Chapter 7: The Sorting Hat

A/N: Hello, I have decided that I am going to write two more chapters to this story before I count it as officially complete. I think that even though I said that this would be an ongoing continuous thing that this story has started to draw to a natural close by itself. So yes this will be one of the last of two chapters. Anyway I hope you enjoy and here is chapter 7!

It was a cold evening on September the 1st 2017 and Ron, Hermione and Hugo Weasley were sat in the living room of their home. The television was on quietly and they were all staring at the screen watching some sort of Children's programme. A box of tissues were on the coffee table in front of them and Hermione's face was red and blotchy from crying after Rose had departed for her first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Ron had his arm wrapped around Hermione. Hugo was tightly hugging Hermione as if he never wanted to let go. There was a tap on the window and there they saw Athena, a small brown owl that they had bought Rose in Diagon Alley so she could contact them whilst at Hogwarts. Her green eyes distinguished her from any other owl that they had seen.

"It's Rose! She must have sent a letter!" Hermione smiled and jumped up from between Ron and Hugo to get the letter from Athena.

"God, Hermione. Calm down." Ron chuckled as he saw Hermione literally bouncing up and down on the spot with excitement. They had been waiting for hours for Rose to send a letter and to find out if she was okay and what house she had been sorted into.

"What does it say?" Hugo asked as Hermione came and sat down and started to read the letter allowed.

Dear Mum, Dad and Hugo;

I got sorted into Gryffindor! I am really pleased and Dad, you don't have to disinherit me after all. The sorting hat said that I was the perfect combination of both of you – high intelligence to get into Ravenclaw but I had a strong sense of bravery and courage. Albus also got sorted into Gryffindor, he was really pleased as he was terrified at the thought of being sorted into Slytherin. He also proved James wrong too.

There is someone else who you won't believe got sorted into Gryffindor; Scorpius Malfoy. He was talking to us at dinner and said that he was relieved that he wasn't put into Slytherin but that his parents won't be too happy with him.

Professor McGonagall also announced that 1st and 2nd years are allowed to go in for the Quidditch trials. I think I am going to try out for Chaser or Keeper, Albus says he wants to be like Uncle Harry and be one of the youngest seekers of the past century.

It is beautiful here. Mum I don't know if you had this dormitory or this bed but from where I am you can see out of the window across the mountains surrounding the castle. I can't wait to wake up to that sight tomorrow morning.

That is all I have to say tonight. I am sharing a dormitory with some people whose parents you might know. For example Olivia Finnegan; Seamus Finnegan and Lavender Brown's daughter. She seems really nice. I am going to go to bed now as I am absolutely exhausted.

I will write again later in the week, please reply.

I really miss you all and can't wait to see you at Christmas.

Love,

Rose xxx

"She got into Gryffindor! I am so proud of her!" Ron beamed hugging Hermione powerfully and then embracing a nine year old Hugo as well.

"Mum, Dad. What happened when you got to Hogwarts for the first time?" Hugo questioned curiously. They only ever told their children this story once before, but that had been seven years ago and so overtime they had forgotten the story.

"Well, we all got to Hogwarts late into the evening and met Professor McGonagall. When we were at Hogwarts Professor McGonagall was the Transfiguration teacher and the deputy headmistress. As you know now, she is the Head Mistress." Hermione said informatively.

"So we went into the Great Hall and everyone turned and stared at us. It was probably not only because we were the newest students but maybe also because your Uncle is Harry Potter. Then we got to the front of the hall and on this small stool sat a battered, torn and worn down witches or wizards hat. We didn't know until that point how you were sorted into your house and wondered if it was some sort of mysterious task. But it was just a hat." Ron told his youngest child.

Both Ron and Hermione could see the fascination on Hugo's small freckled face as the story unfolded and continued. His blue eyes were wide in curiosity and interest. They stood out against his flaming red hair.

"Then, one by one, Professor McGonagall called our names out and out of your Dad, Uncle Harry and I; I was the first one to be called out. And got sorted into Gryffindor, but like Rosie said in her letter I could have been sorted into Ravenclaw." Hermione said.

"But if you are really smart, then how come you weren't put into Ravenclaw?" Hugo asked looking puzzled.

"She wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw because people such as the likes of me and Uncle Harry needed her intelligence in Gryffindor."Ron said and Hermione blushed happily.

"Anyway, moving on. I was the last to be sorted out of the three of us and as soon as the hat was placed on my head the sorting hat said "Ah another Weasley..." and then placed me into Gryffindor." Ron chuckled and Hermione laughed at his accurate impression of the sorting hat.

"So what about Uncle Harry?" Hugo said

"Well, it was different with Harry. It took a long time for him to be sorted as the sorting hat said that he had the qualities of all the houses that were prized and that he would be good in Slytherin." Ron said

"But Harry didn't want to be in Slytherin and the sorting hat knew that he would best be placed into Gryffindor. So that is how we properly became friends." Ron smiled.

"Will you be annoyed if I end up in Slytherin, Dad?" Hugo questioned sadly.

"Of course we won't, we will be proud of you whatever house you are sorted into at Hogwarts?" Ron reassured.

"But you said..." Hugo trailed off before Ron interrupted.

"What your Dad said to Rosie was a very bad joke. Luckily she didn't take it the wrong way." Hermione said turning to face Ron, who now looked slightly guilty.

"We will be pleased no matter what house you are sorted into." Ron smiled

"Ok, Hugo, time for bed." Hermione said before Hugo got up and walked up the stairs.

XXXXXXXX

"Night Hugo." Ron said and closed the door to his son's bedroom. He then walked along the upstairs corridor towards the stairs. Before he got there he walked past Rose's bedroom to see Hermione sat on the bed.

The room was dark and all the lights were turned off but the lamp on the bedside table was glowing softly and making the purple colour of the walls warm. A large book shelf on one of the walls of the room was now missing numerous books and the wardrobe looked almost empty, as one door had been left open in the rush to get to Kings Cross Station earlier in the morning.

"Hermione?" Ron said and Hermione looked up and wiped her eyes. Ron then walked over and sat next to her on Rose's bed.

"Are you alright?" Ron questioned as he wrapped an arm around her.

"I am fine, I just really miss her. We have hardly ever spent a day without her since she was born and now she is gone for 3 months until Christmas." Hermione sniffed

"I miss her as well. Hey, we both knew that this day was going to happen eventually. We saw how excited she got when we told her stories about Hogwarts and when she got her letter. It was like her reaction on her first Christmas." Ron smiled resting his head on top of Hermione's.

"I know, it just isn't going to be the same, is it?" Hermione said quietly.

"It isn't going to be the same without her. But think of this, once Hugo is gone as well in two years we will have the house to ourselves, just like when we had just got married." Ron said and winked.

"I love you, you know that don't you?" Hermione said kissing him

"I love you too." Ron smiled.

Authors Note: One more Chapter to go! PLEASE REVIEW!