THE RAVENCLAW AFFAIR

Chapter 1:The Sorting

The Ravenclaw Affair

*This takes place in an alternate 7th year but it's very loosely based. There will be elements from 6th year too. Dumbledore is not dead and Snape is still the Potions teacher. I will observe canon where I can, but I will deviate away from canon when the story calls for it. There will be language and sex in later chapters, so if you are not of age then please do not read this. Otherwise, enjoy!

Chapter One

It was the start of yet another splendid year and Hermione was enjoying herself with her friends at the Gryffindor table as they waited for the first year sorting ceremony to begin.

"I hope we get that kid, look at the size of him. He looks like a natural born beater," Ron said as he nudged Harry and Hermione.

"Honestly, don't you think of anything else other than Quidditch?" Hermione asked.

"I dunno, I was thinking the same thing as Ron," Harry shrugged and Hermione rolled her eyes. When Dumbledore entered the hall and raised his hands to the student body the noise in the hall died down.

"It's good to see everybody. Before the sorting ceremony begins we have a spot of business to attend to first. Harry Potter, if you could join me up here please."

Hermione looked to Harry but he appeared just as confused as the rest of the Gryffindor table as he made his way through the rows to the front of the hall, where Dumbledore stood next to the old, sorting hat.

"You remember how the sorting hat debated on which House to put you in way back when you were just a first year student?"

"Yeah," Harry said.

"Well, it's not the first time. It's done it a number of times and I found that curious. We've recently come upon some shocking information, one that tells us that this sorting hat, which we've used for more than a century was intentionally tampered with by Voldemort. More than likely it happened when he attended Hogwarts as Tom Riddle. It's a Horcrux Harry." At that, Dumbledore passed Harry a basilisk fang. Go on my boy," Dumbledore said and he waved his hands. "Kill it."

"Right here Sir? In front of everyone?" Harry said stunned.

"Oh yes, do it here," the old wizard smiled warmly. Hermione scrunched her nose. Was he really going to murder the sorting hat, and all before breakfast? How awful she thought to herself, but Draco Malfoy and the other Slytherins were rubbing their hands together in anticipation. "Psychopaths," Hermione said to Ron and motioned to Malfoy. Ron nodded in agreement. Harry raised the basilisk fang high over his head and then with a quick plunge, he stabbed the fang through the old hat. It shrieked and black ooze that looked like blood exploded from it and the whole hall took one collective gasp.

"Wicked," she heard Malfoy say from the Slytherin table and he wagged his eyebrows at Hermione in a sinister fashion.

"I hope they don't expect us to eat now," Hermione said annoyed.

"Thank you dear boy, you may take your seat," Dumbledore said and Harry waltzed back to his seat unfazed. "I know that it's customary for us to sort the first year students, welcome them to their new houses and then start the feast. This year will be a bit different so please bear with me. I have it on good authority that the house elves are keeping the feast warm, so you will be able to eat after the sorting ceremony. Now, when I call your name please stand up and make your way up to the front." At that Dumbledore reached behind the teachers table where he brought out a new hat. It was tall, pointy and looked even older than the last sorting hat, though it had a more majestic appearance. He set it on the sorting chair and everyone in the hall looked at each other, dumbfounded. "We have a new sorting hat, as you can see. It was used in ancient times. Merlin himself was sorted by this hat so you're all in for a treat."