Disclaimer: I own nothing except the liberties taken with Grantaire's eleven-year-old self, as well as the random names thrown about.

Warnings: Mentions of child abuse.

Notes: Always at the bottom now!

Another Day, Another Destiny

Grantaire and the Sorting Hat

"You're a Pureblood, Laurent. You are better than them all. Do you hear me?"

Even as he stood in line to be Sorted he heard his mother's words, the way that they were meant to sting. He had attempted to make friends with a Muggleborn girl when they were in Diagon, had gotten as far as learning her name and her hatred for her family. He had even gave her a nickname, had promised to meet her on the train. Just as they were getting closer, finally deciding that they could probably trust each other enough, his mother had stormed up and began investigating the girl.

He didn't expect 'Ponine to want to talk to him after that, but she had still sought him out on the train to Hogwarts. She had still been willing to place herself in his compartment and had willingly split a pack of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum. He didn't know what that was about, but he was ultimately grateful towards her instant kinship. She too had scars running up and down her cheeks from her parents. She had the same rings around her eyes, the same nervous ticks.

She was broken, too.

"Don't show that you're hurt, and then get them back when you can."

It was the third thing that she had said to him. A nasty group of boys had tripped her and said rude words (it was Montparnasse, he knew it!), but the girl had simply stood up and narrowed her eyes. When he had asked if she was okay, the girl had snorted, informed him that she was perfectly fine, had insulted the group that had done the deed, then had informed him of this piece of knowledge. He thought he was going to take it to heart, and then he was going to help his new friend investigate the nastiest curses for when they were at school.

"What makes us better than them?"

A boy had said this to him. Enjolras, that was his name. He shone like the sun, and they had met on the train. He had been explaining Muggles, Muggleborns, Mudbloods, and House Elves to 'Ponine when the other boy had perked up from where he had been ignoring them in his seat, narrowing his eyes. He had rapidly begun giving a speech that caused both of the other students to sigh and gasp in unison. He was so passionate for eleven, but he was also a right prat. He was in love.

"I think I'd quite like Ravenclaw."

This was said by a mild-mannered boy as he stepped into their boat on the way to Hogwarts, his sandy hair shining even in the meager light that presented their path. 'Ponine had taken a shine to him immediately, mentioning something about his watch, but Laurent loved the way that the boy seemed so kind and gentle as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He wanted to impress him, but not in the same was as Enjolras. He just wanted this Combeferre to think he was worth his time.

It all ran through his thoughts as Professor McGonagall read off the list of names, pausing as she attempted to read through the many French students titles. With Beauxbatons over capacity that year, too many students had been sent to Hogwarts instead, and it was finally getting to the woman- Laurent could tell.

Finally, she found her footing on his name. "Laurent Grantaire."

He walked hesitantly towards the stool, regarding the hat with a bit of suspicion. What was it going to do to him when he put it on?

Ah, a Grantaire. I haven't Sorted one of you in ages! Where to put you?

Laurent blushed, clinging to the stool. 'I don't care,' he thought fiercely. 'I don't.'

You have a fine mind and a determination to learn many things. I can see you succeeding with many different subjects. A fine mind, indeed.

'I'm not smart. I'm stupid, really.'

But you have the ambition to prove yourself to be better. You can be great, Laurent, if only you let go of your doubts. Perhaps you could do well in...

'I don't want to be Dark. Mum wants me to be Dark, I don't want to be like her.'

Is that the desire for adventure I detect? A need for thrill?

'Put me where I can belong.'

I will. Your loyalty is astounding. Better be...

a/n: ha you thought. wow, i can scratch one one-shot off my list! let me know where you think he ends up!