"Potter, Albus Severus…"

I watched from the queue as a fair-skinned, freckled boy with dark hair stepped out from the line of First Years to the front of the Great Hall, where he was seated. The Sorting Hat was fixed on to his head and I caught a glimpse of him purse his lips nervously.

The slit of the Sorting Hat once again unzipped itself to open and form a mouth. It muttered and grumbled a little, thinking hard. I suddenly remembered my older sister, who had long graduated from Hogwarts, telling me about how the Sorting Hat had reacted when it was the legendary Harry Potter's turn to be sorted during his First Year. And here his son was, getting the same reaction. It was like witnessing history.

"Gryffindor!"

The long Gryffindor table roared as if they had won the lottery. Albus grinned and got off the stool, joining the rest of his House members.

A few more First Years were sorted into the four different houses and it wasn't long until it was my turn.

"Gabrielle Shaw…"

I tugged on my ridiculously long Hogwarts robe and fumbled my way up to the stool where the Sorting Hat was. I felt the Sorting Hat being fitted on to my head, sinking in deeply that it half covered my eyes. I had tilt my head up so that I could still see the rest of the Great Hall.

It was warm and rather sweaty thanks to the other First Years who had been sorted first. It reeked, the smell of damp leather. But nonetheless I felt the Sorting Hat lowly grumbled on my head.

Gryffindor, please, Gryffindor, please, I thought to myself, not knowing that the Sorting Hat had access to my thoughts.

"You want to be considered Brave at Heart, is it now?" the Sorting Hat asked, chuckling lightly. I felt my cheeks flush.

I saw a few of the Gryffindors mutter to themselves approvingly. But before I knew it, the Sorting Hat declared, "HUFFLEPUFF!"