The Princess and The Half Blood Prince

The Sorting Hat

It's two days before the rest of the students arrived. Professor Dumbledor sat in his office looking at my paperwork.

Snape and I stood awkwardly as we waited for him to acknowledge our presence. I shifted from one leg to the other and focused on keeping my breathing steady. Severus stood still as a statue glancing down at me occasionally.

"Professor Dumbledor, this is Miss Greyson. You instructed me to bring her as soon as she arrived." It took some effort to keep the annoyance out of his voice.
Dumbledor looked up at us blinking like an owl that had been risen before moonrise.
"Miss. Greyson!" His voice boomed cause me to tense. "What a pleasure to finally meet you. All of your professors have written me wonderful things about you. I hear you declined graduating early is that correct?"
"Yes Professor. I chose the transfer program instead. There is much and more that I could learn here" I snuck a glance at Professor Snape. It was his teaching I was most interested in.

Dumbledor pretended not to notice the look. "Very good very good. We only have a few matters left to attend to. Professor Mcgonagall will be here shortly."
"As a sixth year I wanted to give you the option of going through our sorting ceremony with the first years or we can do it now."
Professor Mcgonagall came sweeping into the room. Very cat like I thought.
"Miss Greyson?"
"Yes ma'am." I extended my hand to her. She gave me a smile and shook my hand.
"Miss Greyson, would you like to be sorted now or wait until the other students arrive?" At leas Dubledor has lowered his voice.
"Now, please." I would rather be sitting with the other older years than dealing with a bunch of jumpy eleven year olds.
"Severus would you do the honors?"
He took a ratty looking brown hat from the bookshelf. Bringing it back over he placed it on her head.

The hat spoke.  "Interesting. Very interesting. Cunning, ambious, yet courageous and loyal. Intelligent very intelligent, but kind and caring. Cold as ice and warm as fire." The hat mused.

The hat sat there huhing and hmming for what felt like an eternity. Ten minutes then fifteen.
"Slytherin!" The hat finally shouted

"Well at least I have the appropriately colored wardrobe."

The hat laughed. "You are very interesting indeed."

"Professor Snape. Since Miss Greyson will be one of your students. Why don't you escort her to Digaon Ally to finish her school shopping."
"Oh there's no need.." I started, but Dumbledor cut me off.
"Miss Greyson. As I'm sure you're aware these are some dangerous times. I do not want one of my students to be wandering around an unfamiliar area with out an escort. Professor Snape will be your head of house. Thus falls under his duties to escort you." His tone bore no argument.
I bowed my head slightly. "Of course Headmaster. As you say."

Snape looked like he might explode. This wasn't going to do me any favors to become his apprentice. He said nothing though. He merely turned and headed from the room.

I glanced at Mcgonagall she nodded for me to follow him.
"Thank you for your time Professors." I bowed and bolted after Snape.

"Professor Snape." I called as I caught up to him.
"I am not here to act as your babysitter Miss Greyson!" He snapped.
"I am well aware Professor." I snapped back. "I am capable of going on my own if you do not wish to accompany me."
He stared at me long and hard. Finally he sighed. "No better not. If some unruly American were to see you out by yourself." He didn't finish the thought.
"Thank you." I said more gently. No one had ever come to my rescue before. Much less checked up on me after.
He nodded at me. "How far can you aparate?"
"Four hundred and fifty two miles."
"Good. Let's go then."