Unique (Hermione x M! OC)

3. A Hat That Talks?

I wake up to an elbow in my ribcage and see Hermione standing up. "We're here." She says, I nod and stretch before getting up. "How'd you sleep?" She asks.

"Pretty good." I reply, then I see a wet spot on her shoulder and my face heats up. "Sorry about the robe. Should've mentioned that I drool, I suppose."

Hermione shakes her head and opens her mouth to say something when, "Righ' then, firs' years! This way, please! Come on, now, don' be shy! Come on now, 'urry up!" I sigh and leave the train, Neville and Hermione not far behind. We stand Behind Harry and Ron. "'Ello Harry." The giant greets, shining the light of his wand on the young wizard.

"Hey Hagrid." Harry says, cheerily.

"Right then. Follow me! This way to the boats!"

"Wanna share a boat?" I ask Hemione. She nods. We sit in front and Neville sits behind us with a few others, still upset about the toad. "I'm sure it's fine." I assure him. "In fact, I know it is." Neville smiles a bit as me and Hermione row.

"Are you two dating?" He asks. The other three boat members start giggling.

"No." I say, as my entire face heats up, so I hide it in the darkness. "Why would you ask something like that?"

"You two have been sticking together all day. I just thought-"

"We're friends, okay?" Hermione snaps over her shoulder. I think I detect the slightest hint of fluster but... It's probably just your imagination, Sammy. I didn't know I was her friend, though.

"Whatever you say, you'd still make a cute couple." Neville sighs. If this were a rowing boat, I'd take the oar out of the water and smack him with it, I let the thought sit as I bow my head and we continue forward, catching a glimpse at Hermione and making eye contact before looking away. This is gonna be a long year.

When the boat ride is over, we shuffle up several flights of stairs until I'm woozy. Eventually, we come upon an old lady. Me and Hermione are at the front, next to Potter and Ron.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup."

I see a toad at the lady's feet and elbow Neville who looks at me and then the toad. "Trevor!" He shouts, grabbing the frog, then he looks up and swallows dryly. "Sorry." He says, walking back over to us.

"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily." Then she leaves.

The moment she does, a familiar looking platinum blonde speaks up. "So it's true then? What they were saying on the train? Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." This causes whispering among the student body, "This is Crabbe and Goyle, and I'm Malfoy... Draco Malfoy." I look him up and down and he glances at me, he's about to say something when Ron starts snickering, "Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasley. We'll soon find that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He extends his hand.

"I remember you. You're the kid I knocked on his ass on the train." I say, then almost burst out laughing. "You can't stand after a little bump and now you want to recruit the kid who beat Old V?" That gets me, I start to laugh and so does everyone else, save for Draco and his goons.