AN: Long(ish) AN at the end (nothing bad). Love you all.
Also I will go over this later for typos, sensicalness, and stuff. Wanted to get a chappy out for y'all. Happy Valentine's Day : )
Minerva was waiting in Dumbledore's office after the disastrous sorting. He really has lost it, hasn't he? Aiming a wand at a student? Or at least, a hat on the student's head. The majestic woman paced, wanting nothing more than to transform into her cat animagus and pee on the old man's star-bangled robes. Or maybe give his desk chair a good scratching. She shook herself from her childish thoughts as the bearded wizard entered. He looked to have aged years in the hour since before dinner.
"Albus."
He met her stern eyes. Blasted blood magic.
"Min, I know. The sorting hat was supposed to work for us. I charmed it myself! It should've been a flawless and immediate victory. Now all the students will be watching her. Gah! A muggleborn in Slytherin? What went wrong?"
Dumbledore roared, his typically cunning features seeming harsh awash with anger. His fingers danced idly along his wand, itching to break something. Or someone.
"I have more bad news, Headmaster. Your scheme with the mail did not work. Miss Grang- Hermione, she told me she has visited the owlery. We weren't aware of any letters she sent out were we?"
Albus conjured a ball of energy, shooting it out of his office window. The display of power did little to quell his rage. This was not a good sign.
That morning, Draco hugged his Aunt goodbye before linking arms with his father. His mother would join them shortly after talking with her sister. How can Auntie Bella still be so sad? I'm not sad and Hermione was supposed to my friend. Maybe she should play quidditch or get a hobby.
Draco's thoughts caused a small smile to grow on Lucius's face before his magic pulled them with a snap outside of King's Cross Station. It seemed so muggle to get excited over, but it was his first year and Draco couldn't wait to walk through the platform gate.
Once Narcissa joined the duo, they crossed into the platform that housed the Hogwarts Express. As much as he had been looking forward to starting at Hogwarts, the young boy struggled to hold back tears as he hugged his mom tightly around the waist. He stuck out a hand to shake his father's before leaping up into the blond man's arms for a proper goodbye. Narcissa wrapped her arms around her two men, encircling Draco.
"My dear, I know you will make your father and I proud. Be good, listen to Uncle Sev and try to look out for Hermione. Make friends. Write to us once a week and I'll see you in October."
Narcissa bit back tears as well, wanting to remain strong for her son. It's not like I'm losing him.
The train whistled, causing Draco to squirm from his parents' arms.
"I love you. I'll be good, I'll write. I'll do my best with Hermione"
With the farewell, he bounded aboard the train, making a beeline for the sweets cart. I hope they haven't sold out of Master Flume's homemade fudge. When he arrived at the Honeyduke Express, the platinum boy crashed into another first year, his plain black robes giving away his status as currently unsorted. The other boy sprawled out on the floor, losing his round glasses. Draco hurriedly offered his hand, wanting to have a clean slate for his first year.
"Sorry about that. I'm Draco. Can I buy you a chocolate frog to make up for it? I really lost my balance."
The young man pushed Draco's hand away before spitting at the ground by the apologetic boy's feet.
"Get away from me, Malfoy. You and your family are murderous scum and I wouldn't take a candy from you. Might be a nightshade."
The dark haired young man shoved past the surprised boy, a redhead in tow who glanced at Draco fearfully.
"Are you mad, Harry? That's a Malfoy right there! You can tell by the hair and his little rat face. You can't go knocking him around! His dad is-"
"I know who his dad is, Ron! My dad is important too, he's in line for Head Auror. And when that happens all those gits are going to rot in Azkaban where they belong!"
A compartment door slid shut behind the heated boys, robbing Draco from hearing the rest of their conversation. My family aren't murderers. Draco made his purchase before searching for an empty room, where he sat quietly for the rest of the ride.
Hermione enjoyed a quiet breakfast with Stoozy. I hope we can continue to see each other when school starts. I'm so excited to begin learning magic! In a daze, she didn't notice the foul tempered man from earlier enter the dining hall. It wasn't until Crookshanks hissed at him, puffing up to twice his normal size that Hermione even glanced up. She frowned at him, knowing that revenge wasn't something to seek but if an opportunity presented itself she would get back at the man. I'm new here, how can he say anything about me?
Stoozy followed her eyes to see Professor Snape glaring back at the young girl. He offered to walk her to the library and to pack a picnic so they could enjoy a lunch down by the lake to which Hermione agreed. It would be nice to stretch my legs out and see the grounds later.
After studying some leisure topics at the library like "Cloak Presentation: Symbolism in the Folds" and a perusal through a dense book on magical creatures, Stoozy came to collect her, as promised. The two enjoyed a quiet stroll to the lake where the elf presented Hermione with a small beaded bag and a card that was obviously homemade. The doodle on the front was charmed so the pencil-inned girl and elf seemed to dance around each other.
"This is a small gift for you Hermy. You're the best friend I've had in a long whiles and Stoozy isn't leaving but I'm not sposed to be seen by the students much. All you have to do is call for Stoozy though and I'll appear. Always for you Hermy."
The girl accepted the gifted bag and wanted to cry. This is so sweet. Hermione reached around the elf's small shoulders and hugged him. She knew he was busy and had to work but she would miss spending so much time with him.
"Stoozy you have been so kind to me and I'll miss hanging out with you. You have been so helpful with adjusting to Hogwarts and the magical world. If you ever need anything, Hermy has your back."
The witch smiled at him and they spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the shade. It was a rare sunny day and the clouds were fluffy. Hermione and Stoozy spent hours pointing out different shapes in the sky, creating a point system to reward the more irrational suggestions. I feel at home here.
Draco climbed out of the slimy first-year boat he shared with some sons of his dad's associates. Vince really should learn to shower more. And Greg is dumber than a house elf. I wonder who Hermione rowed in with?
Draco was disturbed from his musings as the boy from earlier muscled past him, knocking into his shoulder. That is going to get old quickly.
Upon entering the castle, Draco quietly appreciated the festive decorations. He had visited Hogwarts a handful of times with both of his parents on visits to his Uncle, but now he could really drink it. He was glad it wasn't his first time visiting as some of the other first years looked intimidated by the dark walls. He followed Professor McGonagall's orders to line up in alphabetical order, spying the bushy haired girl from a few days ago ahead of him. Behind him the angry boy glared at the back of his head while further back the Weasley boy looked like he would wet himself. Like Father says, you can always spot a Weasley. Just follow the smell of fear.
He paid little attention to the sorting hat's song of welcome, though he eyed where the Slytherins were seated to try and find an open spot. I'm a Slytherin for generations, this will be quick.
Hermione was struggling to tamp down her feelings of anxiety at being surrounded on all sides by her peers. She hadn't seen this many people in months and now she felt like she was suffocating. In line she spotted Draco and smiled at him, though he didn't appear to notice her as his eyes were focused across the great hall.
"Hermione Granger!"
All too soon, her name was called to sit in front of her classmates and be branded. I don't even know what I want. The houses all seem so different. The hat was barely placed atop her curly mane before the dirty article began speaking to her.
"Hermione Granger, aye? NO! You are as dark as they come. What lies you have been fed, child. Your potential? Your magic? Never before has a muggleborn wielded power like yours. You belong in Slytherin, Miss Bl-"
"SILENCIO! Accio sorting hat! Diffindo!"
The hat was pulled off Hermione's head as the Headmaster's chest heaved. He watched as the worn cloth ripped apart before his eyes, ignoring the exclamations from the shocked audience. They couldn't hear the hat, though. The bastard had all but given Hermione a keystone to her identity. She can't find out. He hadn't meant to snap like that. He glanced down at the shredded hat before casting a nonverbal reparo. Hermione stood up from the stool, intending to find a seat among the students in green.
Dumbledore quietly called the next first year up to the stool, before returning to his seat. As Hermione passed, however, he uttered a warning to the pale girl.
"Miss Granger, you have just chosen a hard path. Tread carefully. There are many enemies where you are going."
"Professor, I didn't choose anything! The hat picks, I-I-I was just sorted!"
The young girl bit back tears at the hatred in the old man's eyes. I didn't pick anything!
AN: I just wanna say thank you to all the reviewers who are responding to the story (and also to those who are faving + following; y'all can also have shares of my heart)! I'll name drop you all here because I really enjoy getting to go back and see how people interact, so here goes:
ThatGayNerd (an OG)
magicalalice (my other OG)
Guest
Guest (Lex)
Willow Rosemberg
kpop1392as (x a million, I appreciate your excitement! Loved hearing your by-the-chapter thoughts 3)
xefan (hope I can get on a regular writing/posting schedule once my work settles into something normal)
BerserkBookWorm (a lot of good queries)
