Chapter 3: A Different Sort of Sorting

Chapter 3: A Different Sort of Sorting

"Harry!"

Almost the moment Harry walked through the barrier, he found it hard to breathe. Hermione and Ginny both had him in a vice-like embrace.

"I can't breathe," he managed to gasp and the two girls quickly let go, "Hello, Hermione. Hi, Ginny. Hey, Ron."

"Hey, Harry," said Ron as he ambled up, smiling.

"Oh, Harry, can you believe it?!" Hermione said excitedly, "The Ministry may not like it, but we're fighting back!"

The four quickly loaded Harry's trunk and found themselves a compartment. Hermione was talking nonstop about the best ways to defeat Voldemort, something she had apparently researched about over the summer, until Ron reminded her that they had the whole train ride to talk and she needn't tell them everything in five seconds.

After the train started off, they began playing Exploding Snap. Neville soon joined them and proved himself a formidable foe. They were, however, soon interrupted.

Outside their compartment, they heard rushed footsteps and saw Fred and George race by the windows. A few minutes later, the door burst open. A girl Harry had never seen before practically fell into the compartment, only her hand holding the doorknob stopped her. Her eyes were a vivid blue and shown almost as brightly as her smile. Her brown hair was cut short, almost boyish in appearance.

"Did any of you see which way Fred and George Weasley went?" she asked, panting.

"That way," Hermione answered, pointing toward the front of the train.

"Thanks," the girl replied, laughing as she raced in the opposite direction.

The whole compartment stared a moment, then Fred and George raced by.

"There she goes!" cried George.

"We'll catch her yet!" Fred whooped.

Everyone stared again. "Okay. That was weird," Hermione broke the silence.

"I always knew they were girl-chasers, but never literally," Ron mused.

They compartment laughed, then continued their game of Exploding Snap. The rest of the ride went by with no distractions.

****

The first years slowly shuffled in, looking around nervously. Harry was excited for the Sorting. It would be the second one he'd been to, other than his own. When the last of the group came in, however, Harry was shocked. There was the girl Fred and George had been chasing. She was a full head taller than any of the first years and was the only one who didn't look like she was waiting to be executed.

A slight murmur went through the crowd, and Harry knew why. The girl didn't look like a first year. When Harry had seen her, he had assumed she was at least his age. However, the room soon went silent as the Sorting Hat began to sing.

Since so very long ago,

I've been putting you where you belong.

And though some have protested,

I have never once been wrong.

I've only put in Gryffindor

Those so brave at heart

And you only went to Hufflepuff

If your hard work set you apart.

The brightest that I have ever seen

I put in Ravenclaw

And if you are in Slytherin,

Ambition in you I saw.

Now as you wait anxiously

For me to tell you what to do,

Remember I don't go on my own whims

I go on what resides in you.

So come on up, don't be afraid,

And place me atop your head.

Your mind will tell me what to do

So I can put you in their stead.

The room burst out in applause, then McGonagall began to read off the names. Harry applauded each time a new Gryffindor was made, but he watched the brown-haired girl anxiously.

"Zundel, Azar."

The only one left, the brown-haired girl walked toward the stool. She waved cheerfully at everyone, blowing a kiss before she sat down and put the Sorting Hat on her head. She sat there for a minute or so and then,

"RAVENCLAW!"

Fred and George looked thoroughly disappointed as Azar walked to the cheering Ravenclaw table.

"I wonder why she looks so old," Hermione whispered to Harry.

"Dunno. Fred and George might, though."

"George?" Hermione asked.

George looked up from his plate, chewing swiftly. "Mm-hm?" he managed to mumble.

"Do you know why that girl…uh, Azar looks so…old?"

George swallowed. "Oh yeah, she told us. She's actually a fifth year. Apparently her magical ability just appeared last year. She had a tutor since January and is pretty well caught up now."

"Harry, did you hear that?!" Hermione squealed, clutching his arm.

"Yeah, yeah. So what?" he asked, prying her hand off.

"That is extremely rare! I can't believe it. She's our age, too!"

"Hey, I'm feeling kinda left out over here," Ron said, swallowing a bite, "Can we at least talk about it after I eat?"

Before Hermione could say anything, Harry joined Ron in scarfing down the meal. Sighing, Hermione began to eat.

They probably would have talked later, but none of them could hardly keep their eyes open. Harry laid down, having only kicked off his shoes and taken off his glasses, and fell asleep immediately. That night, however, would not be restful.

~*~*~

A/N: Well, I hope that's somewhat of a cliffhanger.

I hope you like Azar, 'cause she's here to stay! Yeah!

Well, again, enjoy and PLEASE REVIEW!!!

Thank you.

-Ady