Conversations with a Hat

Have you ever wondered about what goes on between the ickle-firstie on the stool and the Sorting Hat? How much do the first years influence their placement? Or was Harry a special case? What could have possessed the Hat to put people where he put them? Well, now it's time for you to find out.

Disclaimer: I don't own this. You know that. I know that. My stuffed bear knows that.

Author's Note: I'm sorry it's been so long since the last update. Read now, the author's note is at the bottom. Ooh, this Sorting is 7 words longer than the last one.

Replies—at bottom.

Hermione Granger's Sorting

Hermione realized that the names were being called in alphabetical order. She waited. "Finnigan, Seamus" was called and became a Gryffindor.

She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. She was really here! She'd had strange things happen to her as a child and she'd done research on a dozen topics, trying to find some sort of explanation. She hadn't found a suitable explanation until her letter from Hogwarts came. When the letter came, there was just a feeling of knowing that this was the right answer and the right place to be.

"Granger, Hermione."

Oh, that's me! she thought. She tried not to look smug while she walked up to the stool and sat down, jamming the hat down over her head. She sat there and waited for something to happen. She didn't have to wait long.

"Hello, Miss Granger."

"You know my name?"

"And a lot of other things about you."

"Really?"

"Yes. You're quite a clever little witch, aren't you? Very studious, remarkable intellect, quite a good candidate for the Ravenclaw house. Although…"

"Although what?" she pressed.

"I see some courage here. You're rather bold. Outspoken. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were a chatterbox."

"I am not a chatterbox!"

The Hat gave a dry laugh. "Yes, you are, but you've got spunk. You're brave. I can see that already. A difficult choice for you."

"For me?"

"Yes, are you deaf as well as chatty?"

"Really, now that's most uncalled for. You're even more rude than that boy on the train today."

"Have I sorted him yet?"

"No, not yet."

"Ha, so you're paying attention to him?"

"I am not. Stop making insinuations, you beastly bonnet."

"Maybe that spark of courage is bigger than I thought it was. Beside, that was the first insinuation. I flat out told you that you're chatty."

Hermione thought about it and chose to ignore that last comment. "Me? Courageous? You must be joking."

"No, I'm not." Hermione could almost feel the Hat probing around her mind. "You took your Hogwarts letter as a leap of faith didn't you? And it looks like you'd do anything for a friend. But I can't forget your brains. You're most difficult. As a matter of fact, this years bunch seems more difficult than usual."

"Really?" she asked, intrigued.

"What's more important to you? Your brains or your heart?"

Hermione answered slowly. "My heart. Sometimes, even when all logic and evidence is against, you know something's right. There are certain exceptions to the rules that come from somewhere deep inside. I rely on my mind a lot, and I trust it, and I know I need it…but my heart…if my heart told me to go to the ends of the earth to look for something or someone, I'd go no matter what. I think that a person's heart is more important than their mind."

The Hat's reply was a little gentler this time. "Oh, you're bright. You're very bright. Brave too. I know just where you're going, my little witchling. You'll do quite well in GRYFFINDOR!"

Hermione whispered, "Thank you."

She had the distinct impression that the Hat was smiling, even though she couldn't see it as she took it off her head and walked to the applauding Gryffindor table. Applause? It was so nice to be welcomed. Not to be an outcast. Where should she sit? That red-haired boy with the glasses looked intelligent, cute too. And he had a badge! He must be some sort of authority figure. It would be best to find out what she could now and while she ate. She took a seat near him and returned her gaze to where the rest of her new classmates were being Sorted. She knew she belonged here!

Author's Note: Next up will be either Lily Evans-Potter or Narcissa Malfoy! Thanks for everybody who has been reading and reviewing. I feel so special! Look, over 300 reviews! Like I said, I'm so sorry it's been so long since the last update. I'll try and make the next one come faster, but I can't make any promises. I warned in the first chapter that updates for this story might be kind of sporadic.

REPLIES:

Queen of Zan—Thanks so much for reviewing! I think I emailed you this already but if I didn't I've got 2 stories with Andromeda in them. There's 1 Week 'Til Bells Ring and Tonks Watch. Glad you liked it so much!

Eco Warrior—Thanks. Sorry it's been so long since I've updated. I had fun with Tonks and Sirius, so I'm glad you liked them.

Chocolate Monkey—Hehe, sorry it's been so long since I've updated this.

OrangeSodaSpill—Thanks. Dorcas Meadowes, huh? Sounds like it'd be a good one. Got a house preference for her?

Jennyroseangel—Andromeda is the mother of Nymphadora Tonks. She is the sister of Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. She's also Sirius Black's cousin. Thanks.

Sarah—Thanks. Lily's sorting might be the next one. I've finally got some ideas on hers that I think will work.

Mornings Light—Thanks. When I get a chance, I want to read how that works out with Padma and Parvati.

Dark Lady of Slytherin—Narcissa or Lily is going to be my next sorting. I've got some interesting ideas on both of them, although I'm not sure how you'll feel about either. Or actually how anyone will feel about them, but we'll see. Too true!

Jess131346—Lily might be my next one. I have to see how it goes. Wormtail I have to wait and see what to do about him. Figure just why he was put where he was put.

Kate—Thanks so much. I love it when my attempts to be original seem to work.

Kingsdork24—I'll get around to Dumbledore and McGonagall, and eventually Snape too. I've actually got plans for a story about Dumbledore's years at Hogwarts. His nickname is going to be "Alby". Hehe. I always want to do something about McGonagall's years at Hogwarts. Maybe her and Moody in the same class. Snape, well, he's a piece of work, isn't he? I'll get to him at some point.

Rider-of-Rohan23—Thanks. The only reason I didn't put her in Gryffindor is because I think she must have been older than Sirius (because Tonks is 5-6 years older than Harry) and so I think that Ravenclaw would have been more tolerable for the Black family than Gryffindor. If Andromeda had already gotten sorted into Gryffindor, it might not have been as big a deal about Sirius being sorted too. Ravenclaw the Blacks wouldn't have been thrilled with, but they probably wouldn't have minded too much. Lily might be next, her or Narcissa. I didn't forget. Did I make it believable enough for Hermione to end up in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw though?

Mac—Thanks. I thought birdbrain went pretty well with the Ravenclaws. Hehe. Thanks so much! Hope you liked this one.

Wings-of-Fantasy—Thanks. Hope Hermione was to your liking—

Phat a—I reply to every review because anyone who takes the time to be kind and review for me, deserves for me to take the same time for them. In most cases, the reviews aren't longer than the story, that's just the case with this story.

Missy—Aww, thanks. Bill and Charlie…I've been having thoughts about them lately actually. This is for an unrelated story, but what do you think of Charlie and Tonks as a couple?

Frankie Beeblebrox—Thanks. I had to have something to keep her away from those snakes. :-) Me too, the look on Bellatrix's face…

Achin 2 Lick Clays Neck—Thanks. I made up her personality, but as a character she exists. She is Sirius's cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy's sister, and the mother of Nymphadora Tonks. She's from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

JoJo—Thanks. Ginny…I actually had some ideas for her, but I want to keep thinking because some of them are really overused.

Rowan the Green Eyed Cat—Lily might be next. Not them so far because I have been uninspired as to why they were the way they were. I'm something of a Lily/James addict too. Most of my stories are L/J lately.

JKIJ—Hufflepuff sounds about right for Dung I think, though he could be a case like Snape who turned his loyalty to Dumbledore after Dumbledore got him out of some sort of tight spot. I could see Rita as a Ravenclaw. I always think it's fun to do sortings for people whose houses you don't know. I agree about dark Hufflepuffs. I have some Slytherins in mind who I think the Hat could have considered for Hufflepuff out of family loyalty and such. I also agree about a Hufflepuff being the least likely to become a Dark Lord, while being one of the hardest to turn away from a cause or group. I rather agree also about the limited differences between the houses. I think I'd probably be a Ravenclaw myself as well. Glad you liked Andromeda's sorting. I see Slytherin cunning somewhat related to Ravenclaw cleverness. Slytherins and Ravenclaws tend to think with their heads, whereas Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors tend to think with their hearts. True, a Slytherin would prefer their child to be a Slytherin over any other house. Personally, I love Hufflepuffs. Have you heard the phrase "Not everyone can be a Hufflepuff"? I happen to like it. Hope you liked Hermione.

Feline-go-meow—Thanks

Gryffindors-Light—Thanks. Yeah, I was kinda going for different with her.

Hi Im Crazy—Thanks so much!

Daintress—Thanks. I'm developing a fascination with them as well, I think. Yeah, I'm thinking Slytherin or Ravenclaw for Rita. Fletcher would probably be a Hufflepuff and I'd stick Shackelbolt in Gryffindor.

Jbfritz—Thanks. Hope you liked Hermione.

Ar-Zimraphel—Thanks. I tried to make her believable.

Padfootlet—Thanks. I think Ravenclaw is probably the most realistic house for her.

HyperOnCookies—Thanks. I hope you liked how Hermione turned out.

Briana Marie—No, not all of the reviews came in one day. Thanks so much!

Katie Lupin Black—I'll get to Snape, but I'm not sure when. Thanks. I love coming up with nicknames for the characters. I've got Remus as Re and Lily as Lillers in 2 of my stories. In two of my other stories Andromeda is Meda. Hehe.

FlamezFlyer—Thanks. Fudge…if only I know which house to put him in. He seems like a Slytherin ,but I don't see them electing a Slytherin to office so readily in a time when stuff is so troubled. Though, I guess that sounds kinda prejudice. MacNair would probably be a Slytherin. Kingsley will come in time. I don't have a clue on what to write for Dedalus Diggle. Maybe a Hufflepuff? Thanks.

PeRkieGuRL—Thanks. Dumbledore I have no clue what to write yet other than putting him in Gryffindor. Thanks, Percy's sorting was inspiration for the rest of the story.

Tigerlily98—Hope you like Hermione. I'm going to try to get to Snape. He's tricky. Ginny I've got ideas for, but some of them are so overused that I want to find something better for her. She deserves better.

Happynutcase—Thanks. Snape and Dumbledore will get done eventually. I hope you like Hermione!