"Sorted Too Young"
Dumbledore tells Snape, "Sometimes, Snape, I think we sort them too young."
CHAPTER 26 – Sixth & Seventh Year
They apparated to the gates of Hogwarts at the edge of Hogsmead. Ron suggested they grab a butterbeer, for courage. Hermione rolled her eyes and told him no. Harry looked back at Hogsmead, old habits of wariness from the recent war bidding him to watch their backs. Draco adjusted his Slytherin tie. It was the only thing of his uniform he chose to wear. He leaned heavily on his cane and tried not to look like he was. His white knuckles were all that gave away any evidence of his nervousness.
The gates opened and they walked in. The grounds were cleaned up, though looked differently. The quiddich stadium had been moved. A swath of the Forbidden Forest had been cut back. A whole wing of the old Hogwarts castle was gone, neatly bricked to look like there was never a wing there at all. New students to Hogwarts would never know something was missing. There was a new tower and most of a new wing in construction off the other side of the castle.
Hermione had managed, with Harry's help since those two had come to the school a few times to donate their efforts to repairs, to learn that today was the placement exams for only the sixth and seventh year students. Each day would be a different set of levels. And throughout the process, there would be aurors watching everyone, especially parents. Today would be a make or break for Hogwarts and the last year's sixth and seventh year students.
The four of them climbed the steps and walked down the corridors to the dining hall. They were met at the doors by that reporter. "Malfoy? After the exams, can I have that interview?"
Draco glanced at Hermione then back and lifted his chin. "Only if you are taking your exams and return to school." He opened the doors and walked in without waiting for an answer.
Hermione giggled behind her hand and whispered, "Good job. I know his uncle wants him back in school and he's trying not to be. You left him gaping."
The corner of Draco's mouth twitched up. His bemused expression vanished moments later as they entered the school. He hadn't realized he had stopped walking, nor that he had started shaking, till Hermione rested a hand on the middle of his back and spoke gently.
"We are right here, Draco." She stepped around to face him. She went through this with Harry, too, when they had started helping with repairs. "Draco, look at me." His eyes met hers, but his breaths came and went tensely. "I am right here. It will be fine."
Draco held her eyes and absorbed the feel of her hand now on his chest. An anchor. A lifeline. When he felt more under control, he nodded to her and they continued to the Dining Hall. He left the Golden Trio to sit at the Slytherin table. From there he looked over all the tables, watching the students file in. Within the hour, the doors closed after the teachers sat. There were so few present from sixth and seventh years. There were eight students at Hufflepuff, ten at Gryffindor, six at Ravenclaw, and only four at Slytherin. Slytherin…. One seventh year student sat there that Draco did not know, barely recognized. He was such a quiet student that seemed so very very average. He was also one of the very few of that year who did not get involved in the Death Eaters. Draco wracked his brain to remember more about this students. Darius. Darium Scarlet. That's who he was. A mudblood. He vanished from school just as things started to get bad. Draco remembered that his family went into hiding, but his parents still managed to be killed by Death Eaters. How Darius survived, Draco didn't know.
Darius looked over and gave Draco and sure and actually reassuring nod. "Thank you for saving my sister's life. She's with a friend right now till I get home. I'll bring her back for testing with the other first years."
Now Draco really recognized him. The sister! The first year he had helped save, the one who clung to his robe before she dashed past Arthur to her family. Also a Slytherin, but such a precocious little blond thing, the opposite in behaviour to her brother.
The other Slytherins at his table were Blaise and Pansy. Blaise gave him a genial smile. Pansy, glared poisoned daggers at him. So Blaise was still a possible friend, perhaps now he could strengthen that friendship. He would need an ally within his House.
A light brunch manifested as Professor McGonagall explained how the entrance exams would work. "Let me begin by telling you all that I am so very proud of you for your courage and determination, for being here today of your own free will." Pansy made a rude noise and received a pointed look from the Headmistress.
The elderly headmistress stood strong and looked each student in the eye one by one. "Today, we will assess how much you remember from your last courses so we can place you according to your aptitude and get you caught up from where you might be falling behind. Your assessment tests will follow this order: History, Muggle Studies, Herbology, Arithmancy, Astronomy, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Transfigurations, Potions, Divination, Flying, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. For all of you it will determine which courses you will take, which you can pass straight to NEWTs for, and whether the courses you take will be seventh year, sixth year, or supplementary to get you into sixth. Please proceed to Professor Flitwick's classroom. Good luck. You, all of you, are the prefects for your houses as of now. You are the students who will change the world." She smiled so proudly at them, hoping they did not see the tears stinging her eyes.
Everyone stood with varying degrees of nervousness. For a change, the four Houses walked through the halls and stairways mixing their company and staying close. The spoke quietly, greeting each other and wishing each other luck, regardless of which House they had been sorted into. Hermione up front looked back and slowed everyone a little so they did not get too far ahead of Draco's pace. Their eyes met for a second. Then Blaise clapped Draco on his sore shoulder and he hissed. Blaise apologized with a wince.
A/N: Thanks for sticking around folks. Thought I would poke into my older fics and add a chapter.