Albus Dumbledore surveyed the Great Hall with great interest. His students always fascinated him, forming their own little groups.
He notice a group of Ravenclaw fourth years had saved an extra seat, a bit presumptuous if you asked him. No one's house was decided until the Sorting Hat announced it.
But, the children seemed so pleased, grinning excitedly at one another, giggling as if they knew a secret.
He put them out of his mind, for the time being at least. He had a sorting to watch.
And, almost more importantly, a certain Hailey Potter to watch.
The girl should be easy to figure out, her parents had been simple enough.
Hagrid had told him the girl was odd, with a touch of mystery to her.
Hagrid was rubbish at reading people.
Hailey Potter stood in the cluster of first years outside the hall.
Other students chatted nervously amongst themselves, whispering about how they would be sorted.
She heard one boy, the red haired one, who's mother had given her instructions on how to get onto nine and three quarters, going on about his brother, and something to do with a troll.
She would know how to deal with that, of course. Luke, via IM, and once in person, had taught her how to deal with monsters of various shapes and sizes, and which tactics worked best on each.
She smiled to herself. Not one person in the room seemed to know how they were sorted. That had been the first the that the Birds had taught her on the train.
She had knowledge. Knowledge is power.
"I know how it's done."
Her voice was soft, but everyone stopped and turned to her waiting, expectant.
She laughed inwardly. They looked like little lost puppies.
"I suppose I could tell you what sort of test it is. If it even is a test."
The reaction is priceless. Every student, every single one stares. They hang on, waiting for more words, as of she is some illustrious prophet who tells them of their fates.
"She doesn't even know. She's just bluffing."
Hailey whips round to face her doubter. He has slicked back blonde hair, which looks horribly oily. On either side, he has to lumps of meat that she supposes she must call boys. They look rather much like bodyguards.
"What's your name?"
Her voice comes out innocent and sweet, genuinely curious.
"Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
"Ever heard of James Bond? I would imagine not. The Malfoy family has been non muggle affiliated for centuries. At any rate," Here she steps closer to him, smiling more now. "That really isn't my point. My point is that, Draco Malfoy, I could kill you in fifteen ways, using only the stupid little tie your wearing. Are you ready to affirm that indeed I am bluffing?"
He shakes his head.
"I thought not."
Hailey steps away from him, and turns to the rest of the first years, who were staring at her with a mixture of shock, fear, and awe reflected on their faces.
"You are sorted by an enchanted hat."
Albus Dumbledore studied each of the new first years, scouring for Hailey Potter.
It didn't take long to find her, she was being given a wide berth by her classmates.
Several shot strange looks at her, before quickly turning away, as if they were afraid of getting caught.
Hailey Potter didn't look like anything Albus had seen before.
Her posture was perfect, her hair as tame as he had ever seen Potter hair. She had a faint smile, and as she passed that presumptuous group of Ravenclaws, they waved, and she waved back, smiling more sincerely.
As soon as she passed them however, her mysterious ghost of a smile repositioned itself on her lips.
Albus Dumbledore was learning that perhaps Hailey Potter was not the open book her parents had been.
A/N: 'Hailey's thoughts to the Hat.' 'The Hat's thoughts to Hailey'
Hailey's mind was going nuts. The magic in the Great Hall was so overwhelming that she almost choking on it, her face remained impassive in spite of it.
She was hyper aware that the man she knew to be Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts was staring at her. This was making her highly uncomfortable.
The sorting was well underway by this time and Hailey knew she would be next, or near to next.
"Potter, Hailey."
Next.
Murmuring set off in waves as she walked up to the chair in which her sorting would take place.
Turning to face the rest of the school, Hailey waved, and smiled broadly.
'Oh they won't know what hit them, will they Miss. Potter?'
Hailey had barely noticed the Hat being dropped on her head, but she noticed it now.
'And what, pray tell, do you mean by that?'
She silently asked the Hat, for she knew that was who had asked her the question.
'I mean you, of course! Miss. Potter, these people are expecting things from an angel to a spoilt brat. You, your big words, dangerous aura, slight aversion to magic, and impenetrable emotion mask, you will shock the very foundations of the wizarding world!'
'I am going to take that as a compliment.'
'As you should. But Miss. Potter, the real question is, where to put you? As your friend Mr. Castellan pointed out to you, although he did not realize it, you posses a quality of each of the houses, and balance them wonderfully. Which means, I cannot sort you, and the choice is entirely yours. I'd rule out Griffindor and Hufflepuff however, the poor Puffs would be left shaking in their boots, and the lions would get into more trouble than they already do.'
'Ravenclaw is where the birds are. The Slytherin's, however seem to embody a majority of me. I think I'm choosing Slytherin. Slytherin.'
'Shake them up Miss. Potter, shake them up. SLYTHERIN!'
There was no applause as Hailey stood, removing the Hat from her head, at least not initially.
Day, gods bless the girl, began clapping. The rest of the Birds joined her, as they began a chat.
"Hailey, Hailey!"
Hailey walked towards the Slytherin table confidently.
"Hailey, Hailey!"
More of Ravenclaw and some of Slytherin had join in the chant.
HAILEY, HAILEY, HAILEY, HAILEY, HAILEY!"
As Hailey sat down, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and a few odd Hufflepuff's exploded into cheers.
Shake them up, indeed.
A/N: So, by request, Hailey is in Slytherin. This is part of the differences between Harry Potter, and Hailey Potter. And, she gets to keep the Birds as friends! Gods bless Day!
You now what I feel is amazing, and wonderful? That on this story, I have not gotten a single rude, or hateful comment!
I am, as I said last time, amazed at the kind reception my story has received in less than a month.
You are all fantastic! I love you!
Disclaimer: I am not British, nor am I male.
Reviews are love!
On another note, who else loves Hercules by Sara Bareilles? That's what I'm listening to right now!