Sadly, There Is More Than Us

{2} The Sorting Ceremony

I am following the sound of chatter and laughter trying to find my way around the castle. It is not until I'm running up to the doors of the great hall at full speed when I see the first person on the grounds. I bump, no, more literally crash into Professor McGonagall, almost knocking the both of us to the floor if she hadn't steadied herself so quickly. 

" Mrs L/N! We've been searching the halls for you. Professor Snape bet Dumbledore a packet of lemon sherbets that you'd run off. The Headmaster will be happy to see you here for more reason than one now dear. Oh heavens you look exhausted. What on earth happened to you?" The woman asks me. I'd met McGonagall before the school year when organising my transfer and I'm happy to be greeted by a familiar face. 

"I got lost Professor, I'm sorry" I say simply. " Well I was going to lump you in with the first years to be sorted dear but now I'm afraid you'll have to do it on your own" McGonagall informs me. 

My face turns anxious and yet before I can prepare myself, the professor pushes me through the great hall doors. The once robust, lively hall turned dead silent. Every face has stopped its conversation to look at me. I am frozen. McGonagall gives me a little pat on the back, "Now dear, up you go".

The walk between the rows of tables seemed days long. People whispered around me, their eyes never escaping me. I walk slowly and clumsily, holding my breath. Then, I see big brown eyes turn my way. There she is again. Hermione Granger's face stands out elegantly within the crowd. She gives me  an encouraging smile and her kind eyes sooth my mind. I charmingly smile back before confidently taking a seat beside the sorting hat. Headmaster Dumbledore places it on me. Instantly I hear it's thoughts and it mine. 

"Oh wow oh wow looky here. A L/N, interesting that's for sure. So many strengths ..... and weaknesses. But values Y/N! What are your values? That is where importance lies when someone so varied approaches me. There is a kind and loyal heart inside you, that of a good friend. Perhaps Hufflepuff is where you will prosper...hmmmm but knowledge and wisdom. You are mature beyond your years. Wise. You've seen and experienced things that the people around you could only ever imagine... Oh I've brought up something you don't like have I. Oh now there's a reaction.  You'd do excellently in Slytherin. It would make sense with a past like that..... But those were others actions I suppose, you've had so much courage to push past that. You want to be more than that you tell me ? More than your past?..."

Silence.... and then...

"Gryffindor!!!"

The Gryffindor table explodes into cheering and clapping. Other houses clap along, except for a few Slytherins' throwing glares my way. I walk towards my table and Hermione beckons me to sit with her. I blush. Why is she making you so nervous Y/N. This is ridiculous she is just some girl, I think to myself. To avoid any more confusing thoughts I sit beside a red headed girl who seems a bit younger than me. 

"Ginny Weasley" she says as she shakes my hand. "Congrats on getting Gryffindor". 

"The best house at Hogwarts" A read headed boy interrupts. 

"Lucky you didn't get Slytherin!", his twin follows. 

"The worst house at Hogwarts", The first boy speaks again. 

"Fred and George. You're welcome for meeting us"  They both say.

 "A charming bunch. Weasleys right?" I ask them.

 "Our reputation precedes itself Freddy boy." George says. 

"That it does" Fred follows. I laugh along with the table.

I spent the whole evening laughing in fact. As well as getting to know as many people as I could and answering as many questions I could about myself. I steal many glances of Hermione. She looks so beautiful when she smiles. She's catching up with her friends and every now and then returns a glance and a smile which only causes me to turn red and look away. I can't help but notice that she's talking to Harry Potter... The Harry Potter... The boy who lived. My stomach drops. Anger and jealousy fills my body. Of all people! Why do I even care? , It's not like  I want to be near her anyway.

It's my first night at the common room and I stay up later than anyone else. When everyone scurries to their rooms I sit on the sofa next to the fire. This has been a very confusing day. I can't have a crush on Hermione Granger. She's a girl. Mother would never allow it. But she is amazing and there's no problem in.. appreciating her beauty, right? I imagine what my mother would think if she knew I was even considering this. Curled up with my knees to my chest, sitting on the sofa a few tears fall down my cheeks. I close my eyes and cry silently. I know she'd never approve. 

I am so lost in my own world I didn't hear someone walk up to me. A hand cups my face. It's soft, caring and delicate and I can't help but lean into it. I'm not used to such affection. "Are you okay?" I hear softly whispered. I open my eyes and there she is. The girl who is causing me so much confusion and upset is also the one comforting me. Her kindness only hurts me more. 

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Hey everyone thank you so much for reading. Chapter three will be up in an hour or two. 

Lots of love,

SheaCreatesWorlds.