The Sorting Of Hermione Granger-II
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The Sorting Hat was bemused of all the different expressions of first-years. But then again this wasn't anything new. It had had the honor and at times the misfortune to peek into young minds. Not to mention it could probably recall each of the students it had sorted till date. The Hat wasn't sure of it, not that it needed to. No, the reason for its amusement was that finally Harry Potter was supposed to be in this group of fresh years. It wasn't sure of all the fuss in this boy being so popular, until it picked up the reasons from one of the first-years it was sorting about a decade ago. And that wasn't all. These children had all mixed reactions about him as had children since the last decade or so. The Hat was all eager, well as eager it could've been, to meet this boy.
It was until the Deputy Headmistress called out another student and the Hat could see a mop of bushy hair pulling from the group and anxiously running towards the stool. Oh joy.
"Granger Hermione" Professor McGonagall read out from her list.
And a suddenly nervous Hermione trotted her way to the stool. She once again hoped this all wasn't a dream and that she wasn't waking up alone on her bed, although she could fairly say from the amount she had read, it wasn't so. She sat on the customary three-legged stool and eagerly placed the age old hat on her head.
"Oh my", the Hat called out. Although she was fairly sure this was all in her head, Hermione couldn't help panicking out. What if the hat thought she wasn't appropriate enough to be sorted? What if it thought she was no good, like all her previous classmates did? A part of her knew she was being ridiculous but there was nothing to help all the old fears kicking in.
The Sorting Hat was shocked to find so much of treasured knowledge and resourcefulness, the young witch seemed to be oozing out. It wasn't everyday it met a student much less a mundane-raised witch for that matter so talented and thoughtful. And with such a zeal in learning. It expected to wait another century or so. The last the hat could remember was another witch named Lily Evans. The two were quite the same in many regards. Well apart from Lily having much of a natural talent. While this girl seemed to be of the competitive type. She was in a way trying to best herself out. But beyond this obvious difference, the Hat could see more…
Loneliness. It could see all how much her parents loved her. But she didn't have much friends out for her. Practically a friendless nerd. But that wasn't what scared the Hat. It was her denial in needing any. Thankfully it could see deep inside, she felt alone. Although she attributed her mother's words for seeking friends, in the magical world, it could see, that she deeply wished it too.
The Hat could practically envision Salazar Slytherin begging it to sort her into his house. She had the perfect mind, the thirst to prove herself. But surely it couldn't bring itself to sort her there. Tom Riddle had been different, and if it weren't for the Slytherin blood in him, it would've really contemplated in sorting him somewhere else. No it couldn't chance in placing her there. Not to mention even Salazar would've been ashamed of what his house has become. Merlin forbid, if she ever took up the dark path.
Now Hufflepuff would be good choice for her to make friends. The Hat could see her loyalty to the house she wasn't even sorted to yet. Bound to the rules and obedient to authority. That surely would make Lady Helga proud. But she wouldn't be able to bring out all her potential there. Granted, there always have been exceptions. However, the Hat could see her fiery side, and she wouldn't see herself as anything without it. Such a waste.
It was easy enough to pick Ravenclaw for the young witch. She had the natural affinity for it. And frankly Lady Rowena would've torn the Hat to pieces, if it dared to sort the girl into any other house. Perhaps it would be a perfect match for her.
So it thought it better to see her response to the matter "Difficult indeed", it called out. "You know, you've got the brilliance, the perfect mind for any Ravenclaw and perhaps beyond that". The Hat could sense her blush as well as relief. Relief that she would at least get sorted? The Hat would've rolled its eyes, only if it could. She really needed to set out her self-confidence.
But then her thoughts went to that compartment in Hogwarts express, where she met Harry Potter and that boy named Ronald. The Hat could see how excited the young witch was. And although she had read much about everything in the books about the Potter boy, her thoughts on the matter were much different than what the Hat credited her for.
She, at first, had imagined him as a rich and arrogant boy who would most likely be showing off his heroic deeds. But she couldn't help but read as much as was available to her, knowing he would most likely be in the same year as she. And obviously she couldn't have known about her future classmates, with being a muggleborn and all. But instead, she met a seemingly timid and scrawny boy, who seemed to have next to no knowledge about his past, much less of the magical world. Mentally, she saw him as someone she could somewhat relate to. And, even though she didn't actively think so, wished to be his friend.
The Hat could see, that if this Harry Potter was anything as the young witch thought him to be, they would soon be friends. And it's not like inter-house friendship was unheard of. And as loyal as she can be, and if this boy had all his Father's luck of attracting trouble, it could bet, she would stand with him through thick and thin.
And yes, there was courage. Not to be cowered by, but be strong enough for herself and for others. It was hidden somewhere deep down, a subtle quality amongst others. But the Hat was sure, if given the right environment to grow in, she would easily find and wield it. So perhaps…
"Yet, you have the strength, the courage to fight against all odds. And still be loyal to whom you care about, to use your cunningness for the benefit of your trusted ones, and still upbring the genius in you. So better be… GRYFFINDOR."
And with that the hat watched the young witch jump in excitement and run towards her new family.
It faintly heard Deputy Headmistress call out some Greengrass, and turned its attention to the next student seated at the stool. 'Well life goes on', it thought.
THE END
-HarmonyHub
A/N: I know, I've only stated the obvious. Sorry if it didn't measure up to your expectations.
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PS: I've edited my other story "A Dream?", a bit. Please go through it as well.