What Could Have Been - Harry Potter

Hermione (Ravenclaw)

{ published 19th october 2014. }

A/N: a repost from my Harry Potter Fanfiction Challenges forum days.

written for the The Sorting Hat's Challenge (my favourite colour), Open Category Challenge (Trio Era), Greek Mythology Mega Prompt Challenge (Achilles), The "As Many As You Want" Comp., The Chocolate Frog Card Trading Challenge & Pick a Card, Any Card Challenge (Eight of Spades).

WARNING: this is ancient; read at your own risk.

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What Could Have Been
Hermione (Ravenclaw)

Hermione loved the Ravenclaw common-room; being up in that airy tower gave her a sense of freedom, and whenever she was bunched up over Hogwarts: A History or sharing a table with her fellow housemates as they pored over matching homework tasks, she knew that she shared an interest with all of these people. Their identical robes, though sized differently, were all emblazoned with the wise eagle, and their Head of House – Professor Flitwick, charms teacher – was always keen to remind his students that they were as talented and noble as the large bird.

As by House standards, all Ravenclaws were smart, quick-witted and unique; Hermione herself was an individual, sharp and intelligent. She was perfect for them, she knew.

- - - - - - - - - -

(However, sometimes she really didn't)

- - - - - - - - - -

Back when it was her first day of school, the Sorting Hat had waited with her for a while.

"Say," it mused "Which do you value more: courage or intelligence?"

'Well,' the brunette had replied mentally 'Each has their positive and negative traits. For example, whilst bravery can be a highly influential asset, a bright person could be the one to crack the case in half the time. Why do you ask?'

The accessory chuckled. "Why else but to find your true House? Your answer is well and good, but which do you think you fit more?"

Hermione was about to respond – 'Courage, of course!' –, but last-second, she hesitated. 'I...'

"...Very well then," the Hat interrupted. "It will be RAVENCLAW!"

And that was that.

- - - - - - - - - -

(Was it her pause that sealed the deal, perhaps?)

- - - - - - - - - -

That night, Hermione couldn't sleep. The girls that she shared her dormitory had already drifted off, albeit at a late time, but the muggleborn among them was restless. At times like this she would seek refuge in the library, but the hallways were forbidden at night, and it wasn't like a Ravenclaw to break the rules.

Sitting up, Hermione reached out and dragged her robes off the back of a nearby chair. The familiar material was comforting to the touch, but despite the darkness she could still see the sapphire shade; even her vest was trimmed with the primary tone, and she was just about to toss the clothes away in a bundle before she stopped herself. Making sure to fold the garments properly, she set them on the edge of her bed.

"That wasn't a very Ravenclaw thing to do, now was it?" she whispered to herself, running a hand along the blue drapes that engulfed her four-poster. She hated that colour and all it stood for. For all the knowledge, power and calm it represented, it also came with the tags of rigid pride, vanity and spite.

A tear dotted her lap. She didn't want to be Ravenclaw anymore.

- - - - - - - - - -

(And yet, when she awoke the next morning, the feeling was numb; not entirely gone, but buried as she resolved to hide the weakness)

That's what a Ravenclaw would do, afterall

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WORD COUNT: 500.

prompts used: blue; Trio Era; write about complicated feelings; colour, in the library, first day of school; write about pride.

A/N: shout-out to The Krystal Cat on ffn for spurring me on back in the day.
- crystalcanon.

{ original chapter: 19th october 2014.
updated a/n: 23rd august 2020. }