Dean Thomas, Michael Corner and Draco Malfoy noticed Hermione stepping into a boat. As Hermione was getting in place. Ready to welcome the other boys. Harry jinxed the floor for the previous contenders. He walked into the boat, followed by Neville and Susan.

Harry put on his most innocent face and said to the boys on the floor. "Oh that slippery ground got you, huh? Better luck, next time."

"Potter, you are such a wanker," said Draco.

Both Corner and Dean goofed off at Draco's expletive.

Harry smiled and said, "It takes one to know one, cousin, I mean, Malfoy. Now, stop wasting time and get in another boat, you Git."

Neville and Susan laughed and Hermione kept a small smile while looking at the night sky.

As the new students were delivered by Hagrid to the doors of the Castle. Ronald tried to integrate himself into Harry's group. The issue was, he tried to push Hermione out of the place.

Harry knew it was a really bad idea. But, he could do nothing, like a train wreck, he just watched. Ron tried to push Hermione. Hermione took Ron's arm and flipped him on his back. As she stood on her toes and returned in a half turn, to her original position in fluid motion.

Harry's brain fried. Everyone was laughing at Weasleys faux pas. Then the lyrics began playing in his brain, and he sang,

I thought love was only true in fairy tales

Meant for someone else but not for me

Love was out to get me

That's the way it seemed

Disappointment haunted all my dreams

And then I saw her face

Now I'm a believer

And not a trace

Of doubt in my mind

I'm in love

I'm a believer

I couldn't leave her if I tried

Hermione heard Harry sing. Her eyes filled with tears. Jane knew, that was her song. That Jamie's song and hers. Her face rose, her eyes met his. She wanted to cry, but her voice was very soft, "Jamie?"

Harry looked into Hermione's eagle eyes, and then, he numbly nodded as he queried, "Jane?"

Hermione walked to him and Harry and pulled her into a hug so fierce it made everyone wolf whistle. Harry said to her ear. "We have to talk."

Hermione nodded, "After the sorting,"

"What in Merlin's name happened?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"Weasley fell, these floors are quite slippery, better be careful, Professor" said Draco.

Professor McGonagall knew that they were lying. But, to have Draco Malfoy covering for the muggle-born prodigy, now that was out of place. Then he noticed Harry Potter holding Miss Granger's hand. What in heaven's name had just happened?

"Nevermind, I have a schedule to follow, Mr. Weasley, get up." She raised her wand and did a quick scourgify of the copper haired child. Draco said, "You missed a spot, Professor, oh wait, that's his face, sorry about that,"

Everyone laughed, and Draco said, "I can't wait for the next family reunion, I'll have pictures," Ron looked green around the gills at the mention of family from the blond child.

McGonagall shook her head. "I have no time for this nonsense."

Hermione listened to Professor McGonagall's speech about the four magical houses, and that each one is going to be your family for the next seven years.

Then she turned to Harry as they were walking into the great hall. Harry said in a whisper. "Heads up, I don't trust that man, Dumbledore,"

"It would be very stupid of you, if you did. You're right we need to talk," replied Hermione.

"Which house?" asked Harry.

"Red and Gold, Gryffindor," said Hermione.

"Gotcha," said Harry, while he raised an eyebrow.

"Slytherin is too biased, Hufflepuff is too innocent, Ravenclaw is condescending, Gryffindors are the jocks, but when in a fight, they don't back off," said Hermione.

"You're not telling me everything, Jane, but I'll go with it," said Harry.

"You are also keeping things from me, I get it, after the sorting," insisted Hermione.

After the song in the ugly voice of the hat, Hermione was sorted into Gryffindor, Neville to Gryffindor, Malfoy was sorted into Ravenclaw, Weasley got sorted into Hufflepuff, which made Draco question the whole hall. "Ronald Weasley is loyal, and hardworking?"

Which made the firsties burst into laughter. "Oh, the wiseguy has revealed himself, Mr. Malfoy, be quiet," said Professor Flitwick. As he chuckled.

Severus Snape believed he was still asleep. In this dream. His godson Draco was a wise mouth, who was on friendly terms with Potter and Longbottom. The girls in Slytherin from first to seventh year, were charmed by that ruffian with blond hair. Merlin, what was next? Draco bringing his guitar and kicking the sorting Hat from its stool?

Dumbledore saying nonsensical words, made everyone blink. Harry said, "The man wants to appear senile, right?"

Hermione said, "Ditto,"

The hall dined lavishly. Hermione enjoyed the view of the cornucopia of dishes and then sweets. She hated the pumpkin juice and kept herself from drinking anything. Jamie noticed her attitude and mimicked her example.

After dinner ended, the headmaster gave his taunt, I mean harsh warning about certain death if any student got lost and ended up on the third floor, and Hermione added, "Heaven help us, because that man will not."

Harry and Hermione followed the line of their housemates as the Gryffindors marched upstairs. Ron tried protesting on his sorting, but Professor Sprout reminded Ron that you don't mess with round women. He kept his mouth shut after that. Malfoy, the big git, already had enough material to blackmail him before the next Black family reunion. Being scolded by his head of house was not going to be one of the memories, the albino wanker would show.

To Albus Dumbledore, nothing made sense. He had to talk to the sorting hat, and question his house choices for Longbottom and Weasley and his strange lament when sorting Potter and Granger. What could it all mean?