"Potter, Albus!" Professor Longbottom announced.
His name seemed to echo around the hall. Everyone's eyes were on him as he stepped warily up to the stool. Harry Potter's second son. James watched him expectantly, Victiore and Teddy eagerly.
Suddenly, the hat dropped over his eyes, and a black darkness enveloped him.
Why, hello, young Albus Potter.
Hello, sorting hat. I would like to be in Gryffindor, please.
Polite one, aren't you? That's good. Hmm, let me see.
The hat ran through the memories in Albus' head, stopping at some small memories, evaluating his character.
Studious, a thirst for knowledge. Quieter than your brother, though with a temper, rather like your father's. Perhaps Ravenclaw?
Why not Gryffindor? I'm brave.
Well, let me consider. You are brave, but not really in the Gryffindor way. And cunning, oh yes. You would be brilliant in Slytherin. Ambitious and cunning. And you hate to be overshadowed by your brother. I sorted him, and he was that headstrong, reckless kind of boy. But not you.
But- but my father said you gave us a choice!
Harry Potter, you mean? He was a special case. Bravery of a Gryffindor, mind of a Ravenclaw, loyalty of a Hufflepuff, cunning of a Slytherin. He could go to any house he chose.
Fine! Ravenclaw then!
No, Slytherin would suit you far better.
My whole family have been in Gryffindor! The Potters and the Weasleys!
Then you are different. Wasn't that what you wanted? To not be overshadowed? To be remembered?
Yes, but I don't want to be remembered as the most evil wizard of the family!
Evil? Who said anything about evilness? Now, I'll take time to explain. Not too many students left to be sorted anyway. You heard my song?
Yes.
I only stated ambitiousness and cunning. Never said anything about evilness. Cunning and ambition are easily turned towards ill purposes, I suppose, but are not inherently negative; furthermore, daring, intelligence, and loyalty can as just as easily become negative.
Everyone knows anyone who comes from Slytherin is a dark wizard.
Ha! Rumours. You know that witch, sitting on Professor Longbottom's left? That's Professor Sinistra. She's a Slytherin, and she's one of the kindest witches I've ever met.
But still-
Have you heard of Alastor Moody, the Auror?
Yes, my father told me about him, he was great, but that's beside the point,-
He was a Slytherin,
What?
Oh yes, he was.
Oh.
I still know you want to be in Gryffindor, with your family. Well, let me tell you this.You would become an exceptional wizard if you went into Slytherin.
You don't think I'll become dark?
My dear boy, that is decided by the choices we make. Now, if we're agreed-
But we're n-
"SLYTHERIN!"
Oh, god.