The nerves. She felt nervous. Time after time she looked at her hands and saw that the trembling was more and more distinct. She felt that she would be a Gryffindor, but she cared about something completely different. Hermione Granger wanted to get closer to her father before telling him about who she is to him. She doubted that she could do this while wearing red.
- Don't be nervous, Hermione. - The girl heard Harry's whisper. They didn't know each other for long but the boy tried to console her in his own way. - No matter what house we go to, remember that I am with you. I'm not gonna let the old hat decide who to talk to.
- Thank you. - The girl felt that a delicate smile appeared on her face. - Hope you don't change your mind later.
- I won't. Give me a hand. I'll hold you, maybe it'll help soothe your nerves.
xxx
A blonde boy watched the interaction between a certain Hermione Granger and Harry Potter.
- What are you looking at, Draco? - Theodor Nott said leaning towards his friend.
- Haven't you noticed Theo? Look at the bushy-haired girl who caught the attention of the heir to the Ancient House of the Malfoys. - Blaise Zabini replied. - Don't say that you didn't notice her holding the boy who was standing next to her by the hand.
- Blaise, as if you didn't know that our little Draco doesn't like and doesn't even know how to share.
Draco didn't answer. He didn't know what was happening to him. He was only eleven. He hadn't even spoken to this girl and had already developed a strong sense of ownership towards her.
xxx
Severus Snape had been watching the children approach the Sorting Hat for many years. For years, one of the professors' entertainment was bets for assigning new students. This year was no different. He usually didn't join the game, but this time he made an exception.
- I bet 10 galleons that the girl standing next to Mr. Potter will get under my wings. - he said leaning towards Minerva McGonagall.
- Miss Granger? - She replied surprised. - I do not think so. I think she will become a Lion despite her unnatural attraction to green. - She added with a smile on her face.
- Then you take the bet?
- Of course. But I would exchange galleons for Fire Whiskey, which you hide from me in your rooms. The one Lord Malfoy gave you for your last birthday. - The woman stretched out her hand to him.
- Then ... If I win, I take the scotch that you keep in your office.
- Agreed. - the bet was confirmed by a handshake.
xxx
Minerva McGonagall, after completing the song of the Sorting Hat, got up from the main table and stood at the stool where every new Hogwarts student had been going through the ceremony for several hundred years. Not everyone knew it, but this chair was the same age as the tiara and both she and Director Dumbledore started their adventure in this stool.
- Attention, now I will read the names. The Summoned will come up to me and put the Tiara on my head. After the assignment, she will sit among her new friends and colleagues. Understand? When she heard an uncertain murmur resembling the word "yes", she unrolled the parchment and read the first name. - Hannah Abott !
xxx
Albus Dumbledore wasn't patient in his youth. However, with age, he developed this skill. He knew that thanks to this, he had achieved more than he could ever achieve with Gellert. This man was too theatrical. Unfortunately. Thanks to his new strategy, by rejecting Gellert as the lizard throws back his tail in case of danger, he has reached a position where no one questions his actions. Therefore, no one wondered why young Potter moved to live with his aunt's family instead of his magical godparents. Nobody checked the truth of Sirius Black's words because he, the greatest wizard of today, questioned his claims.
He was pleased with himself that Harry Potter had developed the way he wanted. In a bad family, with no friends and no knowledge of the magic world. He had some feelings for this boy, he didn't even know what, but he understood that he had to return to the wizarding world weak. Susceptible to the influence of others. On his influence. It will be a good year. Little by little, he will prepare him to accept his destiny. For the greater good.
xxx
- Hermione Granger ! - Minerva was looking at the nervous girl who was the subject of the bet with Severus. She wondered what attracted him about Miss Granger to make him decide to join their little fun?
Hermione, who had almost gotten her nerves under control, walked over to the tiara on wobbly legs. After she grabbed her hat and put it on her head, she held her breath for a moment.
- Easy my love. I won't do anything to you. I will just go over your memories and desires. - said the voice in her head.
- Is it legal? - The question was asked before the girl could think. - how does it work?
- Don't you want to get to know your home for the next seven years?
- I want to, but I have never spoken to a magic object, and I want to ask you a few questions. Well, unless there is a time limit for sorting.
- There isn't. I'm surprised you want to talk with me. It rarely happens. Usually, kids want to get away quickly and sit down at the table. Therefore, you can choose your own House and I will announce this decision as my own.
- It's not a simple proposition, is it? I would like to go to my father's house, but I was afraid that it would not fit there. Would you put me in Slytherin? - she asked hopefully.
- Of course. You have the right of origin to be in it. After that, you're already more of a Slytherin than most of the others I put in there. Because of your inquisitiveness, I might consider Ravenclaw. For a kind heart you could become a Hufflepuff. You also have courage, which is why you would fit Gryffindor. However, you have many of Professor Snape's qualities. It will be interesting to see how your interaction unfolds.
- Could you answer my questions? After all, the issue of allocation is over. - she asked.
- Reading minds and viewing memories is illegal when done without consent. By deciding to come to this school, you have unconsciously given this consent. Be calm. Your secrets become my secrets.
- Well, are you somebody or something anyway?
- Something and someone at the same time. Listen, child. You've probably noticed the portraits moving around. They move thanks to the magical essence they contain. Similarly, the magical essence has been placed in me.
- Hm. Then who were you before? Or rather, who did you get your essence from? - Hermione was really intrigued.
- Godric Gryffindor, my lady. I'd kiss your hand if I could. - he replied with noticeable amusement.
- One of the founders? How were the students sorted beforehand?
- There was no split. There were so few students that there was no point in doing it. - Hermione noticed that the voice was more matter-of-fact this time.
- I'll have a chance to talk to you again?
- Probably not in this form. Somewhere in this school is my portrait, and interestingly, it's not in the Gryffindor Tower. Will you try to find me?
- Yes. - A smile appeared on the girl's face.
xxx
Severus stared at the girl. He didn't know what was actually going on. The record so far when sorting was less than five minutes. Hermione Granger will go down in history. There was still no result after the quadrant.
xxx
Interesting. Interesting indeed. Albus Dumbledore hated being ignorant. It turns out that, in addition to Harry Potter, there is another special student. If only he could overhear her conversation with Tiara as usual. The Tiara itself could not be overheard, but the children during the ceremony were so stressed that he could not only read their thoughts but also influence them. Influence so as to get the result that is right for him. He would have liked to bring Miss Granger to Gryffindor, but unfortunately he was effectively cut off. Now he would have to focus on Harry. Fortunately, the first people Harry met in the magical world were Hagrid and the Weasley family. He clearly suggested to Molly that she should take the boy into her family. For his safety. Molly didn't argue with him.
xxx
- Can you give me any clue to finding your portrait? You definitely know the location.
- I know and the clue is that there are portraits of all four founders in one place. In other rooms you will also meet them, but only one set was painted in our lifetime. Remember you have to be strong, because until you reveal the truth about your father, you will be treated like a Muggle-born. Make Severus Snape proud of you. SLYTHERIN !
Hermione felt the weight lift off her shoulders. She hadn't even heard the applause from her new home. She stumbled to the table. As she passed Harry Potter, she grabbed his wrist and whispered. - Now it's your turn. - She waited until she saw a smile on his face and walked on.
xxx
Draco could barely hide his satisfaction. Having it in his home will have easier access to it. He would have to consult his mother. Either he exaggerates or reveals a "Black" temperament inherited from her side. His joy faded a little as he saw her stop next to Potter. And she didn't sit down with the rest of the Slytherins. Just away from the rest.
- I think she might be afraid to sit there because of her blood. Muggle-born in Slytherin is not a common occurrence. Even the half-bloods are few. Or maybe she wanted to be sure⦠- Theo said.
- Certainty? - Draco interrupted him.
- That there would be a seat next to her for her friend. - Blaise finished.
- Goddamn it Blaise!
- You're exaggerating. We're only eleven and you're already looking for women.
- My parents got engaged when they were 14 years old. It took them almost two years to draw up the engagement contract. So what do you think I have left before they get me a contract?
Draco looked at Zabini's surprised expression with satisfaction. This girl caught his attention and he did not want anyone to beat him before deciding what relationship he would like to establish with her.
xxx
Hermione Granger sat uneasily at the table. She didn't feel the need to sit down with the others until she told them her status. She didn't want to spoil her mood after she achieved her goal. It wasn't worth it. After that, she waited for Harry's assignment. And Ron. She liked the first one just like that. The second, despite being overly expressive, was likeable. To her complete surprise.
xxx
Severus breathed a sigh of relief. He gained a student who reminded him of someone and kept Fire Whiskey from Lucius. In truth, the alcohol could be returned without regret if he lost, but the fact that he still has every bottle donated since they were friends with Lucius made it a sentimental souvenir. He was looking at the girl. He really reminds him of someone. If only he could match the face to the person. It would be easier for him. Perhaps he will be able to solve this mystery when he takes her under his wing as the Caretaker of the House.
xxx
Slytherin? Really Slyterin? Why the hell Slytherin? Why do most wizards with a powerful magic core get into this house? Albus was nervous. For so many years he has placed all the pieces on his chessboard. Why didn't he foresee it? Why didn't he know about her? Thanks to the registry of magical children, he had access to information about the new student from the day of the first outbreak of random magic. If he had known about her, he would have directed her to go where he wanted to. Now he will have to figure out how to get her to Gryffindor to get another card. After all, the Potter kid liked her.
xxx
Harry, standing among the people waiting for the assignment, looked around the room. It was unlike anything he had seen before. It would be unique, even stripped of magic. He also watched with concern with concern for the people he would meet regularly over the next seven years. Your future lecturers. His attention was caught by a man looking alive out of a horror movie. But considering the fact that this school is far from being normal, he wouldn't be surprised at all if he really was a vampire. He caught his eye even more than the owner of a supernaturally large purple turban next to him or an old man with a gray beard wearing what resembled the robe worn by wizards in Disney cartoons.
- Harry Potter!
The voice of a stern woman who was in charge of assignments to individual houses broke him out of his thoughts. He was walking confidently. After all, wearing the Sorting Hat was not a terrible thing. At least compared to the troll fight that Ron's brothers mentioned. However, he found it hard to ignore the rising whispers about him. As soon as he sat down on a stool and his hat landed on his head he heard a soft voice. A voice that comes not from outside, but from the center of his thoughts.
- Hello, Mr. Potter. I've been waiting for you. Can I start my work? Or maybe you have an idea where would you like to be?
- In the morning I thought that I would ask you not to end up in Slytherin but I changed my mind. - he replied confidently.
- So you want to be in this House?
- That's not what I meant. Until and even after Hermione's meeting, I met people who were reluctant to this house. However, with one simple remark she made me realize that I had biased myself not on the basis of evidence but on the basis of the opinions of others. I want you to sort me to a house where I can develop. I can handle the rest.
xxx
Minerva McGonagall did not know what was happening. First, Miss Granger spent a quarter of an hour before being assigned and, despite her Muggle status, she became a Slytherin, and thus lost her 50-year-old Macallan to Severus. Then she noticed a young Malfoy who was intensely watching the girl. If she was the head of her house, she could help, yes? She doubted that Severus would stand up for her. And finally Harry. She thought that having both parents in Gryffindor, he would immediately be assigned to her house. Surprisingly, after more than 5 minutes, the selection has still not been announced.
xxx
After a brief awkward silence, Harry finally asked. - Have you got a decision ready?
- From what I can see in your head, there is only one answer. Remember that you will have support there. SLYTHERIN !
There was silence in the Great Hall. Smiling Harry turned towards Hermione to sit next to her. He saw neither Severus Snape's surprised look, nor the angry expression on Albus Dumbledore's face.
xxx
Hermione smiled. She felt at peace that Harry had been assigned to the same House as her.
- And how? Were you expecting this?
- Honestly? Nope. But I have you and I know it will be okay. Why did you sit so far? - He asked, looking over to the other side of the table.
- I'm a muggle-born. I didn't want to spoil my mood with some inexorable comments about my blood. Besides, I have never been outgoing. - she replied.
- I did not see it on the train. Neither on the platform. - he smiled at her
- I get along more easily in smaller groups. Now you have to keep your fingers crossed for Ron. I hope he made it clear to himself that he doesn't have to be a Gryffindor to have fun at school.
- He's set to be a lion. I think it's because of his family. When you went looking for Trevor, he mentioned that literally everyone in the family was one.
- Be careful. Now you have to keep your fingers crossed so that the lion turns into a snake.
- I like how you think. - A smile spread across Harry's face.
xxx
Severus Snape grabbed his head and said in a barely audible whisper. - What the hell is going on here? He was unaware that he shared the thought with Albus Dumbledore, who was thinking intensely how to adapt his plans to the new circumstances.
xxx
Harry and Hermione watched Ron carefully as he walked towards the Gryffindor table. They hoped for a different result, but decided to try to make Ron understand that Leo can be friends with the Serpent.
xxx
I separated Ron from the rest. I know cruel, but I'm not going to disconnect him from Harry and Hermione. After all, who said that friendship inter-House cannot exist?
