The Malfoy Mystery

5 • (re)sorting

Hogwarts looked so unfamiliar now. The ceiling earlier displaying the flawless twilight was now blanketed with visible cracks. The Great Hall looked vintage, but everything else radiated more contemporary entities. Hogwarts had undergone renovation for over a year to look habitable. It had been the same time since any student had stepped into Hogwarts.

Hogwarts had been damaged and broken, but it was still their home. However, it seemed the castle's elegant form never failed to mesmerize the young witches and wizards. All the students seated themselves, with Theo and Draco sitting together at the corner seat. Hermione caught up with the other girls in front of the sorting region.

Professor McGonagall. No, Headmistress McGonagall came up in front of the chattering crowd and loudly cleared her throat.

"Ahem, students, silence! Old students, welcome back to Hogwarts. I hope the time you spend here is as memorable as your memories. New students, Hogwarts is proud to mentor such talented youth."

The small speech was followed by generous applause.

"This year, as we've informed you, additional sorting would occur for the fourth and seventh years. We'll be commencing with the seniors. Come forward as I announce your name. I'll place the Sorting Hat on your head, and you'll transform the robes into that of the house you're allotted."

"Cho Chang", As soon as the hat touched her head, "Hufflepuff!" McGonagall waved her wand, and Cho's robes glittered a soothing yellow. The hall lightly applauded as Cho sat at her house's table.

This continued for a while, and only a few students remained in the house they were initially sorted into. Parvati and Luna were still Ravenclaw, whereas Neville was a Gryffindor. Blaise and Pansy, to their horror, were also sorted into Gryffindor. Here Draco was wondering if Pansy was worthy of any house. Theo sighed as he went towards the Slytherin table, and the hat barely touched Draco's head when it screamed Slytherin. The only seventh year remaining was Hermione.

Hermione held her breath as her name was called and marched ahead. The headmistress placed the sorting hat on her head as it loudly hummed.

The sorting hat spoke, "Hermione Granger, the smartest witch of her age. Your wits and curiosity alone could place you in Ravenclaw, but that is not what you seek. Your courage in the war was indisputable, whereas your loyalty is commendable. The question is where to put you."Your ambition and curiosity far exceed all. You must be... SLYTHERIN!"

The hall was baffled for a few moments. Slowly, the applause started to rise. As McGonagall removed the hat from her head, she announced, "You're a hat stall! Only a few wizards and witches have been regarded this status."

Soon as the sorting of first and fourth years was completed, the headmistress made an announcement.

"Your personal belongings have been put forth in your dorms. If anything is missing, contact your respective prefects. Enjoy your feast!"

Hermione wandered across the Slytherin table, unsure where to sit. Theo waved his hands wildly in the air. Hermione took it as a signal to sit with the duo. Hermione slightly beamed and accepted a seat next to Theo.

How did Hermione and Theo become acquaintances? Well, they didn't realize it, but after all the formalities post-war, there was immediate chemistry between them. They instantly became comfortable and gradually began to meet up more often. Most of the time, they spent their spell in a book cafe, where they formally encountered. Blaise had always assumed that Theo had been meeting up with his, ahem, Secret Girlfriend.

As the trio greeted each other, a familiar pair of ex-Slytherins approached them. Though Pansy gave Hermione disgusted looks, Blaise was quick to extend a hug and Hermione was taken back by surprise.

"Hey, Slytherins!"

"Gryffindors!"

Pansy had a challenging time believing she was sorted into Gryffindor. She still hadn't let go of the pureblood supremacy. To be fair, it might take time to unlearn what's ingrained since childhood. Meanwhile, Hermione noticed how Theo kept stuffing food like a Weasley, whereas Draco hadn't even touched his plate.

"Malfoy, if you aren't gonna touch your chicken, give it to me."

Draco shot a disgusted look at Theo as he stole Draco's food.

"Behave like a Slytherin, you idiot. Might as well have got sorted into Gryffindor."

After thirty minutes or so, the newly sorted seniors went towards their respective dorms. Hermione entered inside and was enchanted. The room was spectacularly dim and chilled, yet it gave Hermione a sense of home. Green everywhere calmed down her nerves, contrary to the Gryffindor room. The room was in the dungeons, underwater. She pulled down the blinds and saw the scenery before her eyes. Maybe being a Slytherin wasn't such a bad idea.

Meanwhile, Draco wasn't exactly feeling well. He'd drained all his energy and was beginning to feel light weighted. His body was burning inside-out, with his chest heavily rising each second. Before he reached for a couch, he fainted and fell over Theo.

"What the fuck!"