As Harry, Hermione and Draco exited the train, they spotted Hagrid over the many heads in the station. Harry then felt guilty, looking back on leaving Hagrid in Diagon Alley.

Harry noticed Hagrid staring back at him, looking apprehensive. "Firs' years o'er her!" yelled the giant, surprising the young first years.

Hagrid led them to the boats, and Harry and Draco stepped down, taking both of Hermione's hands.

Hermione was nearly in the boat, when the red haired monstrosity, Ron, pushed her out of the way, causing her to fall onto the dock. Ron sneered, "Last chance Potter. It's me, or the mudblood." Harry put on a trademark Malfoy glare.

After helping Hermione into the boat, Draco stood in front of Harry, "Weasley, I've known you since you were six. You're a snotty, air-headed arrogant prick." Hermione gasped at his language, but kept silent. Draco continued, "Harry will not befriend you, and nor will I. You only want him because of his riches. He can get you to the top. But you threw away any change of friendship by insulting me and Hermione. Now, kindly climb back into the hole which you came from."

Weasley left, sulking the whole way. The trio climbed into the boat, awaiting departure. Before they could get settled, a girl with whispy blonde hair yelled, "WAIT!"

The girl then stumbled into their boat, "Sorry for the intrusion, but Daddy said the boats could leave without me if I wasn't quick enough." Draco put on an apprehensive look, "Hey, aren't you Luna Lovegood. You came to my seventh birthday party." Luna nodded, surprised, "Why yes, Daddy said it would help me make friends." She then hung her head, "The red-head boy pointed at me and called me Loony, and almost everyone joined in."

Hermione spoke up, "Luna, we would love to be your friends. I'm Hermione and the boys are and Draco." Luna's eyes got big, "I've never had friends before. I always seem to lose them because of the Nargles."

Before Harry could ask what Nargles were, the boat took off towards the castle. Everyone fell silent, and watched the castle grow bigger.

HMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMHMH

As the giant let them to the castle, a serious looking woman took them to the stairwell. "Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. Please follow me to the Great Hall, and the Sorting Ceremony will begin."

As the children reached the front of the hall, they saw a rugged old hat sitting on a stool. The hat sprang to life, and, to their surprise, started singing:

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!

Harry had noticed that the rest of the students hat also been singing, and had finished, except for a pair of identical boys, singing to a funeral march. Once they finished, Professor McGonagall started calling out names. Harry zoned out until the list reached Hermione.

Hermione POV

Granger, Hermione!

Okay, don't panic Hermione!

Hello!

Who are you?!

I am the Sorting Hat. I will sort you into the correct house. Dumbledore told me to put you into Gryffindor with the Weasley boy, but you're not stupid.

I'd hope not. He's a prat.

You have a good brain, but your thirst to prove yourself to the Wizarding World is stronger. I'll put you into SLYTHERIN

Oh wow, their cheering. Okay Hermione, over to the Slytherin table. Just take a seat away from the others.

Draco POV

Malfoy, Draco

Here goes nothing. Time to make father proud.

Hello!

You must be the Sorting Hat.

Indeed, young Malfoy. Now, will it be Ravenclaw….

I was actually hoping for Slytherin.

Yes, a cunning house, where you'll have real friends. Dumbledore told me to put you in Slytherin straight away, so that Harry would not think very highly of the Malfoy's.

Yes, because we are supposedly a "Dark Family"

Well, you're not Dark, but you're not Light either. I suppose you'll find your true calling. It better be SLYTHERIN

Alright, I'll sit next to Hermione. I hope Harry is in Slytherin.

Harry POV

Malfoy, Harry!

Everything's fine, Harry. Let's do this.

Hello! I'm the Sorting Hat!

I'm Harry Potter. Put me in Slytherin or I will use scissors to-

Please calm down. Your mother threatened me with a dinner knife. Okay young Pot- Malfoy. It shall be SLYTHERIN

Well, that was easy. Oh there's Draco and Hermione.

Regular POV

As Harry joined his friends he asked, "What house was that kid Long bottom in?"

Hermione smiled, "Well, he's in Ravenclaw, along with Luna." Harry paled, "I totally forgot about her." Draco looked up, "Here's Dumbledore." Sure enough, the old man stood on the podium. "Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!
"Thank you!

Then, many trays and plates of food appeared on the table. The three children dug in, hungry from their journey.