Love Is Never Simple

Disclaimer: All characters and anything else affliated with Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling. I only own the plot and a few names you may not recognize.

Author's Note: Oh goodness, sorry about taking so long to update! I got so caught up with finishing my story Light and Dark I put this one off to the side for a while. Now that the other one is completed, I can devote my time fully to this one! I'm really excited about writing this one, my first novel length romance. I hope you enjoy this story as much as Light and Dark which got a lot of great support! Well, I hope you enjoy the chapter, finally some H/Hr interaction, lol. Please please review!! I love feedback! Oh, and I almost forgot. I changed it a little again so that Hermione is now in Ravenclaw, it just makes more sense for the story, so I'm re-loading chapter 2 to have that in there instead. This is an AU. Now, read away, lol.
Much Love,
PhoenixFirebolt

Chapter Three - The Sorting Ceremony

The Hogwarts Express finally pulled into the Hogsmeade’s station later that day. The sky was already an inky black and a few stars were beginning to glimmer against it. Hermione, Lavender, and Parvati all piled out of their compartment with Hermione going right into her Prefect duties and ushering students along. A light mist was falling, making it hard for everyone to see and more than once Hermione found her foot being stepped on.

“Ow! Damnit,” she cursed, rubbing her foot as the last student went past her. Hermione grumbled under her breath and gingerly walked to the carriage that Lavender and Parvati were waiting in.

In the carriage, Lavender and Parvati were discussing everything from the Sorting Ceremony to new boyfriend prospects. Hermione snorted at their words and stared out the window silently, watching the beautiful Hogwarts castle come closer into view. She didn’t want to leave this place at the end of the year, her entire life was here. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes, waiting for the swaying carriage to stop. It finally reached the front of the castle and the three girls jumped out and raced up the steps, eager to get to the feast and begin their last year.

The students started filing into the Great Hall and Hermione found herself unconsciously looking for a head of unruly black hair. She bit her lip when she didn’t see him and sighed in defeat. Lavender nudged her shoulder and gave Hermione a sly smile. “Wonder who you are looking for.....”

Hermione raised her eyebrows up and refused to answer, which just made Lavender laugh in triumph. They walked along past the long tables before settling themselves at the Ravenclaw one, waiting anxiously for the rest of the school to arrive.

“I wonder who the Head Boy and Girl are,” Parvati whispered suddenly.

“Well, Dumbledore doesn’t announce that until the end of the feast,” Hermione responded haughtily, “you know that.”

Parvati rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know, Herm. I was just saying I was wondering. I bet you made Head Girl, you’re the smartest witch in the school!”

Hermione blushed and shook her head. “I don’t know, I may be that but I’m too shy and quiet. Dumbledore will want someone who is really good with the rest of the students and is popular and knows how to socialize, he won’t pick me.”

Lavender glared at Hermione. “Don’t say that about yourself. You are a wonderful person, exactly the type Dumbledore would want to lead the school.”

“Just drop it ok?” Hermione returned to looking at the entrance to the Great Hall while her friends dropped the conversation in defeat.

“Hermione!” a voice called excitedly behind her. She turned quickly and her face broke into a large grin as she leapt from her seat and hugged the young girl who called her name.

“Mallory! Its so wonderful to see you again!” Mallory Griffin was starting her fifth year and was in Ravenclaw as well. She had long, straight brown hair and brown eyes which were covered in glasses. She was a pretty girl and incredibly sweet. The two had never really known each other before until they had taking Ancient Runes together last year, immediately becoming friends. Even though Mallory was younger, Hermione found she could talk to the girl about almost anything and she was wise beyond her years. She had a deep affection for the girl and hoped they would become better friends over the year.

“How was your summer?” Hermione asked after she pulled back from the hug.

“Oh, boring as usual,” Mallory responded with a laugh, “I couldn’t wait to get back here, I was missing someone.” She immediately blushed and looked down the long table until her eyes settled on another fifth year she had fancied since she had first come to Hogwarts.

Hermione followed her gaze and smiled softly at her friend. “Don’t worry Mal, just keep trying. One day Dan will get it through his thick skull how amazing you are.”

“Thanks Hermione,” she said while looking at her in admiration, “I better get back to my friends, see you in classes.” And she hurried off down to her seat again.

Hermione re-took her seat just as Professor McGonagall came walking through the doors, a long line of very nervous looking first years trailing behind her. Hagrid came sliding into the Hall after them and Hermione waved at him while he beamed back at her. She had been friends with Hagrid ever since first year when Hermione had run into his cabin in an attempt to get away from some rather nasty second year boys who were chasing her around the grounds, trying to curse her and yelling “Mudblood!” the entire time. A tearful Hermione had found comfort in the big, scary looking half-giant who was as gentle as a kitten. Hermione always ran to him whenever she was stressed about school or had gotten into an argument with Lavender or Parvati. She considered him a second father to her.

Professor McGonagall set down the three-legged stool she was carrying with the very frayed and dirty Sorting Hat on top of it. The first years lined up facing the rest of the school. Several of them were shaking and wide-eyed. Others were staring in awe at the ceiling, which was currently showing a black sky with many stars and a few wispy clouds.

Suddenly the Sorting Hat wiggled on the stool and the fabric on the hem broke apart and the Hat burst into song.

So many long years ago,
when I was still new and clean,
four wizards came together
each bearing the same dream.
They wanted to teach their ways
to young wizards all around,
so Hogwarts school began
and four houses born within.
Gryffindor is for the brave
who strive to protect and succeed.
Ravenclaw is for the wise
who have the brains for anything.
Hufflepuff is for the loyal
who will never leave your side.
Slytherin is for the ambitious
who wish only to prove themselves.
So step up and put me on
and I will tell you where you belong.
But is the house that I chose
truly the one for you?
So many within these walls
are wonderful at deceiving.
Beware of who you trust
and who you keep as friends,
for if you are not careful
you will be hurt instead.
This year is full of turmoil
and heartache everywhere.
But in the end
a lesson shall be learned,
for love is never wrong
but is always mistaken.
I only pose one question
to be pondered throughout the year,
what truly lies within your heart
in everything you do?
Now that that is over
let the Sorting now begin!

Applause filled the Hall but Hermione noticed that it was more forced then the years before. She too was as puzzled by the Sorting Hat’s song like everyone else. What exactly had it meant? ‘What truly lies within your heart in everything you do?’ Was it some sort of message or was the Hat just being as weird as it always seemed to be?

Hermione glanced over at Lavender who simply raised her eyebrows and shrugged, also looking confused. Parvati looked extremely perplexed and was still staring at the Hat as Professor McGonagall called out “Alder, Brian!” who was sorted into Gryffindor.

The line of first years slowly diminished but Hermione barely paid any attention, her mind reeling still from what the Sorting Hat had said. What did that mean? she thought desperately, The Hat never has said anything like that before. Hmm...I wonder if there is a book in the library about Sorting Hat songs. I’ll have to look tomorrow.....

Finally, the Sorting ended with “Zander, Lisa!” going to Ravenclaw. Hermione clapped automatically with everyone else at her table as the blonde girl sat down, blushing.

The Sorting Hat was carried out and Dumbledore stood up, his bead gleaming silver in the candlelight and his arms spread wide. “Welcome! Another year at Hogwarts is beginning! I know you all must be famished so I will say two words to you, Eat up!” He smiled and sat down to eat his own dinner while the tables in front of the students suddenly filled with food.

Everyone quickly filled their plates with food and the Hall was full of the noise of students chatting about their summers and knives and forks clinking. Hermione only picked at her food, not really hungry suddenly. Lavender was looking at her in concern but Hermione ignored her, wanting to be left to her thoughts. Parvati couldn’t take the tension though.

“Hermione, forget the song. Its just a stupid hat. I know that’s what is on your mind but ignore it, it means nothing!”

Hermione looked at her in surprise but before she could answer another voice spoke behind her. “Hey Hermione.” She froze, recognizing that voice and slowly turned in her seat, her breath catching slightly in her throat.

Harry Potter stood in front of her, a small grin on his face and running a hand through his messy hair. His emerald eyes stared at her intently and she fought to keep from blushing under his gaze.

“Hey Harry,” she finally replied, smiling at him. She heard Parvati distinctly giggle across from her and she kicked her friend under the table, who gave a soft cry of indignation.

“I was wondering, did you sign up for Muggle Studies again,” Harry asked, a hopeful look on his face.

Hermione nodded. “Yes, I did. But I’m not sure if we’re in the same class anymore because Professor Rapp informed me at the end of last year that more people were starting to sign up and she was going to be splitting up the years again.”

“Oh, well, maybe we’ll be lucky,” he said, looking disappointed, “last year was so much fun with you and Ron in the class, it’d be great to have that again.”

“Oh, definitely. I loved that class last year, you sure made it interesting,” Hermione laughed.

Harry smiled wider at her, his eyes sparkling. “Well, even if you don’t have the class with me first term, maybe second term we will.”

“Hopefully.” They stared at each other for a couple more seconds before Harry glanced back to the Gryffindor table and said, “Oh well, I better go. Dessert is coming up now. I’ll see you around Hermione.” He waved and quickly dashed back to his table.

Hermione watched him go and sit down next to Ron and across from a girl and boy she didn’t know. Hermione nudged Lavender and pointed to the table. “Lav, who are those two?”

Lavender craned her neck around to look at the blonde boy and the red-head girl Hermione was pointing to. “Oh,” she got a sort of disgusted look on her face, “those two? That’s Draco Malfoy and Ginny Weasley, the two biggest prats in sixth year and practically the whole school.” She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Why the bloody hell is Draco Malfoy at the Gryffindor table? He’s a Slytherin, I thought he hated Gryffindors.”

The two watched as Harry and Ron laughed at something Draco had said and Ginny giggled with them before giving Draco a punch on the arm. Lavender’s jaw dropped open. “Harry Potter is friends with Malfoy? Now, that’s interesting news. Never thought I’d see that.”

Lavender glanced at Hermione’s wide-eyed expression and shook her head. “Hang around Harry all you want but I’m telling you, avoid Malfoy, he’s bad news. No one really likes him because he’s such a jerk to everyone. There have been rumors about him and Ginny dating but that’s no shock, birds of a feather. Ron seems nice enough as well, from what you told me, strange but nice. How he has a sister like that I will never know.” And she turned back to her strawberry ice cream.

Hermione stared at Harry for a few more seconds until he looked up and caught her eye and grinned. Hermione turned beet red and looked away quickly. “Damn,” she muttered, “why was I staring?”

“Cause you fancy him!” Parvati exclaimed, laughing.

“Parv! Will you shut up?” Hermione snapped, hoping no one had heard her loud friend.

“Oh come on, ‘Mione! You were so depressed during dinner but Harry shows up and you’re suddenly glowing and turning all red. I think he fancies you too, with the way he was acting about having a class together again. You should ask him out.”

“No,” Hermione hissed defiantly, “I will not. And I’m not glowing, he’s just a friend. I do like to be around my friends you know.” She gave Parvati an icy glare which only got waved away dismissively by a hand.

“All right Herm, keep on telling that to yourself. Maybe you should think more about what the Sorting Hat said.” And she returned to her dessert.

Hermione remained in stony silence but Parvati’s words still rang in her head. Did she really like Harry? Was something like this what the Sorting Hat had meant? Hermione felt a headache coming on from all of her thinking and only wanted to go and curl up in her bed.

Before that could happen though, Dumbledore stood up once more, a smile on his face as he looked down upon his students. “Well, now that you are relaxed and well fed, I think its time to announce your Head Boy and Girl for this year. When both of you are announced, please come up here to collect your badges and receive your instructions. Everyone else may leave after their names are called.” Dumbledore reached down and grabbed a slip of parchment, which he looked at over his half-moon spectacles.

“Our Head Boy for this year is Oliver Wood.” There was a tremendous amount of applause from the Gryffindor table as Oliver stood up and walked to the teacher’s table, an embarrassed grin on his face.

“Our Head Girl is Hermione Granger.” The Ravenclaw table clapped loudly as Hermione sat dumbstruck. “Me? He picked me?” she uttered in disbelief.

“Told you he would!” Parvati said proudly.

“Miss Granger, if you would please come up here!” Dumbledore called.

Hermione walked to the front, still in shock but a slow smile spreading on her face as the rest of the school filtered out of the Great Hall, Harry giving her a thumbs up before following Ron out. Oliver gave her a friendly smile as Dumbledore congratulated them and begin to give his instructions.

Maybe this year won’t be so bad after all, she thought, suddenly feeling elated. And as her mind wandered to Harry she grinned inwardly. No, not bad at all.