The Boy Who Fought: OC X Hermione

The Sorting

Once they arrived to Hogwarts, the first years are met with a stern looking woman. Carson recognized her in one of his books. He turns to Hermione and whispers, "Professor McGonagall, transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor house." Hermione smiles at his knowledge and nods. 

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup." Professor McGonagall says, as a toad hops out from the crowd.

"Trevor!" Neville shouts, grabbing the toad and meekly returning back to the crowd of first years.

"The sorting will begin momentarily." Professor McGonagall says before leaving, leaving the new students alone. Suddenly a boy with bleached blonde hair walks up to Harry.

"It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." He started, some of the students whispering amongst themselves. "This is Crabbe and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy...Draco Malfoy." Draco says, introducing himself to Harry. Ron and Carson snicker at the boy.

"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley. And you, must be a Marshall, strutting around like you aren't a filthy blood traitor." He says, motioning to Ron and then to Carson before death glaring him.

Draco turns back to Harry and sticks out his hand. "Well, soon find that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." Draco says, as Harry looks at the boy's pale hand.

"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks." Harry says, declining the handshake and sending smiles to Ron and Carson.

Just before Draco can respond, Professor McGonagall comes back and taps Draco's shoulder before telling the first years, "We're ready for you now, follow me."

The first years follow her into a room with a bunch of other kids and four tables and floating candles. The ceiling however is the most exciting thing. Carson looks at it in awe and Hermione taps his arm.

"It's not real, the ceiling. It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History." Hermione says, happy to share her knowledge.

"You really do know everything." Carson says as they come to a stop to where a dirty old hat lies on a stool.

"Will you wait along here, please? Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words." Professor McGonagall says, as an old man with a big, long white beard gets up and starts to talk.

"I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch..." Dumbledore starts, motioning to an old hunched over man, grinning at the students evilly.

"...has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you." Dumbledore finishes as he sits back down.

Hermione and Carson share a scared glance at each other at the sudden announcement. In any of the stories Carson's parents had told him, they never mentioned anything dangerous like that.

Professor McGonagall got back up and started to address the first years.

"When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses. Hermione Granger." Professor McGonagall says, Hermione getting nervous and reassuring herself under her breath.

Carson pats Hermione's shoulder. "You can do it. I believe in you. Hopefully, we're in the same house!" Carson says, reassuring the girl to go up on the stool.

Hermione gets on the stool and practically rips it out of McGonagall's hands and puts it on her head. The hat stayed motionless for a few minutes before shouting out, "GRYIFFINDOR!"

Hermione gets up cheerfully and returns the hat to the Professor and sits at the Gryffindor table. Gryffindor now became Carson's first choice.

Professor McGonagall kept calling up students until she got to him. "Carson Marshall!" Professor McGonagall called out, causing a few Slytherins to glare at her. The Marshall's were the most hated purebloods amongst the other purebloods, the ones that cared about pureblood supremacy.

Carson walked over to the hat, growing more nervous before it was placed on his head. Once the hat and slipped on, it covered his eyes. Carson pushed it back up so he could see a nervous Hermione crossing her fingers under the table, hoping her new best friend would be in the same house with her.

"Hmm.... the bravery of a Gryffindor, yet the loyalty and kindness of a Hufflepuff.... you have traits fit for both houses, but where shall I put you? A tricky one indeed." The sorting hat rang in his head before shouting out, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Carson got up and went to sit with his fellow Gryffindors. His robes changed from the Hogwarts crest to the Gryffindor crest. Carson sat down next to Hermione and they shared a hug before watching the rest of the ceremony.

Both Harry and Ron had been placed into Gryffindor and they sat opposite of Carson and Hermione. Hermione and Carson talked about what they were excited for in the upcoming classes and how excited they were. They had also received a visit from Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost.

The first years went to their new dorms, and much to Carson's pleasure, he was sharing a room with Harry and Ron. The boys went to bed, eager for their first day of Hogwarts tomorrow.