Title: Arrangement in A or How the Sorting Hat Became a Matchmaker

Author: Razorbackgal0225

Rating: T, just in case, for some language down the road

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, places or situations from Harry Potter, and can only thank JK Rowling for introducing me to them. Anything you recognize doesn't belong to me, everything new is mine.

Author's Note: Well, it was inevitable, as soon as I read the books. And this particular plot bunny wouldn't leave me alone. We're at school only for this Prologue; after that, everyone is adult and mine to twist as I will. With that said, since our main character's sorting isn't necessarily known, I might have taken some liberties with that, but will try my best to stick to known canon as I progress. I welcome any and all comments and subsequent updates will be much longer; this is just to get started. Thanks for reading.

Prologue

September, 1993

Astoria Greengrass was nervous. She had lost sight of her older sister Daphne a minute after they had disembarked from the Hogwarts Express at the station. She and the rest of the First Years were being ferried across the vast lake comprised of the darkest water she had ever seen, while Daphne had gone off laughing with her classmates to the horseless carriages. Her sister had at least waved goodbye to her before leaving her with a group of strange kids as they separated. Hogwarts was slightly terrifying at first and having her more experienced sister around would have been comforting.

"Hi," a girl to her right said as the mountain of a man in their boat steered it across the lake. "I'm Catherine Jenkins. But you can call me Cat," the girl had black hair, a friendly smile and didn't seem nearly as nervous as she was.

"Hello," Astoria replied softly. "I'm Astoria Greengrass." This introduction was apparently enough for Cat, who chattered the entire boat ride about all she knew regarding their new school. Her older brother was a second year Hufflepuff who had supplied her with plenty of information. Astoria was grateful for the noise as it gave her something to concentrate on other than the butterflies in her stomach. She nodded politely when needed and didn't have to answer verbally until Cat mentioned the Sorting.

"I'll probably be Hufflepuff since my brother is. Do you have any brothers or sisters here?" she asked.

"Yes," she answered. "My sister is a third year Slytherin."

"Oh," Cat paused for the first time since they had boarded the boat. The look she gave Astoria was borderline sympathetic. "Well, I guess siblings aren't always in the same house. Maybe you'll get put somewhere else."

Astoria frowned at this remark. If her sister was Slytherin, her father had been Slytherin, why wouldn't she want to be? Daphne was always going on and on about her friends in her house and had talked about nothing else the summers she had been home. It was Pansy this, Draco that, Blaise said this, Millecent said that. Granted, she and Daphne tended to be exact opposite, but they were still family and she would feel more secure if they were in the same house. Cat had moved on to discussing Quidditch and professors but Astoria's mind stayed on her comment regarding the Slytherin house.

She continued pondering this as they left the boat, trudged to the front door and climbed a flight of stairs to meet Professor McGonagall. Daphne hadn't been particularly complimentary of the Head of the Gryffindor house, but Astoria thought this had to do more with Gryffindor beating Slytherin in the house cup last year than anything else. She found McGonagall rather kind, if a little stern as she explained the Sorting process. After she gave instruction regarding the Sorting Hat, the group of first years was led into the Great Hall. She momentarily forgot her distress and marveled at the ceiling. Cat had informed her that the ceiling was enchanted to match the sky outside and tonight it was filled with stars, so many that Astoria lost count.

She looked around, noting the four huge tables filled with older students. Looking for the silver and green banner, she found Daphne at the Slytherin table and was comforted when her sister gave her a quick smile and a wave as the names began to be called. She didn't have long to wait before she heard, "Astoria Greengrass." She took a deep breath and stepped up to the stool. McGonagall gestured to the old worn hat sitting on a stool. After having watched a few students take their turn before her, she knew what to do. She picked up the hat and sat on the stool as she placed it on her head.

"Well, well, well," the Sorting Hat murmured in her ear. "Third generation Slytherin, a Hufflepuff mother and a sister currently in Slytherin. Perhaps we should balance out the family. But no, I see you are tremendously clever and brave as well, but don't have the ambition required for that house. While you would fit in with Gryffindor, I see problems later down the road if that is my choice. So instead, you are RAVENCLAW!" the hat finally shouted. A loud cheer exploded from one table and polite applause from the others. She couldn't help but smile at the clapping and shouting coming from her new house as she hopped off the stool and moved to join her table. She glanced towards her sister as she made her way and saw a look of surprise had replaced her former smile. Obviously it wasn't standard for siblings to be in different houses. Astoria hoped Daphne didn't blame her for what had happened.

A blonde girl at the Ravenclaw table moved over slightly, making a place for Astoria to sit. "Hi," the girl said and Astoria noticed her earrings were made from actual radishes. "I'm Luna Lovegood. Please, sit here next to me." Luna's voice was soft and friendly and she instantly liked her.

Astoria held out her hand for Luna to shake. "Thanks. I'm Astoria, but you can call me Ria."