Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own any of these people or places.
Chapter 2: The Sorting
It took only a second for Hermione to recover from the onslaught of compliments from her Head of House, before she was spewing facts straight out of Hogwarts, A History. She explained to Madeline the tradition of the four houses, including the mascots, colors, and the traits each represented. As Hermione began explaining the Ravenclaw House and how she had nearly been put there by the Sorting Hat, she was rudely interrupted by the person she hated the most (second to Voldemort himself, of course).
"No need to tell her all that rubbish about the other houses Granger. I think it's quite obvious she'll be joining Slytherin. I'm Draco, by the way. Draco Malfoy. It's a pleasure to meet you Madeline." Before Madeline could even respond, Hermione had shot back a response.
"I don't think so Malfoy. She's McGonagall's niece. She definitely belongs to Gryffindor."
"Wait a minute Hermione. What about us? Doesn't Hufflepuff get a shot at her?" Ernie Macmillan chimed in, appearing out of nowhere.
"Excuse me, but she obviously is not going to be in Hufflepuff," Hermione retorted, "or Slytherin for that matter," shooting a look at Malfoy.
"Well I think she'd make a great Ravenclaw," chirped Luna Lovegood as she passed by, a Quibbler in hand.
"Luna, you're not even in 6th year Transfiguration. You have no idea what we're talking about," Hermione snapped. Luna just shrugged, but stayed where she was taking everything in with her round, buggy eyes. Quite a crowd was gathering as the prefects got louder and louder, arguing over Madeline's house placement. The subject of the argument had flattened herself against the wall to avoid getting her nose blown off by the flourishes of angry wands, obviously wanting nothing to do with the decision herself. All of a sudden a door slammed somewhere down the hall, followed by the roar of an absolutely livid Professor Snape.
"What is going on out here? Some of us have got work to do! 10 points from Griffyndor!"
"But-but Professor-" Hermione sputtered.
"I have absolutely no doubt that you are the reason behind this uprising Miss Granger. Do not even try to convince me otherwise." He turned to go back towards the dungeons, from whence he had come.
"Actually Professor," Snape's head snapped around at hearing Malfoy's voice, "it was her." Malfoy pointed a long, pale finger in Madeline's direction. Snape glared down his greasy nose at Madeline who was presently cowering against the stone wall looking entirely too much like a frightened baby bird. All of a sudden the bickering erupted again, as everyone tried to explain exactly what was going on and why she must be in their houses. The second outburst attracted more attention and Professor McGonagall came sweeping around the corner from her classroom.
"What is going on out here? Granger, Malfoy, you are prefects. You too Macmillan. Have you no concept of responsibility? What exactly do you think you are doing? And you, Hermione are supposed to be teaching my niece how to get along with other students, not how to fight them in the halls!" McGonagall lectured.
"It is precisely your niece, Minerva, that started this in the first place. I knew this was a bad idea. This is precisely why we do not normally accept transfer students. However, Dumbledore will break any rule for his dear Minerva and her brat of a niece." Snape informed her icily.
"Excuse me, Severus, but I would prefer you leave Madeline out of this. If you have a problem with Dumbledore or I, you take that up with us, not with her. I will also remind you that the board voted to allow Madeline entry to Hogwarts. You are also aware, I am sure, of the circumstances that brought about Madeline's necessary transfer. Or have you forgotten the horrors that are happening outside of this castle?" Turning her gaze from Snape to Hermione, (who was, herself, pondering the reason for Madeline's transfer) she continued, "Now Miss Granger would you kindly explain what is going on?"
"Well Professor, it seems that we all want Madeline in our own house. You never really said where she should stay, though I imagine you certainly intended her to join Gryffindor," Hermione answered.
"Ahh, I think I might be of some help in that department," came a knowing voice from down the hall, "or rather, a certain, very reliable hat I keep in my office," Dumbledore said with a chuckle. Stroking his beard, he continued, "I don't know why I didn't realize this before now. Obviously she should have been sorted just like the first years were last night. I'm sorry my dear for the oversight." He placed a hand on Madeline's shoulder and smiled at her warmly. "You all head to the Great Hall while I fetch the Sorting Hat. I might even be able to convince the house elves to fix us up a little midmorning snack. If nothing else, we can share a box of Cracker Jacks from my personal cupboards!" and off he scurried towards his office.
As the mob of students (with timid Madeline at its heart) made its way through the corridors, it gained in size and volume. By the time they reached the Great Hall nearly all the 6th years had joined in, along with half the 5th and 7th years. A moment later Dumbledore swept into the Great Hall and unceremoniously dumped the Sorting Hat onto a rickety wooden stool. The hat twitched a bit and gave a tired yawn before starting its song:
Excuse me for this pitiful try
I normally don't sing again till a year goes by
I was enjoying a nice long nap
When Dumbledore gave me a rousing tap
And told me I had just a moment to prepare
Before Miss Madeline would surely wear
This worn out cap upon her head
So I jumped from my cozy bed
And composed this on the fly
Now hurry up, I'm so sleepy I could die
The students gave the Sorting Hat an enthusiastic, albeit somewhat disappointed round of applause.
"I guess it usually does have all year to prepare for this," Harry whispered to Ron after hearing the miserable ballad composed for Madeline's sorting. Dumbledore motioned for Madeline to take a seat on the stool and crowned her with the Sorting Hat. It writhed about, trying to get comfortable, on her head of raven locks. Finally, the hat shouted what most had been expecting, "Gryffindor!" Hermione and her friends erupted into joyous cheers and she shot Malfoy a smug look. The rest of Gryffindor house swept Madeline along victoriously towards their common room.
A/N: Here's another quick little chapter. I hope y'all enjoy it. I'll try to get another one up this afternoon, but that will prolly be the last one for a while, seeing as how I'll be reading the Half-Blood Prince all weekend! Please read and review!