"Oh great." Hermione whispered, "Look at all the Hufflepuffs? I mean of course they'll be nice and everything but there just so-"
"Dim-witted?" said Ron smartly.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him, "'Slow' is the word I would use." (A/N sorry to those who took an online poll and got Hufflepuff!)
"Whatever you say Hermione. Oh look! They've called Vinola up!" Harry looked almost as excited as Luna. Hermione knew Luna was probably praying that Vinola was a Ravenclaw like her but, due to her loyalty to Harry, she couldn't help but hope she was put in Gryffindor.
Hermione could hear snickering coming from the rest of The Great Hall once they saw the very mature looking supposed 11-year-old approaching the stool. Hermione gave as many as she could dirty looks before she returned her gaze to Vinola.
Vinola was certainly taking her time getting up there but was finally seated in the sorting stool. Professor McGonagall, as she always does, placed the hat on Vinola's quivering head. The hat seemed to be taking it's time as well.
"I wonder what's taking it so long to place her." Hermione's curiosity had been piqued. The hat had never taken so long before.
"Maybe," said Ron, breaking Hermione's train of thought, "it's confused." Harry and Hermione turned and stared at him oddly. "You know, like, maybe, since it's probably never had to sort a 6th year before it's just...confused. Eh?"
"Maybe..." but Hermione was unconvinced.
Back up at the stool, Vinola seemed to be shaking and nodding her head every few seconds. The hat must have been asking her an awful lot of questions. Finally, McGonagall stepped in.
"Come now, there are other students to sort and much more to get done. Hurry it along Hat."
The hat stuck a sort of ripped-piece-of-fabric tongue out at her and asked one more question. Vinola nodded and appeared to mouth 'Harry Potter and I think Luna Lovegood.' and the hat finally spoke.
"Alright then, I know what to do with you-GRYFFINDOR!"
Everyone at the Gryffindor table clapped, some truly meant it but others were not sure what to make of this strange situation.
Over at the Ravenclaw table, Luna could be seen nearly in tears but receiving a comforting hug from a cute Ravenclaw boy Hermione believed was named Vincent Larson. She smiled and secretly wished Luna luck with her love life.
Vinola made had starting making her way towards the table, she had to follow the applause, and scanned for anyone she thought that she might know. She spotted Ron's hair and then Harry and Hermione and recognized them from that day in Insolito. She smiled and rushed over to them.
"Ron she's coming over! Scoot that way or something. Come on, make some room." Harry began to redden a bit as Ron moved over just in time to cause Vinola to sit next to Harry.
"Hi, Vinola."
"Hi, Harry. Long time no see."
"Heh, yeah. So, um, if you don't mind me asking-"
"Yes, Harry?" she answered quickly. Hermione had been talking to Ron but shushed him so that she could hear Harry and Vinola properly.
"Why did the hat take so long to place you?" Hermione thought he was being a bit nosy but she was quite curious as well.
"Oh, I noticed it took a bit of time on me." she laughed "It kept asking me questions about my beliefs and skills. I think it was a bit confused by me honestly."
"See, Hermione! I told you!" They all laughed, it wasn't often that Ron was right.
Hermione thought how nice this was going to be. Harry and Ron were great friends but it would be nice to have another girl besides Ginny and occasionally Luna to talk to. Hermione quietly wished (again) for Harry's love life to succeed.
They all talked a bit more until the prefects began taking the first-years to the common rooms.
"Vinola, normally the new students go with the prefects but I think since you're not really a first year you can just come with us, if you'd like. How about it?" Harry didn't hide his eagerness very well.
"Yes, I think I'd like that better. Oh! Before I forget, do you know my cousin Luna Lovegood? Is she in this house? I haven't seen her in quite a while."
"We do know Luna. She's a friend of ours but no, she's not in Gryffindor. Luna's a Ravenclaw." Ron pointed over in the direction of the Ravenclaw table but they had already left. "I guess they've already gone to their common room ." Vinola's excitement quickly turned into a frown.
"But don't worry!" said Harry, "You'll have way more opportunities to see her than just today."
Vinola smiled again, "Thanks Harry." Vinola gave him a hug.
"Oh, um, no problem."
Hermione was almost certain that she saw Harry blush but tried hard not to laugh at him. He was doing his best and she thought it might work on a girl like Vinola Mooncross.
"Come now, guys, we should get going." Ron had been the first to notice just how empty The Great Hall had become.
"Right, we'll show you the way Vinola. You'll probably pick up on it quick enough and if not we'll take you to all your classes too."
This time it was Vinola who blushed. There was definitely a connection between the two but Hermione had taken a liking to her as well. There was something different about her, she looked like behind her bright eyes was a thirst to change the world for the better. Hermione could relate to that feeling.
They made there way up to the common room, showing Vinola some of the portraits that particularly stood out so that she'd have something to help guide her way.
"This-" stated Ron, "is The Fat Lady. She guards our house, she only opens up if you know the passw- Hermione, we don't know the password!"
"Honestly, Ronald you should pay more attention to the perfects when they talk. The password is 'sorting hat'." The Fat Lady opened up the portrait hole and the four 6th years climbed inside.
"This is our common room. You can do pretty much anything you want." said Ron.
"As long as it's not bothering the other people. A lot of students do their homework in here." Hermione interjected.
"Wow, I feel like I'm getting the 5-star tour." Vinola giggled a very cute, girlish giggle. "Thanks for helping me so much you guys, I really appreciate it."
"It's our pleasure, Vinola. If you need anything else just ask Hermione for now. Girls' dorms are that way (Harry pointed) and ours are this way (he pointed again). We'll see you girls tomorrow."
"Night Hermione." Ron kissed her and she kissed him back.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Hermione smiled, she was never happier than when Ron kissed her goodnight.
Harry and Ron began to walk away but Vinola called after them just before they started up the stairs.
"Goodnight, Harry!" he stopped and turned.
"Goodnight, Vinola." with that the common room darkened and everyone went to sleep.
Author's Note
So, this chapter was fun. did you like it? I have no idea. This is chapter 9 and I've got two reviews. Just answer this question: Do you not review because you hate it so much you don't think I deserve it or because it's so good you're speachless or because you just don't care? Let me know, kay? Check ya' later!