Just Hermione

Chapter 2

There's a time that I remember, when I did not know no pain
When I believed in forever, and everything would stay the same

The castle was greater than she could have ever imagined. Even Draco, who seemed like the only thing that could impress him was his hair and his family, was impressed. Tall towers poked out the top of the castle and light flooded through every window to show its liveliness. The sky was almost pitch black with the moon shining a beautiful white light down on the castle and just reaching the lake. Hermione felt as though she had stepped out of a book she had once read. 'Magnificent' was the word that came to her mind. A smile crept across her face as an unfamiliar feeling consumed her. With her new friends in the boat with her and the warmth she felt in her chest, Hermione felt like she was coming home.

Students all around her were just as amazed as she were. Girls were squealing loudly and shaking from the excitement. Hermione began to worry that some might throw themselves off the boat in order to get closer.

"Amazing isn't it?" Her voice was hushed but a great deal of wonder filled her. She didn't expect anyone to reply, it was more that she was speaking her thoughts.

"It's definitely something," Blaise leaned closer to her as his eyes travelled the castle in wild fascination.

"If you think this is impressive, you should see my - "

"Shut up Malfoy, no one cares about you bloody mansion," Theo didn't blink once, nor could he draw his eyes away from the castle. It held this power over the kids that just beckoned them and had them in a trance-like state. It truly was everything and more.

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After the debacle with Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, the first years were now being led through the Great Hall by a very stern Professor McGonagall. She had this presence that said she was to be taken seriously. All the older students were watching them as they made their way down the middle of the Hall. Hermione hated that. She hated being the centre of attention and she hated people watching her, having no clue as to what they were thinking. Looking up at the ceiling, she saw that what she had read in Hogwarts: A History was true. It was enchanted. At the table up front where all the professors sat, Hermione saw Professor Dumbledore sitting in the middle. He caught her eye and gave her a smile that left a twinkle in his eye. Hermione smiled back. Sitting just before their table was a stool and on that stool sat a very old tattered hat. The Sorting Hat.

Once the Sorting Hat had finished its ridiculous song, Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a piece of parchment in her hands. "Now when I call your name you are going to step forward, take a seat on this stool and you will be placed in your house. The houses, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin," Hermione saw Malfoy share a look with Crabbe and Goyle, all looking thoroughly pleased," each represents their own qualities. It is the Sorting Hat's job to decide which house is your best fit. Your house and the students in it will become your family. Therefore it is your job to treat each other as such." There was a pause as she looked down at the parchment, "Abbott, Hannah.". 

A girl stepped forward and took a seat on the stool. Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head and everything was quiet for a few seconds. 

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

A loud cheer came from one side of the room at one of the four tables. Smiling brightly, she hurried over to her new family. It continued like this for a while. Name after name had been called. Crabbe and Goyle had been sorted into Slytherin much to their delight.