The Courage of Hermione Granger
2. Chapter 2
The two ex-Gryffindors were largely ignored by the rest of the Slytherins for the rest of the Sorting and dinner. The other three Houses weren't nearly so disdainful and haughty in their interest, and whispers filled the Great Hall. Hermione glanced involuntarily over at the Gryffindor table. Ron was staring at her and Harry, a look of disbelief, hurt, and betrayal on his face. She knew ruminants of the same shock was still mirrored on her face as well. Next to her, Harry was broodingly quiet, pointedly ignoring Draco Malfoy holding court at the other end of the table. She sighed, and tried once more to at least attempt to eat--after all, the mouth-watering dinner was the result of House elves hard at work!--before dropping her fork and pushing her plate away. Not even the thought of food and labor going to waste could persuade her to take another bite.
Harry and Hermione were the only new fifth year additions to Slytherin House, as well as the only fifth year changes period. Everyone who had been Sorted into Slytherin House five years ago returned to their House with no hesitation from the Sorting Hat.
The fifth year re-sorting, and the welcome of the first years finally came to an end and Dumbledore released them, postponing the announcements until the next morning to allow fifth year and new students to settle into their new Houses. Harry and Hermione lingered behind, wistfully watching their friends walk out the double doors that would lead up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower. Ron glanced back and murmured something to Neville Longbottom before walking over. The three friends looked at each other awkwardly before Ron spoke.
"You should protest," he burst out. "The Hat is completely nutters to put you two in Slytherin! Harry, you're practically the epitome of a Gryffindor, especially after the Chamber of Secrets and getting Godric Gryffindor's sword and all that, and Hermione, you should be in Ravenclaw if you can't be in Gryffindor! There's got to be some kind of mistake! C'mon--I'll go with you to Dumbledore's office."
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," a cool voice drawled from behind them.
The trio glared at the intruder, but Draco Malfoy just smirked and crossed his arms. "Potty, Weasel, and the Mudblood aren't happy with something, so they're going to run to the Headmaster and complain. How typical."
"Shut up Malfoy," Ron snarled. "Even you can't disagree that Harry and Hermione are supposed to stay in Gryffindor where they belong rather than be a Slytherin snake."
Malfoy bared his teeth in a semblance of a smile. "Ah, yes, Weasley, but unlike you I can still find some sardonic enjoyment in the whole situation. After all, Saint Potter and grungy Granger were just permanently tainted tonight by being chosen for Slytherin House. Even if by some miracle Dumbledore allows you to return to Gryffindor, no one will ever look at either of you the same way again." He shrugged. "But sure, go ahead, run to that Muggle-lover Dumbledore. You two wouldn't last one night in Slytherin anyway." He turned and strolled away, leaving a very red faced Harry and Ron behind him. His parting comment floated back to them. "Although, if you go to Dumbledore, you might as well ask if you can be put in Hufflepuff, since that famous Gryffindor bravery is clearly lacking."
"And what's that supposed to mean, Malfoy?" Harry snapped, ignoring Hermione's tugging on his arm.
"Come on Harry, let's go, he's just trying to get a rise out of you--"
Malfoy turned back and rolled his eyes. "Come on Potter, even you aren't that dense, are you? It's obvious--you and Granger are too chicken to stay in Slytherin."
He saw Harry's jaw clench and smirked, stepping forward until he was face to face with the dark haired boy. "The Hat saw something in you tonight, something dark," he whispered softly, "and you're so desperate to keep your goody-two-shoes image of Dumbledore's favorite boy that you can't stand that maybe, just maybe there's some things even you can't face. You're afraid Potter, afraid that if you stay in Slytherin you'll be tempted toward exploring that darker side--"
"I'm not afraid," Harry interrupted, nettled by the blonde's words.
"Well, if you're not afraid, then say goodbye to the Weasel, and let's go," Malfoy answered smoothly. "You made the wrong choice in friends that first year on the train Potter. This is your chance to redeem yourself."
Text from the Wayback Machine's capture of the site, 11 April 2005.