Internal Conflict

The Feast

Hermione's favorite time of year was the first feast. She loved the wonderful food, the general merriment, and, of course, the Sorting Ceremony. However, this year's opening feast seemed to have lost a little bit of its usual joy. The food seemed slightly overcooked, the hall was possibly a bit more subdued, and Hermione swore the Sorting Hat seemed to slouch a little more than usual. Or maybe it was just a very prominent space around Hermione were Harry and Ron and Ginny to sit. Hermione was just a foot away from the rest of the Gryffindors, but it felt like miles. "How funny," Hermione thought "That a room with hundreds of people can feel completely empty with only the absence of two friends and a boyfriend." This made Hermione even more hopeful that Verra would join Gryffindor, and would fill the hole in Hermione's heart in the process. Just as Hermione was about to sink deeper into her thoughts of Ron and Ginny and Verra, the Sorting Hat burst into song.
I'm a hat of sorts
But I do not sport
All those zippers and buttons and Feathers.
I am all patched up
Really ratty and scuffed
But I decide the color of your
Leathers.
Will you be Slytherin the cunning and resourceful?
Or Ravenclaw the very wise and clever?
Hufflepuff the honest and loyal may be yours.
Or Gryffindor, fearless on all endeavors.
Whatever house you get
Please do not worry or fret
For I know what is the best house for
You.
I know because I see
Inside your head so believe me
And be glad I'm not a stinky Sorting
Shoe.
With this, the entire room burst into applause. Professor McGonagall then stepped forward and rolled into the pre-Sorting speech. "This day, we celebrate the coming of a new school year of learning and teamwork. We would like to begin this year like all the others with the annual Sorting ceremony!" The whole room applauded. However, McGonagall continued, "This year though, Sorting will work a little differently. Not only will we be sorting first years, will be sorting several new transfers from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. The whole room fell into murmurs and questioning glances that said "What?" "Why?" "How?" As of reading thier minds, the professor said, "Because of the unfortunate loss of both headmasters and many professors of these schools during the war to defeat Voldemort, these schools were left in shambles. We have decided to let any and all witches and wizards you wish to transfer from these schools to join the Hogwarts family. So, without further ado, let the Sorting begin!" Then the new assistant headmaster, Professor Zmija, began reading names off of a scroll. "Alamander, Jackson." Professor Zmija shouted. "Hufflepuff!" The Sorting Hat shouted back, as the Hufflepuff table applauded and whistled. "Bample, Hannah." "Slytherin!" "Buffin, Mildred." "Gryffindor!" The shouting match between the Professor and the Hat continued, with random outbursts of cheers from the winning table. Hermione sat in anticipation until the Professor yelled "Verbre, Verra." Verra walked to the stool, her hands shaking with nervousness. She made eye contact with Hermione, who gave her a look that said "It's okay. Don't be nervous. Its okay." Then, the professor placed the hat on Verra's head. The Sorting Hat only thought for one minute, but it felt like a million years. Finally, the Sorting Hat screamed it's conclusion. "You will be in... Slytherin!"