Hermione Granger and the Displaced Sorting

Chapter 15

Hermione Granger and the Displaced Sorting

Harry Potter Fanfiction

Chapter 15

A/N: This is going to be a running author's note, but if you read on fanfiction.net and enjoy this story, make sure to have my username saved in case my account is deleted. I post on AO3 and Wattpad as well under the same name.

New A/N: Sorry. Life got in the way a bit. School's rough this year, so expect sporadic updates.

October 14th, 1992

Lee whistled as the mediwitch's footsteps trailed off towards what Hermione assumed would be her office. He stepped up to the side of her bed. "You're in here for the long-haul, eh? What happened to your shoulder anyway? Pomfrey can usually patch us up quick. Unless you're Harry Potter, there's usually no need for a night visit? I only caught a glimpse of it, mind, but it looked right nasty."

Hermione had been too busy studying the tentacles that'd stretched in her direction the slightest bit, as if they, too, were curious about her answer. They had a weird sort of texture to them before she realized what it was. "Oh my! Is...are those your dreadlocks?"

Lee blinked, eyes cutting to the tentacles as they turned back to him. "Er, yeah. We were trying to come up with a potion that could make the drinker into a sort of Medusa. It worked, but... maybe a little too well. I toughed it out for six hours before admitting defeat and coming here."

The tentacles had turned back in her direction, bobbing around in a mesmerizing way as they studied her. She stretched out her good arm, and one of the braver ones reached out and bopped her fingertip, making her grin and then giggle as the others flocked to join the first. "That tickles."

"Oy," Lee scowled at the tentacles. "How come you slapped my face and made a bloody nuisance of yourselves for me, but you'll act like sweet little krups for her?"

The tentacles didn't like that, and they made it known by piling on his face all at once until he stumbled, and Hermione, worried for his safety, had so soothe them from their mostly ineffective attacks. "Oh, hush, he didn't mean it," she cooed.

Sensing his salvation as about half of them backed off and returned to their fawning over Hermione, Lee angled for her bedside.

"There, there," she patted two or three, and the rest finally let up on their assault of their host, vying for some pets and attention as well.

Lee shook his head but stayed close. "You know, if I think too hard about how you're essentially playing with my semi-sentient hair, I'll give myself a headache."

Hermione's face flamed in embarrassment as she yanked her hand away.

The tentacles didn't like that, and they pelted their host with wet slaps.

"Okay, okay, alright! I'm sorry. Oy! I take it back! Hermione, please continue playing with my hair!"

"Making the moves on an ickle—"

"—firstie?"

"Shame on you."

"Lee, mate, what would your mother think?"

Hermione startled, a bit jumpy after the surprise attack this morning. It was second nature for her to switch to her metavision without thinking about how she'd been avoiding it for fear of the debilitating headaches that came with using it at Hogwarts.

Only, no piercing pain came. She only saw the distinct light violet of George and mandarin orange of Fred. They were still behind the partitions, only visible slightly around the edges where strange luminescent symbols seemed to be etched into the fabric. Then, a bright ruby light from next to her reminded her that Lee was definitely not behind any partition.