Title: Ultimate Standard
Author: Kurizu
Disclaimer: News! I just got the rights to Harry Potter! And I've also been elected President of the United States! And King of England! And… Yeah. I got nothing.
A/N: Thanks for the response to the last chapter! I know it's kind of early, but I just couldn't wait to post this chapter! It's actually much longer than the others, and even has some action in it. Don't worry, we'll get to the romance soon!
A/N 2: Oh, and by the way, this chapter is in Hermione's POV. I needed to do it. I'll be switching every few chapters between Harry's and Hermione's POVs. Just thought I should warn you.
Chapter Five
"Here We Go…"
Hermione was walking into the Great Hall, followed by Harry, lead by Professor McGonagall. They were just getting ready to get sorted, and Hermione had a funny sensation in her stomach.
The group stopped in front of the teachers, and she looked up to see… Professor Dumbledore. She smiled out of relief. Professor Dumbledore looked down at her, and smiled politely. Then he turned back to the teacher next to him. Hermione looked back to the Sorting Hat.
The Sorting Hat sang its song, and became quiet again. Then, Professor McGonagall spoke.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Abbott, Hannah!" said Professor McGonagall.
Hermione turned to Harry, who was staring up at Professor Dumbledore.
"Harry, you can talk to him later, right now we have to get sorted." Hermione said to Harry, tapping him on the shoulder. Harry looked at her, and then to the Sorting Hat. Then he frowned.
"Yeah… ok…" He said. The way he said it worried Hermione, and she was about to ask what was bothering him, but before she could-
"Granger, Hermione!"
Hermione looked blankly at Professor McGonagall. What was she calling her name for? Then she noticed the hat, and, blushing furiously, ran forward to put it on her head. When she sat down, she felt the same funny feeling. There was something she had never told anyone, something about her Sorting.
She was supposed to be in Ravenclaw.
She had told people, about the Ravenclaw thing, but she always under-exaggerated it. She had never told the full story. In Hermione's first year, when she had first out the hat on, the hat had had a conversation with her. She remembered it clearly.
"Ah… I can sense plenty of brains… Yes… A very nice mind, in fact… I know definitely where to place you… GRYFFINDOR!" and it shouted out the name. But then, it continued. "Wait, what? I didn't mean to say Gryffindor! You should be in Ravenclaw, no doubt! No, come back!" But then, Hermione had already taken off the hat, and rushed to the Gryffindor table.
It was a memory that hadn't bothered her at first, but after her first few years at Hogwarts, but after becoming especially attached to Gryffindor, not to mention Harry and Ron, she had become quite ashamed at the idea of being placed in a different house.
Now, of course, she felt quite sick. Hermione gripped the edges of the stool with one hand as she lowered the hat onto her head. Immediately, the hat covered her eyes. Then, the familiar voice began.
"Ah… I can sense plenty of brains… Yes…" It was exactly as she remembered it! Hermione let out a quiet whimper. "Eh? What seems to be the matter dear? Something wrong?" The hat asked. Hermione realized it was talking to her. I belong in Gryffindor.
"Gryffindor? What, with a mind like this, Ravenclaw is the place to be! RAVENCLAW!" And it shouted it out. Professor McGonagall reached forward to take off the hat.
NO! Please, you have to understand, I don't belong in Ravenclaw! I belong in Gryffindor, you must believe me!, she thought anxiously.
She felt a tug on the top of the hat, and suddenly she could see.
"WAIT!" The sorting hat cried. Everyone stared at it. Professor McGonagall let go of the hat, looking shocked. Even Professor Dumbledore looked at the hat and the girl with interest.
"You're quite sure, then? Gryffindor, yes… I can sense the courage… But you have wonderful smarts, girl… Are you absolutely sure?" asked the hat.
YES!
"All right then… Just because I like you… GRYFFINDOR!" it screamed. The Gryffindor table roared with applause. People were standing up, amazed at what had just happened. Hermione felt Professor McGonagall lift up the hat, and saw her smile at her. She looked towards Harry, who was staring at her in shock. Then, he grinned at her, and she rushed to sit down.
Hermione watched as all the first years were sorted, clapping especially loud when Ron and Harry were sorted. After everyone had been sorted, she looked up as Professor Dumbledore got up to speak.
"Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" Professor Dumbledore said, and everyone clapped. Food appeared on the plates, and Hermione got ready to eat.
After the feast had ended, and everyone was heading to their dormitories, Harry grabbed Hermione's arm.
"Hermione, follow me." Harry said, and Hermione didn't argue. She grabbed his hand, and let him lead her to wherever they were going. They walked through hallways, finally stopping in front of a large stone gargoyle.
"Harry, where are we?" Hermione asked, but Harry shook his head. He appeared to be thinking, and then said something that was completely different than what she had expected.
"Pumpkin Pasty," announced Harry. Hermione stared at him, wondering if he had gone mad.
"Pumpkin Pasty? Harry, what does that have to do with anything? Shouldn't we be getting to the common room? What'll you say next, Fizzing Whizbees? Acid Pops? Ice Mice?" Hermione asked, but the jumped back.
At her last two words, the stone gargoyle had revealed a set of stairs. Harry grinned. "Password. Professor Dumbledore likes candy. I guess its Ice Mice right now." He explained. Hermione frowned, and then understood.
They went up the stairs, and came upon a door. Hermione was about to knock, but Harry held her back. "Just wait." He whispered.
"Enter," A voice said from inside. Harry smiled, and opened the door. Inside was Professor Dumbledore's office, exactly as it had been seven- well, zero- years before. Sitting at his desk was Professor Dumbledore, smiling at the two of them. "Ah, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger. To what do I owe this pleasant surprise? I do believe you should be in bed." He said with a slight chuckle.
Harry strode to Professor Dumbledore's desk, and looked him straight in the eye. "Is it really you? Professor Dumbledore, sir?" he asked. Professor Dumbledore raised his eyebrows.
"Unless I am quite mistaken, I do believe it is me, that is to say, I am me." Said Professor Dumbledore, with a smile. "Why do you ask, Harry?"
"I just thought that maybe you were a Death Eater in disguise or something… I dunno…" Harry said, looking at his shoes.
"A Death Eater? No, no… They have been gone for quite a while now… Though… I might ask you, where you came about such knowledge?" Asked Professor Dumbledore.
Harry looked back at Hermione, with a look of questioning on his face. Hermione looked at his emerald green eyes, and nodded. He turned back to the headmaster, and told his story. His and Hermione's, the whole story.
How they had somehow traveled back in time, how he had discovered he was a wizard, how he faced Quirrell, how he had entered the Chamber of Secrets, and how he had rescued Sirius Black from false imprisonment.
He also told Professor Dumbledore about how he had been entered in the Triwizard Tournament, and how he had witnessed Voldemort's return. How he had discovered the prophecy, and how it had lead to his godfather's death. How he and the headmaster had found out about Voldemort's Horcruxes, and last, how Professor Dumbledore had met his downfall at the hands of Severus Snape.
After Harry had finished his story, Hermione looked at Professor Dumbledore. He was looking into Harry's eyes with a look of deep concentration. She could tell he knew he didn't need Veritaserum to know Harry was telling the truth. He let out a deep sigh.
"Harry, my dear boy… I cannot believe the horrors you have been forced to face… I am truly sorry… As for now… I believe we have a visitor." Said Professor Dumbledore. All three of them looked to the door. "Enter," said Professor Dumbledore in his clear, strong voice. The door opened, and the person who entered was none other than Professor Quirrell himself.
Harry's eyes widened. Hermione's heart leapt. Professor Dumbledore did nothing but say, "Why, hello Quirinus. How may I help you?" Hermione looked at him as if he were mad. Harry looked outraged.
"Professor, what-" Harry started, but Professor Dumbledore just waved his hand.
"Quirinus, What is it you needed?" Asked Professor Dumbledore politely.
"I-I j-just wondered i-if-" stammered Quirrell.
"Accio Turban!" Professor Dumbledore said, and Quirrell's turban flew off of his head, revealing the hideous being on the other side of his head.
Quirrell gasped, and the face of Lord Voldemort hissed, "Kill them, you fool!" Quirrell reached for his wand.
Harry shouted the first spell that came to his mind. "Sectumsempra!" he cried, and long gashed appeared across Quirrell's face. He was bleeding heavily, and stumbled back. He pointed his wand at Hermione.
"Crucio!" screamed Quirrell.
Instantly, Hermione fell to the floor, shrieking with pain. It was like nothing she had felt before. Horrible, terrifying pain coursed through her body. Then, just as quickly as it began, it stopped. She was still hurting badly, but the immense pain was receding. She got to her feet, and was met with by a frantic Harry.
"Hermione, are you okay?" Harry asked her, holding her up straight. She suddenly felt a sense of complete warmth course through her body. She looked into Harry's eyes, and fell into a stupor. Then she realized… she was in love with Harry. She knew she had always had a certain admiration for him, but she had always dismissed that as friendship.
She nodded, and looked over to Quirrell. He was in a duel with Professor Dumbledore, if you could call it a duel. He was shouting spells and pointing his wand at Dumbledore, but the headmaster just stared at the man with grim determination. He flicked his wand, and Quirrell fell to the floor, unmoving.
Professor Dumbledore came to their side. "Miss Granger, are you alright?" he asked quietly. She nodded again, and the headmaster turned to the man lying on the floor. The face on the back of his head had vanished. "I'm afraid Lord Voldemort has disappeared. We will fight another time." He said.
"Professor… There's something I have to do… I'll be right back." Said Harry, and he stepped over the motionless body, and headed out the door.
Professor Dumbledore turned to Hermione, and said, "Miss Granger, please sit down… That was a terrible ordeal you just went through." And he conjured up a nice chintz chair, as was his specialty. Hermione sat down, and looked towards the headmaster. He looked into her eyes, and sighed.
"Hermione… You make me laugh…" He chuckled. Hermione blinked.
"Er… What do you mean, sir?" She asked, wondering what he could possibly be talking about.
The headmaster smiled. "You just witnessed Lord Voldemort and his follower attack us, and you are sitting here, wondering how you could have possibly of fallen in love with your best friend."
Hermione's mouth hung open. "H-how do you knot that?" she asked shrilly.
The headmaster laughed. "No matter, no matter… We will have to continue this conversation later, unless you'd like Mr. Potter to join in?" he asked with a smile.
Harry had just opened the door, and was carrying something in his hands. It was a fat, squirming rat. "Professor," started Harry. "Do you know an anti-animagus spell?" he asked. Professor looked at the rat, and nodded. Harry set the rat on the desk, and before it could scurry away, Professor Dumbledore tapped it with his wand, and it stayed, frozen to the desk. He flicked his wand again, and in a flash of light, the rat transformed into a man before their eyes.
It was Peter Pettigrew. Professor Dumbledore shook his head, and said, "Is there anything you would like to say, Peter?" Pettigrew's eyes widened, and he opened his mouth. No sound came out. He opened it again.
"Professor Dumbledore… How nice it is to see you…" Stammered Pettigrew. Harry looked at him in complete disgust.
"How dare you?!" shouted Harry. "How dare you act as if you are pleased to see him? How dare you betray my parents and give them to Voldemort?!" He finished with fury in his eyes.
Pettigrew whimpered. Professor Dumbledore muttered an incantation, and the man disappeared. The headmaster looked to Harry and Hermione.
"I believe it is time for you two to head to bed." Professor Dumbledore said. Harry nodded, and so did Hermione. As they were headed for the door, the headmaster spoke again. "I do think that we may need a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Any suggestions?"
Harry looked at Hermione and smiled. She knew what he was thinking. "How about Remus Lupin, sir?"
A/N: There we go! That's the longest chapter I've written yet! I could've made it longer, but I think that's a good place to stop for now! How was it? I know it could use some work, but I'll get to it. Oh, and I figured out how to put lines in! Review, review, review!