The train arrived. As the first years got out to a downpour of rain, a bolt of lightening illuminated a large castle in the distance. A collective breath of "Hogwarts" ran through the new students.
As a large man gestured to follow him, Hermione felt Draco's hand slip into hers and give it a squeeze. She squeezed back, grateful for the reassurance that it was going to be alright.
A few minutes later saw the huddle of First Years, sopping wet, in front of the doors to the Great Hall. A woman all dressed in green and black stood in front of them. She made eye contact with everyone before addressing them as a whole.
"I am Minerva McGonagall, your Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration professor. In a few moments, you will enter the doors behind me and be Sorted into your houses. There are four houses here at Hogwarts. Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Each house has its strength and weaknesses and they are all equally good to get into. Now, if you would, please follow me." With that small introduction, she turned and walked through the opening doors. The frightened students filed in behind her towards a stool with a raggedy old hat sitting on it.
"As I call your name, please put in the hat. Bones, Susan." A large, pudgy girl with blond pigtails walked up to the stage. The hat touched her head for less than a second before yelling "HUFFLEPUFF!" to the audience. She ran off the stage amid much cheering from the house of yellow.
"Black, Hermione." Draco let go of her hand but whispered good luck. Harry repeated the sentiment when she passed him. She nervously sat down on the stool keeping eye contact with Draco before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She felt the hat lower onto her head.
Where to put you? the hat said in amusement. You have a lot of courage, yes that is seen clearly. You are loyal to those you love. You are quite intelligent. You are a candidate for all of these houses. However, overshadowing all of your other traits is a thirst to prove yourself. Yes, yes. I can see it now. You want everyone to know that you ARE a Black and not some street urchin living off of the fame. Anger, yes I feel it. With that, you will go a long way. Let the young Malfoy guide you. He will know what to do with that ambition for I can feel he share some as well. Well, yes. We have to move on. You will be in "SLYTHERIN!" the hat's announcement was followed by a large cheer from the Slytherin table.
Hermione opened her eyes to find Draco smiling, a genuine smile, at her. Harry looked to be sulking, due to the possibility of being put in Gryffindor being strong. Hermione took the hat off before smiling and walking over to the Slytherin table. The rest of the Sorting passed by fairly quickly. Headmaster Dumbledore gave quite a few announcements that didn't make sense before the plates filled with food. Then, joyful hunger surpassed all thoughts.
Near the end of the night, Draco and Hermione looked at each other thinking the same thing. It's going to be a fun year.
Hey guys. I hope this chapter gives you everything you expected and more. Perhaps surpassed your expectation, hopefully? Just for simplification purposes, below you will find a list of each person of interest (in Hermione's year) that were Sorted into the following houses.
SLYTHERIN - Daphne Greengrass, Pansy Parkinson, Draco Malfoy, Hermione Black, Theodore Nott, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Blaise Zabini
GRYFFINDOR - Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil
RAVENCLAW - Padma Patil
HUFFLEPUFF - Colin Henry (OC)