Unity

School unity, that’s what Dumbledore’s latest scheme was, just in case we weren’t unified enough against Voldemort. After the defeat of Voldemort during the summer after our sixth year, everyone had been living in permanent celebration mode. Parties were constantly going; it’s a miracle that any work got done at all. However, work was finished, Hogwarts was rebuilt, the ministry was headed by someone who could handle the responsibility, Arthur Weasley, and everything was slowly returning to normal. Until we arrived back at school, then we found out that the changes were just starting.

The final battle was rather anticlimactic. Voldemort and his death eater cronies showed up during the summer hoping to capture Hogwarts while it was empty and unguarded. Of course he didn’t take into account the fact that Snape had warned Dumbledore of the attack, and the Order was ready and waiting, along with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Voldemort was so shocked that his plan had been betrayed that Harry had enough time to hit him with a well-aimed Avada Kedavra, and end the long war against Voldemort. The Death Eaters were filled with shock at the demise of their master, and not only that but the betrayal of not only Snape, but Malfoy as well, a man everyone thought had a black heart. He had actually been spying even longer than Snape, and the wizarding world owed their salvation to not only Harry Potter, but also Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy. Needless to say, the wizarding world was a little stunned and pained at the thought of being thankful to the greasy git and the pompous pureblood.

It seemed like an eternity had passed between the end of sixth year and the beginning of seventh, even though in reality it was simply a summer. But in that summer, so much had happened. Everyone had matured and grown up, having witnessed death and battle first hand. Hermione’s crush on Ron had disappeared due to the fact that as soon as the final battle was over, they had nothing to talk about. The only things they had in common were their friendship with Harry and their similar goal to rid the world of Voldemort. Hermione love books and school, and Ron couldn’t handle a conversation that didn’t revolve around Quidditch. Thankfully, nothing ever happened between them that would make the friendship awkward, and so they were able to simply remain friends.

The surprises started on the train ride back to Hogwarts. Hermione walked into the head compartment at the front of the train and was greeted with the sight of a platinum blonde head bent over a large book. She walked in nonchalantly, hoping that now that the war was over, the animosity between them would simply phase out, and they could actually survive living in close quarters with each other for the whole year. However, she wasn’t expecting any miracles.

“Malfoy,” She acknowledged him with a nod.

“Granger,” He mumbled from behind the heavy text, which she recognized as War and Peace, an irony that was not lost on her.

“Interesting book choice Malfoy.”

There was no motion of his acknowledgment of her statement except for the tiny uplift of his lips as they formed an all too familiar smirk. She sat down across from him and watched with a questioning look in her eye.

“Can I help you with something?”

“You just seem different, is all,” She said, shrugging off her answer and pulling her DADA textbook from her backpack.

“Different how?” He questioned, placing his book on the seat next to him, and looking her in the eyes.

“I don’t know, there’s just something…”

“Sorry to interrupt this penetratingly deep conversation, but I need to talk to you two.” Professor Snape said as he walked into the compartment, black robes billowing behind him.

“No problem Professor. What do you need to talk to us about?” Hermione questioned closing her book with a sharp snap.

“I figured since you two were Head Boy and Girl you had a right to know what the headmaster has gotten into his head as a good idea.” Snape grumbled, glaring out the window at some unknown person. “He has decided that due to the end of the war, that he wants to create more unity among the school.”

Hermione gasped. “Don’t tell me, he’s getting rid of the house system?”

“No, nothing as drastic as that; although this is almost as bad in some eyes. He has decided to re-sort everyone.” Snape sighed with disgust as he rolled his eyes, causing Draco to chuckle at Snape’s obvious discomfort with this latest development.

“You must be joking. How did he come up with this idea,” Draco laughed.

“Sadly, I believe I was the inspiration for this particular insane revelation. He said something about believing that they sort too early because he seems to think that I would have been sorted into Gryffindor for my bravery and selflessness.”

“Oh my goodness. This is going to be an interesting year.” Hermione giggled as Snape growled and turned around leaving the two heads trying to hold in their laughter.

“Poor Professor Snape. I’m surprised Professor Dumbledore is still in one piece.” Hermione laughed as she picked up her book to continue reading.

“From that last look, I don’t think he will be for long.” Draco said as he moved over to the window to look out and watch the rolling green hills pass by at an alarmingly fast speed.

After that introduction into the sometimes insane and yet quirky mind of Albus Dumbledore, Hermione thought all the surprises would be over. The train ride eventually ended with the two heads reading in companionable silence, neither bothering the other at all. She got off at the platform and met up with Ron and Harry for the ride to the castle. As they climbed into the carriage, Ron asked her what Snape was doing in the head’s compartment.

“I don’t think I should tell you Ronald. I think I’ll let it be a surprise for the two of you; keep up excitement in life so you two heroes don’t get bored.” Hermione laughed as the carriage started to move and the two boys looked at her with slightly shocked and excited faces, curious to find out the big secret.

When they entered the great hall it was to find all the tables had been removed except for the Professors table, which was at the front of the hall, with all of the professors sitting, except Dumbledore and McGonagall who stood in the center of the hall with a stool and a ragged old hat.

“Welcome students. For those of you returning I’m sure you are wondering what is going on and why all the tables are gone. Well, I will explain. This year, I have decided to change the way things work, hoping to bolster unity among all of you, especially after this horrible battle that we just survived. So, not only are we sorting the first years, but we are also re-sorting everyone else.” Gasps arose around the hall, echoing off the walls, causing the noise level to grow. Harry and Ron turned and looked at Hermione who was smiling, shocked expressions covering their faces. Everyone started talking rapidly as Professor Dumbledore looked around at all the young faces, with a large grin on his face that evidenced his pride in his new marvelous idea.

“Okay, we are starting with the seventh years, and we will work backwards,” Professor McGonagall said as she called the first name to step up to the stool. The process was passing relatively quickly as most students had not switched houses.

“Crabbe, Vincent!” He lumbered up to the front of the hall and sat on the stool, almost squashing it underneath his wide girth.

“Interesting. You were in Slytherin. But I see something else. You are not the brightest wand in the dark. Though you may be brave, it is merely because you don’t understand the danger you are actually in. But you have another quality much more important than those. Hufflepuff!” The sound echoed off the walls, as Crabbe stood up and the stool squeaked upon his weight being lifted. Snickers reigned through the hall as he walked back to the crowd.

“Granger, Hermione.” McGonagall called out; her voice resonating through the hall as everyone fell silent, waiting to see what would happen. Hermione moved up to the stool and sat down. The hat was gently placed on top of her head, and it immediately began to speak to her.

“Hmmm. This is very curious. Bravery abounds in you young one. But there is no doubt about your intelligence, and the way you use that intelligence is very interesting in deed. And you are loyal to a fault. And very clever, oh, so very clever; almost sneaky. Now where to put you.” The voice hummed in her ear as he thought, and then shouted out, “Slytherin!”


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Author's note: okay so i wrote this and im trying to decide if I want to continue with it or just leave it alone. please review and let me know. i would greatly appreciate it. <3