Don't Forget Me
By: Panny-Plan
Chapter Four: The Sorting Hat
A/N: I have been getting a million reviews about not making Draco mean! Well, justice has been served! No, he's not turning into Harry's best bud (that's Rons job!) but he will be a bit nicer to him. Alright? K...r/r please!!! I made it EXTRA long for the long wait. Sorry if it's too long. But hey, I had lot of stuff i wanted to cram into one chappy. Enjoy!
*~*
Through hope and doubt...one thing will unite this world as a never ending peace...
*~*
"Alright, Ron, you go first."
Ron stared at his mother for a moment, then sighed. "Alright, mum. I'll go." He took a deep breath, and started to walk briskly to the barrier on Platform 9 and 3 quarters. He broke into a run, and disappeared behind the wood.
"Ginny, you go next."
Ginny took her cart, and started to walk to the barrier. Unlike Ron, she just stepped through.
"Hermione, darling."
Hermione. Harry's eyes fell on her and his stomach tied into a knot. This wasn't his crush from last year. No possible way. It was to...strong.
She started to walk into the barrier, much like Ginny did. Harry couldn't stop staring at her. Her busy hair, her T-shirt and shorts...Stop it! he thought. Harry, you're just torturing yourself. Ask her out, why don't you?
"Harry?"
But on the other hand Harry, she could turn you down. She could say you just want to stay friends.
"Harry?!?"
On the other hand, he kept thinking, she could accept, and you guys could have a blast and--
"Harry!"
Harry pulled out of his thoughts and looked at Mrs. Weasley. "Yes?"
"Harry, you're next." Mrs. Weasley gave him a peck on the cheek and a slight push toward the wall. He started slowly first, then started to run faster, preparing for the huge crash at the end--
But he stopped when he saw the Hogwarts Express, glowing, steaming, and just about ready to depart. He saw Ron stick his head out of a window in a last cabin, and wave. "Harry! Over here!"
An train conductor stared at Ron. "You! Young boy with red hair! You can't do that! Someone could get hurt!"
Ron grinned and stuck his head back into the compartment. Harry smiled wearily. He pushed his cart over to the door of the last compartment, and started to pull it inside.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"
Harry gritted his teeth. "What do you want Malfoy?"
Draco grinned. "Oh come on, Potter. After all we've been through, we're not even on a first name basis yet?" He saw the way Harry squirmed. "S'pose not." Draco grinned, and motioned for Crabbe and Goyle. "Nice seeing you, Potter. Hopefully our paths won't cross again. Hopefully."
Harry looked at Draco leave, then shook his head. "Whatever Malfoy." He started to walk towards the last compartment on the train, but was stopped by the witch with the food cart.
"May I help you, sweetie?"
Harry looked at the wonderful chocolates and sweets. "Er-sure. I'd like three chocolate frogs, please. And one bag of Bettie Bots Every Flavor Beans." He told her.
The witch smiled and handed him three silver wrapped frogs and a small bag of the beans. Harry handed her seven sickles. "Thank you, dear. If you need anymore snacks, I'll be up front with the conductor."
Harry grinned and put the sweets on his cart and pushed down the isle. He came to the last compartment door, and slid it open. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were all sitting and talking. Ron looked up when Harry entered, and grinned bearing his teeth.
"Harry, mate, what took you so long? We were about to send out a search part. Trust me, Neville is having enough trouble to find Trevor again." He sighed. "Mmmmm. Yum. What do you have there, Harry? Sweets? For me? Oh, how nice of you." Harry tossed Ron a chocolate frog.
"Here, Herm." Harry gave her one, and handed the beans to Ginny. He sat down in his own seat and unwrapped his frog. Ron was already finished.
Ron sighed. "I'm glad mum stopped giving me those sandwiches. Now I can have real food," Ron said, grabbing a bean out of Ginny's hands.
Hermione flipped through a few pages of her book. "I sincerely doubt that chocolate frogs are real food, Ron." She paused to take a bite out of her. "They're only sweets."
Harry grinned, and Ron smiled at him. "So, Harry, heared you made Head Boy. Is it true?" And he looked over at Hermione next. "Miss Head Girl?"
Hermione blushed. "Yes, I made Head Girl."
Harry blinked. "Why are you embarrased, Herm? I'm Head Boy."
Hermione shook her head and buried her nose back in her book. "Oh nothing."
Ron stared at her for a moment, shaking his head. He turned to his sister. "So Ginny," he coughed, "how are you and Colin doing? In love yet?"
Ginny shook her head. "No way, Ron. He was a creep. I dumped him. Colin Creevy is history." (a/n: did i forget to mention this? Sorry... back to da story!)
"Ah. I see. So my 'lil baby sister is single again?"
Ginny turned away. "I'm going to Claire's compartment." Ron smiled as she left. He turned to Harry with a big grin on his face.
"Had to do that. She was bugging me." He looked at Harry's clothes. "Change into your robes, Harry. Well probably be at Hogwarts soon."
Harry nodded and changed. (All he has to do it put his robe over his clothes.) He sat back down and looked over at Ron, then to Hermione. But Hermione wasn't there. "Hey Ron? Where'd Herm go?"
Ron looked up from his Chudly Cannons Quidditch Guide, and then around. "I dunno. Probably to see if the train had a libaray." He chuckled. "Oh man, why didn't I think of that sooner? Back to this. Veice Sprin, the keeper of the Chudly Cannons, was born in 1964 in Bangdad, Iraq. Interesting, very interesting. Sarah Looner, chaser, started her career by going door to door shining shoes. Cool! I didn't know you could do that! Eric Von Suted..."
Harry rolled his eyes as Ron named all the Quidditch players. He walked out of the compartment, and into the next, until he found an empty one. Well he thought it was empty.
Hermione was cuddled by a window and her nose stuffed in her bood. Harry grinned and walked behind her.
"Hey."
She let out a small scream, then faced him. "Oh it's only you, Harry. Don't do that to me again. You scared me to death."
He grinned. "You're still here. And it's only me?"
She looked into his emeral eyes. "Well, who do you want to be?"
Your boyfriend, he thought. "Harry Potter, I guess." He scratched his head. "What're you reading?"
"That's what I thought." She turned back to her book. "Well if you really want to know, I'm reading this." She held up the book for Harry to look at. Famous Witches and Wizards from the eighteenth century.
Harry smiled and let out a small laugh. "I guess that's what I get with you, huh? Look, Herm-"
She looked at him again, and turned so that she would be facing. "Yeah? What's up, Harry?"
He couldn't look at her. He fumbled with his fingers, and then looked at her. "I guess-uh-maybe that-what I'm trying to say is that I-"
"You what?"
"I really-well not really-yes really, and a lot-I really..."
"harry, spit it out. It'll be easier that way!"
Harry didn't say anything, just caught her hand, and started to lower his face to hers. Hermione stared at Harry. Was he trying to kiss her? Harry Potter? Trying to kiss Hermione Granger?
"Herm..."
"Yeah?"
Harry sucked in a breath and was so close. He had to do it. Just a little farther...just a little bit farther...almost there...
BANG!!
Ron burst through the door. Harry jumped up, and Hermione dropped her book. Harry picked it up, and turned to face Ron. "Hey Ron."
Ron smiled. "Hey! What're you two doing back here? Herm, reading another book...okay. Well, we're almost at the castle. C'mon Harry! Dean and Semus are seeing who can eat the most chocolate frogs!"
Ron dashed out of the compartment. Harry looked at Hermione. She stared at her lap, her hands folded neatly over the book. She wasn't saying anything. Harry took a step toward her, then turned around and left. He was being stupid again. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Hermione leaned back in the seat when Harry slid the door shut. She took a deep breath and sighed. He tried.
*~*
The ride to the castle was quiet. With Ron, Harry, Hermione, Lavender, Pavati, Dean and Semus. Harry and Hermione sat next to each other. Nobody said anything. The reached the castle in complete silence, and walked into the Great Hall.
It was decorated, with scarlet, emerald, sapphire, and black. They seated themselves at the Gryffindor table. A mob of first years broke into the Great Hall, leaded by Professor McGonagall. She walked up onto the platform and pulled out the sorting hat. She placed it on the stool, and in a matter of second it broke into it's song:
Four wizards, one dream they shared
Far from what they have impaired.
A dream to build a wizarding school
So no more wizards acting like fools.
Grand Gryffindor couldn't rest,
For he was the one who declared it best.
Shy Hufflepuff, for she was sure
Of non-other could accomplish more.
Fine Ravenclaw, for they saw the truth within,
Could only mean a beginning's end.
Sly Slytherin wanted power,
To become his innermost desire.
Now these wizards, bold and shrewd,
There was only one thing they could do.
Let's name it Grande, Fortunes, or Pollope they said.
But Gryffindor stated, no, let's name it Hogwarts instead.
They created four houses, from east to west,
Competing each other for the best.
I am the best they all did shout,
But only did Slytherin shout them out.
A school for those who plan to leave,
You'll have another trick up your sleeve.
And for those who do trust well,
Time will come, and time will tell.
So try me on and see for size,
For your own house is special in it's ways and it's lies!
The Great Hall burst out with applause. Harry clapped along with Hermione and Ron at their table. The silence slowly started to come across them when Professor McGonagall started reading off the names of first years.
"ABBOT, AMANDA!"
A small girl put on the hat. There was silence, as the hat was thinking. "GRYFFINDOR!" The Gryffindor table burst with applause.
"AYIA, SYDNEY!"
Another girl walked up and placed the hat on her head. "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"AIA, RAMU!"
A boy, with gelled black wavy hair walked up to the hat and set it on his head. He placed it carefully, not wanting to mess up his hair. He reminded Harry of Malfoy.
"SLYTHERIN!"
There was a huge applause from the Slytherins. The sorting continued.
"BONNET, HANNAH!" (Ravenclaw)
"CULLER, SARAH!" (Hufflepuff)
"DONAVEIW, MICHEAL!" (Gryffindor)
"LOPKINS, NEWTON!" (Slytherin)
And with a final, "ZUS, CHRISTINE!" (Ravenclaw) the sorting had ended. Dumbledore stood and cleared his throat.
"I have only one thing to say to you all tonight. Peopla Adomia." Food appeared on the millions of empty plates in the Great Hall.
Chicken, roast beef, turkey, mashed potatoes, pudding, pumpkin juice, sasage, every food imagenable. Gravy, cranberry sauce, gooseberry tarts, quail eggs, and more. Harry and Ron dug in.
"I-haven't-eaten-this-kind of-good-food-since-mum." Ron said inbetween bites. He looked around and Dean and Semus who were sniggering, and Harry who was paying more attention to his plate than anything else in the room. An earth quake wouldn't have shoken up his thoughts.
"That was only this afternoon, Ron!"
Ron grinned. "I know."
When the mashed potatoes weren't mashed and ever last peice of meat on every chicken, turkey and roast beef bone was gone, Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat.
"Welcome, all, to another amazing year at Hogwarts! I believe this year will be most rather interesting." He paused and saw Harry and Ron snigger. "Would our new Head Girl and Head Boy please stand up so they can be recognized?"
Harry looked at Hermione. She was blushing a bit, but reluctantly stood out of her chair. Harry followed and a set of whispers broke out in the hall.
"Harry Potter? Head boy?"
"Who's that girl?"
"Hermione Granger? Isn't that it?"
Dumbledore smiled. "Ah, yes. Miss Granger and Mr. Potter will assist you all if you need anything. Thank you." Harry and Hermione sat down, their faces burning. "Well, now I suppose you are all tired, and tomorrow you will all be getting your schedeuls. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, if you two will see me for a moment?"
Harry and Hermione walked across the Great Hall, trying to ignore all the stares they got. They reached the Staff table where all the teachers were sitting. "G'morning, to ya Harry."
Harry turned to see Hagrid. "Hagrid! Hi! Good night, really."
"Harry, this way please. Hermione, you also." Dumbledore smiled softly at them. They followed him into a room. "As you know, the Head Boy and Girl always show the first years around school. Well, it's your turn to do that job. No remember you must tell them about the school, include some history," he winked at Hermione, "dangers, and changing staircases. Also, give them pointers you learned about the teachers. I'm sure they'll enjoy those."
He left them, and Harry turned to Hermione. "so, let's go. Shall we?" He offered his arm to her. She blushed and took it. They walked out of the room. The Great Hall was empty except for the first years. They were all looking around eagerly, trying to find out something.
"Okay, well, first things first. Welcome to Hogwarts." There was a murmur when Harry spoke. He cleared his throat. "I'm Harry and this is Hermione. We're supposed to show you around the castle. Okay, Herm? Where should we go first?"
Hermione looked at all the kids, then smiled. "Astronomy tower. It's great on a night like this."
They walked up the staircases. Harry looked back at a few first years tagging on in the back. "Climb them quickly. These stairs like to change." The all huddled together.
All the way through the castle they would ask Harry things. And Hermione sometimes too. "Are you the real Harry Potter?"
Harry looked at Hermione and grinned. "Yes, I am."
There was an excited noise from them. "Cool!" Then somebody asked, "Are you two dating?"
Harry stopped, and turned to look at the first years. "What gave you that idea?"
"Well you two aren't talking that much to each other...and well...I just know."
Hermione was a bit shocked by the question but shook it off. "No we're not dating. We're the best of friends though."
I wish we were dating, Harry thought. They lead the kids through the rest of the castle, giving pointers on all of the teachers weak spots. When they finally shook them off, Harry and Hermione reached the portrait of the fat lady.
"Password?"
Harry looked at her. "It's me. Can't you just let me in? I'm tired."
She shook her head. "Password?" she repeated.
"Lilacimaion." Hermione said.
Harry and Hermione walked in, and collapsed in two chairs. "Feels like home already, huh Harry?"
He smiled. "Yeah, home sweet home." He yawned. ""I'm gonna fall asleep on this couch if I don't get in my bed." He chuckled. "Those kids sure did ask some crazy questions, didn't they?"
"Yeah, the sure did." She yawned. "I better be getting to bed to. See you in the morning, Harry."
"G'night Herm."
"Good night, Harry."
Harry walked up to the door that read 7TH YEAR and pushed it open. Dean, Semus, and Ron were all looking at pictures of girls that Semus had taken pictures of for his summer job. Neville was sleeping.
"Harry, get aloud of this babe!"
Harry looked at them. "I'm taking a leaf out of Neville's book. Good night, guys." He collapsed on his bed. He only dreamed about one thing.
Hermione.
******
A/N: Sorry if I made this too long! I think the hardest part of this chapter was the stupid sorting hat song! Damn those are hard! You have to review this! Or Voldermort will squish you between his peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. *sigh* It took me almost two weeks to finish this chapter. They almost kissed! But sorry to give your hopes up, they aren't going to actually lip lock until later in the story! But please r/r! Thanks so much!
A biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter 3! My sweet reviewers!
Lola, amber, Jess, great fic!, tyleet, someone, L+J H+H, Videl Son, Melissa, Enchantress109, AdeleighTheIrishPrincess, hermione elizabeth potter, draco's princess, Noodlejellly, Satans Little Princess, and NAPPA
Thank you all! Please r/r! I'll try to get 5 out as soon as I can! Peace!
Disclaimer:I own nothing, but the plot. Oh yeah, and that cute sorting hat song is mine too.
Claire Bonton, Amanda Abbot, Caline Florid, and the other characters you don't recognize are all mine. Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling.