The Life of Juniper Potter

Chapter 5

The Sorting

A/N-First, I don't have many rules with regards to reviews, but please don't curse. It's ugly and unattractive. Second, I wasn't inactive, I was studying for finals. I took summer classes at my college. Third, I'm taking out the perspective dividers. They broke things up to much and weren't really necessary. I intend to remove them from later chapters at a later date. Finally, the last Harry Potter movie was one of the best pieces of cinema to ever hit the big screen. Period, end of discussion.

Disclaimer-I in no way own Harry Potter, it belongs to she-who-must-not-be-named.

This was the part of the year he looked forward to most, to see kids get there first honest to god glimpse of Hogwarts. Sure most of the kids here had heard stories of the place from their folks, and a lot of them had seen stuff in books, but nothing truly compared to sailing over the lake and getting a real view of where they were going.

Hagrid wouldn't trade this job for anything in the world.

He had arrived at the train station a little earlier than normal. He wanted to make sure everything was in order with the boats, but got done quicker than expected. He could see the express barreling down the rails slower and slower until it came to a heart warming stop. Students started to flock out of the train and he could already start picking out who the first years were; everyone else had on their house colors.

"Alright, firs' years gather round. Come on then don't want ter be late fer yer own sorting do ya?" He said this loud enough for those still on the train to hear, but said it a few more times just in case someone didn't quite get the message.

He smiled widely when he saw Juniper leave one of the cars. Hermione was quick to follow.

"Hello there, Juniper. I trust everything went well at King's Cross." Hagrid smiled. Juniper frowned a little bit.

"I d-didn't know how t-to get on t-to th-the platform at first. Some nice p-people helped me th-though so I was able t-to get on." Hagrid looked a bit crestfallen at his blunder. She tried to improve his mood a bit. "Th-They were really n-nice. Th-they were th-the Weasley family and I was able t-to make friends with th-the twins."

Now Hagrid looked horrified. "They didn't give you nuttin' did they; some weird candy or package to open at a later date? They have a tendency to try out their new products on firs' years."

Hermione motioned towards the bag on Junipers belt. "They gave her those. She doesn't have to worry about it, and I told her not to give them to anyone. I don't like pranks; they always lead to someone getting hurt."

"Th-They said that they tried stuff on Ron as well. I don't th-there the kind of people t-to intentionally hurt family." Juniper said. "I th-think they just joke around for the most part, n-nothing serious."

Hagrid smiled before nodding. "Most of its harmless; you'll go back to the way you were before in ten minutes or so. What did they give ya?"

"Some c-candy th-that would give me a h-head of Weasley r-red hair." She pointed to her already red hair and ate another piece. "I n-never ate a lot of sweets b-back home. Th-These really are quite g-good."

"Well, I think we should continue this conversation later. I think that's the last of the students from the train." Hagrid raised his hands to his mouth before bellowing one last time. "Firs' years, line up and follow me." He led them down a narrow bath that cut through some fairly thick brush. The road winded a bit, and it seemed like it took forever to get there.

"Yeh'll be getting your firs' view of Hogwarts soon." Hagrid shouted. He looked like he was trying to bite back a grin. The narrow path opened up, and Hogwarts loomed over head.

The castle was beautiful. It stood tall and strong and was the biggest building that she had ever laid eyes on. It seemed to almost glow and reflected off of the water brilliantly. She had a dazed happy look on her face. This would be where she would spend the next ten months of her life? It was beautiful…

Hagrid looked down and noticed something weird. "Oi, did anyone lose a toad?" Neville ran up really quick before claiming him as his. The toad, which had just been proclaimed as Trevor, jumped to his master and into his hands, before jumping up and onto his shoulder.

"He seems a little to welcoming for a toad that ran away." said Hermione to Juniper.

"Maybe he m-missed his master?" Juniper responded back. Hermione just shrugged and followed behind Hagrid and Juniper. He had led them to the edge of a large black lake with a number of boats lined up at the shore.

"Alright then, four to a boat. Hermione, Juniper, ya sit with me." Juniper and Hermione just nodded and got in the boat in the dead center. Hagrid made sure that each group of first years was safe in a boat. She noticed that Ron was with Neville and a pair of boys she didn't know, and Malfoy was with his goons and Pansy. There were a bunch of people that she didn't know, but she also noticed that there weren't that many people here; thirty or forty at the most.

These would be her potential dorm mates. She didn't have any idea what house she would be, and that unnerved her. She could be forced to bunk with Pansy. That'd be bad. The girl was positive that she would be a Slytherin and Juniper had a strong suspicion that she was like a female version of Draco.

Draco, another person she wanted to avoid at all costs. She had already hexed him once. She was worried about her wand again. The spell was a lot stronger than she was expecting it to be. She didn't want a repeat performance and hurting someone.

"Hermione, do you th-think we'll b-be sorted into th-the same house?" She asked tentatively. "We t-talked about it on th-the train, but we d-didn't talk about th-that." Hermione just looked thoughtful at the question.

"I don't know if we'll end up in the same house, but I do know that we'll still talk and hang out, regardless of what house we're a part of. House rivalry shouldn't mean so much that we forget friends, and we came into this new world together, and we're not going to be pulled apart by houses." Hermione said confidently.

"Still, it'd be nice t-to share a d-dorm room. It'd b-be a l-lot easier; for st-studying, for t-talking, for anything really." Juniper sighed.

"True, but ye'd be hard pressed to pull you two apart. I'm sure you'll both be fine." They both turned and saw that Hagrid had returned. He stepped down into the boat and they both felt it sagged a bit. He pushed off, and soon they were all set adrift in the murky water.

"So who are all of the different teachers here at Hogwarts, Hagrid?" Hermione asked. Hagrid looked thoughtful for a few seconds.

"Hmm… well let's see if I can remember the firs' year's schedule. You'll have Professor Sinistra in Astronomy and Professor Quirrell for Defense against the Dark Arts. Juniper, you met Quirrell at the Leaky Cauldron." Juniper nodded in response.

"He had a st-stutter, like me, and he seemed r-really n-nervous and p-paranoid." Juniper said. Hagrid just nodded.

"He hasn't been the same since he left Romania, but for the life of him, he says he can' remember wha' happened. Professor Sinistra went with him, they were on a joint research trip to try and find a way to counteract the killing curse. He'll probably want to examine your scar, to see if he can find a way to block it like you did. Sinistra was his guide and she says that she can't really remember anything either. Dumbledore thinks they may have been Obliviated, but neither he nor Professor Snape seem to be able to restore their memories." Hagrid explained.

"Professor Snape?" Hermione asked.

"He'll be your potions teacher. He's also the head of Slytherin house, looks a bit like a bat. Professor Sprout is the head of Hufflepuff house and your herbology teacher, Professor Flitwick is the head of Ravenclaw house and he teaches charms, and you both already know Professor McGonagall." Hagrid said. "In addition to those six, Madame Hooch teaches basic broom handling to firs' years, and Professor Binns teaches History of Magic."

Hermione looked nervous. "I'm not entirely sure about flying on a broom. It's a little intimidating." Hermione replied.

"Don't worry about it too much Hermione. Professor Hooch is a fairly straight forward teacher; she won't let anything bad happen to ya. Just listen to what she says and yeh'll be fine." Hagrid replied.

"D-Don't worry Hermione, I'm sure you'll d-do fine. I'm actually excited ab-bout our f-first flying lesson. It sounds l-like fun." Juniper a small clunk and realized that they had in fact hit land. Hagrid got out and tied the boats to the pier.

"Alright than, firs' years, please follow me. We're almost there." Hagrid led them inside. Juniper noticed a familiar face the second they walked in. "Alright than Professor McGonagall, all yours."

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here." Professor McGonagall responded. She looked upon the sea of new faces. She recognized a few of the faces almost instantly. She recognized Severus's godson, Draco. He looked just as stuck up as his father. She also spotted what she assumed was the sixth Weasley. There were a few muggle-born students that she had escorted, but the one that drew her attention were the two girls she had led earlier this month, Hermione and Juniper.

She led them down the entrance hall and hurled the large double doors open wide. She gazed upon the hourglasses of the four houses before turning to face the student once more.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start of term banquet will begin shortly but before we begin, you'll need to be sorted. The sorting is a very important part of your lives here because your houses will be something akin to your family while you're here. I urge you all to see them as such and feel free to contact your head of house if you have any problems. You will have classes, sleep in the same dorm, and spend free time in your house common room." She said clearly to the rest of the students.

"Or th-the library." Juniper whispered to Hermione. Hermione just nodded before shushing her.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. By doing well, you earn points towards the house cup that is awarded each year. However, points will be taken off for any rule breaking." She gazed at the Weasley's hair and thought of the twins as she said this.

"The sorting ceremony will begin in a few minutes in front of the student body. I will return when we are ready for you, please wait here quietly." She turned and left through another set of doors.

Hermione, not wanting to do anything to go against a teacher, clammed up after this; even though everyone else started talking the second the large doors closed. Juniper wanted to talk a little more, but she settled for listening to some of the banter going on in the hall.

"…I heard from my brothers that you had to fight a troll…" was what she heard from Ron. She briefly wondered if those brothers were Fred and George and chuckled at the thought. It almost seemed surreal, having siblings.

"…Not Hufflepuff, not Slytherin. Not Hufflepuff, Not Slytherin…" was the chant that came from Neville. She understood why he didn't want to go to Slytherin, but Hufflepuff seemed pretty nice. A place of truly loyal friends… It sounded nice…

"…I just wish they'd hurry up, I already know where I'm going…" Juniper knew as well, and it had nothing to do with Malfoy's sorting. She noticed that the girl from their fitting was almost hanging on every word he said. Juniper began repeating the latter part of Neville's mantra. Not Slytherin… not Slytherin…

The double doors opened once more, breaking Juniper's mantra. Professor McGonagall stepped through with clip board in hand. "We're ready for you now." She turned and went in. Everyone else followed suit.

Juniper looked around and saw the colors of Slytherin adorning the upper flags. There were five long tables, four were occupied by students but the fifth was smaller and left open with none of the house colors adorning it. The table for unsorted first years, it would seem. Towards the front of the hall was a large table for the teachers to sit at.

But in front of that, there was a stool, a stool that Professor McGonagall was making her way towards.

With a soft plunk she removed the hat she was wearing and placed it on the stool. It started moving on its own and a rip appeared above the lining.

Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!

There was a roar of thunderous applause for the out of tune hat. It took a few bows before turning to the crowd. Juniper and Hermione both stood there with their mouths hanging agape.

"That's it? That's all we have to do? Put on a hat?" Hermione sputtered.

"I was actually c-close." Juniper stammered.

"I'm going to kill Fred. Mom won't miss him. I'll just burry his body in the forbidden forest. No one will ever know that it was me." Ron sputtered angrily. Juniper just smiled. They were brought out of their own thoughts when a loud shout resounded throughout the halls.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" Someone had already been sorted. Her robes magically changed to match her new house colors, and there was a thunderous applause from the Hufflepuff table. Professor McGonagall continued down through the list on names that Juniper half listened to. Anonymity went out the window and into the lake faster than she thought possible with this. She was broken out of her thought when a name she knew was called.

"Granger, Hermione." Professor McGonagall called out.

Hermione stared at the hat apprehensively before finally putting it on her head. It seemed to spring to life and wiggle a bit.

'Hmmm… interesting…' said the hat. From what she saw before, the hat didn't talk. This must've been something that the hat only shared with the wearer.

'Correct, Miss Granger, and before you ask, I'm not only on your head but in your head as well. You have the traits of a few different houses. I see loyalty for Hufflepuff, though it only seems to be for one person in particular, not a vast assortment of friends. You're smart, very smart; I haven't seen a mind quite like yours in a very long time. You'd be among like minded individuals in Ravenclaw. It'd be an excellent place for you. Which would you prefer?'

'You mean I get to choose?' she thought. The hat chuckled.

'I narrow it down a bit, but ultimately the final decision is always left to the person that puts me on. Those that know where they want to go and have the traits to back it up are always sorted quickly, almost immediately in fact. Those that are more open or have a problem with my ideas take longer. So again I ask. Which would you prefer?' The hat reiterated. Hermione just looked thoughtful for a second before thinking her response to the hat.

'Well then, it better be…'

"RAVENCLAW!" The hat shouted. The Ravenclaw table clapped wildly, they weren't the only ones. Juniper started clapping as well. She cheered as her friend's clothes changed to match the colors of the Ravenclaw table.

Hermione took the hat off and gently placed it on the stool before joining the rest of the Ravenclaw students at their table. She sent me a small smile and waved before sitting down.

Professor McGonagall continued down the list of names and Juniper started to tune them out. Her thoughts were buzzing with one thought in mind.

She NEEDED to get into Ravenclaw.

There was a long period in which all was silent. Juniper looked up to see the boy that lost his toad being sorted. Juniper stared on in silence before the hat finally declared…

"GRYFFINDOR!" Juniper gaped. HE was Gryffindor brave. When they talked on the train he was almost as timid as Juniper herself. To further exemplify this, the boy ran from the stool with the hat still on his head. Juniper bit back a giggle but some of the other students, particularly from the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables, weren't as restrained. The Gryffindor students had a look of horror on their faces.

Shortly after that, Malfoy was called up. The hat declared Slytherin the second it was placed on his overly pampered head. The same thing happened when it was placed on the head of Pansy Parkinson.

"Potter, Juniper." The entire hall broke into whispers. That was predictable. Next would be the stares as she walked up to the stool; which they did, only stopping to whisper more to their neighbors. She made her way with her head down and made sure to cover her scar with her hair. She didn't raise her head or look out to the crowd. She only looked up when she got to the hat. She sat down before placing it on her head. It seemed to wiggle to life almost instantly.

'Hmm… difficult… Plenty of courage, though you don't seem to realize it. Gryffindor might help that shine through. You're smart, very smart for a girl your age, and you seem to spend a lot of time reading. The loyalty you have for your friends is impeccable, regardless of how long you know them you stick up for them. Cunning too, and you wish to prove yourself, albeit in a different way from everyone else… yes so very, very difficult.' The hat said in his mind before going silent for a few minutes. Juniper was starting to get worried that she wouldn't be sorted at all.

'Ha! You don't worry your pretty little head about that, I'll find a place for you. Your traits are making me run around in circles so why don't we look outside your head to see what's best. Your views of Slytherin house are slanted based on two previous encounters don't be so quick to write them off as dark, though I think putting you there might be hazardous to your health. You are cunning, and Slytherin could help you on your way to greatness, though I can tell that's the last thing you want. The seeds of bravery need to be given a little light to truly blossom, but I don't think Gryffindor is the house you should be in for that. You seem like the person that finds bravery in defense of others a trait that endears you to Hufflepuff so very, very well.' The hat reasoned. Juniper was getting lost. The hat changed its mind more than Dudley at the toy store. She wanted Ravenclaw.

'Yes, yes I think that might actually be the perfect fit.' Juniper dreaded that she would be put into Hufflepuff, away from Hermione. 'You seem quite attached to her, considering you only shared a few days with her. Your loyalty to her would cause your bravery to blossom in her defense. Ravenclaw is just as well known for its cunning as Slytherin, and you would be in an ample environment to make friends. Yes, I think it would be a perfect fit, for both you and the house.' The hat finished.

'Well than, for your sake and my sanity, let's end this sorting. Better be…'

"RAVENCLAW!"

A/N-How was that for an update? The reasoning for Juniper's sorting is rather self-evident (see the three long paragraphs of explanation that the hat gives), and Hermione's will be explained more in depth in later chapters. You have no idea how much I wanted to leave it as a cliffy after the second paragraph of explanation. This should also make thing quite a bit different in day to day interactions and from this point on, the differences will become very, very noticeable. As always be sure to review and tell me what I'm screwing up.