration by a loud commotion of screams. Looking up she saw… 'Ghost!' She jumped back in surprise. 'A real ghost!'

"You don't see that every day." One of the Potter twins muttered beside her. She hadn't noticed that the twins along with Neville were still near her. That was new. Certainly a surprise although she wasn't a hundred percent sure if it was pleasant just yet. She'd been certain they'd do their own thing after the boat ride. That's always how it had been before. She was too brainy for anything else.

Within moments of the thought, Professor McGonagall returned. Pulled from her self-reflecting thoughts, Hermione listened attentively as the Professor gave a brief house review, which was nowhere near as in-depth as her response to her letter. She was more than pleased to know that she already knew which house she wanted to be in. Otherwise, that limited information might have shaped her opinion.

Following instructions, the first years filed into line, Neville and the Potter Twins right behind her. Walking through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall, Hermione couldn't help the gasp that escaped her.

Magic was everywhere.

Thousands and thousands of candles floated in midair over each of the house tables, which were covered in splendid golden plates and goblets. She could see the ghosts mingling with the students at different house tables. But she'd known all of that from a bit of light reading, Hogwarts, A History. In fact…

Hermione turned her attention to the ceiling. "It really is bewitched to look like the sky outside," she whispered to herself. Overhead it looked like there was no ceiling at all, nothing but the night sky above them. The sky was so clear that even the thousands of candle lights didn't obscure her view of the stars. 'Oh, there's Orion's belt!' This was so amazing. Magic! She just couldn't wait to learn.

Her eyes came back down at the sudden quiet of the room reminding her of the task at hand. First, she would had to be sorted. Glancing around the room once more, Hermione found Professor McGonagall standing next to a stool with an old looking hat on it. It couldn't be just any hat, though. As if on cue, the hat came to life and began to sing.

Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat then me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry,
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin,
Where you'll meet your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means,
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For a Thinking Cap.*

A hat, a sorting hat. Hermione's hands came into a clapping motion out of habit as the hall filled with applause. Within the time it took for the clapping to settle down, Hermione reviewed every word of the poem once more. If she was correct, all she had to do was put the hat on and it would place her in the right house. She swallowed heavily as Professor McGonagall started calling out first year names. This might make it even harder to get in the house she wanted.

As name after name was called getting closer to her own, she tried not to focus on her own impeding sorting, but instead she placed faces and names to the houses each of her classmates were sorted into. Lavender Brown was the first Gryffindor. That was unfortunate, but initial impressions weren't always the correct ones.

"Granger, Hermione."

Hermione swallowed hard, taking a deep breath before moving quickly with her head held high towards Professor McGonagall and the sorting hat. The Professor smiled kindly at her before Hermione jammed the hat onto her head. The quicker she got this done the better.

'Oh my, what an inquisitive mind. I don't think there's any debate where you belong.' Hermione shut her eyes tightly in her disappointment. 'Oh, what's this? You don't want to be a Ravenclaw?'

'Oh, no sir. I'd like you to put me in Gryffindor. Please and thank you,' Hermione replied directly in her head.

'Hahahaa. Why you are brave, now aren't you? More so, I think than any other muggleborn I've met.' Hermione could hear the hum as the thinking cap continued to debate her request. If she had a say in this, then she'd best provide her best argument.

'I know I'm very clever, but I also think I'm very brave too. For believing in magic, I mean.'

'You're braver than that even. Yes, now that I'm looking I see your everyday bravery. But are you sure you wouldn't rather go to Ravenclaw. It might be an easier place for you, and you'll learn so much in that house.'

Hermione started to reply, but the hat answered before her, 'Yes, I see. Your knowledge wouldn't be hampered no matter what house. And if you're sure…' Hermione gave a resounding yes in her head, 'Then it better be,' "GRYFFINDOR!"

Pulling the sorting hat off her head, Hermione gave it back to Professor McGonagall as she silently walked to the clapping and cheering coming from her new house. They'd done the same for all of their first years, but this time it seemed special. This cheering was for her. She tried not to skip, but wasn't sure she'd managed not to. Making a bee line for her new house, she found the middle section of the table open for what seemed like all of the first years. Lavender was already there sitting next to Seamus Finnigan. As she got closer, Lavender looked right through her to the sorting behind her, not once acknowledging her presence.

'Perhaps first impressions really are the right ones,' Hermione thought as she passed the girl. Instead, she sat down near the front of the section closest to the older students, but also furthest from Lavender. Although Hermione had had frostier receptions from girls her year, she didn't care to test how much worse it could get. As it seemed, Hogwarts wasn't likely to be any different than primary after all. Even so, that hardly mattered. She wasn't here to make friends. She was here to learn, and learn she would.

Turning her focus back to the sorting, she continued her practice of connecting names and faces with the houses into which each of the first years were sorted.

"Longbottom, Neville." Hermione expect him to go to Hufflepuff pretty quickly. So she was a little surprised when his sorting took longer than all the one's previously. She briefly wondered how long hers had taken. Was it this long?

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The whole of the Gryffindor table cheered and clapped at the latest addition. That was interesting. She'd not pegged Neville for a Gryffindor. Perhaps he'd had to convince the sorting hat to place him here like she had. Of course it probably wasn't polite to ask so she doubted she'd ever truly know.

Neville found his way close to her position across the table from her. Not really in the same section, but not as far away as he could have been. She nodded to him in passing as she turned back to the sorting. Her eyes landing on the Potter Twins briefly.

Neville, and by extension his toad, reminded her of the train ride. Really, Neville's apparent inability to keep track of his toad had been her saving grace, the highlight of the entire ride down from London. Stuck in a compartment with girls more interested in boys, the Potter Twins really, and trips to Hogsmeade, then classes and the subjects they were going to learn, she'd been thankful for the reprieve that the search for his toad had created.

Those girls, at least one of them now her housemate, had done nothing to help her acclimate to the conversation, keeping her isolated with their talk of popular information she couldn't follow. The latest witch accessory, self-applying lipstick and the trill of learning spells to apply make-up. She'd had no interest whatsoever in those types of topics even if she hadn't been muggleborn and consequentially better able to relate. As a result, she'd excused herself for the washroom several times, just to get away. Of course she'd only been able to use that particular excuse sparingly. Outside of that she'd had no reason to leave the compartment, but more importantly, she had nowhere else to go.

Then Charlie had come in, like the knights in those fairytales she'd never believed in, but was now questioning even that aspect of her life. After all, magic was real. And what was more fanciful then witchly godmothers granting wishes to destitute goddaughters?

In that moment, when Charlie had opened that compartment door in search for a toad, she'd seen it for the opportunity it truly was. And it had been easier with the twins and Neville. Easier to traipse around the train, a purpose guiding them as they searched for a missing toad. Easier still knowing that they'd all managed to don their school robes without anyone telling them too. In that aspect at least, they were of a like mind. She'd known then that she needn't worry about name calling and teasing, at least not because of her prepared nature.

Name after name rang out across the Great Hall as each first year was sorted, moving happily to their new house. Hermione shifted back in mild surprise when Parvati Patil didn't follow her identical twin sister to Ravenclaw. Certainly that was unprecedented. Odd in the way that perhaps Hogwarts' didn't often see. Given the supporting evidence around her, she'd just assumed identical twins were sorted into the same house. Her gaze shifted from the Potter Twins to the redheaded twins in her own house as Parvati joined Lavender at the other end of the table as if to reaffirm the reason for her assumptions.

As if to challenge her theory, Charlie's name was called.

"Potter, Charlie."

Silence descended upon the Great Hall, each student filled with seemingly endless anticipation to see where Charlie would fall. She thought that each house likely wanted him. He was famous enough, gallant enough at least that's what she'd read. And surely she'd read more on the Potter Twins then was probably appropriate. She had a wealth of knowledge that she thought might be equal to that of the wizarding born students. She was more than aware what the wizarding world thought of the twins.

Of course that didn't really rectify what she'd actually seen. In reality, they seemed so different from anything she'd read. Or at least Charlie did. She hadn't spent nearly as much time with Harry for her to know if the books had done him any justice, but given what she did know about Charlie, she very much doubted it.

Charlie was, well, a very layered individual. More than just a first glance that she was sure most would give him, but not her. No, she'd taken that first impression, thought him a jokester who couldn't take anything serious, but she hadn't let that stop her from looking deeper. Of course, that Charlie, she could easily imagine riding white horses and fighting off dark creatures just as the rest of the wizarding world imagined. He had this way about him that just put people at ease. That Charlie, she had no doubt, would have ended up as a Gryffindor.

But when she'd looked deeper, seen a flash of something more, she'd found that Charlie was not all fun and games. There'd been a moment, no matter how brief, when she'd seen something darker in him. Back on the train, when some older students had poked fun of their search for Neville's toad. She'd been more than ready to ignore it. If they could give them any information at all then it didn't really matter what they said in the meantime.

She'd met plenty of people like that. People who made fun of others like Neville for what seemed like no reason, no good reason, at all. In her experience, as long as she could get the information she needed, then it didn't matter how rude the person was in giving it. That was just a part of life. It was how the world worked.

But Charlie didn't seem to follow the same logic. She still remembered how he'd cut her off for the first time. She'd been sure to tell him off, but then she'd caught the look in his eyes. Dark, cold, calculating. That Charlie might not be a Gryffindor at all. No, if anything she'd say with all the information she had of each house, that Charlie might be more Slytherin than anything else. Those eyes, emerald green twinkling behind wire-rimmed frames, had spoken of a dark cunning. A cunning that might use any means to achieve his goals. And that was as Slytherin as it came, at least, that was her understanding of the house.

Of course, that dark look had passed, flirting across his face so quickly that even now she was trying to determine if she hadn't just imagined the whole thing entirely.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The announcement pulled her from her thoughts as her table, her housemates, began to chant.

"We got Potter. We got Potter."

The room was filled with their wild chanting as Charlie made his way confidently to the Gryffindor table. A flash of something more, calculating, cunning, crossed his gaze as he glanced her way. It lingered in the air even as he looked away, turning his attention to his brother as he stepped past him. Then, in the next moment, the look vanished when he'd turned back to her. And there was nothing but that goofy jokester staring back at her.

Shaking her head, she focused back on the proceedings in front of her. She was probably over thinking things.

"Potter, Harry."

"Hey, Hermione, Neville," Charlie greeted as he sat down right across from her. She gave a brief nod in response noticing how Neville seemed to move closer to them in the process.

Harry was taking too long, much longer than even Charlie, and she'd been sure he was the longest thus far. A small frown formed on her face as she watched worriedly. She peeked over to Charlie to see the matching frown lining his features as well. This did not bode well. What would happen if he ended up somewhere else? At once, she remembered the dark look in Charlie's eyes from the train and shivered.

"GRYFFINDOR!" A collective sigh released from everyone in her immediate vicinity. And another roar filled the Great Hall as the Gryffindor table reacted.

"We've got Potters. We've got them both!"

Hermione relaxed as Harry sat down on the other side of Charlie. Smiles exchanged all around. Pleased with the outcome, she turned her attention back to the sorting. It was nearly done now.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft calls of her name, "Hey, Hermione."

She ignored it. Of course that didn't seem to stop the calling. Over and over again, a quiet voice called to her. Frustration clearly slipping through as the voice slowly grew in volume. Finally, when the calling became a little too loud and persistent, she turned to the source of her current irritation. Charlie waved at her with a smile on his face clearly happy he'd finally pulled her attention away from the sorting. She frowned just as deep in displeasure.

"What!?" she whispered fiercely. Could he not take a hint?

"Just wanted to know how you were liking Hogwarts so far is all." Hermione rolled her eyes at the sight of him. Really? That wounded puppy dog look was not going to change her mind. Did he have no common decency? They were in the middle of the sorting.

"And your curiosity couldn't wait until after the sorting," she whispered sharply.

"Well, what's wrong with now?" Charlie had the nerve to look around as if he really didn't see that they were in the middle of the sorting.

"Now?" she whispered harshly as she gestured toward the front of the Great Hall, where the sorting was currently taking place. As she turned her attention back to the front, she caught the look of pure concentration on Harry's face as he watched the sorting. Now why couldn't Charlie be more like that? "Now, we're in the middle of the sorting," she finished, nearly snapping at the boy across from her as she turned back to him.

To emphasize her point, the Gryffindor table started clapping as a dark skinned boy made his way toward them. Horror crossed her face as she realized she hadn't gotten his name. This was her new housemate and she didn't even know his name! Turning back to Charlie's grinning face, she nearly dropped her whisper, "Now look what you've done!"

"Huh? What did I do?" Charlie asked causally, his entire focus on her instead of the sorting, where both of their attentions should have been.

"You made me miss his name," she hissed with displeasure. "He's our housemate and I don't know his name."

Charlie shrugged in response, "Oh well, we'll find out eventually, I'm sure." Shaking her head sharply she gave a huff of air as she started to turn her attention back to the front. Charlie was just impossible. "So, how do you like Hogwarts?"

"You cannot be serious. You are being rude, Charlie."

"So it's rude to talk to you."

Hermione rolled her eyes at his response. Now, he was just begin difficult on purpose, "No. It's rude to talk during the sorting."

Charlie looked to the right and then the left. "So, what about them?" Hermione's eyes followed his out stretched hand to see the several groups of older students having hushed conversations at the same volume as them. She turned red in frustration. Charlie was just being factious now.

"That doesn't make it right!"

Another round of clapping from their table caused Hermione to whirl around to find the tall lengthy redhead walking toward them. He stopped along the way to get congratulations from several other redheads already at their table.

"Looks like we've another Weasley," an older student spoke nearby.

"Zabini, Blaise," Professor McGonagall announced. Looking around, Hermione realized that there were no more first years to be sorted outside of Blaise. He was the very last one. Charlie had made her miss the latter part of the sorting altogether. 'That prat!' Oh, she was going to get him back for this later.

She glowered at the table as Blaise was sorted into Slytherin. Only shifting when the tall redhead first year sat down beside her. "Hi, I'm Ron Weasley. But I guess you heard from the sorting and all. You must be Charlie Potter," he said as he leant over the table to shake Harry's hand.

With a sharp huff at the bold incorrect introduction, she corrected him, "No. That's Harry." Pointing over to the prat of the Potter Twins she continued with clear distain in her voice, "He's Charlie." He might have been an alright bloke to begin with, but he could also be a right prat, not to be mistaken for who was becoming her favorite of the twins, Harry.

"No one was asking you," he replied defensively. She huffed again before turning away from the conversation happening right beside her. Hogwarts was going to be just like primary school. Ron turned to Charlie and tried again. "Hi, I'm Ron. You must be Charlie."

"That's Harry," Charlie replied sharply as he pointed to his brother. Hermione was a little confused, but it seemed so was Ron.

"Yeah, I… I know that…" Ron trailed off his confidence waning.

"Sure you do. And those are your brothers, right?" Hermione followed Charlie's thumb to see the twin redheads, the same ones she'd seen congratulating Ron earlier.

"Ah, yeah…" Ron replied slowly. "And so is Percy." Ron pointed to the other redhead that had congratulated him. Four children in Hogwarts? That was a lot of children.

"So, you wouldn't introduce yourself to just one of them would you?" Charlie continued a little more kindly than before, but not by much.

Ron smacked himself in the face at his mistake, "I've messed this up royally haven't I?"

"Yeah, definitely," Charlie replied.

"But only a little," Harry added kindly to take the sting off Charlie's words.

"Here let me help," Charlie turned to Neville, "This fine chap to my left is Neville."

"Hi," Neville replied shyly. Ron nodded in greeting.

"And the rather clever lass you were short with earlier is Hermione." She glared at Charlie for his cheek. It was a completely unnecessary introduction.

"Ah, hi."

"Ronald," Hermione replied crisply, her head held high. She was waiting to be corrected about his first name, but he only colored and sank back into his seat.

At the Headmaster's motion for silence, Hermione turned her attention to him. He was sure to give a great welcoming speech. She'd read so much about Headmaster Dumbledore, "Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you.*"

She blinked several time in surprise as food appeared in front of them. 'That was it?'

"Food finally. I'm starving," Ron said from beside her as he dug into the many trays of food.

Hermione, having been taught manners by her parents, filled her plate slowly without leaning over people and their plates to get platters of food. She, unlike some, didn't drop their potatoes on to others plates and then not bother to apologize.

Looking across the table to ignore the rude behavior on her side, she was surprised to see Charlie setting a plate, not for himself, but for Harry. His care and kindness for his brother, of course, didn't make up for his earlier rudeness. Who knew how long it would take for her to learn the others name without it seeming like she didn't already know it.

Turning inward, she ate in silence. Peeking up at her fellow year mates every once in a while. Although she was sore about Charlie, at least neither he nor Harry were eating like savages. She picked a piece of wayward food from her robes, before scooting a little further down and away from Ron. The last thing she needed was flying bits of food in her hair. Neville gave her a shy smile in response. It seemed that everyone else could eat normally without fear that their food wasn't about to be stolen from their plate.

Hermione blinked in disbelief as she watched the twins eat out of the corner of her eye. Clearly her better than 20/20 vision needed to be checked because she couldn't have just seen what she thought she'd seen. Charlie certainly hadn't dropped something into his lap. It was unnecessary and likely against the rules. Even if he was a prat, he wouldn't risk going against the rules for something so silly, would he?

Deciding that the issued required further investigation, she continued to observe them, mostly Charlie, as they ate. Sure enough, she watched him drop something else into his lap two more times. On the second drop, she was pretty sure it was a dinner roll. By the third drop, she'd had confirmation. It was indeed a dinner roll. Now why in the world was he stealing food? There was plenty on the table, and sure to be more in the morning for breakfast.

She decided then that she'd need to keep a close eye on him. How else was she to know exactly what to confront him with in the very near future? As it was, she was pretty sure it would be against the rules. And now that they were all in the same house, she didn't want any rule breaking. Not on her watch. Not if she could help it.

Brought from her investigations by the very sudden end to flying bits of food, Hermione shifted her attention to the boy sitting next to her. Ron, more than comfortable in his seat, sat back patting his stomach as he sighed in contentment. For a moment she'd let her hope that he was done fill her with joy. No more worrying about bits in her hair. No more flicking food pieces from her new robes. Of course, she shouldn't have been all that surprised when instead of sitting back to enjoy the company of his housemates, he began to refill his plate.

She sighed at the sight. Mentally preparing herself for the onslaught of food bits ready to head her way. She was certainly going to have to remember to never sit next to him during any meal in the future. She wasn't sure her luck would run that well to avoid getting bits in her hair if she did.

Thankfully, as he dug back into his plate, he managed to control his appetite. While still a bit wild, haphazardly shoveling food into his mouth, this time he managed to eat at a far more normal rate. So he did know how to eat civilly. Did wonders never cease?

Hermione turned away only to be startled by a ghost passing through the table. "Hey, I know all about you! My brothers told me all about the Gryffindor ghost. You're Nearly Headless Nick!" Ron stated in wonder.

"Nearly headless?" She found herself questioning against her will. "How is someone nearly headless?"

At her question, Nearly Headless Nick plucked his head from his shoulders, letting it fall as he let go. She expected it to drop to the table, but it never made it far enough. Instead, it just hung there, as if attached by a single piece of thread.

"I guess that answers that question," Charlie replied with a chuckle, clear amusement coloring his tone.

She ignored Charlie's reply, but that didn't stop the rest of their table from launching into discussion. Try as she might, she couldn't stop her gaze from drifting to the Potter Twins. Shifting to Harry anytime he made a fairly educated statement, thoroughly impressed with his breadth of knowledge. And unwillingly shifting to Charlie as he attempted to direct the conversation. Moving the conversation to engage Neville, who she was beginning to realize was perhaps a little too shy to enter the conversation on his own. And of course her. Charlie, the seemingly thoughtful twin, even tried to pull her in as well. Of course she was on to him. She wasn't about to fall for his act. She was determined to continue ignoring him.

"Come on, Hermione. You can't ignore me forever."

Realizing he wasn't going to give up, she relented into talking to him. If only to get him to leave her alone, "I can try."

"Oh, come on. What did I do?"

"I missed part of the sorting because of you. Or have you forgotten?" Charlie tried to defend himself, tried to say something, anything that might change her mind, but she wasn't having any of that. "Now, it will take me much longer to learn everyone's name and house! And that's your fault!"

She waited for whatever excuse Charlie would come up with, already having a counter for each one. But it was Harry who spoke. In fact, it was the first time that he'd talked directly to her, "Oliver Rivers went into Hufflepuff, Dean Thomas is our housemate, Lisa Turpin landed into Ravenclaw, Ron is right next to you, and Blaise Zabini was sorted into Slytherin." Harry pointed to each person in turn. "I'm guessing you got everyone before our sorting."

"Ah, yeah," she replied hesitantly. She'd known Harry was paying attention, she'd just not been sure how detailed his account would be.

"See you had nothing to worry about with us around you'll know everyone," Charlie responded, completely ruining the moment.

"You mean Harry, right," Hermione countered not willing to give Charlie any credit. He certainly didn't deserve any.

"Harry, us… really no difference," Charlie replied off handedly causing Harry to smile. She rolled her eyes. She'd have to admit that Charlie was growing on her. Like a malignant tumor.

Turning to Harry she spoke, "Harry, seeing as you seem to be the smarter of the two of you."

"Hey I resent that!" Charlie interrupted.

She paid him no mind and continued as if he'd never said a word, "Would you like to join my study group?"

"Group really?" Ron replied before Harry could speak, "Is there more than just you?"

"There will be," she snapped back, turned back to Harry to wait for his answer.

"No one wants to form a study group. Lessons haven't even started yet!" Ron continued, not bothered that she was trying to ignore him. What was it with the boys in her house? Couldn't any of them take a hint?

"Ah, actually," Harry interrupted. "That sounds like an excellent idea."

Hermione smiled in surprised triumph. 'Two points for me. Zero for Ron.'

Next to Harry she saw Charlie shaking his head in his hands as he mumbled, "Lessons haven't even started yet."

"But we can never be too prepared," Hermione replied gleefully at Charlie's pain. "You'll join too Neville, right?"

"Sure I guess. I'm not sure how much help I can be, but I'll do my best."

She smiled already thinking of the best way to color code their study schedule. "Great! That makes four of us."

"Four?" Ron questioned, "Your groups not going to be any good if you can't count, Hermione. You've only three people total."

"Don't be silly. I'm counting Charlie too. What was it you said earlier, Charlie?" She paused, moving a hand to rub under her chin in faux thought. Charlie groaned at her display, leaning further into his hands as he sighed in defeat. "Something along the lines of Harry and you being one and the same. So, I can put you both down as members of our study group. I'm sure." Her own smile was getting wider and wider every second. Torturing Charlie was far more fun than she'd anticipated.

"But he…" Ron glanced over at the defeated Charlie, finally coming to the same conclusion that she'd made at the start of this conversation. Hermione felt a little vindicated by it. Charlie was joining whether he wanted to or not. She was sure of it.

"You're just like Percy," Ron continued as he shook his head. "Not sure how either one of you got into Gryffindor," he mumbled the last part under his breath, but Hermione over heard him nonetheless.

A little insecure, she glanced down. She wasn't even sure you were allowed to argue with the sorting hat. But it wouldn't place her in Gryffindor if she really didn't belong. Would it?

"Ah first years," Hermione's thoughts were interrupted by one of Ron's brothers. He'd called this one Percy if she was remembering the introduction correctly. "As a Prefect, I'm glad to hear you're starting a study group. It really is an excellent idea. I'm sure you'll do wonders for Gryffindor. And as your house Prefect, I'm here to offer my assistance in any way I might help."

She wasn't sure what a prefect was, but the shiny 'P' badge on his robes probably had something to do with it. She was tempted to ask about the prefect thing, but her eyes caught Charlie and she remembered a far more important question to ask.

"Oh, actually. I do have a question. You wouldn't happened to know what the rules are for bring food to your room?" She spoke loud enough for Charlie to hear.

"There's nothing in the rule books about keeping snacks in your dorm room. Although, if it gets out of hand, I'm sure your roommates will say something." She sat back a little disappointed she couldn't get one over on Charlie.

"About the dorm rooms," Harry spoke up, grabbing her attention once more, "You wouldn't happened to know what the bed situation is like?"

"It's a dorm room, so we'll be sharing a room with our year mates. Professor McGonagall mentioned that boys and girls are separated along with each year," Hermione answered immediately, not bothering to wait for Percy. She was confident in her knowledge.

"And meals? When is each meal and how much food will be served? Is it going to be like the feast today?"

"There's three main meals, breakfast served starting as early as 5:30 in the morning until the start of the first classes, then lunch is a two hour time block in the afternoon, and dinner is served from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Professor McGonagall mentioned that feasts like today are only for special occasion." Again Hermione answered before Percy could even open his mouth.

At that Harry turned to Hermione completely, causing Percy to walking away as they enter into a heavy conversation until dessert arrived.

Charlie and Harry exchanged gleeful looks before digging into the desserts. Hermione smiled despite herself, listening into the conversation Charlie had been having with Ron about Quidditch as she ate her own.

"So, who does the Hogwarts team play? Other wizarding schools?"

"Ah, nah," Ron answered around a mouthful of pudding. "There no Hogwarts team per se, just the separate house teams. So they play each other over the year."

"But there's only four houses."

"Yeah, so?"

"That's not a lot of games to play."

"Maybe they play multiple times," Harry added reasonably. Hermione didn't know much about sports in general, but that sounded logical.

"Oh no, they just play the once." Ron paused in thought, "Not sure who else they'd play to be honest. There's not that many wizarding school. Not to mention, if there was just the one Hogwarts team, then not nearly as many people would get to play."

"It's a competitive sport, isn't it?"

"Charlie," Harry admonished.

If Hermione didn't know before, then that comment cemented her belief that Charlie was a sportsman. He was one of those blokes. She ought to have figured that out sooner really.

Dessert disappeared as the table descended into light conversation. The headmaster gave a real speech. She'd known something was up with the weird one at the beginning. Although she was a little worried about the warning about the third corridor.

She didn't have much time to think about it. As they were all dismissed, Percy gathering all of the first years together to go to their common room.

Moving along, she wasn't surprised when Charlie ended up next to her, her eyes having tracked both twins as they got up so she wouldn't lose sight of them again. Without warning, she elbowed him in the side.

"Aw! What was that for?"

"The sorting," she huffed with her head held high before follow Percy. Now, she could forgive Charlie.

AN: At some point, I'm actually going to update when I say I will... Until then, enjoy.

KJ

Side note - We still own nothing Harry Potter related. * passages are from Harry Potter book one.

PS. I modeled Ron's eating habits off of my own. I'm the youngest, and if you didn't eat quick the food was often gone. And some times it disappeared right off your plate if you weren't paying attention. I do know that it is extremely uncouth, now. It took half way into college before I was able to consistently eat like a civilized being. Although I normally go back when attending family functions (just ask BR13). And that's enough about me...