The Sorting

The Hogwarts Express stopped with a squeal of its iron wheels. When Mary flinched, Hermione considered whether the other witch's ears might be unusually sensitive or whether she had just been surprised by the unfamiliar sound.

A silhouette appeared in the window of their compartment door. It was carefully opened. "Hey, Mary. How was your ride?" Neville asked with what Hermione considered a nice smile. "Are you ready to go to the castle or do you need another minute?"

From behind the boy, someone called, "Let's get off the train mate! The girls will manage on their own."

Hermione watched Mary's adoptive brother frown and turn around for a response towards a red-haired boy with a lot of freckles. He was never going to deliver it though.

Mary unintentionally cut him short, "Thank you for thinking of me, Neville." The sandy blond boy turned once more around to focus on Mary. His friend was completely forgotten. "Hermione and I will manage on our own. You can go ahead with your new friends."

Two hands appeared on Neville's shoulders. The redhead tried to aim him at the exit of the carriage. "You heard her! Let's get going."

Hermione saw that he tried to push him in the direction of the exit but Neville did not budge.

The young wizard shrugged the hands off. "Are you sure?" And even though he obviously asked Mary, he was staring at Hermione. She had to concentrate hard to not squirm under the intense scrutiny she suddenly found herself under. "Maybe it would be best..."

"Neville, my brothers are already on the platform." The redhead pointed out of the window. "If we don't hurry we'll be late for the feast."

The young wizard turned his head. His tone changed notably when he snapped, "Could you stop interrupting me while I'm talking to Mary?" Without waiting for a reply he turned back to her, "Are you sure about this?"

Mary sent a beaming smile at the boy, "Yes, I'm sure."

The young wizard spoke in a perfectly neutral tone. However, his face betrayed his reluctance. "We'll meet in the castle."

"Okay," Mary chirped happily.

Neville looked them both over very doubtfully. When he left the three young wizards he had been with, followed him. Hermione exchanged curious looks with them but none of them said anything.

Mary must have heard the footsteps over the general noise of the departing crowd. She swooned, "Neville already made so many friends!"

Hermione nodded and added absentmindedly, "Looks like it."

It took only a few minutes and most students had gotten off the train. Hermione who had watched the general pushing and shoving disapprovingly finally said, "Okay, we should leave too."

Mary's hand instantly sought and found her left arm. She hurriedly explained, "You've got to tell me about any obstacles. Please, mind the stairs and holes especially."

They ran into the first so-called obstacle before they even got off the carriage. "Here are two very high steps."

Since the exit was too narrow even for two young girls they had to go one after the other. Hermione placed Mary's hands on the railing and stepped down first. Grabbing onto the offered hands and the railing alike, Mary's feet searched the air for the step. Worry was clearly edged into her features.

When she stood on the lowest step, Hermione told her, "There is a gap in front of you. Make one long step and you'll get on the platform." In addition to her words, Hermione softly pulled on Mary's hand.

Hermione's new acquaintance stood barely on the platform when they heard someone call in a deep booming voice, "First Years to me!"

The two witches weaved their way through dwindling groups of students until they reached a man that had to be twice as tall as a normal person. His beard and hair were both equally long, dark, and unkempt. Quite aware of her for once straight hair, Hermione wondered whether she looked like this to other people.

Redheaded twins strolled over and greeted the giant the First Years were currently staring up to. "Hey, Hagrid!" "How do you do?"

The giant man turned around to look at the two redheads. "Everything is fine. How was your summer?"

"Fabulous!" The twins chorused.

While they were chatting, Mary leaned over and whispered, "What's the wizard standing on? Some sort of ladder? A pedestal?"

Hermione whispered back, "Neither. He's standing on the platform just like us. He is the tallest person I have ever seen."

Their short exchange had been enough time for the giant and the twins to wrap their discussion up. "Fine. Is everyone here? Now, don't move!"

Hermione watched with saucer-like eyes as the giant started counting them by pointing his finger at them. Once done he pulled a very small slip of paper from his pocket which he unfolded with visible difficulty. He grumbled, "Looks about right." Pocketing the paper and once more focusing on them he added with a chuckle, "Well, let's start our hike! The castle won't come to you after all."

Hermione got the reference but she did not feel like laughing.

Hagrid said, "Follow me!" and turned in a completely different direction the older students had taken.

The walk to the castle was taxing. Because of his long legs, it was hard to keep up with Hagrid. He also seemed to have no problems with the uneven or slippery ground. Hermione, on the other hand, was very aware of both. And Mary was struggling hard. The two witches clung to each other but they stumbled more than they walked. Hermione tried to balance their need to take it slow with not losing sight of the others but they soon fell way behind them.

When Hagrid told them to not dawdle, she almost snapped at him.

But hiking hills up and down wasn't the worst. The ride over the lake scared Mary. Once the boat started rocking on the tame waves, the small witch clung so hard to Hermione, she was sure to find bruises the next morning. She was able to calm Mary a little bit by combing her hair.

Upon entering the castle, they literally ran into a flock of ghosts. Hermione was still looking after them when Professor McGonagall appeared out of nowhere. She told them about the four houses which Hermione found very odd.

Then, she gave them some very brief instructions to walk orderly behind her upon entering the Great Hall and then form a line in front of the head table so they could be sorted.

The Great Hall was more impressive than Hermione had been able to imagine. The ceiling was enchanted to show the night sky and looked more realistic than any screen in a cinema. The illusion was so lifelike, she almost tried to reach up and touch a small cloud.

But Hermione also noticed that if she squinted her eyes she could make out the enchanted arches and structure of the stonework behind the illusion. She would have liked to tell Mary about it but wasn't sure whether that would be appreciated.

There were also thousands of floating candles. Their short walk led them through the gap in between the middle tables. Hermione recognized the crests of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff on the uniforms of the students.

The two traveling companions ended up once more at the end of their group.

Hermione watched, Professor McGonagall used magic to conjure a three-legged stool. Then she waved her hand again and an old, battered hat floated into her hand. She placed it gently on the stool. A tear opened at its brim and it declaimed a poem. Everyone listened with rapt attention. After all, even in the magic world, it wasn't every day that a hat talked to you.

Once the hat was done, McGonagall unrolled a parchment and read the first name out, "Abbott, Hannah,"

A girl with blond pigtails hesitantly stepped forward. She sat on the stool. When the hat was lowered onto her head she almost squirmed away.

After the briefest of moments, the tear in the Sorting Hat opened once more and spoke, "Hufflepuff!"

The table right behind Hermione applauded thunderously. Hannah rushed over to them.

Next was another witch, "Bones, Susan," She got sent to Hufflepuff as well.

Following her was "Brown, Lavender," who was sent to Gryffindor and thus ended the short streak for Mary's preferred House.

Hermione forgot the next names as soon as they were called out. She would however always remember when "Goyle, Gregory" was asked to step forward.

For the minute the hat needed for Goyle, Hermione was absolutely certain that she would be asked to step forward next. She was unable to come up with any name that could alphabetically be placed in between Goyle and Granger.

But instead of her, Professor McGonagall called out, "Greengrass, Daphne."

Hermione frowned and muttered under her breath, "Granger comes before Greengrass!"

Mary squeezed her hand. She whispered, "Pure-bloods are sorted first. Then Half-bloods. And last – but not least – Muggle-borns."

Hermione frowned, that had not been mentioned in 'Hogwarts, A History'.

When it was the turn of "Longbottom, Neville," Hermione noticed Mary squeezing her hand. She leaned slightly forward. Hermione observed that everyone fell silent and focused on the famous wizard. The entire hall was curious where the Vanquisher of Lord Voldemort would be sorted. It took the hat quite some time to do the deed. Mary clapped enthusiastically when it called out "Gryffindor!"

Hermione thought that Neville looked put out by the decision.

A short while later, Professor McGonagall read out the by now familiar name, "Potter, Mary."

Hermione looked at the girl at her side wondering why she wasn't... They still held hands! Hurriedly, Hermione stepped forward and led Mary over to the stool. She whispered at her friend, "Just one small step forward," Mary turned around, Hermione said, "Yes," and Mary sat down exactly onto the stool.

It was weird to look at her new friend. Mary was sitting on a three-legged stool but the way she posed on it, she made it look like she was about to have tea with the Queen.

Hermione felt herself straighten her own back. She was very aware of the stares of the other students. She was also quite glad that her hair was for once in a pristine state. Deputy Headmistress McGonagall said nothing but her curious look was more unnerving than the other hundreds of eyes combined.

Luckily, Mary got quickly sorted into "Hufflepuff!" and her hand sought out Hermione's so she could lead her to the correct table. Although, the applause should have been enough of a hint where it was.

Hermione retook her place among the dwindling number of to-be-sorted students. Just as Mary had promised, McGonagall restarted reading out names in alphabetical order two times.

When the Professor finally read out, "Granger, Hermione," the young witch felt her heart beat hard and fast. She stepped forward and eagerly sat on the three-legged stool.

'Oh! You're a challenge,' The hat called out in surprised excitement.

'Is the hat talking in my head?' Hermione wondered in curiosity.

The hat humored her, 'Believe me, you wouldn't want me to spill out to everyone what we're going to talk about.'

Ignoring the joke, Hermione asked in excitement, 'You can hear my thoughts? What kind of magic is this?'

'Very advanced magic.' The hat asked rhetorically, 'How could I fulfill my duty otherwise?'

Hermione inadvertently thought of Mary's bad lies.

The hat coughed mentally. 'Let's get you sorted.'

Instantly Hermione felt a tickle at the front of her skull. It was in her head. 'Such a bright mind! So many questions and such a thirst for knowledge.' The hat sighed in awe. 'I could rest on your head all day and watch you think. Rowena would have been eager to teach you and if I was to place you in her house, I would not be wrong. And they'd be more than happy to have you.'

'Ravenclaw sounds good,' Hermione agreed involuntarily and wondered whether she could lie to the hat if she wanted to.

'Curious and eager? Aren't you?' The hat chuckled. 'Let's look a bit more first.' Hermione felt the prickle wander to the top of her skull. 'Oh, you want to prove what you're capable of! Average is not enough for you. I rarely find people as ambitious as you. Slytherin is an option too.'

'Do you think so?'

'Oh, definitely!' The prickly feeling went to the back of her head and slightly downwards. 'You were looking forward to coming here. You're quite eager for an adventure – aren't you? My old master Godric would have enjoyed your company."

'Dumbledore was in Gryffindor too. Did you sort him? What was it like on his head?' Hermione called out in excitement, 'Please, place me in Gryffindor!'

The hat complimented her, 'His mind was not half as interesting as yours.'

In reaction to this, she felt her cheeks grow warm.

'Ah, it's a pity we'll soon be done. But everybody is already waiting.' For the last time, Hermione felt the tingle wander through her brain. It went to its center, right into the middle of herself. 'You already made a friend on the ride to Hogwarts.' The hat observed and went silent right after. 'That was the first time you managed that feat?'

The tickling intensified. 'Well, it's all there. You could be the best friend one could wish for... someone who remains loyal even in the hardest of times. Helga would have liked that. However, she would have been appalled by your track record so far. You're not the easiest person to deal with but not finding a single friend? No, no, no, Madam Hufflepuff wouldn't have liked that at all!'

'But I'm suited for Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Gryffindor am I not? You said so.' Hermione felt suddenly very, very nervous. She worried that she could not get sorted and be sent home instead.

The hat fell mute for quite a while but finally answered her long-forgotten question, 'Yes, they those three houses would suit you.' He hummed thoughtfully, 'What to do with you? Where to place you?'

Not feeling brave anymore Hermione did what she always did and trusted her cleverness, 'Ravenclaw?'

'I could send you there,' the hat answered. 'You've definitely got the brain... but I want you to be a good friend too. You could be the best friend one could wish for... but only if you manage to befriend someone. I don't want to waste that ability.'

Hermione was so confused. The hat told her she was suited for three houses and then he wouldn't sort her... 'And if I try really, really hard to make friends?'

The hat whispered, 'You tried that before my dear. You promised your parents and you tried. You tried so hard...'

He was right. Hermione had tried to please her parents like she now offered to please the hat. They had been worried about her being lonely. She told the hat, 'It should be easiest to befriend people who are like me. Please, place me in Ravenclaw!'

'If that was how this worked, you would have found one friend or two by now.' The hat replied sadly. 'Maybe...'

'Maybe?'

'Yes, I think that's it! It makes no sense to sort you to foster your strengths. You're already as clever as Ravenclaw could wish for, as brave as Gryffindor could hope for, and as ambitious as Slytherin would expect you to be. It's the badgers' influence you'll profit from.' And without another thought aimed at Hermione, the hat called out, "Hufflepuff!"

There was loud applause. The musty hat was pulled from her head.

Glad to be sorted at all, Hermione hurried over to the table she had led Mary to. The seat next to her new friend was empty and she slumped down in relief.

Her applause was surprisingly loud. She had no illusions. It was not about her. Hufflepuff had gotten by far the smallest number of new students and she had been one of the last to be sorted. However, it was still nice to have everyone clapping on behalf of her.

"So, we see again," Hermione tried to sound casual even though her heart hammered like crazy.

"I'm sorry, you've not been sorted into either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor," Mary whispered so quietly, Hermione was the only one to understand her.

"There is no reason to be sorry." Hermione squeezed Mary's hand under the table. "The hat said, neither of them could have helped me. He said it would be best for me to go here."

"Really?" Mary's voice asked curiously.

Before Hermione could explain this or could be formally introduced to the two other new witches of her house, loud applause from all tables made them aware of the end of the sorting.

Professor McGonagall had stepped aside and taken the hat with her.

Everyone was looking at Headmaster Dumbledore. The wizard smiled benevolently at them from behind a golden lectern. His white hair flowed freely over his shoulders and his white beard hung down way beyond his belt. He peered over his half-moon glasses at them. He looked every bit as old as he was.

"Enjoy your meal!" he said with a twinkle and with a boyish laugh he flopped himself back onto his chair.

Hermione heard and saw the redheaded twins from before laugh hysterically over this. But the incident was soon forgotten as their dinner appeared out of nowhere. At the same time, all five tables in the Great Hall creaked under the weight of a feast like Hermione had never witnessed before.

The usually bushy-haired witch had never seen so much food at once. The question was not what was there but what was not. She could think of nothing missing from this feast. And everything looked delicious!

No matter if old or young, all students hurriedly started to fill their plates. Hermione claimed a roasted chicken breast. She tried to figure out what kind of herbal twig was on top of it when she noticed Mary's empty plate. "What are you waiting for, Mary?"

The young witch turned nervously to her, "I can't see what is placed where. And I don't want to knock anything over."

"Oh." Hermione felt suddenly very sheepish. "Would you like me to put food on your plate?"

"If it's not too much of a hassle," Mary expressed her relief.

"Don't worry! What would you like?" Instantly realizing her next almost mistake, Hermione started listing everything available.

A few minutes later, Hermione wasn't the only one stealing glances at how Mary ate. Hermione would have expected her to run into certain problems due to being blind but her new friend was quite adept at eating with a knife and fork.

She seemed to know where everything was at all times and only one or two times did she use her cutlery to locate something on her plate. She was precisely stabbing and meticulously placing food on her fork.

The black-haired witch was notably slower than everyone else but she was showing a sort of elegance that made Hermione very self-aware even though she was already on her best manners.