Thanks to all of the wonderful readers out there! I'm sooo happy with the reviews I've been getting from you that I am posting faster than ever before, and so here is the next chapter!

Albus Dumbledore was sitting in the Headmaster's office, listening to Armando Dippet discuss the new Gryffindor.

"I have already had a furious owl from her father," Dippet sighed, "He wishes us to take the hat's first decision as binding and place her in Slytherin."

"The sorting hat knows what it is doing, Headmaster. If it thinks she should be in Gryffindor, then Gryffindor is where she belongs."

"Indeed, all the same, Albus, I am concerned. I'm surprised you aren't. After all, a McGonagall in Gryffindor! They have always been in Slytherin, Albus, they are amongst the darkest wizards and witches the world has ever seen!"

Dumbledore frowned, "But she is her own person, Headmaster. We cannot judge her on who her family are."

"I am still worried, Albus. The hat has never changed its mind before, and surely the fact that it originally thought she belonged in Slytherin is concerning."

Albus sighed, "We should accept the hat's decision and accept her, Headmaster. What else can we do?"

Dippet shook his head. "She will not be happy, Albus. Your Gryffindors will not like the idea of having a Slytherin in their midst and the Slytherins will probably loathe her more than any of the other Gryffindors…"

"She will learn to cope with the situation in time."

"Perhaps," Dippet sighed. "I must be going, Albus, I have a meeting to attend."

Dumbledore nodded and after Dippet's departure by floo turned to the shelving at the back of the office.

"So, are you going to tell me what happened?" he demanded.

"I saw something," replied the hat. "Initially I could tell she was a Slytherin through and through; and yet… I had a glimpse of a future and a decision of hers. A decision of courage, self-sacrifice and…of love…"

Dumbledore looked up, "You saw the future?"

"I saw a future," replied the hat curtly. "I would never be so foolish as to suggest there is only one possible future."

Dumbledore smiled slightly, "And on the basis of this you changed you're decision?"

"No, on the basis of that I decided to consider the position more carefully than I had first done."

"And?" queried Dumbledore.

"Your need to know everything is not particularly endearing, Albus. Perhaps I should have placed you in Slytherin after all."

Dumbledore rolled his eyes, "Sherbet lemon?" he offered as he popped one of the sweets into his mouth.

"Not funny," huffed the hat, as, obviously, hats cannot eat sweets, even hats as talented as the sorting hat.

"So," smiled Dumbledore, "Are you going to explain the basis of your decision to me."

"To be honest," the hat answered, "I barely understand it myself. She could have gone anywhere, Albus. She has the cunning and self-serving nature of a Slytherin, the courage of a Gryffindor, the brains of a Ravenclaw and the loyal and hard-working manner of a Hufflepuff. Centuries ago the founders would have had quite a battle over that one."

"So why Gryffindor?"

"I offered her the choice."

"You let her choose which house she went to?"

"No," growled the hat, "That's my job. I let her make one simple decision, since my confusion was based upon a possible future decision of hers."

"And that decision was?"

"To be Slytherin or not to be Slytherin."

"Her entire family is Slytherin!" exclaimed Dumbledore, "Have been for generations. How could she have chosen to go against everything she must have been taught?"

"Indeed," said the hat. "Initially she was concerned by that, but I reassured her that her family would never know it was her decision – I hope I can trust you, Albus?"

"Of course."

"Then she decided to, as she phrased it 'try a different path'. So I was left with only three houses to choose from."

"Why Gryffindor?"

"I don't know. It seemed a brave decision to go against her family, even if it wasn't done openly. And then the future, well…although it was only a confusing glimpse it had an atmosphere of love and courage. After all, it is our decisions that make us who we truly are."

Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully at this.

The hat smirked, "Then again, the thought of placing such an enigma in your house was the deciding factor. The appeal of adding more trouble to your life was almost irresistible."

Dumbledore grinned, "Have you ever considered where you would sort yourself?"

"No, I could not belong to any one house," the hat smirked again, "I am greater than all."

"Slytherin," said Dumbledore his eyes twinkling, "You would definitely belong in Slytherin."

"Get out," growled the hat in mock fury, "Take your pathetic muggle sweets and leave. Slytherin! Sometimes Albus Dumbledore…"

Dumbledore laughed, "I thought you were completely unbiased; no house liked or disliked more than any other."

"That is true," replied the hat dignifiedly.

"Then why so angry at my suggestion?"

"I may not be biased but you are, Albus Dumbledore. I know enough about house rivalries to know that when the Head of Gryffindor accuses me of being a Slytherin he is not intending it to be complimentary."

Dumbledore grinned, "I have nothing but respect for my Slytherin colleagues."

"Of course," said the hat, "But that will have to actually be the truth when you are headmaster."

"What makes you think I will ever be Headmaster?"

The hat smirked "I have my own ideas on what the future will hold…and I wouldn't be surprised if your future was intertwined with that of the Slytherin turned Gryffindor currently residing in your house."

"You think mine and Miss McGonagall's futures are linked?"

"I feel they are, and yet…how I cannot see."

Dumbledore looked directly at the hat. "Are you concealing anything from me?" he demanded.

"No," the hat replied, "Not on a matter this important. Perhaps you should speak with Professor Caset."

Dumbledore nodded, and agreed that he would consult the Divination Professor as soon as possible.

I hope you liked this chapter! Personally I really enjoyed writing it and giving the sorting hat a personality, as well as a friendship with Dumbledore :-)

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