"Sorted Too Young"
Dumbledore tells Snape, "Sometimes, Snape, I think we sort them too young."
CHAPTER 24 – HOGWARTS LETTERS
Today's tutoring lesson had been given by Draco on family history. But that did not mean Hermione was letting any of them out of the actual tutoring for their Hogwarts exams and NEWTs.
Draco had to admire Hermione anew for how much knowledge she actually managed to r4tain in her brain and be able to communicate back to everyone in various way so that each of them 'got it' in some way. The sheer amount of knowledge reminded him how she really was an incredible witch of this era… and also made it mostly forgivable for the intensely irritating teacher-tone she took one.
"Ronald Weasley!" Her sharp tone made the red-head jump.
He shook his head of the fuzziness that was creeping in between his ears. "Mione… this is just… so… god-awful boring…. Isn't there an easier way to learn this garbage?"
Draco could see why their relationship had ended. Ron really had little respect for academics, while Hermione practically lived for them. He intervened before she set the room on fire with her anger. "Sure, if you wish to tap into dark magic or allow me to curse you with something invasive so you retain it. However, the consequences of such things means you will either end up with mush for a brain after 30 days or you will fry out nervous system and end up bed-ridden for the rest of your life."
Ron hung his head, "I'll stick to the old-fashioned way."
Harry has swiftly noted what Draco had said because he did not know such things were possible and thought that maybe… just maybe it would be useful for his auror training later on. Draco saw the notations but decided to chat with Harry privately about those things. It was all too possible that Ron would become foolish or desperate enough to attempt something that stupid. For everyone's sake, that was best avoided.
Three hours passed remarkably slow till Hermione started drilling them for answers at the end. A large owl interrupted the knowledge drill with four letters in its beak. Draco winced at the shrill girlish squeal that escaped Hermione in her excitement. "Hogwarts letter! They are Hogwarts letters!" She handed them out to each of them. Silence fell for many minutes while they each read their letters. "Placement exams are at the end of next week…" That was significantly sooner than any of them expected. Interviews the following week. NEWTs the week before the school opens.
Ron let out a strangled pathetic squeak. "I'm not ready…"
"You will be ready," stated Draco flatly. "They are not the NEWTS next week, just tests to see where we are and what needs more work. Think of them as a way to know exactly which NEWTs you need to practice extra hard for and which ones you can relax about." Draco was not a fan of wasting his energy, so this made the most logic. It also saved him from having to hear Ron squeak again.
Each letter was different beyond those initial similar dates. The sobering realization was that these were not Hogwarts Acceptance letters. They were entirely conditional, yet wholeheartedly inviting and encouraging. Acceptance letters identified your classes and provided you with a supply list.
Draco's placement exams would include charms, transfiguration, and potions, which he failed in 6th year. Added were astronomy, history, and defense against the dark arts. Arithmancy joined the list with a note that yes he may drop care of magical creatures. What worried him was that he would take an entrance exam for muggle studies. The course was on his requested list for this year, but he had never taken it before. To his dismay and misery, herbology was on his list with a note that if he is remotely interested in medicine that he will need it. He frowned to see flying as one of his test. He wanted to say something venomous, but then remembered what the doctor had told him, that he might not be able to fly. If he wanted to play quiddich at Hogwarts, then he would need to be able to pass a flying test.
From this he could already write off that he didn't really need tutoring in the core courses except herbology. The core courses needed only refreshing, catching up. Herbology and muggle studies were the real concerns.
The rest of this week was completely absorbed by their studying, practicing, and tutoring. Draco instilled personal routine to help him through this. His morning was spent reviewing the theory from textbooks for the courses he felt comfortable with. Lunch was followed by any number of personal projects, those mostly included research into Teddy's condition or studying the documents for the estates and finances. Late afternoon was three intense hours with their tutor. Supper was full of chatter, although Draco usually stayed silent. Draco would throw himself back into the practical training for the early evening, sometimes joined by one or more of the Golden Trio.
Everything seemed to be going so well. Even when Teddy came for the weekend, that too went well. Teddy is playful and curious, even though he still did not speak, he at least listened. Draco leaned secretively against the doorframe listening to Hermione show Teddy how to play the piano. He had not known she could play. Teddy sat upon her lap with the largest grin the boy could possibly have. It was contagious. Draco found himself smiling as Hermione and Teddy plunked at the piano some very simple tune. Once teddy was asleep, Draco cornered Hermione, "You play, like truly play the piano?"
She wasn't sure whether to be annoyed or not. "Yes. I had a tutor for five years before I started Hogwarts. I am out of practice now, but I remember some still. Do you?" she was rewarded by the flash of color that swept across his face. "I would love to hear you play someday." She moved past him to her own room for bed.
"Someday," he whispered in her wake.
A/N: Many moons passed between last chapter and the writing of this one. Comments have been shocked by the idea of something between Harry and Draco, especially if this is meant to be a Draco and Hermione story. Should anything happen between Draco and Harry in some future chapter, understand that it is part of character development and that neither young man are particularly interested in nurturing a love relationship with another man. Anyways, the summer for the quartet continues onward toward actual time in Hogwarts.