What if?

I walked slowly down the familiar path to the Great Hall, briefly viewing it for the millionth time as if it were the first.  The ceiling bore the resemblance of the night sky, and as I looked at it, I heard Hermione tell everyone how it was only bewitched.  I opened my mouth to tell her I already knew that, and then shut it quickly.  She would never believe me.

Time passed at an agonizing speed as I pretended I had never seen this place before.  My right side ached with an odd empty feeling without Harry standing beside me.  It was weird; I had never felt like this when we had been separated before, but then again, I always knew he'd be there later.  I snuck a glance to where he was standing next to Malfoy; it was hard to believe that he could smile and laugh in such bad company.

McGonagall stepped forward and explained the sorting ceremony.  As she called the first name, I played guessing games to see if I remembered exactly who went in which house.  Malfoy was called, and I didn't bother guessing, I already knew.  As he trotted off to Slytherin table, I made my way over to Harry.  A little voice whispered in the back of my head, 'You wanted to know what it would be like...stop interfering.' I was about to tell myself to shut up, but decided I better save what was left of my sanity.  "Hello, Harry."

He turned his head to the right and smiled.  "Oh, hello, Ron."  His manner was polite, but he appeared to be slightly uncomfortable.  "Um...what house do you suppose you'll be sorted into?" Small talk...Malfoy had been talking about the fact that I was poor. It had never mattered to Harry before...

It took all my might not to shout, "GRYFFINDOR, YOU BLOODY LOON!  AND YOU BETTER BE THERE WITH ME!"  Instead, I gave him a fake grin.  "Enough formalities.  What was Malfoy telling you about my family?"

Coloring, he turned back toward the ceremony.  I could see through his lie. "Nothing at all."

I glared in Malfoy's direction, but he was chatting with Crabbe.  Bringing my eyes to meet Harry's, I spoke.  "Don't lie to me, Harry.  He said something.  I think I ought to clear it up, since he probably fibbed..."

"Harry Potter!"  McGonagall's voice echoed in the perfect silence that came after mentioning his name.  I scowled at her, as Harry practically ran away from me.  However, I did not turn away.  My eyes became glued to Harry and the Sorting Hat on his head.  One question began to nag me.

Would he be sorted into Gryffindor or Slytherin?

Of course, the hopeful naive side spoke up first.  'Why, Gryffindor, of course!' it said happily, 'Just because he's hanging out with Malfoy doesn't mean he's a horrible person!  You've been his best friend for five years, you know that!'

Yet, my other cynical pessimistic half boomed louder.  'Yes, but those five years don't count anymore.  Harry has time before he grows into that person.  And if he's been so easily manipulated, maybe he's not going to get the chance to be anything but a Malfoy-clone.'

While my multiple personalities fought, Harry sat.  And sat.  And sat.  Minutes had passed since he'd first been called.  The teachers were beginning to cast worrisome glances at Harry and then at the Hat.  Finally, after a long pause, the hat croaked out "Slytherin..."  It was terribly frightening, the way it sounded so completely unsure.

The others students went by quickly, but everyone was considering the Hat's decision.  Hermione looked like she'd been smacked; why was HARRY POTTER going to the very house that created the murderer of his parents?

My name was called toward the end of the Ceremony, and I walked to the stool looking completely relaxed.  And I was.  I was still the same person after five years, maybe even more courageous.  I sat down on the stool, and McGonagall placed the hat on my head.  "What is everyone doing here again?" the voice whispered into my ear.

"I'm rewriting destiny, please just place me in my house."  I answered.

"Aren't you grumpy.  Most people are exactly the same, but Potter...I must say, he's changed. He didn't ask to be placed anywhere but Slytherin. It was unnerving."

"Well, that's peachy, isn't it? Listen, I'm not in the best of moods; I've discovered that playing God isn't that fun, please just place. me. in. my. house."

"GRYIFFINDOR!"

"Thank you."

I stepped lightly off the stool and down to the Gryffindor table. Honestly, I wouldn't have minded talking to the hat, but without Harry, I felt like I was going crazy. I didn't want to start talking to hats to prove my insanity.

I took the open seat next to Hermione, and smiled at her. "You're going to be my friend."

She gave me an indignant look. "What makes you so sure?"

Smirking, I turned back to the ceremony. "I can tell the future."

It wasn't a total lie.