Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Spoilers: 1-7

Chapter 9: Of promises and sortings (Part 1)

They caught the three boys in middle of casting a spell and Hermione finally returned to her apparently normal self. "Oh, you're doing magic? Let's see it, then," she said in a bossy tone. Duke shifted and hissed in anger something that sounded like "Wormtail".

"Err – alright," the redhead cleared his throat.

"Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow."

The boy waved his wand, but nothing happened; the sleeping rat in his lap stayed grey as it was.

"Are you sure that's a real spell?" said Hermione. "Well, it's not very good, is it? I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got the letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I* mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard – I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough.."

'Learnt the books by HEART? Hope it will be enough?' If that was what the teachers expected them to do then he was in trouble, but judging from the faces of everyone else he wasn't the only one.

"Anyway, has anyone of you seen a toad? Neville lost his," he spoke up while everyone else was still stunned by Hermione's speech.

"No, I didn't," said the boy with sandy hair and turned to the other two. "You guys?"

"Nope," said the redhead and the black boy shook his head.

"I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!" wailed Neville.

"He'll turn up," said the black boy in attempt to encourage him.

Harry sighed as they left the compartment. Not only had they made no progress, but it seemed that he'd really be the shortest boy in their year, though he wasn't sure about Theodore, he seemed quite short too

"Sorry for all the trouble," apologized Neville.

"Huh? Oh, no, it's no trouble at all and besides I volunteered myself," he tried to reassure Neville.

"Yeah, we wouldn't be here if it was too much trouble," said Hermione. "Too bad the toad won't just appear by magic," she huffed.

'Appear by magic…?' thought Harry and nearly smacked himself. "This is stupid, why haven't I thought about it before! We could just use the Summoning Charm!"

Both Neville and Hermione turned to look at him. "Summoning Charm? It's not in the first course books," she said looking at him in surprise as was Neville.

"It isn't? Ah, anyway, the incantation is 'Accio' and then you just say what you want to summon," he finished quickly felling uncomfortable under the stares. 'Hermione really learnt the books by heart.'

"Alright, let's try," she said and took her wand out, so did Harry, they both look at Neville. "Um, I don't have it on me, it's in my trunk," he said sheepishly.

There was a pregnant pause. "Oh, Neville," sighed Hermione. "Sorry," he mumbled in reply. "Let's just get over with this," Harry said trying to keep his voice neutral. Hermione nodded.

"3… 2… 1… Accio, Trevor"

At first nothing happened and the three eleven-year-old stood in silence, but then Harry heard a hissed 'turn around'. He complied just in time to catch the toad that was flying towards them.

"Trevor," exclaimed Neville happily as he took the toad. Hermione was surprised: "It worked," she said, "even though it wasn't on the first year course!"

Harry himself was quite worried about the spell working. It was supposed to work better if you knew the location and it better not be all too far away. But then again, it had worked before and Duke said that it was more of an easy spell. "Let's get back to the compartment," he suggested.

"What house do you think you'll be in? I've been asking around, and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best; I hear Dumbledore himself was in it, but I suppose Rawenclaw wouldn't be too bad," said Hermione as they walked back.

"Um, Grandma said too that Gryffindor would be best, but I'm afraid I'll be in Hufflepuff," replied the shy boy. "And you, Harry?"

"I don't really care, any house is fine," he said trying to hide the worry in his voice, but Duke heard it anyway. "Don't worry, it doesn't matter to me, which house you'll be in," whispered the black serpent.

"Really?" asked Hermione, "I thought you'd be in Gryffindor, but now I think you might be in Rawenclaw"

"Somehow I don't think so," deadpanned Harry as Duke chuckled, "but I'm sure you have a high chance at being sorted there, I mean… you're smart, you know all those things." 'I'm not the one who learnt school books by heart!'

"Oh," she said and blushed slightly at the praise, but she recovered quickly. "But you knew that spell! So why? You don't like Rawenclaw or something?"

"I said I don't really care. Rawenclaw would be fine, I just don't think I'll be sorted there," he replied shrugging. "Besides, I don't think just being in one house will cancel the non-house-typical qualities you have. Like you can be smart in Gryffindor, or honorable in Hufflepuff…" His voice drifted off.

"Hm… I think I get your point," she said and smiled.

"It's just that bravery, cunning, smarts and loyalty aren't that easy to recognize from just looking at someone," sighed Harry, "So it's hard to guess what house you would be in"

"Loyalty?" inquired Neville. "One of Hufflepuff house traits," explained Hermione. "I just remembered reading about it in Hogwarts: A History."

Neville suddenly stopped and the other two turned around. "What's wrong Neville?" asked Harry worried, because after looking at the boy for a while he only got a more and more distressed air and started mumbling something not really comprehensive.

"I…", he stopped and then said very quickly, "I was wondering whether you'd like to be friends with me which ever house I get sorted in"

"I intended to do it even without you asking," he smiled. Hermione smiled too. "Well then, let's make a promise to stay friends no matter which house we get sorted in," she proposed. "Great idea," he agreed and Neville could only nod. He looked so happy. 'He might not have had many friends before…' he looked at Hermione and then back at Neville. 'Everyone has their own worries, huh?'

When they reached the compartment where they found Harry and opened the door they found four boys instead of one. Two were rather large and somewhat gorilla-like. The third new boy was sitting across from Theodore. He had been talking to him but stopped and looked at the trio when they entered. He was blonde and had a pale complexion with rather sharp, pointed features. He was currently watching intensively.

"We're back," announced Harry and looked at Theodore, who was still holding his book open. "You were successful," he stated as he saw the toad in Neville's hands.

"Yes," began Hermione who took that as a sign of interest, "At first we went around asking from one compartment to another, but then Harry remembered about the Summoning Charm and…"

"So you're Harry Potter," she was interrupted by the blonde boy. "My name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy," he introduced himself as he stood up. Just before Hermione could speak up, Draco continued: "And whom do we have here: A Mudblood and the disgrace of wizarding kind. Not really a good company. You'll soon learn that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there" He stretched out his hand.

At first Harry was taken aback. This boy unlike Hermione talked slowly and seemed to stretch his words. 'So this is one of those blood purists Duke was talking about,' he thought.

The tension in the compartment grew. Harry breathed out. "Nice to meet you, I suppose, though I would like you to refrain from insulting my friends. They are a pleasant company, while you still have to prove yourself as one." He didn't shake Draco's hand. The blonde boy narrowed his eyes in reply. "I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," he said in a low voice. "Crabbe, Goyle, we're leaving," he motioned the two other boys to leave and they followed him without a single word. "See you later, Theo"

The silence came, when they left. Harry slumped into one of the now vacant seats and looked at his friends. Hermione looked a bit confused and Neville's cheeks were red.

"Thanks, Harry – for defending us -- though I don't understand what that insult means…," she said as she and Neville sat down. "Mudblood is the worst insult ever to someone who's not from a wizard family," explained Neville, who looked angry, "Saying someone has dirty blood…that's low."

Harry nodded, while observing Theodore or 'Theo' as Malfoy called him. The boy was once again seemingly not paying any attention to them, but he had the feeling that it wasn't entirely true.

"Say, Theodore, when do you think we'll be arriving at Hogwarts?" he asked him when he realized that the weedy boy and the trio before all had already changed into their school robes.

"In about fifteen minutes," as expected came the short answer.

"What? And we haven't changed yet," exclaimed Hermione and hurried to the door. "See you later!"

With that Neville and Hermione left for the compartment where they had left their trunks.

When the train finally stopped everyone tried to push their way onto a tiny, dark platform. He shivered in cold night air. "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" shouted Hagrid who was towing over them with a lamp. "All right there, Harry?" The giant man beamed at him and then continued. "C'mon, follow me – any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"

Harry followed him with the rest of the shorter part of the students down a steep, narrow path. The taller students took a different path on their own. Harry tried to spot Neville or Hermione, but failed as it was too dark. "Ye' all yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," called Hagrid over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."

The silence that reigned over the group was broken by a massive loud "Oooooh!"

They were standing on the edge of a great black lake and perched atop a high mountain on the other side was a vast castle with many turrets and towers. It's windows were sparkling in the darkness like stars.

"Wait until you see the inside," snickered Duke. He smiled eagerly. 'If this was just the beginning, then he was really looking forward going to this school for seven years'

"No more'n four to a boat!" called Hagrid and pointed at the little boats in the water. He finally found Neville and Hermione and followed them into one of the boats. They had another occupant too, a golden blond haired boy with glasses. "Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid from his boat, which was just enough for him alone. "Right then – FORWARD!"

All the boats moved off at once and glided over the glass like surface of the lake. After passing a cliff their fleet continued into a dark tunnel which seemed to lead them somewhere underneath the castle.

"Everyone here?" asked Hagrid after they all had gotten out of the boats. Then he raised his gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.

The door swung open at once, just as he remembered it. Professor McGonagall greeted them with a very stern look and took over leading the students. Just like the last time she took them to a small empty chamber and explained about Hogwarts house system and then left.

"How exactly do they sort us into houses?" asked Seamus, "My mother just wouldn't tell me."

"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking," said Ron nervously. "Wrestling a troll," chuckled 'Duke' with amusement as he felt Harry stiffen.

The room fell quite except for Hermione who was whispering all the spells she had learnt. Neville looked pale at the statement, apparently his relatives hadn't told him anything either. "Wasn't there anything about the sorting in Hogwarts: A History?" asked Harry. "No," replied Hermione briefly concentrating back on the spells.

"That's it, is this some kind of conspiracy against first years, or something?" he muttered. "It appears to be," whispered Duke sounding very amused. Harry was about to groan: even his best friend was in this!

However he stopped as he saw about twenty pearly-white slightly transparent people floated into the chamber. 'Ghosts' Everyone gasped.

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost – I say, what are you doing here?" asked a ghost wearing a ruff and tights. None of them answered, but it wasn't necessary as the Fat Friar smiled at them and said: "New students! About to be Sorted, I suppose? Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house you know."

The one sided conversation was stopped by a sharp voice – Professor McGonagall returned and the ghosts left. "Now, form a line and follow me," she instructed them.

They followed her across the hall, through double doors into the Great Hall.

'Duke was right,' he thought as he looked up and saw the ceiling.

Now he really had to stay hidden, no need to be found out before the Sorting Ceremony even started. "Its bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History," came a familiar whisper. Then there was a pause of complete silence.

"Oh you may not think me 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! "

The Hat's song was followed by loud applause from the whole hall. He heard Ron whispering somewhere behind them: "So we've just got to try the hat on! I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll!" Harry however didn't relax like his old friend; he was still as stiff as before.

"When I call your name, you will put the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," instructed Professor McGonagall. As for the sorting itself nothing much changed, Hannah Abott still went to Hufflepuff and so on.

"Granger, Hermione!" Now that was a name he has been looking forward to. He was worried about the changes, though they hadn't appeared all to much yet, they possessed the possibility to develop into something he had no idea of and some of those possibilities were quite frightening. After all he only had his memories of the original time line. Hermione was sorted in Gryffindor and he smiled. Soon it was Neville's turn. His sorting took some more time and he was beginning to think that that what Harry had told him on the train might result in him getting sorted in Hufflepuff with which he wouldn't agree. Neville was a brave and honorable person. Fortunately the Hat seemed to agree with him as it sent Neville to Gryffindor.

He didn't really pay much attention to other people, Malfoy was sent to Slytherin almost immediately after his name was called. But he actually thought it was a bit suspicious that in the end there was about the same amount of first years in every house.

"Potter, Harry" Harry gulped as he walked to the stool. 'Duke' could hear a familiar whispering. Then he must have sat down and the Sorting Hat was placed on his head. His counterpart was stiff despite him telling him not to worry. 'Well, I didn't really expect that to work.' Right now he wished he could hear what the Hat was saying.

"SLYTHERIN!"

The hall was silent. 'Oh, well, that was always a possibility… but now I might have a better shot at Malfoy and Snape'

A/N: Thank you very much for reading! Special thanks goes to Lefie, Lina03, Magical Crystal Rose, nxkris, Quetzalcoatls, Vukk and Nox La Gambit for reviewing. Thanks for reviewing the prologue hpfangirl92.

Magical Crystal Rose: You just brought a point that made me think a lot. I can't deny the fact that I WANT Hedwig in my story at least at some point and I can say that there are two possible points of time where Hedwig could come in. Both won't be happening soon.

Lefie: I'm sorry I haven't written any reviews to your story lately. Actually I wanted to thank you because your first review got me thinking on how, when and where do I want this story to end. I realized how much you helped me only when Magical Crystal Rose asked the question about Hedwig.

Nxkris: As you know I can't tell you much, not even a no, much less a yes, but as for Duke's venom, that's the question that torments me lately. Duke will do a lot of things, just not now.

Quetzalcoatls: I really hope not, thanks!

Vukk: oh now, what gave that away? (snickers but then tries to look innocently) No really since which chapter were you certain? (I really need to know your answer)

Question of the chapter: If you're an author how many hits do you get per day-when-you-post-the-newest-chapter?

Yes, all of this I wanted to happen in the last chapter... long eh? Outcasting sounds harsh. Tonks left the school the year Harry started it, she couldn't have picked him up anyway. And now we know that Auror training takes about four year... cool.

READ&REVIEW PLZ!