(Chapter 4) The Sorting Ceremony part1
Chapter 4 - Hermione's POV
Harry's repetitive foot tapping was starting to get really annoying."Harry, what's wrong with you?" I asked. He didn't reply, and I didn't like repeating myself. I rolled my eyes and asked again.
I hit him with my book as hard as I could."Ouch! That hurt!" he retorted, cradling his arm.
"Good," I replied, placing my book down. "Besides, I was trying to ask what's up with you?" Just nervous," he replied shortly."Okay, what's actually wrong with you?" I asked softly. He sighed and finally turned to me. "My whole family is in Gryffindor - my mom, my dad, my uncles, everyone. What if I let them down?" he asked nervously.
For just having met me, I could clearly see some parental anxiety."I'm a muggle-born. My parents are dentists, and they think I'm in Catholic school right now," I said, looking down. "I don't like lying, but I've been overshadowed by my older sister Bianca for my entire life. I've wanted their approval for years, but when I realized I couldn't get it, I came here as an escape. I said, 'If I wanted to succeed, I didn't need their or anyone's approval.' I took a deep breath and looked at him.
"Hermione, I -" he started to say something, but I cut him off.
"The way they treat me, I don't have parents. I've taken care of myself for years. If your parents don't like you because of some colors, where you stay, and who you make friends with, are they really your parents?"
I asked, holding his hand. I've never held hands with a boy before. I thought the first time it would happen with someone I considered a romantic partner, but it feels like Harry's younger brother than a partner.
Our sweet moment was quickly interrupted by my name being called for the sorting hat. I looked back to see Harry giving me a quick smile. It cheered me up as I sat down, I looked back at Harry and he gave me an encouraging thumbs-up before the Sorting Hat was placed on my head.
After a moment of silence, the old yet wise voice called out to me "RavenClaw!" The Raven Claws clapped but I could hear Harry above all, he never liked publicity so clapping the loudest with people staring at him was a kind gesture.
As I sat down at the Ravenclaws' table, an intelligent-looking woman called out Harry's name. As he walked up to the Sorting Hat, whispers rang around the Great Hall. I looked around, and my eyes finally locked with Harry's, he looked at me like he was begging for me to come save him, but there was nothing I could have done. After a moment of silence, the Sorting Hat called out "Slytherin!" It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, as he walked to the Slytherin table even his Housemates looked at him shifting uneasily.
Before I could stop myself I started clapping, and since I was the only one clapping it rang out like a bell. Everyone was looking at me, but I didn't stop until Harry sat down, by now my face was tomato red it was mortifying. I looked over to Harry and he was smiling even if I was the only one clapping.
After the Sorting ceremony, I raced out of the Grand Hall and found Harry talking to a redhead. "Hermione thanks for clapping for me." He smiled happily, even though I was embarrassed it was worth it, we hugged before going to our respective Houses.
Everyone crowded around each other talking about the Sorting Ceremony, an Asian Ravenclaw girl walked up to me and said "Look if you want to make friends around here you can't be talking to the Outcasts of Hogwarts, or else you'll be tossed aside like the rest of them."
Before I could reply she tossed her hair up and walked back to her group of friends, I closed the door behind me and collapsed on my bed."So much for the first day at Hogwarts," I thought.