The Lion Inside the Snake, Part 1 : 5_nevers [G: Draco, Sorting Hat]
Title: The Lion Inside the Snake, Part 1 : Part 2 : Part 3
Fandom: Harry Potter
Genre: AU
Characters/Pairings: Draco Malfoy, Sorting Hat
Word Count: 475
Prompt: N/A
Rating: G
Warnings: Draco Angst and Sorting Hat Theory, unintentional invokings of Star Wars
Summary: The Sorting Hat decides to try a little social experiment.
Disclaimer: Don't own. Just Borrowing. Promise I Won't Break Them.
Author's Notes: Yes, don't flog me. XD Just a little random idea. Hopefully it'll pan out.
Draco had expected the Hat to shout ‘Slytherin’ the second that it was placed on his head. That was what his father had told him would most likely happen, so it had to be true, right? But when the item had stayed silent for quite a few seconds, Draco had grown highly uncomfortable. What was taking so long? He couldn’t possibly be a squib. No, he couldn’t. His father would toss him out onto the street if the Hat rejected him fully.
“No, no... Just thinking, Mister Malfoy, that’s all.”
Thinking about what, you ruddy scrap of cloth? Malfoy interjected mentally, a scowl forming on his face. If this THING was going to ruin his future...
“Quite the contrary, Mister Malfoy. I believe that perhaps my thoughts are going to help your future. Would you like to hear them?”
Not especially, no, Draco mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest, trying to avoid the odd glances and whispers everyone was giving. The Sorting Hat never usually took this long to make a decision, especially not with someone so OBVIOUS as Malfoy.
“Well, you’re going to hear them anyway...” The Hat continued. “I’ve noticed a certain pattern in my sortings over the centuries. I’m suppose to group the children based upon their latent tendencies and talents that already exist; however, I’ve made an observation in those whom possessed the talents of more than one single House that they developed more naturally to the tendencies of the House of which they were sorted into because of being surrounded by people of like minds.”
And what does this have to do with me? I’m a Slytherin. I’ve known that I’m to be a Slytherin since I was a babe.
“Quite, because you were brought up that way. All other qualities within you were suppressed, not allowed to develop to the maturity which they seek. I sense quite a few things in you, Mister Malfoy, that if allowed to flourish with the encouragement of like minded individuals, would alter your whole outlook on life, as well as the path down which you are headed.”
What are you planning...? No... No!
“Yes, Mister Malfoy. Not quite as slow as one would think, but you’re certainly not Ravenclaw material.”
“No, please.... Please, don’t...” Malfoy whispered, horror twisting his face.
“And you’re loyal, yes, but only to those who show their loyalties to be unwavering as well, not blindly like most Hufflepuffs.”
“No... No... No, it can’t be.”
“It is, quite, Mister Malfoy. Even if you don’t realize it, buried in your heart is the desire to do what is right. What you believe to be true and just.”
“No, no, no... Just tell me I’m a squib. Father would take that better.”
“Not a lot of courage, but that will develop with time. Yes, I think that this is best. GRYFFINDOR!”
“NOOOO!”