Conversations with a Hat

Hermione's Sorting

Hermione realized that the names were being called in alphabetical order. She waited. "Finnigan, Seamus" was called and became a Gryffindor.

She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. She was really here! She'd had strange things happen to her as a child and she'd done research on a dozen topics, trying to find some sort of explanation. She hadn't found a suitable explanation until her letter from Hogwarts came. When the letter came, there was just a feeling of knowing that this was the right answer and the right place to be.

"Granger, Hermione."

Oh, that's me! she thought. She tried not to look smug while she walked up to the stool and sat down, jamming the hat down over her head. She sat there and waited for something to happen. She didn't have to wait long.

"Hello, Miss Granger."

"You know my name?"

"And a lot of other things about you."

"Really?"

"Yes. You're quite a clever little witch, aren't you? Very studious, remarkable intellect, quite a good candidate for the Ravenclaw house. Although..."

"Although what?" she pressed.

"I see some courage here. You're rather bold. Outspoken. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were a chatterbox."

"I am not a chatterbox!"

The Hat gave a dry laugh. "Yes, you are, but you've got spunk. You're brave. I can see that already. A difficult choice for you."

"For me?"

"Yes, are you deaf as well as chatty?"

"Really, now that's most uncalled for. You're even more rude than that boy on the train today."

"Have I sorted him yet?"

"No, not yet."

"Ha, so you're paying attention to him?"

"I am not. Stop making insinuations, you beastly bonnet."

"Maybe that spark of courage is bigger than I thought it was. Beside, that was the first insinuation. I flat out told you that you're chatty."

Hermione thought about it and chose to ignore that last comment. "Me? Courageous? You must be joking." She'd rather sit and read than go out and climb trees or do anything the kids at her own primary school thought took guts.

"No, I'm not." Hermione could almost feel the Hat probing around her mind. "You took your Hogwarts letter as a leap of faith didn't you? And it looks like you'd do anything for a friend. But I can't forget your brains. You're most difficult. As a matter of fact, this years bunch seems more difficult than usual."

"Really?" she asked, intrigued.

"What's more important to you? Your brains or your heart?"

Hermione answered slowly. "My heart. Sometimes, even when all logic and evidence is against, you know something's right. There are certain exceptions to the rules that come from somewhere deep inside. I rely on my mind a lot, and I trust it, and I know I need it...but my heart...if my heart told me to go to the ends of the earth to look for something or someone, I'd go no matter what. I think that a person's heart is more important than their mind."

The Hat's reply was a little gentler this time. "Oh, you're bright. You're very bright. Brave too. I know just where you're going, my little witchling. You'll do quite well in GRYFFINDOR!"

Hermione whispered, "Thank you."

She had the distinct impression that the Hat was smiling, even though she couldn't see it as she took it off her head and walked to the applauding Gryffindor table. Applause? It was so nice to be welcomed. Not to be an outcast. Where should she sit? That red-haired boy with the glasses looked intelligent, cute too. And he had a badge! He must be some sort of authority figure. It would be best to find out what she could now and while she ate. She took a seat near him and returned her gaze to where the rest of her new classmates were being Sorted. She knew she belonged here!