Resorting
Harry was never given much, barely enough food to live, barely anything to call his own but his little cupboard under the stairs. So going to Hogwarts was something he never could have imagined, he never imagined even making it this long. Surely Vernon would have kicked him out before long, Petunia would have completely refused to give him food, Dudley would have hit him just hard enough. But he made it, he left and went to Hogwarts. Now unlike the story you’ve heard before, in this story, Harry never went back to number 4 Privet Drive. He refused. Every break that sent him back he would just not go inside. He found other places to stay, running before anyone could figure out something was wrong. Only to return to that house when he was to be picked up to return to Hogwarts, were he to be picked up at all and not make his way to Platform 9 ¾ himself. In any case, no one found out, and no one ever would if Harry were to have his way. However, change was coming to Hogwarts, and it was something no one would expect.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione found themselves once again on the Hogwarts Express on their way back to the school. Each of them relaxing and enjoying the peace they have with each other now that they are together after the long summer break. “I cannot wait to get back to school, I am ready to eat and just go straight to bed,” Ron grumbled, breaking the silence for the first time in a good while. The other two laughed at his tired insistence that he would be going to bed quickly. “Ron,” Hermione sighed, “you seem to forget that the first years will have to be sorted before we even get the chance to eat anything, let alone head to the dorms.” Ron opened his eyes to glare at her, causing her to giggle slightly.
Harry leaned over to both of them, “Have you guys heard anything about what’s going on this year? I’ve heard whispers of something happening, but I have no idea what’s going on.” They both look over at him and just shrug. “There’s almost always something happening though, we’ll probably hear about it in Dumbledore’s announcements,” Hermione said. Harry nodded, sighing, and leaned back in his seat. The three going silent once more, enjoying that for the rest of the trip to the school.
Once there, the second years and up settled in at their house tables, talking and laughing with friends and found family they had missed for the last couple of months. The trio once again sitting together, but enjoying the conversation with all of their friends in Gryffindor. The hall went silent as the doors opened, the first year students walking through, nervous excitement flowing through them. They made their way to the front of the room where the sorting hat was sitting on a stool. For the next 20 minutes, they were sorted into their houses, cheering roaring from each one as they received their first years. Dumbledore approached the podium after the last child had sat, preparing his announcements for the students. Confusion rippled through the hall as the students realize that even after all of the first years had been sorted, the hat was not moved from its place on the stool.
“Good evening, and welcome back students. I am thrilled to see all of you back here in one piece. Please be reminded that the Forbidden Forest is banned for all students, and for any students gathering materials for potion making, they must all be approved by your professor before use, as we do not want any repeats of last year. Also, there has been a bit of an issue that needs to be addressed,” Dumbledore scanned the students as they began to whisper amongst themselves, “Over the years, there has been backlash towards how we sort our students here at the school. To remedy that, there is a new policy we have put in place where in their fourth year, students will be resorted. There is a chance that you may stay in the same house as you were, but you may also be moved. Before we begin our feast, we are going to be resorting our fourth years. When your name is called, please make your way to the front to be resorted.”
Chaos reigned in all of the houses over the announcement, fourth years staring at each other in shock. The trio looked at each other, worry coating their gazes. Ron stole a glance at the hat, “The hat isn’t gonna put us back together, is it?” Harry and Hermione both looked over, understanding filling their gazes of where they are most likely to end up. “I highly doubt it,” Harry murmured, “It took a decent amount of convincing last time to end up in Gryffindor, it probably won’t listen to us a second time.” Hermione grabbed both of their hands, pulling them in, “It doesn’t matter. No matter where we end up it doesn’t matter. You two are still my friends, nothing will change that.” The two boys nodded, more confidence filling their gazes, even if they were still anxious about the entire situation.
The sorting went on, most of fourth years going back to their original house, relief evident in their eyes as they returned to their table, their family. But, eventually, it came time for the trio to be resorted. “Ron Weasley!” Called Professor McGonagall, watching as the redhead approached the seat for the second time in his life. As he sat, the hat was rested on his head, a much better fit than it was three years ago.
Well well, it is a pleasure to see you again. I never thought I would have the pleasure of sorting a Weasley again this soon. The hat droned on, Ron chuckling slightly at that. His smile turned back into a nervous grimace as he waited for the hat to make its decision. Your mind is a very calm place, you don’t care to go back, do you? Ron startled at the revelation the hat brought to him, he didn’t want to go back to Gryffindor. It was right. For so long he had sat in the shadow of his family, every single one of them going into Gryffindor. You wish to be seen, to be more than your family. I understand.
“HUFFLEPUFF!” The hat cried out, all of the Weasley siblings staring at their brother, watching him wave, slip off the stool, and make his way over to his supposed new house.
“Hermione Granger!” McGonagall called, her eyes tracking Ron as he settles in, shock filling her as she watched a Weasley sit anywhere else in the hall besides her table.
Hermione approached the stool, sitting down and waiting for the hat to be placed upon her again once more. Hello Miss Granger, I see your mind has only grown since last I saw you. She nodded, understanding of where she will be going creating a slight excitement to fill her. You seem thrilled to have a change of pace, I look forward to seeing what you do.
“RAVENCLAW!” The hat called, waves of shock rippling through the Gryffindors at losing two from their house in a row. Looks being sent their way by the other houses.
“And finally, Harry Potter!” McGonagall called once again, wondering if she will be losing him too, having already lost the others in the trio.
He made his way to the front of the hall, sitting down on the stool and letting the sorting hat be placed upon his head once more. The hat wiggled a bit, searching through the changes the boy had gone through, the growth he had, and the lack of push against a certain house. Mr. Potter. It is truly a wonder to have you here once again. A lot has changed in your mind. A lot of growth, a lot of potential. Do you still desire any house except the one? Harry shook his head, looking at each of the houses in turn, waiting for the verdict of the hat. A deep resignation filled him in the next minute, as he took a deep breath.
“SLYTHERIN!” The hat called, pure silence sweeping through the dining hall as Harry made his way over to the table, seeing shock, hate, and confusion filling not only the Slytherin table, but all four houses. He made his way to an open seat, the Slytherins around him staring at him, wariness in their gazes about the schools’ golden boy joining their house.
“That is it for the resorting, now, enjoy the feast!” Dumbledore cheerily stated. Students staring as the food appeared on their tables, before finally shaking themselves out of it, and starting what would only turn out to be a much longer night than any of them originally imagined.