The Divergence

Draco would never admit to being impressed by the first view of the massive castle from the lake, with how it was dramatically lit and the reflection of it on the smooth, black glassy surface of Black Lake. It managed to, in some ways, put to shame the manicured, perfectly tailored appearance of his own home, which he had thought quite intimidating when he parents put it on dramatic display for their parties. But then, how could a Manor house ever wish to compare with a castle?

With a derisive snort at the three unwanted occupants of the boat Draco was the first to depart from the boat, holding a hand out to Evie as she rose up from her seat and got her up onto stable ground. As much as he knew she tried to not show how her fears bothered her, he knew that as soon as she was steady again she would immediately be set to rights. He even strayed to pull Harry up onto the dock, but no more, immediately turning to follow the stream of students up to the castle, gathering around the giant oaf with his shining lantern light.

But to his horror, he couldn't simply go, because Harry had to, of course, help the others up from the boat. Inconceivable, helping the needlessly poor, blood traitors and even a muggleborn. People beneath himself and beneath Harry. But what could he do? Even he could admit that Evie had saved him from a few potential blunders. Teaching Harry their ways was certainly going to be a chore.

“Come on, come on,” Draco said in an annoyed voice, grabbing a hold of Harry's shirt sleeve and pulling him along with a giggling Evie. It was bad enough she forced them to engage in conversation with that lot, now she was finding his hurry is getting away from them funny. Sometimes he wondered after the girl's sense of humor, because surely that was what this had been, her sense of humor. Finding enjoyment out of putting him in these odd and uncomfortable situations. Silly girl, too much like her mother. Merlin save him from falling prey to a meddlesome Hufflepuff female.

Draco ignored how Harry waved goodbye at the other three kids, and instead pulled him off toward the right group of kids, the group he had introduced Harry to on the train.

“Was that a Weasley? You consorted with a Weasley, Draco?” came Pansy's sickeningly girlish sounding voice.

“Oh, shove it Pans, they were perfectly nice, and I didn't see any of you hurrying to ride over the lake with us.” Alright, so Draco was willing to admit his fearless Hufflepuff-like friend had her uses, like being completely unafraid of Pansy, who liked to think herself his female counterpart. Draco was sure it was a trait that mother-hens never liked people to try and out 'boss' them.

“Plus, the boys were still Purebloods, even if a bit on the poor end. Longstanding families at that. And at least Ronald Weasley hails from the Prewett's, can you claim one of the twenty-eight as such recent relatives? No? I didn't think so,” Daphne interjected as she inspected her perfectly manicured nails and then flicked her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Oh look, we're moving.”

And Daphne was right, Hagrid was finally ushering them up to the grand entrance. Draco shot Pansy a superior look as he passed by, a hand at the small of Evie's back as they walk, Evie and Harry chattering away as she explained what Daphne had meant about the 'twenty-eight', the Sacred Families. He knew their families hoped he and Pansy would get on well, but the pug nosed girl simply couldn't hope to hold his interest in the face of Evie, who had been at his side since he was born.

“The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall,” said Hagrid.

“Thank-you, Hagrid. I will take them from here.” Said the stern looking woman in green robes standing before the large wooden doors. “Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.” She seemed to pause as her eyes slid over them all, and Draco knew for sure she was not a woman to take lightly from the sharpness of her gaze. “The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting.”

After the speech she then motioned with her wand, and the two large doors slowly opened as she motioned for the children to follow her inside. Once they all gathered in the Great Hall she spoke once more.

“I will return when we are ready for you,” said Professor McGonagall. “Please wait quietly.”

“Which is our cue,” said Evie, drawing his gaze. He watched as she turned Harry to her and studied his appearance with a critical eye that had Draco coming to stand at her shoulder as well, their brows coming to furrow in much the same way, which he knew many found comical, and yet Harry seemed incredibly nervous over their scrutiny.

“What?” he asked.

“The glasses, they need to go,” Draco then said. “They take away from his eyes.”

“Yes, because you know such a complicated healing spell. No, the glasses at least need fixed, and the frames changed, at least, to suit his face. That is if he doesn't want his sight fixed,” Evie said at his side.

“Yes, because either of us know the spell to fix them, let alone change how they look,” he replied.

“Alright, abandon the glasses. His hair...”

“What's wrong with my hair?” Harry asked, eyes going wide behind his glasses, looking a tad panicky which had one of Draco's brows raising up.

“Everything. Should have dug my hair products out on the train and fixed it then, but everyone was milling about. Can't do anything here, I don't think,” he mused looking Harry over from head to toe. “At least his robes fit him well enough, even if he is a tad... little,” and yes, he very well may have smirked at that.

“Don't be a prat, Draco. And don't mind me a moment Harry, trying to smarten you up for the whole school to see you, alright?” Evie said with her hands raised up and poised to touch Harry's black hair.

Draco watched with a critical eye as Evie ran her fingers through Harry's hair in an attempt to tame it, or make it look like the mess was done on purpose at least. Of course a comment here or there from Draco helped this along.

“Move along now,” said a sharp voice. “The Sorting Ceremony's about to start.” Professor McGonagall had returned. “When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted.”

“Its time,” Evie said as he hands dropped from Harry's hair. She looked nervous, but then so did Harry, and Draco suspected he did as well, though not for himself. He looked at Evie and then Harry.

“I'll be first. I... doubt I will be anywhere but Slytherin. So... I...” He then straightened up and tried to look far more confidant than he felt. “I will see you two there, no excuses.” And with a nod he marched from them toward the door to await being called, knowing they came up behind him, but unable to let himself look back at them. But first, there was the song.

Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!

Yes, his father had ordered him to do his best to make sure they entered Slytherin with him... but it was more than duty to his father that had him wanting them close, but simple desire as well. There was something about Harry that drew him in, much like with Evie. They shared qualities in them that he couldn't help but want to claim as his own and monopolize upon. He didn't want to let them go, they were his, Evie for a long time now and Harry a new acquisition. One by one names were called, alphabetical order by surname. On and on until finally Draco's name was called. He smirked and strutted forward with all the confidence due to him as a Malfoy.

He pulled himself up on the stool and looked out over the Great Hall, seeing all those students look at him. It was enough to make anyone nervous, but he refused to show it. He was a Malfoy after all. But then his view was blocked as the hat was lowered over his head, and a voice appeared in his mind.

'Ah, a Malfoy. Been wondering if another would come through. Alright then, off with you to,' and then its voice was no longer in his head, but now bellowing out, “SLYTHERIN!”

Slytherin cheered as Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw politely clapped, with nothing but disregard coming from the table of red, which sported some new additions, the muggleborn witch Granger being one of them. Draco grinned and strutted up to the Slytherin table, taking his place among his House mates to much congratulations. But then it was time to wait.

It was quite nerve-wrecking when Harry took to the stool with the hat on his head, with how long the hat seemed to be wanting to sit there. What was the hat telling his friend? Beneath the table Draco's fingers tapped impatiently against his thighs. But then the hat finally called out. As if the rushed whisper upon hearing Harry's name hadn't been enough, but when the hat called out, “SLYTHERIN!” it was worse. For among the cheers from the Slytherin table, there seemed to be an undercurrent of furious whispering like angry bees. But Draco couldn't care and he tugged Harry into place at his side among the other first years in residence.

Then, finally, there was Evie.

“Do you think she will come here?” Harry asked at his side.

“Of course. She would never abandon me.” Or so Draco hoped.

“You guys are really close, aren't you?”

Draco looked over to Harry briefly as Evie hopped up onto the stool. “I've known her since I was born. She is actually older than we both are, born November first.” Draco said that as if that was all the reasoning needed. As if nothing else mattered. As if that was reason enough to follow Draco anywhere.

“Ah,” was all Harry came back with, and then they were both focused on Evie, who seemed determined to have a long speech with the hat as well. As if she wanted to compete with Harry, not that she managed to; and no, Draco most assuredly hadn't been counting for either one of them. But it wasn't too long before the hat yet again relieved Draco's concerns. “SLYTHERIN!”