Makalaseri:  Kali really should have told Ron sooner, but he knows now, don't he?  *wink*  Shagging at some point?  Maybe.  *sly smile*

Yumi-no-baka:  I have no intentions of writing the part where Kali calls Snape Daddy in class for the first time.  Make it up in your head or – hey!  Write it yourself.

Dark Peppermint:  You're awesome, too!

Frizzy:  Thank you so much

Tine:  Yes, you should not quit your day job.  *grin*  Humor is so hard to understand when things are in black and white.  Don't worry.  Servius will make a return.  I wasn't planning on it, but my sister urged me to bring him back, and so he will.  Sorry about Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman going into your head.  I did mean for the chapter to be like that.  I thought it was clever.  *shrug*  Everyone is in seventh year now but I'd say Harry had sex in his sixth year?  And you should be sorry.  Dumbledore.  *shivers*

LadyMorgaine:  Hey, you.  Thanks for the compliments.  I hope you also like where I take it rather than just the set up.  *crosses fingers*

Fiery Disposition:  Just a fair warning, the Pomfrey bitch name with continue.  I have Draco call her that not because he hates her but because it's become her name, just as Harry is known as the Boy-Who-Lived.  Actually, though she annoys him, Draco is starting to like Madam Pomfrey.  So, it isn't meant to be humorous, it's just what he calls her.

DISCLAIMER:  Once again, not JK Rowling.  Don't own Harry Potter, and not a part with Warner Bros., Scholastic, or anything else that is associated with Harry Potter.  I'm an eighteen-year old fan girl with no life and I am making no money off this trifle (epic) of a story.  If I were, I could afford to buy new shoes, but as I can't, I am dirt poor.

Part Twenty-One:  And the Sorting Hat Said...

A soft simmering came from Kali's caldron as she started to stir her potion.  All around her she could hear her classmates chattering as they brewed.  Very little attention was being paid to the assignments, and if her father's snide remarks toward Neville Longbottom coming from somewhere to her left were any indication, the lack of focus was going unappreciated.

"You would think people wouldn't feel a need to gossip so much," said Ron, as he dropped two unicorn hairs into their mixture and plopped back down into his chair.  Kali continued to stir.

"Curiosity is part of human nature.  Look at Harry," she replied, shrugging.  "Hey, look!  The book says out potion should be mauve at this stage and it is!  We're actually doing it right!"

Looking up from the Potions book, Ron couldn't help but smile at Kali's excitement, especially when a good portion of the class had ruined theirs through a lack of proper concentration.  Poor Kali rarely got her potion right, and doing it correctly when most had gotten it wrong had to be like a little slice of paradise for her.  An explosion sounded from somewhere near Pansy Parkinson's and Millicent Buldstrode's screeching, and Snape's angry voice once again joined the myriad of sound.  Ron was just glad that Snape was distracted and finally yelling at someone else for a change.

"Well, of course our potion is the right color.  You are my partner."

"Yeah," said Kali, laughing, as she sat down squarely in his lap.  "Part of me wonders if he paired us up to help me or, given my Potions record, to torture you."

"Maybe both.  Kill two birds with one stone."

"Maybe.  Considering my father, that's probably it.  Does anyone actually kill birds with stones?"

Ron shrugged.  "I can't believe all the commotion."

"Me either.  How do you think Draco's doing?"

"Nervous.  Harry said something about going to see him after class.  It's a good thing he's not here.  He'd be wetting himself form the way classes have been going.  I never actually thought I'd be concerned about Draco Malfoy."

"It seems like he's changed a lot."

"He has."

The bell sounded, signaling the end of classes, but Snape's voice cut through the sounds of rummaging as he whisked to the front of the room.

"Silence!" he bellowed and the rummaging stopped, all eyes turned forward.  "Bottle up you potions and take them with you.  We'll be testing them next week so I do hope you were paying good attention.  Twenty points will be taken from both Gryffindor and Slytherin.  Perhaps next time the focus will be on your lessons rather than gossip over one Draco Malfoy."

With the distinct feeling of being dismissed, the rummaging resumed.

"Kailah," said Snape as Kali was packing up and she, along with the watchful eyes of curious students, turned forward.  "Nice job today.  I'm actually impressed.  Ten points to Gryffindor."

"You really are turning into a softie, Daddy," she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder.  "We're going to see Draco before the resorting.  I can come by tonight if you'd like."

"Don't bother.  I'll just be grading second year assignments and you'd grow very bored very fast, which would result in your incessant chattering, distracting me from properly grading."

"I love you, too.  I could work on Potions.  I could bring Ron."

Snape cocked and eyebrow and scanned Ron.  "Really?"

"Undo it," whispered Ron.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come by?"

"Come tomorrow and feel free to bring Mister Weasley."

Kali's lips twitched.  "His name is Ron."

"Yes, yes," he said, waving his hand.  "And Kailah?  While you're visiting Mister Malfoy, do thank him for causing such a riot in my classes today.  I do love it so much."

"Whiner," she quipped, slipping her arm through Ron's.  "I'm going."

Shooting a piercing gaze at Ron, he replied, "I'm glad."

Passing a leering Pansy demon, Kali pulled Ron out into the hall where Harry had been smart enough to escape to already with Hermione and Blaise in tow.  Once joined with them, they headed out of the dungeons and in the direction of the hospital wing.  They headed through the halls and, arriving at the infirmary, pushed open the door.  After saying hello to Madam Pomfrey, they headed past her for the room where Draco was staying to find him laboring over a Transfiguration text and cursing under his breath.

"Having fun?" asked Harry, coming up behind him and placing a kiss to his cheek.

"Hardly.  Glad to see you lot.  I've been going nutters ever since this morning.  I can't believe Dumbledore thought it would be a good idea to announce my resorting for tonight.  I can't believe I have to do it in front of the whole school.  I already owled my mother about it.  I figure she should hear it from me before she hears it from anyone else."

"Good figuring," said Blaise, picking up the Transfiguration book.  "Humans to animals.  Nice.  Thinking of turning someone into a ferret?"

"Sod off."

"What is this about a ferret?" asked Kali as she wrapped her arms around Ron's waist and rested her head on his chest.

"Nothing," said Draco, quickly.

"I'll tell you later," Ron leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"So, who are you planning to transfigure?" asked Hermione, who was now peering over Blaise's shoulder to see the book.

"I don't know."  He shrugged and sat down next to Harry on the bed.  "I guess the Pomfrey bitch if I'm stuck here any longer.  Give me a week and our mediwitch will be a mule."

"A mule?" asked Harry, grinning.  Draco nodded.  "Why a mule?"

"Cause she's a stubborn fuck."

"Speaking of Pomfrey and getting out of the hospital wing, your resorting is in a few hours.  How're you feeling?"

"Nervous.  As long as you're all here to support me, I think I'll be okay."

"Glad to hear it.  Have you talked to Padma about us yet?"

Draco nodded.  "She came by during lunch to find out why I was hiding out when I should be eating.  I told her my nerves were keeping me from being too hungry.  The chances of vomiting were too high.  She asked about the restoring and I told her what happened with Dumbledore yesterday and then I told her about you."

"I hope that went okay," said Blaise.  "Padma seems cool like that."

"I actually went really great.  I explained about you, too, Blaise.  I think she was glad to finally have a reason for the way we've been - er - hostile for lack of a better term."

"Hostile, indeed."

"So, Harry?" asked Draco.  "You ever going to tell me about that hippogriff?"

"It was only brought up yesterday!  Impatient to find out about Buckbeak, are we?"

"I'm just reminding you.  Besides, I'm naturally impatient.  I worked so hard in trying to get that animal destroyed, pretended my arm was in pain for months, and then it disappeared.  No one knows how it got away but I know you know.  You have to tell me."

Hermione and Ron snickered but Harry just gave them warning looks and flashed Draco a big, bright smile.  "I'll tell you one day.  I promise.  For now you need to screw up your courage because you have a half hour before we got to dinner and the resorting starts."

"All right, then.  You can keep your secrets for now.  Can I have some time alone?"

"Sure.  See you at the resorting."

"Okay."  Draco tangled his fingers in the hair at the nape of Harry's neck, pulled him close in and captured Harry's lips with his own.  "I'll see you at dinner," he murmured against Harry's mouth.

"Bye."

Ron had to grab Harry's collar to pull him away from Draco, their slightly parted lips still touching until Ron broke the contact.

"Come on, Harry," he said, slightly amused.  Draco watched, smirking, as Ron pulled Harry from the room, the latter with his eyes on Draco until he left the room.  Kali, Hermione, and Blaise said their goodbyes and then followed, snickering at Harry's attempts to get back in there and say a more private goodbye.

Dropping to his bed, Draco pulled his knees up to his chest and let his head fall to rest on them.  His thoughts drifted starting with the pleasant thoughts of Harry and that kiss, the way their fingers intertwined, and their lips so close that they were sharing the same oxygen.  Happy thoughts were only infiltrated by the depressing:  his father, what had happened to get him stuck here in this situation in the first place, and what he was going to say when he saw his mother again.  Even the odd thoughts, the ones where his mind just couldn't quite comprehend what was being transmitted, like the fact he and Ron Weasley had actually become friends since his self-mutilation episodes.  Finally, apprehension began to sink in his gut as he thought of the resorting.  Getting ready to head to the Great Hall, Draco couldn't help but think he would give almost anything to be anywhere but here.

~*~

"Hey, Harry," said Blaise, grasping Harry by the arm as they approached the Great Hall.  "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Er -" he started.

"Are you coming, Harry?" asked Hermione.

"I'll be in soon.  I just need to talk to Blaise for a second."

Nodding, Hermione, Ron, and Kali filed into the Great Hall leaving Blaise and Harry alone.  Walking off to the side where students wouldn't be wandering past them every ten seconds, Blaise ducked into an alcove, not bothering to see whether Harry was following or not.  He got lucky as Harry ducked in right behind him.

"So what's this all about?" asked Harry running his fingers through his disheveled mess of hair.

"I have to give you 'the talk.'"

"The what?"

"As the ex-boyfriend, I feel the need to give you 'the talk.'"

"Is this really necessary?"

"Look, Draco's a good guy.  A bit of an arsehole sometimes, definitely arrogant, but a good guy all the same.  He's going through a rough time right now.  I don't need to tell you that because we both know.  I come from experience when he's at a point like this only right now, he actually wants help.  Draco gets defensive and he's going to put up a lot of walls.  I'm surprised he's let you in to begin with."

"Are you going somewhere with this, Blaise?"

"Just treat him right, okay?  He's a pain in the arse but he's worth it."

"You don't need to tell me that.  I already know."

"I know.  You look at him the way I look at him.  The only difference is that he looks at you back."

"Sorry."

"No need to be.  I just felt compelled to say it.  Treat him right.  You can help him.  He doesn't let me in and I don't know why but he lets you in.  You've been together for . . . what?  A week?  He trusts you more than he's ever trusted me and I don't know why.  The fact of the matter is you need to be good to him because he'll let you.  He wants help but he wants it from you so that automatically makes it your responsibility to give it to him."

"Don't worry about it, Blaise.  I will."

Pursing his lips, Blaise nodded.  "I know."

He turned from Harry and headed for the doors to the Great Hall.  With no other options, Harry headed in the same direction.  As he reached the entrance, an arm snaked around his waist, spinning him around and Harry found himself pressed to Draco's chest before he had time to register what just happened.

"Hey," said Draco, his voice low and tone breathless.  "Waiting for me?"

"Not exactly unless you want me to have been," he answered, leaning forward to press his lips to Draco's.  "Is this okay with you?  I mean, here in public.  I know nobody knows. . ."

Placing a finger to Harry's lips, Draco said, "I know but I've been through a lot at this school already.  Everyone stares at me anyway.  May as well get this all out now rather than drag it out."

"Fair enough," mumbled Harry against Draco's index finger, which was still firmly pressed against Harry's lips.  Removing his finger, Draco slid it over Harry's lips and over his cheek before curling it back into a fist.  As his hand dropped to his side, Draco placed his lips where his finger had been, kissing Harry full on.

"I guess we go in now"

"I guess so."

"I'm still nervous."

"Don't be."

"What if it puts me back in Slytherin?"

"It won't."

"How do you know?"

"Because I remember you from the first year.  You aren't the same person you were when I met you at Madam Malkin's or the person who stepped off the train."

Seeming to consider this, Draco frowned then nodded.  "Okay, let's go."  Sliding his hand into Harry's for a short squeeze of support, Draco entered the Great Hall. Draco felt Harry place a quick kiss on his cheek before reluctantly letting go of his hand and heading for the front.  Harry veered to the side as he headed for the Gryffindor table and caught sight of the stool and Sorting Hat sitting before the Head Table.

"As those of you present at breakfast this morning know, tonight is a very rare and special occasion," started Dumbledore once Draco made it to the front.  "Tonight will be the eighth resorting ceremony to take place in Hogwarts' history, the second in this century."

"Mister Malfoy," said McGonagall, motioning to the hat.

Casting a glance to the Gryffindor table, Draco scanned the students watching him.  He desperately needed to see Harry for reassurance before this happened.  Just as the Sorting Hat fell on his head, Draco caught sight of Harry intently staring at him and he smiled.

'Ah yes, Draco Malfoy,' the small voice of the Sorting Hat whispered in his ear.  'I remember you well.  So much of Slytherin exuded from you; it surprises me you think I was wrong.'

'I don't think you were wrong,' Draco thought, gripping tight to the cuff of his sleeve.  'I just think I've changed.'

'Changed.  Oh yes, changed indeed.  You no longer strive to prove yourself.'

'I've already done it,' Draco retorted.  'I made my father proud.  Just put me where I belong.'

'Still cunning,' the hat continued, 'and a great deal of loyalty.  You would do well in all four houses.  No doubt, you still would do well in Slytherin though your mind begs not to return there.  Too many bad memories, no doubt.  You would do well in all four houses but as for doing great things. . .I know!  RAVENCLAW!"

It was in a haze that Draco joined Padma at the Ravenclaw table but he got the distinct impression that despite the fuzzy cloud around his mind, he was smiling the whole time.

"Congratulations," he could hear Padma say once sound began to come back into his head.  Food had already filled up on the plates and now that the Pomfrey bitch had been regularly feeding him, he figured he should actually eat.  She wouldn't be happy if he missed a meal.  That could lead to the belief of digression.  "I'm glad you got sorted with us."

"It wanted to put me back in Slytherin," said Draco, softly.

"You still have a lot of Slytherin traits," said Padma.  "It doesn't mean anything.  You wouldn't have been put here if you didn't belong with us."

"Draco," said Harry, sitting down beside him.  "Hi, Padma."

"Hi, Harry."

"What are you doing over here?" asked Draco.

"Blocking the icy glare from your former house mates," said Harry, grinning.  "Come on.  You didn't really think I'd sit over there at Gryffindor and let you deal with this alone.  Besides, Hermione and Ginny won't shut up and I'm getting sick of hearing Ron and Kali's sappy talk."  Harry paused, looking at Draco carefully.  "What's wrong?"

"The hat wanted to put him back in Slytherin," said Padma.  "It's no big deal."

"No, Draco, it's really not."

"It feels like a big deal."

"Draco, what did it say?"

"That I'd do well back in Slytherin."

"Draco, no one is really cut out for one house and one house alone.  I mean, so you still have a lot of Slytherin qualities and the hat saw that but you didn't want to go there.  It's not a bad thing and you should know better than anyone that being a Slytherin isn't a bad thing."

"No.  I know it's not.  I love Slytherin.  It's just . . . I feared for a moment that I was going to get sent back there.  I didn't want to be sleeping in that dorm and remembering everything.  I don't want to run from things but it's not right to ask a person to go back and live where they attempted suicide.  Memories can fuck up your judgment."

"I know," said Harry.  "If it makes you feel any better, the Sorting Hat almost put me in Slytherin."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah.  It kept telling me how Slytherin would help me on the way to greatness but I freaked out because you were in Slytherin and I knew about the Slytherin reputation.  I ended up begging for anything but Slytherin even if I had to sit on that stool for an hour.  Thankfully, it put me in Gryffindor."

"Thanks, Harry.  That's sweet.  There's nothing like hearing someone got sorted because they begged not to be put in my house because of me."

"Well, it wasn't entirely because of you.  I didn't want to end up evil."

"And I don't want to end up dead just yet."

"It's okay, Draco.  I was almost a Hufflepuff," said Padma. 

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she said, laughing.  "Ravenclaw will welcome you with open arms and you can move in whenever you like.  I know you want to get away from Madam Pomfrey.  We're a good group.  I promise, you'll do great there.  And if you need a shoulder to lean on, I'll be there."

"Thanks," he answered and went back to his meal.

Will be updated every Monday as long as I am permitted to do so.  Eh . . . leave a Review?  Please?  *begs*  I love them.  They make me smile and be pleasant and that makes me write more.  *grin*

Or you could email me at angeldlsm00@hotmail.com

No flames, please.  They burn.  *ouch!*