Chapter Four: The Sorting

Harry filed out of the train with Draco and Ron in tow. He quickly spotted Hagrid directing the first years to the boats and smiled to himself. When he came to Hogwarts for the first time, he had no idea what to expect. Now, he knew all too well the events that would be happening in the castle walls. Outsiders would never know the inner turmoil Harry was dealing with, he just looked like he was absorbing the glory of Hogwarts.

"Let's board one of the boats, yeah?" Ron's voice brought Harry out of his trance. The three of them quickly boarded the nearest boat that could fit all of them. Harry kept scanning for Hermione. Though there was no reason that she would be unsafe, the war had still left with a hypervigilance. He quickly found that she was settled into a seat next to Neville. Harry smirked. Leave it to Hermione to ensure that Trevor would be found.

Finally, the first years arrived at the castle grounds and made their way to the Great Hall entrance where they were met by Professor McGonagall. While the first years were all shocked by the stern, severe woman, Hermione, Harry, and Draco were surprised because they did not remember their professor ever looked this way- carefree almost without the knowledge of an impending war.

"You will be sorted into your houses. Once the Sorting Hat assigns you to either Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin, you will join your new house. They will be your family while you are here." With that explanation, Professor McGonagall directed the first years to the Great Hall to begin the ceremony.

"Hermione Granger."

Hermione took the stool and felt the weight of the Sorting Hat on her head.

"Interesting. You have a thirst for knowledge and intelligence beyond your years. Hmmm. It seems you have had some life changing events, no? Better keep you with those who can encourage your bravery again, GRYFFINDOR."

Hermione for a brief moment was frozen. Did the Sorting Hat say again? No. It couldn't be. She quickly made her way to the Gryffindor table, racking her brain and chastising herself for not conducting research on the Sorting Hat during her first stint at Hogwarts. She had missed several students being sorted until she heard a name that pulled her out of her trance.

"Draco Malfoy"

Hermione's eyes went wide. Would the Sorting Hat say anything to Malfoy? Would he be put back into Slytherin? She held her breath as she watched Malfoy strut up to the stool for his sorting.

"Interesting. I had a feeling that you would be different this time. I must say- you are as difficult as Mr. Potter was. Where to put you? Where to put you? You still have the ambition and self-preservation, but I dare say that something has changed. Hmmm… Best put you in GRYFFINDOR!"

The whole hall was silent. A Malfoy in Gryffindor? A Malfoy that isn't a snake? Draco's eyes widened in horror, realizing that his father would, in fact, hear about this but not from him. Frozen on the stool, Professor McGonagall began to guide the young Draco Malfoy towards the table of lions where he eventually found a seat across from Hermione.

"Did it say something to you? Anything different from last time" Hermione quietly whispered so that only Malfoy could hear. He could only slightly nod his head, still processing what had just happened.

"It said something different to me too. When Harry gets sorted, we have to find out if it happened for him as well."

"Harry Potter."

Harry walked cautiously up to the Sorting Hat. While he knew something was obviously different with Malfoy's sorting, he couldn't help but notice Hermione's face during hers. He couldn't be sure as he wasn't watching her closely the first time that they got sorted, but she seemed almost concerned.

Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head.

"Ah- just the person I was most curious about. Interesting. Hmmm. What to do, what to do. You are very brave. The workings of a hero. But there's more here. Lots of emotion and walls. Pity. I think you have people who can help break them down so you can find that ambition again. Best put you in GRYFFINDOR."

Applause rippled throughout the Great Hall with the Weasley twins clapping the loudest just like before. However, all sounds were drowned out as Harry desperately searched for Hermione. Things were definitely different this time.

Harry made his way down to the table, finding a seat next to Hermione. Hermione took one look at him and knew.

"It was different?"

"Yes- no mention of Slytherin this time."

Draco, startled, turned to Harry as if waiting to hear the rest of the story.

"Oh, er, the Sorting Hat was torn between Gryffindor and Slytherin last time." Harry was quiet enough just so that the other two could hear. Now they had to wait for

"Ronald Weasley"

The three watched closely. While they knew that he didn't remember anything, they thought maybe the Sorting Hat would recognize something.

"Ah, another Weasley. I know just where to put you… but take a word of advice. You want things. You want great things. There's nothing wrong with desire, but if that ambition takes the place of courage, you will do your new house a disservice. GRYFFINDOR!"

Last time, the Sorting Hat barely touched Ron's head before recognizing him as a Weasley and sorting him into Gryffindor. Something was different with this Sorting Hat. The questions remained how and why. Before the three of them could ponder, Ron joined them at the table with a confused look on his face.

"Bloody mental that hat is."

"What did it say to you?" Hermione responded with a very eager look.

"Something about jealousy and courage. Like I said, bloody mental."

Hermione and Harry shared a look. They knew, of course, the several instances that the Sorting Hat could be referring to. How could it know? Why did it know? As Hermione's brow furrowed in deep concentration, the ceremony concluded and the feast appeared. Harry gently nudged her to start eating. The three savored these meals as it had felt like ages since they had a proper Hogwarts feast. While Ron's dining habits were as polite as always, meaning that he was stuffing his face violently, Hermione and Harry couldn't even fault him. Even though he didn't remember being on the run, they did. It was enough of an excuse for now.

Eventually, the dishes began to clear away and Percy called for the first years to follow him to the dorms. He showed the boys to their sleeping quarters and Hermione along with the other first year girls to theirs, leaving no time for the three to talk about the events that had transpired.

Ever determined, Hermione decided that she would start making a to-do list. She had already learned this before and, while school was still important, the changes to this reality were drastic without an apparent reason. This meant one thing. She would be going to the library.

A/N: I am so grateful for the support and interest. I will now be posting updates every Saturday. What are your thoughts so far? I love to hear feedback! While I have the story mapped out, I do want to know if there are any particular thoughts on couples or events you are hoping to see (or not) in this piece.