A/N: Hey guys, thanks for the reviews.

I skipped Lily's diary in this chapter because this chapter is just the sorting ceremony. Also, I never touched on this but, in this story Ron isn't a prefect. Remember, lots of canon divergence… also I added the Seer Luna tag to this as well, I keep forgetting to do that but it should be up now.

I wanted to get this out of the way and posted.

Usual apologies

Disclaimer: See previous chapter

Ron has never been more nervous before in his life.

Driving his parents' car. Going into the Chamber of Secrets. That first Quidditch match. Somehow none of it seemed quite as bad as what he was feeling right at that moment, as he sat down on the stool in front of the entire school and waited for the Sorting hat to be placed on his head.

"Mr Weasley."

Mr Weasley looked up at the professor beside him. Professor McGonagall looked about as composed as she always did, despite the look of complete and total utter shock that she'd been wearing a few moments before. Ron was surprised. He hadn't had the nerve to actually tell his head of house that he was potentially planning to leave the next morning, but he thought that the Headmaster would have informed her of what was happening. But judging from the look on her face a few moments before, he was wrong.

"You're aware, that if you are in fact sorted into a different house; you will lose your position on the Gryffindor Quidditch team?"

The redhead swallowed hard, he looked away from the piercing gaze of his professor and his eyes swept over the hall. It was deadly silent, a sharp contrast to the wave of noise that had filled the large room when Dumbledore announced that there was a student who was requesting a resort before calling Ron up to the front of the hall. Shocked gasps and whispers had filled the large room.

Everyone knew about the Weasleys. They knew about how Ron's parents and all his siblings had been sorted into Gryffindor. They knew about how proud the redhead was to be part of the lions den. The idea that he'd want to leave was something that none of them could understand. Ginny herself looked shocked beyond relief.

Shit. He hasn't even told her about the situation yet.

Ron avoided her gaze, he avoided looking at Seamus and Dean as well.

He hadn't had the nerve to tell them about any of what was happening either, though he knew that he owed his friends an explanation as to what the fuck was actually happening.

For a second, Ron's eyes landed on Hermione and he…

After what happened that morning, Ron wasn't really sure how he felt about the bushy haired girl. He didn't know how he felt about his best friend. But under the circumstances, Ron decided that he had the right to feel that way.

That morning, just as he was heading out to the hall with Harry and Neville, already feeling nervous enough as is; Hermione had stopped them in the common room and asked to speak with Ron alone.

"Ron, I wanted to apologise about what happened last night. This baby is important to you and, I suppose I didn't realise just how important until last night. I'm sorry for what I said. I hope you can forgive me."

An apology, he'd expected an apology or rather he'd been hoping for one. He didn't like fighting with his friends, even if his temper allowed for that to happen more times than he's proud of. He'd wanted to get things sorted out with her before whatever happened next… happened.

He remembered what Snape told him the night before. To focus on the baby and not let anything stress him out or worry him, but he still wanted Hermione in his life. So when she apologised Ron was happy, grateful even.

The redhead smiled, "It's alright, things have been hectic haven't they? I'm sorry too by the way, for snapping at you."

Hermione returned the smile and Ron thought that was the end of it. But then she started wringing her hands in front of her nervously and-

"About the sorting." She blurted out and Ron paused from where he'd been about to turn around to leave the common room. She took a deep breath, "I know, you don't really have much of a say in the matter but, we all know about the hat; you could just get it to keep you in Gryffindor."

Ron rolled his eyes, "Hermione, I already told you-"

"I know. I understand that it would be easier for you and the-the baby to have more access to Snape but… just think of all the consequences. After what happened with Molly, don't you think that something like this, might just make matters worse before they got better?"

The redhead paused, "I-"

"And it's not like the dungeons are in another castle completely. You'll still be able to see Professor Snape for whatever it is you need-"

"Snape isn't the only reason I'm willing to go through with this-"

"What else would there be?"

"I-" Ron stopped, took a deep breath of his own and just blurted out what he wanted to say. They're all going to find out anyway, might as well just bite the bullet. "I'm doing it because of Blaise as well."

"I understand, because of his mother but-"

"Not just because of Blaise's Mum but because… We've been talking and Blaise and I, we decided that we're going to try and give this a chance."

Hermione frowned, "What do you mean?"

"I mean we're going to give a relationship a chance."

Her eyes went wide, "What?"

"We both want to be part of the baby's life and, honestly; I think I might fancy him." Ron could feel the blush spreading right across his face, feel the smile tugging at his lips, "I-I know that I fancy him and he said that he was interested in me too so," He let out a sigh, "The other reason is because Blaise said he wanted me close and… and I want to be close to him as well so really this courtship announcement is kind of a formality. I don't know if he plans on doing any actual formal courting or anything like that-" For some reason the thought had Ron's flush going one shade darker, "But I want to give this a shot so I'm just going to let the hat put me where it wants. If I stay in Gryffindor then fine, but if I get resorted; I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for Slytherin."

"But-but Ron." Her eyes had gone impossibly wide, "You can't."

"Look, I know things have always been tense between us and Malfoy's lot but I … I feel really good when I'm with Blaise so-"

Ron didn't get to finish his sentence.

Blue eyes went impossibly wide when the girl in front of him suddenly moved forward to grab the front of his robes and press a bruising kiss on his lips.

Ron surprised himself.

He surprised himself by instinctively grabbing a hold of her shoulders and pushing Hermione away, keeping her at arm's length. His brain hadn't even fully caught up with what she did but apparently his body knew to react quickly enough.

"What – Hermione?!" He gasped, "What are you doing?!"

"Ron, I-" She looked just as surprised as he felt, though he quickly realised that she was surprised for other reasons.

"Ron, I fancy you. I always have."

"What?"

"And after everything that's happened between us, I thought you felt the same."

Ron let go and took a step back, a deep frown on his lips. The flush that coloured his skin now long gone and replaced with a pale of shock.

"Why did you kiss me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Hermione said incredulously, "Ron this thing between you and Zabini can't be real. You were only together for one night. You can't already be willing to throw your whole life upside down just for him." She stepped forward, "I found a book, it said that for male bearers, sometimes the connection to the baby can meddle with their emotions. Make them feel things that they don't actually feel for their sires. And when I think about all of this, it just makes sense doesn't it? You don't have feelings for Zabini, you're just confused."

Ron just kept staring back at her, "Why did you kiss me?"

"To remind you, to help you see that whatever you're feeling for him isn't real and that we-"

"No, stop." Ron said just as the girl came into his personal space but she persisted.

"Ron-"

"I said stop. Just stop what you're doing!"

Ron's always been short tempered and impulsive, mostly because he was stupid enough to let his emotions rule over him; leading him into doing stupid impulsive things. At that moment he let the sudden and inescapable feeling of confusion and… repulsion drive him and he kept her at bay.

A few months ago, he might've been happy at her confession.

Hermione was pretty and helpful and smart – brilliant really and on some level he'd always been attracted to her. Plus, his Mum seemed to love her too but-

But that was before.

Right now-

"I don't, have feelings for you."

Brown eyes seemed to fill with panic as she paled as well, "Ron, you can't mean that. We, we're meant to be together. We're meant to have a future together."

"No we're not. I don't even understand what you're doing right now. Hermione we're friends, we've always been friends. Why would you think-"

"Because Albus said-" She suddenly cut herself off and stepped back. Ron frowned.

"What did Dumbledore say?"

She shrank back a bit more and seemed to hesitate, "I just-I spoke with the headmaster about my feelings for you that's all and he encouraged me to tell you how I felt."

"You went to the headmaster for that?"

Why not ask one of their friends? Or McGonagall if she really wanted advice from a professor so badly-

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that I love you Ron."

Love.

"Love? Since when?"

"Since first year." She said resolutely and the blue eyes somehow went even wider than before. Ron stared back at her in shock as she came closer again.

"How would you even-"

"It doesn't matter. All that matters is that I love you. If you could just give us a chance then I'm sure-"

"No, stop." He said clearly as he kept her at bay, swallowing hard. Maybe making up with Hermione wasn't such a great idea. He should really learn to listen to Snape more often.

"I don't have feelings for you. Not like that-"

"But-"

"And I don't care if I only care about Blaise because of the baby. Blaise, makes me feel good. I feel good when I'm around him. I want to be with him." He took another step back, "And if you can't accept that then, maybe it's better that we just stayed away from each other."

"Ron-"

"I need to focus on my child, Hermione… And I don't really think you feel the things you say you feel for me. So, until you've sorted this out; I think it's best if we just stay out of each other's way."

He turned and left, ignoring her protests as he made his way out of the common room as quickly as possible and into the hallway.

Yeah…

Things between him and Hermione were weird and Ron wasn't really sure if it was going to get better. He wasn't sure how he could make it better, so he looked away from her and looked at Harry. Harry looked nervous, but still gave Ron an encouraging smile.

Harry who's just been so supportive. What Hermione said this morning about carriers and sires made him pause for a brief second. It shook his resolve if only briefly, only for Harry to help him feel steady again by just giving him an encouraging smile. He's so grateful. If he has to lose Hermione then he's beyond relieved that he at least gets to keep Harry. And then Ron's eyes swept over the room across the sea of confused gazes and shocked stares to fall on Blaise. His expression almost emotionless and yet the warmth he could feel almost radiate from those brown eyes made him feel-

"I'm-I'm aware." Ron finally answered and McGonagall blinked.

"And you still wish to continue-"

"Absolutely."

A few more gasps, Ron wasn't sure if it came from the staff or some of the students. Blaise gave a smile just as he answered and Merlin, isn't that just a smile that could lead anyone to their doom?

The Gryffindor head of house took a deep breath, "Very Well Mr. Weasley. Let the sorting commence."

The hat began its song, singing the way it always did at the beginning of the year. Ron thought it was somewhat unnecessary. It's not like he's a new student or anything so was it really necessary for the hat to sing its song first? He gripped the edge of the stool he sat on tightly, ignoring how they almost seemed to slip as sweat began to collect on the palms of his hands. Steady breaths, deep breaths.

And then the hat was placed on his head.

"Mr Weasley, my my. Isn't this a surprise."

The hat said in his head and Ron was brought back to first year. The hat hadn't really said much before putting him in Gryffindor. Just made some silly joke about knowing exactly where Weasleys should go. He was on the stool for less than two seconds and then he was sitting at the Gryffindor table. With Fred and George giving him enthusiastic smiles as they cheered while Percy gave him a much more reserved nod.

Ron was happy, he was hoping for Gryffindor and that's exactly what he got. But now…

Now he's here again.

And-

"Eager to leave the lion's den, are we?"

Ron paused, "No, it's not that. I just-… It's not like I'm unhappy in Gryffindor it's just-"

"There's no need to explain yourself my boy. It's all right here. Time has a tendency to change a person, show them what's important and what is not. Love has a similar effect on them as well, or so I'm told." The hat chuckled Ron felt himself flush.

"So, am I going somewhere else?"

"You are quite brave Ron Weasley, loyal. Gryffindor is a fine placement for you." Ron held his breath, the oddest feeling of disappointment washing over him. What he said is true, it's not like he has any kind of particular problem with Gryffindor, he doesn't. It's just-

"Although, I could sense your ambition even when I first touched your mind. Such a strong desire for more. For something greater, and with that fiery temper Slytherin could have turned you into quite the interesting little viper. Still you seemed to have your heart set on Gryffindor just like all of your siblings before you. But that's in the past. The most important time is now, so where should I put you now. Hmm…"

Ron's hands went tighter, he shut his eyes.

"Brave and loyal, but still so ambitious. Much too ambitious to be left where you are. You will do quite well in SLYTHERIN!"

Ron's eyes snapped open. The Hall filled with shocked gasps and shouts. He looked down at his tie and saw it slowly change from red and gold to silver and green.

"The road ahead will be quite difficult Mr Weasley, but if you focus on what's most important, you should be just fine."

Ron swallowed hard and looked up. It was completely silent, McGonagall looked shocked half to death. Almost instinctively his eyes went over to Blaise. The Slytherin stood up. Ron didn't even think about it. He got up, put the hat on the stool and walked right over. Ignoring the hundreds of gazes that followed him until he made it over to the table and he immediately sat down next to Blaise.

"Bloody hell." He hissed and Blaise let out a soft scoff as he leaned in towards the redhead.

"You did great." He felt a hand slip onto his own underneath the table and Ron held it back, taking in a deep breath before he looked up at Blaise. "The hardest part is over with. Relax, everything is fine."

He couldn't look up around them. He couldn't look up to see the reaction of the rest of the student body let alone the reactions of the students sitting at the exact same table as him. He could feel their stares. The millions of silent questions just whirling around him. His hand just tightened around Blaise's and he tried to calm his racing heart.

"Now, I'm sure you all must be wondering what's happening and why Mr Weasley has asked for a resort." Dumbledore suddenly said as he stood up from his seat and gave a smile, something about it seeming just a bit off, just like when they were in his office. That usual twinkle in his eyes completely gone as all eyes turned on the table at the head of the hall. "Under ministry law, it is my privilege to announce; That Mr Ronald Billius Weasley is under courtship with Mr Blaise Zabini with the intention of magical bonding and marriage once they are both of age."

A whole new set of gasps. Someone at the Slytherin table let out a shriek. Ron couldn't help but look up and he noticed Pansy Parkinson staring in shock, the blood seemed to drain from her face. Ron felt his lips pull in a smirk… just the tiniest smirk, not that he had a reason to feel smug about anything really. It had nothing to do with the fact that he'd noticed Parkinson almost hanging off of Blaise's arm a few times. No of course, it had nothing to do with that. He looked over to the blonde beside her, Malfoy's face was twisted in hilarious incredulity. Almost gaping while his eyes had gone impossibly wide. That was funny, Ron scoffed.

"Mr Weasley, Lord Zabini. Congratulations on your courtship. A round of applause for the happy couple." Dumbledore said already clapping. It took a moment for the rest of the hall to catch up. McGonagall clapped, now a bit more composed since she finally had her answer for whatever it is that was going on and slowly the rest of the students doing the same. Snape simply looked over to Ron and gave a nod. Somehow that helped much more than the clapping; he let out a final breath of relief and for the moment, he felt O.K. Even if he didn't let go of Blaise's hand for so much as a second.

"Now, unless there's anything else." Dumbledore said folding his arms behind his back, "We can continue-"

"Wait!"

Ron felt himself tensed all over again.

Here comes the really hard part.

The whole hall went silent just as Harry stood from his seat, swallowed hard and called out.

"I wish to be resorted, as well."

Dumbledore paled, McGonagall looked very close to passing out, all the other professors stared with wide shocked eyes. Snape honestly rolled his eyes. It was such a novelty sight that Ron couldn't help but smile a little.

"Ron." Blaise hissed, the Italian was frowning, "What's Potter doing?"

Ron shrugged, "Resorting."

Blaise blinked and looked over to stare at Harry in shock. The same way that everyone else was doing in right at that moment.

"What?"

Dumbledore's voice was soft but it still carried across the hall.

"I'm requesting a resort. As well." Harry added giving a nervous smile and Ron couldn't help but scoff again. Hermione seemed to hiss something at him.

"But… Absolutely not!" McGonagall almost cried out. "Mr Potter, I'm not sure what is going on here but under no circumstances are you resorting, why on earth-"

"Why not?"

Luna.

She stood up from her place at the Ravenclaw table much to the horror and shock of her housemates, a frown pulling at her lips

"He's allowed." She continued, "According to the school rules each and every single student attending Hogwarts has the right to request one resort at any point in their Hogwarts career."

McGonagall, seemed to stutter for a moment as the girl continued with a bright smile. "I would like to resort as well."

Flitwick chocked.

"Miss Lovegood-"

"Oh and Neville too."

"WHAT?!" Neville screeched out as he stared at her with wide eyes. She moved away from the Ravenclaw table to stand next to Harry.

"We're allowed. It's in the school rules." She said simply. Harry just stared at the girl. Hermione suddenly stood up as well.

"So would I." She said sounding determined. McGonagall looked like she was at a complete loss for words.

The headmaster looked tense, he stared at the students across the hall for a moment and then-

"Very well."

"Albus-"

"Ms Lovegood is correct, according to the rules that govern this school every single student has the right to request a resort. We have no to right to deny them." The headmaster said, "Well then, come along. Let's see what the hat has to say."

Harry swallowed hard as he marched up to the front of the hall. Hermione followed and Luna made sure to grab hold of Neville's arm to drag him up as she pulled him to the front as well, ignoring all of his protests along the way.

The other students whispered and stared. There was so much noise in the hall, the headmaster had to raise his hands to quiet them down.

"Order please! " He looked over to McGonagall, "Minerva, if you would."

The Gryffindor head of house stood frozen, she shut her eyes and seemed to count to ten before she moved.

"Very well. Since there are multiple students we will proceed alphabetically." She picked up the hat, her jaw clenching as she stood by the stool. "Ms Granger."

Hermione walked up and sat on the stool.

"Ms Granger, do you understand that if you should be resorted, you will lose your prefect badge and all that comes with it?"

Hermione looked over to Ron, Ron couldn't help but tense while Blaise frowned.

"I'm aware and… I wish to proceed."

"Very well."

The professor placed the hat on her head.

It was silent for a moment. For a moment nothing happened and then-

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Sighs, sighs of relief and quiet whispers filled the hall. A few students clapped. Fortunately, whatever freak accident seemed to befall Ron hadn't spread to anyone else as well.

Hermione however sat frozen, mouth opening and closing in a slight gape before she looked up at the professor beside her.

"Professor-"

"The hat's decision is final Ms Granger." McGonagall said seeming to let out a sigh of relief of her own, the colour just starting to return to her face as she gave the girl a curt nod. "Back to your table."

"But-"

"Now Ms Granger."

Hermione looked over to Ron again before letting out a huff as she almost stomped her way back to the Gryffindor table.

"Now, Mr Longbottom."

Neville looked at Luna, his eyes filled with horror and fear while the girl just smiled at him. He let out a sigh and just walked over to sit on the stool.

"Mr Longbottom, are you sure that you wish to resort?"

"I… yeah?"

"Mr Longbottom-"

"'I'm sure. I'm sure. I want to resort."

McGonagall arched a brow, "Very well." And then set the hat on his head.

It was quiet, the hat said nothing for quite a few moments before-

"SLYTHERIN!"

Snape had just been about to take a sip of tea when he suddenly chocked. No one else in the hall noticed, but after the night before Ron saw and recognised that look of complete and total utter shock. He couldn't help but laugh.

He felt Blaise tug at his hand.

"What on earth are you all up to?"

"I have no idea."

Neville just sat there. He didn't move. His tie turned to silver and green. He stared at it in horror. McGonagall had paled again.

"Mr… Mr Longbottom, please join the Slytherin table."

Neville looked up at the woman and then over to the Slytherin table and back again. He finally moved and walked over to the Slytherin table, quickly slipping into the seat beside Ron. The students that had been sitting beside Blaise had left a sizable gap when the redhead sat down so he didn't have to worry about that.

Neville kept his head down even as he sat down.

"Shit shit shit shit shit-"

"Nev, mate." Ron whispered, "Why in Merlin's name did you do that?"

"I don't know!" He sounded almost panicked, staring at Ron with wide eyes.

"Ms Lovegood."

McGonagall said and Luna practically bounced over to sit on the stool.

"Ms Lovegood are you certain that you wish to resort-"

"Yes!" She chirped and McGonagall let out a heavy sigh. Flitwick was practically leaning right over the table as he stared in shock.

The hat was placed on her head.

It took two seconds before the hat suddenly started laughing loudly and it screamed.

"SLYTHERIN!"

There was a loud commotion as Flitwick passed out. Professor Sprout and Madame Pomfrey rushed to his side to help the poor man back up again. McGonagall swallowed. Vector started laughing.

"Ms Lovegood-"

Luna didn't even wait for the professor to finish as she bounced over to the Slytherin table and sat down next to Neville with a bright smile.

"Morning Ron." She chirped as she leaned over to see the redhead. Ron just stared back at her.

It took about five minutes to revive Professor Flitwick. The same amount of time it took to get the hall quiet all over again. Harry was still standing right there.

Once all was quiet Professor McGonagall looked at Harry, she looked back at Dumbledore who seemed a bit more nervous than before.

"Mr Potter."

Harry walked over and sat on the stool.

"Mr Potter, you realise that… that if you are resorted; you will lose your position as the Gryffindor Quidditch captain." She took in a deep breath, "Are you sure-"

Harry took his quidditch pin off and handed it to the professor. Silence except for-

"Harry?! What're you doing?!" Ginny stood up from her seat. The look of shock and horror on her face made Ron feel-

Well, blimey, why wasn't she that upset when Ron was getting resorted?

"I'm sure." Harry said.

"Very well."

Dumbledore looked tense. Every single professor was watching on in anticipation.

The hat was put on his head.

There was a moment and then another and then-

"SLYTHERIN!"

Gryffindor rose up in an uproar. Harry blinked and watched as his tie turned to silver and green. The headmaster now completely pale, McGonagall looked close to fainting again.

"SILENCE!" The headmaster roared and the hall went quiet. He looked over at the teen still sitting on the stool, "Harry, you-"

Harry just got up and walked over to the Slytherin table. Neville and Luna moved aside to make more room and he sat down.

"Thanks." He whispered, face now burning red until.

Clapping.

They looked up and found Snape clapping at the head of the hall somehow giving each and every single one of his snakes a very pointed look until they all started clapping as well. Luna didn't seem to need much encouragement, Neville clapped along slowly. Blaise started clapping, Ron thumped Harry on the back and pulled him in close.

"I think McGonagall is about to pass out."

Harry scoffed, "She's not the only one."

Looking over their new table he noticed that most of the Slytherin students were clapping, some whispering while others openly glared. Malfoy glared as well, his hand clenching tightly.

Slytherin stopped clapping when their head of house did. McGonagall just stood there at the front of the hall, looking like she didn't know what to do with herself. Dumbledore seemed to let out a sigh as he quickly composed himself-

"Are there any others who wish to resort?"

The hall was quiet, "Very well, let us continue with breakfast and once the morning feast has concluded, we will begin with first period."

The hall filled with whispers, no one even glanced at their food.

"No going back now." Harry said giving his friend a slight smile and Ron scoffed even as he looked around the table nervously.

"Yeah."

He almost jumped when he felt Blaise move around him filling his plate with food he realised.

"What-"

"You need to eat. Right?" He said simply. One slice of toast – two slices of toast. Eggs and bacon. "Did you take your potions this morning?"

Ron flushed, "Getting ahead of yourself don't you think?"

Blaise smirked only to stop and look over to Harry, "Potter."

Harry just stared back at him, "Zabini."

"A bit surprised you decided to resort."

Harry just shrugged.

"Why did you resort, Potter?" Malfoy suddenly asked with a sneer before looking over to Neville and Luna. "What, you're trying to infest us all with your filth?"

"Looking at you, I think there's plenty of filth here already, Ferret face." Ron hissed with a glare. Blaise scoffed while Malfoy went red and-

"Ten points from Slytherin." They all looked up and found Snape standing right behind the newly sorted group. The table all collectively tensed as the professor fixed Malfoy in the slightest glare, "As headboy Mr Malfoy, I expect you to show curtesy to your new housemates and make them feel welcome."

"But sir-"

"Shall we make it twenty points, Mr Malfoy?"

The blonde's mouth snapped shut, Ron gave a snort-

"Mr Weasley."

Ron looked up, "Yes, professor."

"Since you seem to be leading this… little group for the moment, I'll ask that you make sure that you're all in my office in twenty minutes. As new students in my house, there are things I need to discuss with you before you commence with your classes. Can I trust you with that task Mr Weasley?"

"Uh… yes sir."

"Ms Parkinson."

"Yes professor."

"As prefect, I'm sure you'll show your new housemates to my office and you'll make sure they know the password to the common room of course."

"But-" The girl was about to protest but clearly thought better of it as she just glared at Ron. "Yes, professor."

"Very good."

Snape looked over the redhead for a brief moment and gave a slight nod before he turned on his heel and walked right out of the hall, black robes billowing behind him as he went.

Blaise leaned in to whisper against Ron's ear.

"He really likes you."

Ron couldn't help but laugh, only to stop and awkwardly clear his throat when he saw Harry watching him with a frown.

Right…

He still hasn't told Harry yet.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was all so dramatic Severus couldn't help but roll his eyes in frustration. He sat in one of the chairs in front of the headmaster's desk. Watching, with not even the barest sliver of amusement, as the woman in the chair beside him tried desperately to not throw a fit the way she so obviously wanted to.

"Albus, how could you allow this?!" McGonagall asked, at least forty percent of the composure that she managed to muster up a few moments ago when they were in the Great hall now gone. The headmaster sighed.

"Minerva, I know this must be quite the shock-"

"Shock?! Shock Albus?! Four of my students attempted a resort this morning and three of them succeeded! Poppy had to take Filius away because he still hasn't recovered from Ms Lovegood's sorting himself."

"I know that Minerva." The headmaster simply reached over to pick up a lemon drop and pop it into his mouth, "I will not pretend as though I am pleased at the day's developments, however there is nothing I could do under the circumstances. What Ms Lovegood said is correct and you know it. Each and every student enrolled into Hogwarts has the right to request a resort at any point in their Hogwarts careers."

She let out a frustrated sigh through clenched teeth, "Albus-"

"Is it strictly necessary for me to be here?" Severus finally asked, now thoroughly annoyed from watching the two go back and forth. "The morning feast is soon to end, first period will start and I have new students to deal with before I can move on with my day."

Minerva looked over to him, a barely concealed glare just there as her hands clenched on the armrests of her seat.

"You knew about this didn't you, Severus? You knew they were going to resort."

Severus resisted the urge to sigh, "I knew about Weasley and Potter. As for Longbottom and Lovegood, I only found out this morning like everyone else."

"And you didn't tell me-"

"Albus informed me of this yesterday, after Lady Zabini requested the resort on Mr Weasley's behalf."

"Yesterday?!"

"Honestly, I assumed that you would be informed as well."

Her head snapped back to the headmaster, a look of betrayal so tragic Severus almost felt sorry for her.

"How was she able to request a resort on his behalf? Surely only Molly would-"

"Albus," the Slytherin head of house said firmly as he straightened up in his chair, "Like I said before, I have new students to deal with. I'd like to be excused."

The older man sighed, "Very well, Severus. We will speak later."

Severus only gave a nod as he stood up and quickly left the office. Once the door shut Minerva brought her gaze back to the only other occupant in the room.

"Albus, what on earth is going on?"

He took a deep breath as he shifted in his seat, "It would seem Minerva, that young Mr Weasley is pregnant with the child of Blaise Zabini."

McGonagall stared, "What? Pregnant?! But how-"

"Ron is a carrier. Unfortunately, he only discovered this fact after discovering that he had fallen pregnant."

She gaped, "But… with Zabini's child?!"

"I don't know the exact details of what happened. I didn't feel like it was my place to ask. However, he is pregnant, Mr Zabini is the baby's sire and as I'm sure you know; carrier pregnancies cannot be terminated. As such it seems that they've decided to raise this child together. Hence the courtship announcement."

"Sweet Merlin." She gasped and then she frowned, "But, why resort… surely Ron could stay in Gryffindor-"

"Madame Zabini decided that it would be in her future heir's best interest if he was under her family's protection. She invoked the family bloodrights and additionally requested a resort. Apparently, she'd be more comfortable if the individual carrying her future grandchild was under Severus' care."

"Why?"

"Oh, who knows really. You remember Madame Zabini used to be in Slytherin, she and Severus may have been friends, but more than that Severus has been making Ron's prenatal potions. I think it actually would be better that the boy be under his care. So he can keep an eye on him."

Minerva fell back in her chair, suddenly feeling impossibly exhausted at the information that's just been laid out for her. It was all just… so much.

"When did Ron find out he was pregnant?"

"According to Poppy a few days ago."

"And I wasn't informed? Albus I am his head of house – I was his head of house, I should have been informed the moment this was known! Severus knew before I did!"

"Severus only knew because he needed to get started on Ron's potions, that's all-"

"But-"

"Minerva really," Albus sighed, "There's nothing to be done about it. Ron is pregnant with Zabini's child, they're under courtship, there is absolutely nothing you or I could do about this now." He glanced up at the hat which was back on its spot on the shelf, "The hat made its decision. Mr Weasley is a Slytherin now."

She shook her head with a heavy sigh, "I can only imagine how Molly is going to take this… For her son and grandchild to be in Slytherin."

Albus shrugged, "She will have to accept it."

One deep breath, "What about the others? Longbottom, Lovegood even Harry Potter, Albus?! How on earth were they be placed in Slytherin?"

"I don't know, Minerva. I do not have all the answers."

"Harry couldn't possibly be safe there. With all the children of Death Eaters. Crabbe and Goyle, Nott and Malfoy! Who knows what could happen with him there."

"I'm sure he'll be fine."

"But-"

"Severus is the Slytherin head of house. I have complete confidence in his abilities. Harry will be perfectly safe there."

Her jaw clenched, "You know very well Severus despises him. You've seen his treatment towards the boy-"

"Harry will be fine. I do not know why he chose to resort. Though the most likely answer is that he's chosen to resort in solidarity with Ron. I have no doubt that Mr Longbottom and Ms Lovegood did so for similar reasons as well." He let out another sigh before she could open her mouth to protest again and silenced her, "There's nothing to be done about it. We can only move forward. I'll ask you to make sure things stay calm in Gryffindor. I can understand the confusion but I don't want any of the new resortees being on the receiving end of any insolent behaviour. Particularly Harry and Ron. This transition needs to go as smoothly as possible. Lady Zabini has many powerful connections in Wizengamot despite being in the grey, I'm sure I do not need to warn you of what might happen if any harm comes to Ron or his baby."

The woman almost recoiled, "My Gryffindors would never-"

"Under no circumstances are you to share Ron's circumstances with anyone else. For the time being I think they'll be keeping the knowledge of his pregnancy to themselves. You know just how intense house rivalries can get, Minerva. Just make sure that nothing flares up on your end, and I'll make sure that Severus does the same on his end."

She took a deep breath, "Alright."

"Good." He said, giving her a weak smile, "Now, what Severus said is true. Breakfast will end soon and I believe you have a class first period. We can discuss this more later."

"Fine." She said as she stood up and straightened her robes, setting her hat straight – which looked close to just falling off earlier – before she left the office.

Albus sank back into his seat and let out an exhausted sigh before he reached out, snatched up a whole hand full of lemon drops and tossed them back into his mouth. He shut his eyes and leaned back in his seat when-

"You know, while it is nearly impossible to die of an overdose of calming draught; Calming draught addiction is actually quite prevalent in the wizarding world. Or so I'm told. The Longbottom boy seemed to have read an article about it a few months ago."

Albus opened his eyes and looked up. Glaring at the brown hat on the shelf.

"Why did you put Harry in Slytherin?"

"Where else should I have put him?"

"He should have stayed in Gryffindor."

"Well," The hat seemed to twist a little, "We have a difference of opinion on that."

"You blasted-"

"This was inevitable Albus, I told you that you were playing a dangerous game and yet you persisted."

"You played along with my game."

"Only as far as I reasonably could. The Weasley children were perfectly suitable for Gryffindor though some of them would have been better placed elsewhere. Only one child from House Black may be sorted into Gryffindor though Andromeda would have made a fine lion herself. And dear Severus-"

"Slytherin."

"Ravenclaw would have served him better and we both know it." The hat almost spat before twisting another way, "None of this matters. Not anymore. The Weasley boy has broken this curse that you've placed on this school, though he doesn't know it yet."

"He hasn't done anything."

"He's done enough." The hat chuckled, "Though I must admit. Ms Lovegood surprised me."

Albus arched a brow, "Why did you put her in Slytherin?"

"With the argument she presented, how could I not?"

Albus rolled his eyes in frustration and picked up a few more lemon drops and finally, finally felt himself begin to relax.

"The Weasley boy doesn't matter and as for Harry, this will only be a minor setback. None of my plans have changed, all will be well."

The hat sighed, "What a wicked man you are. Even back when I first touched your mind, I saw the darkness in your heart and I ignored it. I should have put you in Slytherin, perhaps then, none of this would be happening."

Albus scoffed, "And why didn't you?"

"If I put you in Slytherin the head of house at the time would have taken one look and seen right through you. He would have had you expelled on the spot. Gryffindor has always been more forgiving, after all; you were only a child. I thought they could inspire some goodness in you. How wrong I was."

"Well," Albus got up and smirked at the hat, "I suppose we all have to suffer for our mistakes."

"Yes, and soon you will too."

He glared waving his arm at the hat with a bit of wandless magic to silence it before he turned and immediately went to his private quarters

Preparations.

Preparations must be made.

Just in case.

A/N: Please review