Snape looked awful. His greasy hair had twigs and leaves still in it, the robes he had on were messy and had tears and bits of dirt smudged on them, and his scowl was even worse than ordinary as he shepherded in three exhausted eleven year olds.
For a moment it looked as if Snape was too angry to reply, but he cracked open his mouth and sneered. "Everything, Albus. We started out from Hogsmead thinking they could not be far, and four hours later out onto the trail we discovered they were. Apparating back to Hogsmead, we flooed over to London, spent more time getting onto the platform in Kings Cross only to find they had not returned there. Finally, we requisitioned some brooms and made a fly over of the entire train track. We found them hung upside down in a tree about an hour by train from London. They've been so confused from the blood rushing to their heads they haven't been able to tell us what happened. Still, get them Sorted and we'll go to bed. I could use some rest before classes start and I've got to deal with dunderheads all afternoon."
"I'm sorry Severus, and to you, boys. The sun has already risen." Dumbledore was sadly shaking his head with sorrowful eyes. "I owled your parents not half an hour ago to convey my apologies, because the ritual of the Sorting can only be performed one night every year, and that night has just passed us by. I'm afraid that you cannot join us for school this season, but must wait for the next. In the meantime, I would be most glad to offer my recommendations to another institute of learning, perhaps Beubaxtons."
"My father said I was to attend Hogwarts. When he hears of this..." Draco started to rant.
"I'm afraid there is nothing to be done, young Malfoy." Dumbledore interrupted him, "For as the Sorting is over for another year, we cannot place you."
"Just put me in Slytherin! That's the best House anyway, all Malfoys have gone there."
"Not true," The Headmaster summoned a twinkle to his eyes. "Your cousin has already joined us, and due to a rather strange set of circumstances has become both a Ravenclaw and a Gryffindor simultaneously. You aunt, also, was a Ravenclaw during her stay here. You see, it is not as clear cut as you may choose to think. Even if it were, the Sorting is a binding magical ceremony and without it we cannot admit you. Nor could even the Minister of Magic require us to. So you will just have to be happy elsewhere for a year. Your father should be here, along with Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle, within an hour to pick you up. I believe that a school in Bulgaria was mentioned by all of them. If that is the case, good luck to you. Now if you would just kindly wait in the entry hall with Mr. Filch here, you can await your parents. I shall have the house elves bring out breakfast for you."
Snape snapped his cloak as he stalked off, Dumbledore eyed his departing back sadly. "And, young Draco, I believe that I shall send out your aunt to offer company while you wait for your father."
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(Posted Mon, 08 Aug 2005 09:20)
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