Proving a point. (Pjo/HP X-over)

The hat and the toad.

-Hermione Granger-

When they had said their goodbyes to luna, the griffindor group headed to their table, excitedly chatting about quidditch or in Neville's case, his new plant.

Hermione found herself glancing around the great hall, searching for that boy in black. She didn't see him.

When they found their seats and sat down, she decided to ask the others about the boy.

"Did you see that short, pale boy on the train and by the carriages?" she asked in a quiet voice.

"What? No? " Ron exclaimed helpfully.

"The boy who also saw the dead horses?" Harry's eyes lit up with curiosity and excitement.

He had always been like that. Curious and adventurous. When something strange would happen, he would be on the case immediately. That was probably the main reason to why the three of them had always found themselves in trouble and face to face with a bad guy.

"yes!" She exclaimed excitedly, a bit louder this time. She quieted down when she realised some people were looking at her weirdly. "I have never seen him before."

"hmm? Maybe he is a...." Harry was interrupted by professor Dumbledore standing up, immediately silencing the entire hall.

"To our newcomers, welcome! To our old hands, welcome back! Before we begin eating, we will watch the sorting ceremony together. Welcome up, children." He smiled, those old eyes twinkling as he beckoned for the first years.

The hat then began to sing its song, and directly after, professor McGonagall started calling up names from a big list.

Hermione payed as much attention as she could to the names and the respective faces. They all looked really nervous, but at the same time determined. Soon, all the kids were sorted and she turned back towards the table, expecting food to appear soon. Instead, professor Dumbledore stood up again.

"Welcome first years, I hope you are happy with your new house. Now back to the sorting. This year, my dear children, Hogwarts have accepted an exchange student from Illvermorny school in America."

Whispers broke out in the hall directly after the headmasters words. But who could blame them? Hermiones head was also spinning. An exchange student? Really? Hogwarts have never accepted one, ever. She would know because it said so in 'Hogwarts, a History' .

"Now I welcome Mr. Di angelo to the front." The old man said while motioning with his hands toward the sorting hat.

Di angelo.... She had heard that name before, or read about it. They were important, weren't they? She would guess it was a pureblood family because the slytherin table had started whispering loudly amongst themselves again.

Hermione stored away the name for later and looked towards where the headmaster was looking. And just then, something moved in the shadows. A second later, that boy stepped out of them.

He honestly looked a bit scary. Those inky black locks were just long enough to fall into his eyes, casting a shadow onto them. He looked even more pale in this light, but he had a bit of an olive complexion. He wore the hogwarts robes, the grey colour on them symbolising that he hadn't been sorted yet. He was a bit short, and seemed to shrink in on himself in front of the crowd. He probably didn't like being the center of attention.

The boy moved gracefully toward professor McGonagall and the sorting hat.

-Nico Di Angelo-

A hat? Seriously?

The thing that creeped him out the most though, was that he felt a soul attached to that old thing. Who would be cruel enough to do that?