Obvious but needed bit where I tell you I do not own any part of the characters. the world they live in or any other references to said world. They belong to J.K Rowling.
Chapter 2:
The Sorting
In the last few weeks of summer before the start of term, Hermione felt the joy of her time in Diagon Alley dwindling and replaced with a sense of dread. No one could grasp why she needed to go back to school, but she knew she needed to, no matter how nervous she was about it. It won't matter to her that graduating from Hogwarts was moot in her search for a job now, it wouldn't sit right with her. Yet, as September first was becoming close to being crossed off her mother's kitchen calendar, her confidence started to waiver.
A few weeks after she had returned home last year, Hermione had cast the summoning charm, accio. Attempted to cast it was more accurate. To her utter disbelief, the book she had been summoning fell to the floor with a loud thud halfway across the room. The next day, in an attempt to warm her afternoon tea, it had frozen solid. Sophie had explained this was due to great stress and trauma and while Hermione understood the concept, she was certain this was not the problem. Yes, last year was very traumatic and stressful, but it all paid off. We won in the end, Voldemort was gone at last. There was nothing stressful in her life at the moment, except now she could hardly perform magic.
Hermione had put off performing any other spells until she could speak with Professor McGonagall personally. She had considered sending an owl but felt like Professor McGonagall wouldn't understand the severity unless she saw it in person. A sudden jolt brought Hermione from her thoughts. Looking out the back window she saw the car park to the train station, After parking and speed walking to avoid the light autumnal rain, her parents faced her to bid their goodbyes from platform nine and three-quarters.
"Thank you for letting us drive you one last time," her father said stoically. He cleared his throat and continued, "I know you don't necessarily need us to any-" his voice cracked, tears welling in his eyes. Hermione flung her arms around him, barely swallowing the sob attempting its escape. Her father pulled back and surveyed her, each hand on her shoulders.
"You've made us so proud," he beamed, tears flowing freely now, "And I know you will continue to go on and do great things." Hermione looked up at him with a forced smile. It felt as though a heavy stone had suddenly appeared in her stomach.
"Thanks, Dad," she mumbled, her own eyes threatening to overflow now. She turned to her mother; she had been crying off and on during the drive to the station and was now one step away from hysterical. Unable to speak from emotion, she grabbed Hermione and squeezed her tight. Hermione returned the hug with the same enthusiasm, unable to stop her tears now. Seeing her parents so distraught broke her heart.
After the war, Hermione restored their memories and decided to be honest and tell them the entire story from start to finish. To make complete sense, she had to start at their first year when she was eleven and she and Ron's and Harry's battle against Voldemort truly began. They had been horrified, proud, angry. And now the thought of her leaving them for nine months after only one mere summer together had them completely distraught. She promised to write weekly and to come home for the holidays. She hated seeing them this way, but this was something she just knew she had to do.
After more hugs and farewells and promises of communication, Hermione finally gathered her trolley and turned to face the familiar brick wall, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest. She took a deep breath to calm herself and closed her eyes to prepare to head straight for the wall between platforms nine and ten. A random thought sparked her anxiety like a firework, What if she couldn't get through? Her magic hadn't been working properly, what if she just slammed into the wall? Hermione's breath started to quicken, the noises around her amplifying so loud her thoughts began to scatter. She couldn't focus. Did she pack everything? Did she have her school list with her? Maybe she could double-check once she got on the train…
As Hermione's thoughts spiraled out of control, she felt a warm and firm pressure on her shoulder that made her eyes open with a snap. Her father was watching her with a worried expression.
"You doing alright there, sweetie?" His hand seemed to ground her and suddenly the world snapped back to normal. She took a deep breath and gave him a reassuring smile.
"Just nerves, Daddy, I'll be okay," she continued to smile up at him, willing him to believe her and not worry. His eyebrow furrowed and he took a deep breath.
"Look," he bent down a little, looking her directly in the eye, his voice gentle. "You have spent most of your life worrying about others and that is so wonderful of you. But," he paused and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, "I think you need to spend time figuring out who you are without all that. Take time for yourself." He stopped talking and looked at her so hard, so meaningful as if he wanted to telepathically give her this advice. Hermione felt a small smile come onto her face.
"Thank you, Daddy," she whispered. He smiled and kissed her forehead before joining her mother's side. Hermione took another deep breath and began pushing her trolley at platform 9 3/4. With a slight jog, she held her breath and closed her eyes as she reached the wall, and then… new sounds surrounded her. Only one steam engine, owls, cats, and the chatter around her no longer included how much groceries cost, or the new television show currently airing, but instead, she heard bits about Quidditch and gobstones and problems with garden gnomes.
Hermione felt herself relax a little. Even if she was having trouble casting spells, apparently this didn't prevent her from joining the magical world. And no matter how much anxiety it brought her, this was the world she knew she belonged. Giving her trolley a hefty push, Hermione started her way down the platform, waving to familiar faces, and smiling at those who called out in excitement. After she found an empty compartment and loaded her trunk, she sat down with a sigh.
So many people had crowded around her, and not just the students. Parents were asking for autographs, asking questions, wanting advice… she knew this year would be very taxing on her, physically and mentally if this were an example of what was in store once they got to Hogwarts.
The train ride into Hogsmeade was uneventful. She and Ginny had found a compartment with Luna Lovegood who had also only been in sixth year like Ginny but wasn't exempt from school like Hermione. The three of them spent the ride discussing their summers, guessing at the theme for the ball, and all expertly avoiding the elephant in the room. At Hogsmeade station, they waited until the corridors had mostly emptied before retrieving their luggage from the overhead storage. Hermione wasn't the only victim of sudden unwanted fame. They pulled their luggage to the carriages and loaded them.
"Shall we?" Ginny asked dramatically, pulling herself into a seat. Hermione's giggle was cut short as the Thestrals pulling the carriages came into sight. Her past words echoed in her mind. I wish I could see them.
"Are you okay?" Luna's airy voice came to her left. Hermione turned to see Luna's eyebrows together in concern as she watched Hermione looking at the Thestrals. Hermione forced a smile and cleared her throat before answering.
"Oh yes, I just didn't know they'd be so-" she struggled for a word, "So offputting." she finished and then got into the carriage next to Ginny. Luna sat across from them
.
"Yes," Luna said dreamily, "Their appearance can be a bit too alarming for anyone to notice their beauty."
Ginny gave Hermione a knowing look and Hermione suppressed a grin and looked out the window to avoid laughing at Ginny's expression. Luna was a dear friend, but it could be challenging not to find some of her statements outlandish. Bouncing along the path to Hogwarts caused the moonlight to catch off of Ginny and Luna's gold-perfect badges. Ginny had been so happy in her letter when she first got it and Hermione had been happy for her. With no badge for herself, however, her confidence had fallen even further.
The Great Hall seemed louder than usual as hundreds of students were catching up after the summer apart, with obviously much to talk about after the year everyone had had last year. Hermione sat quietly at the Gryffindor table, listening as those around her talked excitedly about the year to come. One younger student Hermione didn't know was in the middle of telling a riveting tale of his older muggle brother playing pranks on him.
"But just you wait," he was telling his friend who had been listening with rapt attention, "this year when we go to Hogsmeade I'm going to Weasley's and he will be sorry!" Both were laughing gleefully when Professor McGonagall rose and stood at the same podium Professor Dumbledore stood at. This was Hermione's first year witnessing it and it was an odd picture, one that made her feel even more disconnected from everyone around her. As she stood there, talking grew louder instead of growing silent. Where were the first years to be sorted?
"First I would like to welcome every one of you back this school year. I know last year was very trying on everyone. This year at Hogwarts, there will be quite a few changes in an attempt to promote unity amongst our students. The division amongst our kind is what created the troubled times we experienced last year and we need to heal and bridge those gaps if we wish to avoid repeating those dark times. To do this, house points will be a team effort," Professor McGonagall paused here, as though hesitant to continue. "It was a firm belief of the late Professor Dumbledore that we sorted our students too early, that our true traits developed later in the school career." A small buzz had broken out and died as suddenly as it began. Everyone was staring intently at Professor McGonagall, it was the most attentive Hermione had ever seen the students.
"We, your teachers, have agreed with him and have decided to resort everybody into new houses." McGonagall had to raise her voice near the end of her statement as everyone in the Great Hall started talking. Some were in an uproar, stating it was unfair, while others were sitting in shock. Hermione was one of them. Resort them? There was a chance she wouldn't be in Gryffindor anymore? Up and down Griffyndor's table, people were shouting questions, others hypothesizing what the news meant. Hermione hadn't said anything but she was looking at McGonagall with interest. She wasn't completely opposed to the idea…it would help with the idea of starting over, "discovering and becoming who I am without war" as Sophie had told her. And while it did irritate her, she couldn't disagree with her. Ever since her first year at Hogwarts, she had been fighting against the dark arts. Professor McGonagall waited a few moments before she commanded everyone's attention again.
"Please, settle down!" She spoke over the babble of the crowd. "I understand this is a shock, but your reaction proves my point that we need unification within our school. We must learn to accept everyone and be tolerant of others. The rivalry between houses has become too aggressive over the years and we, your professors as well as Professor Dumbledore, would like to change this." Her voice had a sense of finality that no one dared disagree, out loud anyway. During the resorting, Hermione heard many disgruntled students whispering unhappily as they waited for their names to be called.
Many people ended up in the same house they started in, to their excitement. Others, however, were sorted into shockingly different houses. One example was Hermione herself. When she heard McGonagall call her name, she felt her heart skip a beat. She made her way through the remaining students, wiping her sweaty palms off her robes. Professor gave her an encouraging smile and placed the sorting hat on her head when Hermione sat on the stool. Even after six years, the sorting hat was far too large for her head and fell over her eyes a bit.
Miss Granger! Hermione heard in her head, making her jump slightly. What an interesting head indeed! You've been through quite a lot haven't you, young lady? Hermione's fingernails started digging into her arms as she hugged herself tightly. She just wanted to get this over with. In a hurry, I see, although there is no reason for it. A change of pace is what you need, and you may not agree, but it better be…
"Slytherin!" The sorting hat shouted the last word into the Great Hall and it was met with complete silence. As the hat was pulled off her head, Hermione looked out into the Hall and saw shocked faces, jaws dropped. Almost immediately as she stood to make her way to the Slytherin table, a buzz started and grew. Everyone was talking about how a hero of the war against one of the darkest wizards to ever exist was sorted into Slytherin house, the only house known for producing evil witches and wizards.
Hermione kept her head down as she walked to her new house table. Her legs shook like jelly and she was grateful when she was able to sit down next to her fellow Slytherins. She didn't dare look up. Professor McGonagall had continued the sorting, but people were still whispering and staring, some even pointing. Hermione felt her breath coming in short, her vision starting to tunnel, the world around her beginning to disappear.
"Uh, you alright?" the question came from across the table. Hermione looked up and saw, to her amazement, Seamus Finnigan. As her world came slowly back into focus, she shook her head, as if to clear it.
"Uhm, yeah yeah, I'm fine. You were sorted into Slytherin!?" Seamus smiled crookedly, he crossed his arms and shrugged innocently.
"I guess I could ask you the same thing," he said with a wink. Hermione gave a tight smile and changed the subject to his summer activities. Seamus was filling her in on his new Quidditch technique when Professor McGonagall called a name that once again caused the Great Hall to go completely silent.
"Draco Malfoy!" It was as if everyone had frozen in their spot. The few remaining students stepped aside long before he needed them to almost as if they were trying to avoid being anywhere near his presence. Hermione watched the top of a familiar blond head make its way down the aisle conveniently made for him. She caught glances of him through the bodies of other students, so many memories rushing back towards her. She gripped the table as the feeling of passing out cold overwhelmed her. Malfoy Manor swam through her mind's eye, Bellatrix torturing her as she screamed questions at her, fighting Malfoy and his minions Crabbe and Goyle for her life in the Room of Requirement. She had hardly heard the gasp from the students as the sorting hat shouted out, "Gryffindor!".
As Malfoy made his way to Hermione's old house table, she stood and quickly made her way down along the table and out the doors. She looked around, breathing rapidly, searching for a place to go. Quickly making up her mind before she lost her nerve, she opened the front door to the castle and rushed outside without closing it. She ran down the steps and a random trail before she dropped to her knees and began to sob.
This is too much, I shouldn't have come back here. This is too hard. I can't do it. Hermione sobbed and sobbed. It was as if something in her unlocked and she was unable to control herself. She had been through so much. She just wanted a normal year for once and already it's going to be bizarre. Slytherin? She thought angrily How could I have gotten sorted into Slytherin!? And Malfoy was in Gryffindor!? The unfairness, the memories, everything was so overwhelming, Hermione just wanted to go home.
After a few long minutes, her sobs began to subside and small gasps of air interrupted her breathing as she slowly calmed down. She moved from her knees and sat cross-legged, wiping the tears from her eyes and face. Rocks crunched behind her and soon, someone else joined her on the ground. Hermione didn't look over, she didn't want to talk to anyone. It was five minutes before they said anything.
"I really do love stargazing," the voice belonged to the last person Hermione expected, Luna Lovegood. She looked to her left and saw Luna hugging her knees and rocking slightly while looking up at the night sky.
"You know, I always loved the muggles stories about the constellations. Great warriors, the keepers of men, lovers, and fighters alike. The strongest and most worthy were eligible, but so were those who had displeased the gods the muggles praised, and they were able to be put into the sky forever. I think there's something beautiful about it, their stories of inspiration or warning will live on forever, even if they aren't true." Luna stated matter of factly. Hermione stared at Luna in interest. She wasn't sure why she was telling her this, but Hermione did notice her breathing had slowly returned to normal as she listened to her. Luna stood up and offered her hand to Hermione without a word. Hermione took her hand and they both headed back up to the castle without a word. They entered the castle, being sure to close the door this time. Before re-entering the Great Hall, Luna paused and turned to Hermione.
"Have you heard of Perseus?" she asked, her wide eyes staring directly into Hermione's. Caught off-guard, Hermione stuttered that she did.
"You remind me of him. He was a normal person but had god-like strength. It's like you, normal with these wonderful magical abilities to help those around you. And he went on and slayed the beasts, crossed great distances, faced many evils, and survived to be accepted into the heavens." Luna paused and looked at Hermione so earnestly, it was hard for her not to smile at Luna.
"I know you've been through a lot," Luna started again, her tone near a whisper. "But I know this is just another trial, you are strong and you are capable. I was with you there, I know how hard you can fight for others, you should know you're worth that effort on yourself." Luna's candid conversations had always thrown Hermione off or made her scoff in disbelief, but this statement made tears well in her eyes. A lump formed so big in her throat, and as she pulled Luna in for a hug, tears started falling down her cheeks.
"Thank you so much, Luna," she whispered into her ear. Luna squeezed Hermione back but said nothing. Nothing was needed. After a couple more minutes, they pulled apart, both girls wiping their eyes and noses and giggling slightly in embarrassment. Hermione had never shared any sentiment moment with Luna and was so touched by what she had said.
Once both girls had contained themselves, they opened the doors to the Great Hall and snuck back in. As Hermione made her way to the Slytherin table, barely listening to the rest of McGonagall's speech - the sorting had ended while Hermione was outside - she watched Luna walk to the Hufflepuff table. Hermione smiled because that made complete sense. Luna was one of the most kind and loyal people she knew. She turned her attention to the table, looking for a seat relatively far from other students when she found another shock for the night. Ginny was waving her over, a giant smile plastered on her face.
"You're in Slytherin!?" Hermione gasped as she slid in next to Ginny. A small leap of joy filled her chest, at least it wouldn't be totally new. Ginny nodded excitedly and put a finger to her lips and pointed to McGonagall who had moved on to yet another new policy. A hush fell over the students, but Hermione heard many students around her grumble about wanting dinner before the morning came. While she didn't agree with their attitude towards the new Headmistress, she did agree with them about dinner. Now that she had slightly calmed down, her stomach had started to growl.
"There is a new policy with your houses. If you are in your fifth year or higher, this will be for house until you graduate from Hogwarts. Second years to fourth years will be sorted every year to establish a deeper personal connection with the sorting hat so it can make a more accurate decision. First years will start in the current house they are in and will rotate to a new house every 10 weeks." A babble broke out over the news and Professor McGonagall held up her hand to silence the crowd.
"I understand all the new rules and sorting is confusing and exciting and you all wish to discuss it, but if you'd like to eat dinner sooner rather than later, I suggest you allow me to finish speaking,." she spoke so curtly, everyone stopped talking at once. "Thank you. As I was saying," she cleared her throat before continuing, "That being said, the first years will not contribute to house points, but every other year will. Now, our prefects have been decided based on behavior, performance, and moral character, rather than two from each house. Your house is like your family, but so is everyone else. We are all on one team." She looked around the Great Hall, the staring faces of students met her in silence. "And finally, onto the announcement of our Head Boy and Girl." she allowed the small buzz of excitement that broke out to carry on for a minute before carrying on.
"Our new Head Girl will be…," she paused for dramatic effect before stating loudly, "Hermione Granger!" The Great Hall erupted with applause and whistling. Hermione felt hands slapping her back, she saw students from all across the hall standing, some on their benches, to get a look at her. She felt her face grow red as Professor McGonagall indicated she should go up to the podium. When she reached McGonagall's side, she pinned the Head Girl badge on her robes. Hermione stared at her toes as the applause continued until McGonagall raised her hands to quiet them.
"Our Head Boy for the year will be…"
Hermione held her breath, for some reason dread had overcome her, she desperately wanted to run away, this wasn't reality, it couldn't be. Nothing was going the way it was supposed to. Her anxiety was rising steadily in anticipation and hit an all-time high as McGonagall finally spoke it.
"Draco Malfoy!"