A/N: Usually I put these at the end, but this is somewhat important, so please read:

First off, I'm updating a week early. This will NOT become a normal occurrence. The updates will still be every other week, but next week will not only be insanely busy, but also insanely stressful. So rather than accidentally miss an update, you get this today. The next update will be in two weeks from now.

Second... There are over 100 reviews, over 100 alerts, and 80+ favorites! Thank you so, so much! You guys are awesome!

Oh, also a brief warning: this chapter has a lot of dialogue from the book. So I guess I should reiterate: I don't own Harry Potter or Doctor Who (duh!)

Without further ado, Chapter 11! Enjoy!

Chapter 11

Well you are certainly interesting, a voice spoke into the Doctor's mind.

Telepathy? Asked the Doctor.

Of a sort, responded the voice.

You're the Hat? The Doctor felt an affirmative sensation, as if the Hat had nodded at him. So what's interesting?

You are exceptionally bright.

And that causes problems? Asked the Doctor. Perhaps he should have hidden more of his intellect?

Normally I would put you into Ravenclaw without hesitation, you are certainly eccentric enough for it.

But?

You would fit better in Gryffindor.

The Doctor blinked. You're telling me there is a house meant for quirky, somewhat insane, brilliant people, and I would fit better in the house meant for suicidically brave, stubborn people? He received another affirmation. Have you not gotten the sense of me running away from problems all the time?

Only to regroup, come up with a plan, and fight back, pointed out the Hat. All your intellect is directed towards defense of the weak. Running away is, for you, a highly successful strategy. Besides, I get the impression that you frequently run head on to the problem, not away. Also, Ravenclaws tend not to get their hands dirty. Usually, they would rather watch and study than get involved. I do not think you would like that.

The Doctor shuddered slightly. They sounded a bit too much like the Time Lords.

If you would really prefer Ravenclaw, I can put you in. I do, naturally, take your opinion into account…

No, responded the Doctor. You've been doing this a lot longer than I have. I will submit to your greater experience.

Very well, said the Hat. In that case, I put you in "Gryffindor!"

As the hall exploded with applause, Fred and George traded a look. Silently, they both agreed that they were expecting John to wind up in Ravenclaw. Fred shrugged and looked for Hermione. He really wanted to see the two nerds in a conversation. George, interpreting Fred's searching, nudged him and pointed at Ron, sitting by himself.

"Hermione and Harry were pulled away by McGonagall, remember?"

"Ah, right." Fred looked back to the new Gryffindor. He seemed to seriously be considering Percy's invitation to sit next to him. "John," he called, "over here!"

The Doctor spun to identify the voice calling out. He spotted the twins. "I'm sorry," he said to the other ginger in front of him. "I'm going to go sit with your brothers and so you can sit with some first year who really doesn't know anyone." He shot poor perplexed Percy a smile and went to sit with Fred and George.

While talking with some form of authority was attractive, the Doctor felt it could wait until he was no longer woozy from the dementors. Besides, while he had spent most of the train ride either reading or meditating, he already had a sense that these two were both incredibly fun and were definitely valuable, if unorthodox, connections to have.

Jack rubbernecked until he could see the Doctor sitting down next to the two boys they had met on the train. He allowed himself a sigh of relief. The Doctor was brilliant, but he was rubbish at going under cover. He was too eccentric, too clever, and never knew when to stop talking. At least sitting next to the twins from the train, there would be someone who at least kind of knew that he was weird and seemed to accept it.

Jack checked back to the line of first years. The last one was being sorted. The new Hufflepuff was making his way to his table when the doors to the Great Hall opened. Two students slipped in and made their way to the Gryffindor table. "Potter and Granger," sneered one of the Slytherins at Jack's table.

Another boy, the one who had run into Jack and the Doctor's compartment, spoke up: "I heard Potter fainted on the train." Despite the lack of anything humorous about that statement, most of the students at the table laughed. Jack was about to ask what was so funny when the headmaster (Dumbledore, Jack reminded himself) stood up.

"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast." He cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after the search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business." He paused.

Jack shot a concerned glance at the Doctor, who was seemingly ignoring Dumbledore while using a fork to 'write' on the table. Jack guessed it was calculations of some sort. He knew, despite the Doctor's apparent lack of focus, he was hanging on every word. He could not be any happier than Jack at the idea of happiness-sucking fiends wandering around the school.

"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," said Dumbledore, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission." With interest, Jack noticed that the Weasley twins were conferring with each other and one other boy. He wondered what about. He would have to ask the Doctor later. "Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises—or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added. Jack wondered if Chameleon Circuits and Perception Filters would work. To his chagrin, he was so busy trying to figure it out, he actually missed the next few lines of Dumbledore's speech.

He did not zone back in until he heard clapping. Looking around wildly, he realized it was because Dumbledore had just introduced Professor Lupin, the man who had helped them on the train. Jack joined the applause loudly and enthusiastically. Interestingly, he was one of the few at his table to give anything more than a condescending slow clap.

"As to our second new appointment, well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs." Across the room, Jack noticed the Doctor musing at his right hand. Jack grinned, guessing what the Doctor was thinking about. "However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."

The table the Doctor was sitting at exploded with applause. At Jack's table, most of the students were staring at each other aghast, too stunned to even try to clap. Jack's eyebrows knit together. So far, everything he saw suggested that Slytherin and Gryffindor were opposing groups. He wanted to figure out why. Hopefully, it would not interfere too much with his and the Doctor's communications.

"Well, I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!" Food appeared on the table, juice appeared in the pitchers, and Jack realized that lunch had been several hours ago. He dug in with delight.

A/N: Why are you reading this? Everything important was stated above :P