Chapter 5
The Sorting Hat
The pandemonium that reigned when the train arrived was typical. Students milling about or heading toward the waiting carriages. The sounds of talking and laughter rang in the air. Draco closed his eyes for a moment, soaking in his surroundings before moving off himself toward the carriages in the road. You could clearly hear Hagrid yelling "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"
As he approached the carriages he could see the magical winged creatures that pulled them. Apparently there were a number of students who could see them now. They were disturbing monsters to say the least, black, leathery and skeletal in appearance, they seemed like they would be fierce but they really weren't. Some of the students who had been in Hagrid's, no, Professor Hagrid's, class remembered them and were really looking them over.
Soon however, it was time to move on and everybody had found a space in a carriage. Draco shared his carriage with two girls and a boy, all a little younger than him. The girls seemed to be fast friends, one had short red hair and blue eyes, the other, long dark hair and brown eyes. He had seen them around before, and thought that the brown haired girl might be related to a girl he knew in Slytherin. The boy, even younger, just sat in his spot, staring out the window and remaining quiet, Draco was unable to see his face from this angle.
He wondered what the boy was thinking but chose not to start up a conversation, best to sit back and remain unnoticed for now he figured.
As Hogwarts came into view Draco was surprised as how normal it all looked. The damage done to the castle and its grounds only a few months ago seemed to have been completely cleared away. It looked as though nothing had happened.
Professor McGonagall was standing at the top of the steps when the students exited the carriages and started up toward the large double-door entrance to the school.
"I need all students who missed at least half a year last year to follow me please." The Professor said and turned away to walk into the school.
Draco, along with a number of other students looked around at each other and then moved quickly up and into the school. They followed Professor McGonagall into a room that they knew also opened into the dining call by the faculty table.
"All right, when I call your name please come to me for special instructions for this year."
Professor McGonagall called out a number of students that all appeared to be part of Gryffindor house, it was nearly half the number of students in the room. The ones Draco knew by sight were mostly from his year. Ron and Ginny Weasley, Harry, Hermione, Neville, Dean Thomas and it turned out the boy from his carriage was the little brother of the boy who died last year, Dennis Creevey, Draco knew it would be hard for him being back here.
They all moved forward and she spent a few minutes with each of them before releasing them to go through the door nearest the staff table to find their seats and join the feast.
She then called the names of people Draco knew to be in Hufflepuff house, those that he knew on sight were Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones and Justin Finch-Fletchley and 3 others he didn't he didn't know the names of.
From Ravenclaw he knew Luna, and the two girls from his carriage were among them, with a better look he knew the brown haired girl was Daphne's sister.
He was the only one left, so he moved forward when Professor McGonagall looked up from her scroll.
"Mr. Malfoy, I trust we will have an uneventful year this year?" She stood straight as a poker and looked at him with her unblinking gaze from behind her distinctive glasses.
"Yes Ma'am, that is my intention."
"Well good, it was against my better judgment to allow you to return to make up for your missed year, but the opinions of others carried weight. You have people who have put their faith in you Mr. Malfoy, I trust you will not let them down."
"No Ma'am, I don't intend to."
"Well, since we have a dearth of students in the Slytherin dormitories this year, you will have a room to yourself. It has been redecorated to include 1 bed, with an additional study area allowing you a quiet place to work. You may be asked to assist in certain classes this year as well in order to help bring you back up to speed quickly. Do you intend to try out for the house team this year?"
"No Ma'am, but I would be willing to make myself available to assist with training if the Team Captain would like assistance."
"Very well, please report to your Head of House directly after the feast to discuss what classes you will be taking this year for your Newt's. The Slytherin Head of House is Professor Slughorn."
"That is all I have for you, please head to the door now, I believe the sorting is just wrapping up so you should be able to head down to your table without drawing undo attention." McGonagall said and then rolled up the scroll and set it on a side table on her way to the door.
She opened the door and Draco could hear Professor Sprout calling out a name. While Professor McGonagall continued into the room to take her seat he waited at the door. He saw that she took the seat reserved for the Headmaster and figured it was safe to assume that she was now the new Headmistress for Hogwarts.
He looked over the Professors seated at the head table. Professor Hagrid was obvious as he seemed to take up two spaces. Professors Fitwick, Slughorn and Sinistra were all there. Madam Hooch's bright yellow eye's glanced his way and widened slightly when she recognized him. There were two new teachers as well. He was surprised to see the Auror Dawlish sitting at the table and Draco assumed he was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and he didn't recognize the other one at all, though, there was something about him that was vaguely familiar. Professor Trelawney sat next to him, their heads close together and smiles on their faces. They seemed to know each other well.
Draco heard the Sorting Hat call out "Hufflepuff" and a decent round of applause came from the students of that table. He turned his attention to the Great Hall.
"Peters, Justin" Professor Sprout called. A moment later the hat called out Gryffindor and as usual there was a loud round of applause from that enthusiastic group.
The tables were mostly full, a normal amount of students at all but the Slytherin table, that table was unusually sparse. He guessed many parents didn't want to send their kids back to a school when so many of them had connections to the evils that had been done under Voldemort's reign.
"And finally, Wilkes, Jennifer" Professor Sprout called out, she was sorted into Hufflepuff as well.
As the young girl hurried to her table Draco saw Professor Sprout lift the hat in one hand and the stool in the other and head toward the door he was at. As she did so the Headmistress stood to gain everybody's attention.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts for another year…" she began, as Draco stepped out of the room and started down the steps toward the Slytherin table. As he was passing Professor Sprout however his arm brushed up against the Sorting Hat and suddenly a loud voice filled the Great Hall, causing the Headmistress to stop and look in Draco's direction.
"What have you done!" the Sorting Hat yelled in a shocked voice, as shocked as a hat can be of course, suddenly alive again in Professor Spouts hand.
Draco, who had been moving down the stairs, trying to remain unnoticed, whipped around at the yell, his foot slipped off the last step and he stumbled back, losing his balance and landing hard on the stone floor rump first.
Every student in the room turned to stare in his direction, those farther away standing to get a better view.
"A thousand years, never been wrong….perfect record…how can this happen." The hat grumbled, just loud enough for Draco and Sprout to hear.
Professor Sprout looked over at the Headmistress, who gave a little jerk of her head toward the door leading off the raised dais. She looked back down at Draco and said, "Follow me Mr. Malfoy.". Draco scrambled back to his feet, looking around at all the faces whose eyes were focused on him. He blushed, ducked his head and went quickly back up the stairs and through the door.
As soon as he closed the door behind him Professor Sprout spoke. "What did you do Mr. Malfoy? Why would the Sorting Hat yell like that?"
"Nothing Professor, I swear, I was just heading to my table, I didn't do anything." Draco replied, a note of panic in his voice.
Sounds of grumbling continued to issue from the Hat in Professor Sprout's hand, she had set the stool down.
"Well, we will just have to see about that, I'm sure the Headmistress will be joining us as soon as she has started the feast. Then we will find out what is going on."
They didn't have long to wait before Professor's McGonagall and Slughorn came through the door. As usual the Headmistress was dignified and ramrod straight. Professor Slughorn looked put out; he didn't like missing the start of term feast and all that wonderful food.
"What happened Pomona, why did the hat yell like that?" The Headmistress went immediately to the point.
"I have no idea, it happened when I was passing Mr. Malfoy here and then it just started grumbling, going on about how it had never been wrong, and something about ruining it's record. It's grumbling now, hasn't stopped once."
"Set the hat on the stool; let's see what we can find out then. Mr. Malfoy, you will stay."
Draco was still stunned, he had no idea why the hat had done what it did, and he would much rather be anywhere else. He didn't want to get blamed for this, he hadn't done anything. He also couldn't help cringing inside every time they called him Mr. Malfoy, it just made him think of his father, which was something he would prefer not to do.
Professor Sprout set the hat on the stool and stepped back, everybody could see the rip at the brim moving, the mutters ongoing. McGonagall stepped up to it saying "Alright, enough of that, what are you going on about?" as she poked the hat lightly.
"Him! He's ruined everything, a perfect record and he's ruined it. I have to know for sure, only one way to know for sure, it's got to be done, though it's never been done before."
"What are you rambling about, be specific or I'll put you in the wash and see how you hold up." The Headmistress said with some exasperation.
"Something has changed, and I need to know, I need to see." The hat said.
The Professors all looked at one another and then as one that turned to look at Draco. McGonagall spoke again. "Do you know anything about this Mr. Malfoy? Speak up now."
"No Headmistress, I don't know what is going on, I was just headed to my table and it yelled when the Professor and I were passing each other. I didn't do anything, I promise."
The Headmistress thought for a moment, "Very well, Pomona, take Mr. Malfoy up to my office along with the Sorting Hat, stay with him there until I can join you after the feast. Make sure he has something to eat. Horace, you come with me to the feast but you will join me in my office afterward." Everybody nodded and Draco's concern mounted.
It was only a few minutes later when they reached the Headmistress's office. Professor Sprout put the stool and hat off to one side, the hat continued a low level mumbling though nobody was paying it any attention.
Draco looked around the room; it was quite different than when he was here at the end of last year. Bagpipes in one corner, a tin of biscuits with a tartan pattern on the desk, various other items strewn about that made it clear a Scotswoman occupied the office.
The paintings of various previous Headmasters adorned the walls. Dumbledore's had been moved, no longer behind the Headmasters chair but on the wall with the others. Draco was relieved when he saw that painting and was pleased that Dumbledore was in residence, though apparently taking a nap. His half-moon spectacles had slipped slightly down his long nose while he snored softly.
"Here, sit, eat, this will be worked out soon enough one way or another." Professor Sprout said. She had cleared a small table and nice meal was laid out for him, with a jug of Pumpkin Juice on the side along with a goblet. She took her own tray and sat at the Headmasters desk. Draco hadn't noticed the food arrive.
Draco couldn't eat much; he was terrified and didn't know what had happened. If they thought he had done something to the hat, maybe to get attention, would they throw him out of the school? He didn't really have a backup plan if he couldn't be at school. He would figure something out, but that would take time. He kept glancing at the door, at Dumbledore's portrait at Professor Sprout. He didn't bother to ask any questions, he knew as much about what happened as she did, which meant, not much. He would just have to wait. He drank the Pumpkin Juice because his throat was dry but anything he ate just seemed to sit in his stomach like a piece of lead.
It was almost an hour before he heard sounds on the spiral staircase and by that time he was nearly sick with worry. Professor Sprout stood up and with a wave of her wand the two trays vanished; a fresh pitcher of Pumpkin Juice and 3 cups appeared though.
The Headmistress followed by Professor Slughorn entered the room and Draco stood up quickly. He didn't know what to do with his hands so he clasped them behind his back and stood like he did when his father was going to punish him for one thing or another, back straight, eye's forward. McGonagall moved behind her desk and sat down. "Everybody have a seat."
"Now, has anybody thought of anything else that may shed light on what happened in the Great Hall?"
"Is it possible the hat is malfunctioning? It was damaged when Voldemort set it on fire at the end of last term." Suggested Professor Slughorn
"I am NOT damaged!" the hat exclaimed, "I am upset."
"But why are you upset?" Asked the Headmistress, "You're not being very clear about what the issue is."
"I'm upset because he has done something, something that should not be done. I am never wrong, but somehow I am. I need to see, I need to know…" the hat had returned to mumbling again.
"Mr. Malfoy, the hat insists you did something, did you cast a spell upon it or something? What have you done?"
"I didn't do anything, I don't know why it's saying this, I was just walking by, I think it brushed against me but that's it. I swear!" Draco insisted.
"If I may Minerva?" A voice asked from off one of the walls. Everybody turned to look at Dumbledore's portrait.
"Of course Albus, perhaps you can shed some light on this. Because frankly, I'm at a loss." The Headmistress replied.
"Remember what I told you when Draco requested permission to return to the school to finish his 7th year? What I said to convince you to give him this chance?"
"Yes, you said the boy had changed, that he regretted his past actions and wished to make amends. While I didn't think it wise and his actions during his 6th year did not encourage me, I have been guided by your advice in the past and it is rarely wrong. The fact that he was going to spare your life went a long way toward making it easier to allow him to return."
"Well, consider what might have happened if he truly did change and changed so much that he is, quite literally, not the young man he used to be. How might this affect the hat?"
The Headmistress's eyes widened as she understood the import of what the painting was saying. "Is that even possible Albus, after all it has never happened in the history of Hogwarts."
"That's true, however, the hat has made it clear, in order to 'know' he needs to 'see' and the only way he can do that is to be placed on Draco's head."
All eyes turned to Draco again. "You mean, to be sorted again?"
"Yes Draco, you would potentially be sorted into a different house, if you have truly changed, that is. The Sorting Hat would know, it cannot be confunded or enchanted to force it to put you into the wrong house, it would be quite sure as to where you actually belong." Dumbledore said. "You must be sure this is something that you are willing to do though. If you change house, it may cause more disruption in your year than you already anticipated."
Draco was stunned, to not be Slytherin, but he had always been Slytherin, his family had always been Slytherin. If he didn't belong there, he didn't know where he would belong. Merlin! What if it put him in Gryffindor? He might not survive the year; they all hated him so much.
On the other hand, what did he have in Slytherin anymore, nobody would trust him there either, he might as well be a blood traitor, he supposed he was a blood traitor really. And frankly, he just didn't have the same motivation that made him a good fit for Slytherin, he would hate being there. Surrounded by people who thought they knew everything about everything and that they were better than everybody else. He hated it in himself, in his family, what if he backslid, started acting like he used to, like a 'Malfoy'. He couldn't do that either.
He placed his hands on his legs, took a deep breath and stood up. "I would like to know where I belong. Let me try the hat."
"Very well, very well, Pomona, would you bring the stool and hat to the center of the room please?" McGonagall asked.
Once the stool and hat were in place, Professor Sprout lifted the hat up and Draco sat down. The hat was placed on his head and he could 'hear' the hat's muttering clearly now.
"A thousand years I have never been wrong Mr. Malfoy, and now you do this, I've never had such a challenge in my history, makes we wonder. Maybe Albus is right; maybe I am used to soon.
Now where to put you...
Slytherin is not an option. While you still have ambition that ambition is for personal growth, not personal gain.
But in Gryffindor, well, despite what you might think of yourself you are brave. It takes bravery to refuse to do what Voldemort tried to make you do, it takes bravery to stand in his presence but not bow to his wishes. You tried to protect others even when it could have meant your death. But, you do not seek glory, and Gryffindor tends to force glory on its members.
Ravenclaw values intelligence above all else and you certainly meet that requirement. It would allow you the opportunity to learn and grow, to find the path that works best for you. Perhaps even to change the world. But your instincts are to lead with emotions instead of logic, can you overcome instincts I wonder?
Hufflepuff would give you peace, the peace you seek and even crave. You feel a need to make amends and Hufflepuff is the home for those who seek to make the world better through good works. Hufflepuffs don't seek glory but to help without reward. However, their good works tend to be on a limited scale and you feel you have a world to repay. Are you willing to limit your scope and save the world one person at a time?"
Now Draco spoke, "I wish to be something better than I was, I wish to be who I should have been had I been allowed to be."
"Well then, in that case." The hat appeared to tear at the seam and shouted.
"MUST BE…."
Sorry for the cliffhanger everybody….ok, no I'm not :)
Sorry it was a couple days before I updated for the 6 of you who are reading this right now, I reached the castle and figured out, I don't know who all is coming back and what teachers are there, best I figure that out before we go into the feast I think.
I want to give credit where credit is due. A lot of the twists and turns in this story are thanks to collaboration and input from my husband, affectionately known as The Peanut Gallery.
Please read, and if you enjoy Vote and comment. I would really appreciate it.
9/16: Updated to improve flow.