Harry had a bad feeling when he returned home. He had been giddy when he watched Albus off, but his mood had deteriorated as time past. Yes, Harry was glad Al was getting an education. But his gut told him that Al's education might come a little faster than Ideal.
"Harry," Began Ginny, her face a mix between happiness and consternation at Harry's "Feelings", but he cut her off.
"Ginny, I'm not upset that Al is gone. It's my instincts. And don't give me that face, I know what I'm talking about, This is the same feeling I felt just before Claire..."
"You had no way of knowing that Yaxley would kill her! She was a good auror Harry, and a good partner, but you should be over this by now, it's been fifteen years!"
"I am over it!"
"Are you saying you thing AL will die at Hogwarts!? With McGonagall and Neville and Luna!?"
"No." Said Harry dejectedly, plopping down on the couch.
"Then why-"
"Mummy?" Lily had entered the room, a slightly scared expression on her face.
"What is it Lily?" Said Ginny, instantly calming down.
"Theres a spider in the bathroom."
Ginny giggled slightly. The incongruity of Lily's problem to Harry and hers was astounding.
"I'll get it." she scowled darkly at Harry as she left, shoe in hand. Harry picked up the remote. (He just couldn't live without some muggle contraptions. Ginny hated him for it.) The television flickered and came on, quickly flashing the end of one ad and beginning the next one. Harry listened to the man profess the utter awsomness of Sidney's Fishsticks for a couple moments, and then heard some screams from upstairs.
Harry had stopped liking spiders in his second year. this was no help.
***********
The Sorting Hat stood upon a stool. old, patched and burnt, the Hat still stood tall and proud before the hall, holding its last haunting note long after the cheers had begun. Professor McGonagall, wrinkled and bent, coughed. The Hall fell silent.
"Allerby, Dustin!" Cried McGonagall, Surprisingly loud. A small boy with dark red hair and glasses rushed up to the stool and threw himself upon it, landing on the sorting hat in his nerves. The hat could still be heard cursing as it was placed on Dustin Allerby's head.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" Cried the Hat, only a little hoarse. Dustin Skittered off to sit amongst the cheering Hufflepuffs, who clapped him on the back heartily.
While Bowey, James was being sorted into Slytherin, Albus took his time to examine the Hogwarts staff. Luna was sitting serenely at the DADA's seat, clapping softly whenever the hat cried out a new sorting. Neville was slightly more reserved, clapping for everyone but Slytherin, Whom Al now knew Neville hated for their abandonment during the battle of Hogwarts. There was Professor Slughorn, bouncing with everyone else. McGonagall was sitting bolt upright, prim and proper as ever. Hagrid was growing grey, but clapped heartily with every sorting and bashing his mug against the table every time someone got sorted into Gryffindor.
"Johnson, Peter!" PJ made his way up to the stool, and bowed low to professor McGonagall (who was not amused) before plopping the hat on his head as if it were an award. The hat was silent for a few moments before PJ burst into laughter.
"Really? I never knew? What else?" Everyone in the great hall looked at PJ with expressions ranging from outright horror to barely restrained laughter.
"Can I do it? Why not? But if you..." But he was interupted by the Sorting Hats booming roar of "GRYFFINDOR!" PJ, loking dejected, sat at the gryffindor table, who looked equal parts mortified and ecstatic.
"Potter, Albus!" Shouted McGonagall after she regained her composure, and the hall went silent.