Chapter Three – The Sorting Ceremony

When Harry and Hermione had shared their news with Ron, he seemed genuinely happy that they were Head Boy and Girl. They hadn't, however, told him that they were dating. The couple were meeting Ron in Diagon Ally to get school supplies.

"Are you ready yet Harry?!" Hermione yelled up the stairs. The two had become something that resembled a married couple over the past month. Well, except for the teenage hormones and the youthful sneaking into each other's rooms of a night.

"yeah, I'm coming!" Harry yelled back.

Five minutes later, they flooed into the Leaky Cauldron and almost landed on Ron.

"Hey, mate!" Harry said.

"Hi, Ron," Hermione greeted as she brushed soot of Harry's and her shoulders.

"Hey guys," Ron said, grinning, "What's up?"

"I can't believe you ditched us all summer. We go back to Hogwarts tomorrow!" Harry said in a mock-hurt voice.

"Sorry about that. So what did you two get up to without me there to supervise?" Again Ron grinned stupidly.

"You? Supervise?" Hermione laughed, "And what's with the stupid smile?"

"Oh come on guys! I'm not blind! You're holding hands! So what's the story?"

Harry and Hermione both blushed. Neither realized they were holding each other's hand, it was such a natural gesture.

"We've been together for about a month," Harry explained.

That's cool… so where should we go first? Quality Quidditch Supplies?" Ron looked at Harry hopefully.

"And why would you need to go there, Ronald?" Hermione asked sternly, "We should go to Flourish and Blotts. We need to get the new DADA book."

"We'll go to QQS later, Ron, OK? I wanna check out the new Firebolt."

"There's a new one?!"

The trio paid for their books at Flourish and Blotts and walked out of the store.

"Well, I'm going to head to the Apothecary Harry – see if I can get some of those ingredients," Hermione said.

"Ok, sweetie. Here are some galleons; we'll meet back at the Leaky Cauldron for lunch in an hour alright?"

"Yup, see ya!" Hermione skipped off in the direction of the Apothecary, while Harry watched her every move.

"Come on lover-boy, we only have an hour," Ron laughed.

The boys talked about their girlfriends, Quidditch and other general stuff on their way to Quality Quidditch Supplies. When they reached the store they were silenced by the display in the window. There was the new Firebolt. It was called the 'Firebolt Blur' and claimed to be twice as fast and handle twice as good as its predecessor. It looked magnificent, in fact Ron was drooling.

"Wow, Harry… are you gonna buy one?"

"It's pretty impressive but I'm kind of attached to my Firebolt back home."

"Understandable. Was there anything else you wanted to look at?"

"Um, I wanted to get Hermione a present – her birthday is coming up."

"So what's the real story with you two?"

"Ron, you've been hanging around Lavender too long, you're gossip hungry!" Harry chuckled,

"Seriously though, we're really close. I love her, she loves me and we're happy." Harry smiled dreamily despite himself.

"Cute," Ron said, "We better go meet her for lunch."

At lunch Harry and Hermione described Rae to Ron as best they could. And Ron shared some news too.

"Oh guys guess what? I almost forgot – Fred and Angelina are getting married at Christmas!" he announced.

"Wow, that's not far away. Why so early?" Hermione questioned.

"That's just it! Angelina is pregnant! She's due in April."

"Really!?" Harry and Hermione seemed slightly shocked at the news.

"Yeah, shocker huh? Well I better go, see you guys on the train tomorrow," Ron got up and with a POP he was gone.

Back in the kitchen at Grimmauld Place, Hermione pulled out a small object and her wand from her robes. She pointed her wand at the object and muttered an inaudible spell. He object enlarged into what Harry immediately recognized as a Pensieve.

"The Apothecary had one for sale so I got it for you," Hermione explained.

"Thanks, would you like to come with me into one of the memories?"

"Are you sure?" Hermione turned rather nervous.

"It's OK Mione – won't hurt a bit," Harry saw and countered her nervousness.

The couple retreated upstairs to Harry's bedroom. Harry retrieved the vial that was labeled 'M. McGonagall – Sorting Ceremony' and tipped its contents into the Pensieve which was resting on the bed in front on him and Hermione. Harry swirled the silvery liquid with his wand and, grabbing, Hermione's hand, they entered the memory.

Harry found himself in a familiar place – the great Hall at Hogwarts. He looked down at Hermione and, leading her by the hand, he walked towards McGonagall and the Sorting Hat.

"Quiet please, quiet!" McGonagall said in a raised voice. The students 2nd through to 7th year hushed as the main doors opened to admit Hagrid and a line of scared first years.

Harry didn't have to search long before he found a familiar face, one so much like his own. James walked towards the front of the hall, very confident and sure of himself. He seemed to be the only one who wasn't scared out of their mind. At least until Harry spotted Sirius. Sirius eyed the Slytherin table with a mixed look of disgust and recognition. Harry followed Sirius's gaze and his eyes met Bellatrix and Narcissa, Sirius's cousins.

Then there was Remus, who looked quite ill with worry, and behind him was a greasy haired kid with a smirk on his face. Harry knew that smirk well, he squeezed Hermione's hand to prevent the desire to run at the eleven year old Snape and strangle him. Hermione returned the squeeze and Harry's temper dropped away.
Harry didn't see his mother until the first years were lined up facing the Sorting Hat. Lily was a timid looking girl, seemingly apprehensive, but Harry could see Lily's strength and confidence beneath this mask.

"She's really pretty Harry," Hermione whispered.

"I know, and you don't have to whisper."

James moved along the line and squeezed his way in between Lily and a blonde girl.

"Hi, I'm James," he said, looking at Lily in awe.

"Did he fall for her this early?" Harry asked incredulously.

"I think it's sweet," Hermione replied.

"That's nice," Lily responded to James's introduction.

"what's your name?" James asked tactlessly.

"What's it to you?"

"Just wondering – I bet it's something pretty," he grinned.

Lily rolled her eyes, "If I tell you, will you go away?"

"I'll try."

"Lily Evans."

"Lily," James breathed, "I was right, it is pretty."

McGonagall hushed the students again and just as they quietened down, the Hat began its song:

The Hogwarts founders gathered

Many years ago

To teach young witches and wizards

All they needed to know

But a rift developed between the four

When Slytherin declared

Only purebloods were worthy

Of being magically prepared

And so they split into houses

And created me

To sort all the little firsties

And send them where they ought to be

Shall it be Gryffindor?

Where the brave at heart dwell

Or do you belong in Slytherin?

They are cunning as ever, I can tell

Maybe you are Ravenclaw

The wisest you will find

Or perhaps you shall be Hufflepuff

Always loyal and kind

So step up here firsties

I will tell you where you belong

To begin your journey at Hogwarts

I'll sort you and I won't be wrong!

Applause rose through the hall and McGonagall raised her hands for silence. Once her call was heeded she began calling names off her roll of parchment, "Sirius Black!"

Harry and Hermione moved closer to the Hat to hear what it had to say.

"Ahh, another Black," It began, "Your family has remained Slytherin through and through. Do you wish to join your cousins?"

"No," Sirius whispered, "Not Slytherin, not Slytherin, not Slytherin."

Harry's eyebrows shot into his hair line – his reaction didn't go unnoticed.

"Very well – GRYFFINDOR!" the Hat declared.

Harry grinned at his father's reaction; James's jaw had nearly hit the ground in shock.

"Lily Evans!" Harry returned his attention to the ceremony as McGonagall called upon his mother.

"Hmm, a tricky one," the Hat stated as it was placed on Lily's head, "You are thirsty for knowledge, kind hearted. But above all your heart has fire, you are courageous – GRYFFINDOR!"

Lily jumped off the stool and skipped towards the Gryffindor table. Harry laughed.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"That's exactly what you did after you got sorted."

Hermione blushed.

Harry 'people watched' as Remus and Pettigrew, among others, were sorted. H snapped back to attention when "James Potter!" was called forward.

"Ahh a feisty one," the Hat began, "An air of confidence about you. I see you have already given your heart away. A brave thing to do, boy, very brave. No other place for you but GRYFFINDOR!"

Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and followed his dad over to the Gryffindor table. James sat next to Remus, across from Sirius and Lily.

"Strange you got put into Gryffindor – being a Black and all," James commented to Sirius.

"Why?" Sirius said defensively, "I hate my family, I'm nothing like them!"

James grinned, "Well of course you aren't, otherwise you'd be in Slytherin huh? So what do you say? Friends?"

"Yeah OK," Sirius grinned with relief.

"Time to go," Harry said to Hermione.

Once they had left the memory, Harry threw himself back onto his pillows and smiled. He had just witnessed the start of great friendships. Hermione moved the Pensieve and snuggled up to Harry.

"Why did you react like that when Sirius got sorted?" she asked.

"He asked not to be put in Slytherin – just like me. I chanted not Slytherin and the Hat said 'no?' then put me in Gryffindor."

"Really?" Hermione snuggled closer, "Baby?"

"Yeah, Mione?"

"Can I stay here tonight?"

"You're always welcome." Harry leaned down and engaged Hermione in a loving kiss. The kiss deepened as they moved down the bed so they were lying down and under the covers. Harry moaned as Hermione's hands roamed up his back and removed his shirt. Hermione kissed his shoulders and his, now sculpted, chest and stomach. She followed his snail trail with a line of kisses, stopping at the band of his boxers. This caused Harry to groan again as he guided Hermione's head up to his again and kissed her lips with hunger. He let his hands skim over Hermione's chest as he moved them towards her waist line. He gently took her shirt off and gazed appreciatively at her bra-clad breasts and smooth stomach. Hermione blushed.

"Don't blush Mione, you're beautiful," Harry whispered as he reached down to remove his jeans. Hermione followed suite and took off her own pants, they were now both just in their underwear. Harry held Hermione close as he kissed her again.

"Harry?" Hermione whispered.

"Yes?"

"Can we not go any further tonight?"

"Anything for you! Just say the word; you know I love you no matter what."

"I know, I love you too."

Harry hugged Hermione closer and pulled the covers up around them more.

"Sweet dreams, gorgeous," Harry whispered but Hermione was already asleep.