It was a warm summer night the man reflected. The air was pleasant, it was a night to sleep soundly, to gaze at the stars, to enjoy a glass of butterbeer, or even have sex. Not a night to run with a child being chased by five of the dark lord's death eaters.
The man panted as he climbed on top of stoatshead hill, he was severely bruised and had lost a lot of blood, and the only thing that kept him going was willpower. His heart was heavy with the death of the love of his life, but he knew he had to be strong for his son, his only family.
He knew these men would kill him; they were devout followers of the dark lord and were hunting as many enemies as they could. Of course the man didn't particularly make enemies of them; he had been a neutral during the war. He heard some rustling and cast a silencing charm and a disillusionment charm on himself and his son; he saw the men and backed away to the river bank.
The man cast a bubble head charm on himself and his son and both of them silently entered the river. The man let the stream carry him and his son down the hill and towards a house the man knew.
The man climbed out of the river and stumbled on towards the house; he then conjured a bassinet for his son and left him there after writing his name on his clothes. He wanted to knock and run but knew that the wizard would be able to track him down.
The man cast a warming charm on his sleeping son and put him to sleep; he then walked away intent to protect his son. He knew what he was doing was crazy, his family had been neutral since its foundation, it was crazy to leave him with such a light sided family, but if his son was raised by the light he might be able to make some sort of difference in the world, after all the kid was his own blood
The man began climbed up stoatshead hill halfway through he saw the five death eaters. "Hello boys" he greeted them mockingly and started firing spells at them, he fought them for what felt like hours, he was able to go toe to toe five on one, but even he knew that he couldn't hold his ground for long.
He was able to kill two of them and stab a third, but before he could do anything else, the fourth one cut him on his back with a cutting hex. The man screamed as he turned around and threw a knife at the fourth death eater.
He then turned to the final death eater who backed to a tree "any final words?" the fifth death eater nodded "good bye" he then shoved a knife into the man's stomach "Argh" the man vomited blood as the death eater laughed
"Reducto" the man said blowing a hole in the chest of, and killing the final death eater with his last breath "goodbye Ron" the man thought as he lost consciousness.
XXXXXXX
"Ron dear, could you come up for a moment?" Ronald Bilius Weasley heard his mother call him and got up from his bed and examined himself in the mirror he was tall for a ten year old "eleven now" he realised with a smile "hurry up Ron" Ron heard his mother's voice from above him.
Ron looked around his room; it was one of the largest rooms in the house...because it was the basement. Ron's parents had wanted him to have the attic, but Ron liked the basement because it was quiet and private, it was neither too bright nor too dark, with plenty of natural light and long shadows, Ron loved it.
Ron walked into the kitchen-cum-dining room to see his entire family there sitting on the table calmly but there was no food, which was weird because his mother insisted they should all eat properly "what's going on?" Ron asked "please have a seat son" Arthur Weasley told his youngest son who sat down between Ginny and Bill.
Ron was starkly different from the rest of his family, while they had brown coloured eyes or a variation of the colour brown, his eyes were of an azure colour, and also his hair was more of an auburn red than like the flaming red of his family, he also didn't get easily angry like most of his family, and was not much of a morals person.
"Ron your letter from Hogwarts has come" his mother told him in a grave voice, which scared and confused Ron. "But before you read it, there is something I have to tell you; all of you" the Weasley children looked at their parents confused.
"Ron you were adopted into the family, you aren't actually a Weasley" Ron felt as if his blood had frozen
"What?" he whispered not sure if he had heard correctly, he was feeling as if his world was falling apart,
"You were adopted son, you had been left at our doorstep ten years ago and we took you into our home" Arthur told Ron as everyone stared at the two
"How come I don't remember this?" bill asked his parents, still reeling from the fact that his youngest brother was adopted "me and Charlie would have been old enough to remember"
Arthur sighed and replied "we had modified your memories"
"Who were my real parents?" Ron asked as molly hugged him and answered his question
"We don't know, but your real name will be written in this letter" she handed Ron his letter and Ron opened it and read it.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)
Dear Ronald D. Angelo
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress.
Ron reread the letter a couple of times "Ronald D. Angelo" Ron murmured and looked up to his parent "do you know anything about the name?"
"Your parents were killed by death eaters...the night before we found you" Arthur said and slapped his forehead "a couple of miles from here, it's so obvious now"
"Do you know anything about them?" Ron asked thickly
"Um..." Arthur did not know what to say "they had a house in Hampshire" Ron got up suddenly startling his adoptive family "I'm going to go to my room" Ron walked away into the basement leaving his family confused and anxious.
XXXXXXX
Ron groaned, getting up from his bed, he glanced at the clock on his night stand "ten o'clock!" Ron sighed he had spent his birthday in his bedroom and had cried himself to sleep; his adoptive mother had sent him food so that he wouldn't starve.
Ron sighed sitting up "how do I find out about my parents?" he closed his eyes wondering about it
"Ron" he heard Ginny's voice but didn't open his eyes "mom says you need to come up to have breakfast after which we can go shopping for supplies"
Ron's eyes snapped open "Gringotts" he exclaimed and got up from his bed; he quickly took a bath and packed up his stuff Ron then wrote a letter to his foster parents.
Dear mom and dad
I'm really thankful for you taking me in but I really need to know who my parents were, I know what you have done for me can never be repaid, but I will try to the best of my ability, I'm going away to find out who my parents were. I'm sorry that I'm leaving but I have to go.
Ron
Ron then sneaked out through a window and ran off towards a small wizard coffee shop he knew. It took Ron ten minutes to reach the coffee shop. Once there he bought a pinch of floo powder from the manager, by using his savings and flooed over to Diagon alley.
Ron walked down the alley observing the various shops in the alley; he never got tired of wandering the alley. He smiled brightly as he saw the various shops and desperately wanted to enter them, but Ron preserved quickly entered the big white building of Gringotts and approached a goblin teller. "Excuse me, I'm Ronald D. Angelo, and I wanted to access my family's accounts?" Ron told the teller who peered at him carefully
"Do you have the key to the vault?" Ron shook his head the goblin sighed and said "very well" he then rang a bell and a goblin clerk appeared "please take Mr. Angelo to his family accounts manager" the clerk nodded and motioned Ron to follow him. The goblin led him down a marble corridor and into an office where another goblin was doing some paperwork.
"Mr. Angelo to see you sir" the goblin looked at Ron carefully and motioned him to enter, Ron went into the office as the door closed behind him Ron took a seat in front of the goblin. "Grimfoot" Ron read his name on the sign on his desk.
The goblin put his paperwork into a drawer behind the desk and peered at Ron closely "I'm guessing you do not have your key" Ron nodded "very well" the goblin replied and pulled out a notebook and a knife.
"Now" Grimfoot said "I need you to cut the palm of your hand"
Ron blinked "what?" he asked confused at what was being asked.
The goblin sighed and repeated slowly as if talking to a little kid "you need to cut the palm of your hand and let the blood drop onto the book so that we can determine you are actually Ronald Angelo"
Ron sighed and cut the palm of his hand, wincing at the sight of blood, he let the blood fall onto the opened page of the book as the blood formed the letters 'Ronald D. Angelo'
"All seems to be in order" Grimfoot commented and pulled out a key "this is your vault key. Do not lose it, Griphook outside will lead you to your vault"
"I also need a way to get to my house" Ron told the goblin who then pulled out a rock and handed it to Ron "this is a port key to your house when you hold it and say 'home sweet home'" the goblin then pulled out his paperwork and motioned for Ron to go away.
"Wait" Ron said "did you know anything about my father?" Grimfoot sighed "he was a keen businessman and an entrepreneur he made some very sound investments that have kept your family business afloat.; I did not know him on a personal level as we goblins in general, try to avoid personal level" Ron hung his head in disappointment and walked out of the office. And saw Griphook waiting outside.
"Follow me" Griphook told Ron and led him into a rocky tunnel, he then summoned a cart and both of them sat in it. The goblin then tapped the cart and they sped along the rail track at a speed which made Ron thankful for not eating anything.
"Here we are" the goblin said as the cart slowed to a halt "vault 965, key please" Ron handed the key to the goblin who put it into the key hole and opened the vault revealing more money than he had ever seen in his life.
There were heaps of golden galleon, mountains of silver sickles and piles bronze Knuts, there were even jewellery and precious stones. "Bloody hell" Ron swore softly "bloody hell" Ron repeated more loudly.
Ron quickly stuffed a bag full of coins and told the goblin "can we go back up?" another ride later, Ron was standing outside of Gringotts smiling widely "I'm rich" he screamed mentally "I'm fucking rich"
Ron then checked his supplies list
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
By Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic
By Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory
By Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
By Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
By Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions
By Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
By Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
By Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
"One set of robes, coming up" he told himself and walked into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions "Hogwarts dear?" madam Malkin asked him and Ron nodded.
It took Ron half an hour to buy three sets of plain work robes, dragon hide gloves, a winter cloak, a plain pointed hat and three sets of casual wear for everyday use, outside of Hogwarts.
Ron then went to Flourish and Blotts and bought the books required along with some parchment, ink and a couple of quills.
Ron then bought a cauldron a set of crystal vials, a set of brass scales and a telescope; he then went to the apothecary and bought some potion ingredients suggested by the owner, which he felt was more than a basic set but bought none the less.
Ron then walked into Magical Menagerie, a pet shop on the north side of Diagon alley and looked around, Ron observed the rats, cats and the toads and owls but nothing seemed all that better than the other.
Ron then observed a raven in a cage, it was pitch black in color, from talon to beak, but it's stormy grey eyes drew Ron the most to it. "I'll but him" Ron told the shopkeeper and paid ten galleons for the raven that he named Hugo.
Ron then found himself standing in front of Ollivanders Wand Shop reading the purple sign that said 'Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.' Ron entered the shop apprehensively "good morning" Ron heard a voice making him jump.
"I'm Ron Angelo, I'm here looking for a wand" Ron told the old man who he presumed was Ollivander "Ron Angelo" the wandmaker murmured "yes, I remember your father Nathaniel coming here when he was eleven, for and unicorn hair perfect for charms, whereas your mother Belladonna preferred her ebony and dragon heartstring, it was quite pliable, good for drawing runes"
Ron wanted to know more but felt weird about the man and kept his mouth shut "yes, well which is your wand arm?" Ollivander asked Ron, his silver eyes gleaming.
"R-right" Ron replied completely scared, the wand maker pulled out a measuring tape that started measuring Ron on its own accord "every wand at Ollivanders is different, no two wands are the same as no two trees or animals are the same, each wands has its own advantages and personality and the wands choose the owner"
Ron saw Ollivander search through various boxes for the wand, meant for him "try this one" he said giving a wand to Ron "walnut and dragon heartstring 9ΒΌ inches springy" Ron held it but Ollivanders snatched it away immediately
"No no" Ollivanders muttered and handed Ron another one "try this one, rosewood and unicorn hair 10 inches, pliable" the wands kept on piling on Ollivanders desk. Ron was getting frustrated at the lack of response but Ollivander seemed to get more and more excited at the level of difficulty.
"Tricky customer eh?" Ollivander muttered searching through the shelves "don't worry, we'll find you one" Ollivander then pulled out a box and seemed to pale "yes" he whispered softly, seeming exited "this seems a good one" he then turned to Ron "elm and phoenix feather 15 inches unyielding, try it"
The moment Ron held the wand he felt pleasant warmth in his fingers and the wand shot out blue sparks "Bravo" Ollivander exclaimed as Ron handed him the wand to be packed
"you will have an interesting life young Angelo" he told Ron who raised an eyebrow "you wand" Ollivander elaborated "has the core of an azure phoenix, a powerful breed of phoenix, and the elm wood establishes you as clever; trust me, your life will be interesting to say the least"
Ron soon left the wand shop after paying eight galleons for the wand, Ron had a nice lunch at the leaky cauldron and then pulled out the rock given to him by the goblin "home sweet home" he spoke and saw a flash of blue light.
XXXXXXX
Ron felt the breath leave him when he hit the ground "what the hell?" he asked as he looked around him. He seemed to be in some kind of foyer, Ron looked around seeing an atrium rise above him, the floor was covered in plush carpet and there were two stairs leading to the upper floor and a door in the alcove between the two stairs.
"Hello" Ron heard a man say and turned to his side to see the person. The man had unruly pale blonde hair and hazel eyes; he was wearing grey slacks, a white shirt, a forest green vest, a light green tie and white gloves.
"Who are you?" the man asked politely he was smiling but Ron could see that he was ready to fight Ron if needed "Ron Angelo, this is my house" the man appeared to be shocked and closed the distance between them in an instant.
He grabbed Ron's hand and gazed at him intently "yes" he said finally "you are my masters son" he then got down on one knee, head bowed and one fist on the ground. "Welcome back young master"
Ron stared at the man confused and slightly frightened "who are you?" he asked the man who stood up and replied "I am the servant of the house of Angelo, I am called Butler"
Ron stared at him "Don't we have like house elves or something?" he asked, the notion of ordering a human around seemed daunting. Butler gazed at Ron carefully "let me clear on thing sir" he told Ron "I am not a human, I was a commander of your ancestors army and became a ghost, your great-great-great grandfather did not like elves and created this body for me, I am like a human but I do not need to eat, drink, breathe or excrete. My name is Butler and I am a servant of the house of Angelo"
Ron swallowed all this information "okay" he said slowly feeling weird about what he had learnt "tell me more about this manor"
Butler gave Ron a tour explaining about the manor. Angelo manor was built in the 1400s overlooking low-lying country on all sides, so as not to let their enemies sneak up on them. It was built with guard towers and walkways. The Manor was also built on limestone causing the manor to be impossible to be entered by tunnel, except for a small wine cellar that was built by cutting in the lime stone.
"Wow" Ron commented after the tour "this place is so big and grand" Butler nodded "of course, we are one of the ancient and noble houses after all" Ron looked at him "what is that?" the redhead asked to which the Butler replied "I will explain it to you when I explain all the duties of a lord you will have to perform"
Ron was content with the answer and proceeded to enjoy a dinner of mashed potatoes, roast chicken and apple pie.
After dinner, Ron wrote another letter to his parents about how he was fine and had reached his ancestral home and was trying to learn more about his parents, he also apologized to them and the rest of his family for running away.
Ron then retired into the master bedroom "good night" he sighed into the empty room and fell asleep.
XXXXXXX
Ron spent the rest of his days learning more about his parents. Butler seemed to have a lot to talk about them from their houses (his father was a Slytherin and his mother Ravenclaw) to their hobbies and quirks; he even began teaching Ron how to act with other people of a high position, much to Ron's disgruntlement.
He even began teaching Ron how to fence as it was something his father enjoyed and had planned to teach Ron when raising him, Butler seemed to be very good at fencing and Ron couldn't land a single hit on him.
Butler; in fact seemed to be good at almost everything, from cooking to gardening to sewing, but Ron hadn't seen him use any magic. Ron wasn't even sure if he could use any magic since he claimed to not be a human.
"You need to get up master" Ron heard Butler's voice and replied "five more minutes"
Butler sighed and said "you will be late for Hogwarts" Ron opened his eyes and shot up from the bed "Hogwarts? Today's 1st September" Ron cheered and looked around "I need to pack my trunk"
"Already done sir" Butler replied smiling "I have also prepared the water, for a bath. Please get ready while I prepare breakfast"
Ron once again marvelled at Butler's efficiency and foresight. "Okay I'll do that" Ron told him and got into the bathroom and hurriedly got ready for his big day. Within twenty minutes, Ron was ready and went downstairs.
"Sir; Breakfast has been served" Butler told Ron who replied "I'm feeling a little queasy, I don't want to have breakfast"
Butler smiled his usual smile and replied "very well sir. Your trunk is in the car, shall we leave?" Ron nodded and Butler left to get the car as Ron waited in the driveway holding Hugo in his cage. Butler soon drove the Bentley Continental into the driveway, and Ron sat in the back seat.
They drove in silence with Butler focusing on the driving and Ron staring into space wondering what was going to happen ahead. "We're here sir" Butler told Ron who was shook from his daydreaming Ron stepped out of the car to see Butler loading his trunk onto a trolley.
"I'll push it" the redhead told the man as he placed his crows cage on top of the trunk and pushed the trolley along the way while the man followed him behind. They soon reached the barrier between platform 9 and 10
"Just rush forward" Butler told Ron who replied "I know" he had accompanied his mother before to see his brothers off. Ron pushed his trolley forward and through the barrier, Ron slowed down as he stared at the big red train engine. Ron noticed that there were few families arriving behind them and others already waiting near the train.
"It has always amazed me" Butler told Ron "how muggles can dream up things such as cars and trains." Ron noted how he seemed to admire the way muggles functioned "well let us load your trunk onto the train" he told Ron who followed him to a carriage and put his trunk and Hugo's cage in the compartment.
"There is still half an hour, for the train to leave" Butler told Ron "do you want me to wait?" Ron shook his head in response and Butler left as Ron waited for other students to come. Ron wandered the corridor staring into the various compartments.
He then noticed a boy struggling with his trunk in one of the carriages. "Need any help?" he asked the boy "it would be appreciated" the boy replied and Ron helped him with his trunk and helped him push it into one of the compartments.
"Thank you for your help. I'm Draco Malfoy by the way" Ron kept a straight face but was running through a thousand different responses in his head "I'm Ron Angelo. Nice to meet you" he finally responded and shook the blonde boys hand.
"Angelo huh?" Draco said "I've heard about your family. I do hope to see you in Slytherin" Ron faked a smile "really? You seem more like a Ravenclaw to me" Draco frowned at the comment "I'm not a claw" he replied Ron shrugged "it just seems like that, beside you would be able to live without bias and prejudice from the other three houses"
They argued for a few more minutes before Ron left the compartment. He then saw his adoptive family on the platform and went to them "hi" he greeted them from behind Percy. They turned and stared at him as all of them rushed forward to him.
"Ron" his mother cried "we've missed you" Ron patted her back and replied "I've missed you too mum"
"Liar" Ginny said but hugged him nonetheless and Ron returned the hug and told her "great to see you too Gin" he talked to the rest of the Weasley's for some more time before boarding the train, promising to write to Ginny and Molly.
Ron walked back to his compartment to see another boy sitting there already "hello" Ron greeted the boy who smiled back nervously Ron sat opposite to him and the boy asked "where's your trunk?" Ron smiled and pointed towards it "I was here before, but was wandering around the train"
"Oh" the boy said and heavy silence filled the compartment "I'm Ron Angelo" Ron introduced himself "Harry Potter" the boy replied and Ron glanced at his forehead, noticing the scar he quickly looked away.
"Nice to meet you" Ron extended his hand and Harry shook it replying "likewise" the two boys soon began talking about various things, such as what to look forward to in Hogwarts, Ron explained all he knew about quidditch to Harry and told him about the various teams.
Soon the food trolley came and both boys bought a bit of each chocolate or toffee the lady had to offer. The boys began eating the chocolates with Ron telling Harry about the different types of chocolates they were eating and experimenting. Soon the conversation turned to houses
"I've heard that Slytherin is a dark house" Harry told Ron who shrugged "people might say that, but not everyone in Slytherin is dark, some are simply neutral"
"Which house do you think you will be in?" Harry asked Ron who shrugged "my mom was in Ravenclaw and my dad was in Slytherin..." Harry's eyes widened at this thinking he had offended Ron with his earlier comment but Ron winked at him to show it was alright "...honestly? I could be in any house. What about you?"
All of a sudden a round faced boy opens the door to the compartment "hello! I've lost my toad Trevor, have you seen it?" Ron and Harry shook their heads "sorry mate" Ron told the boy who cried "what do I do?" Harry patted his shoulder consolingly "I'm sure he'll turn up".
The boy left and the boys looked at one another "I have no idea which house I'll be in" Harry told Ron continuing their conversation from before they were interrupted. "I'm sure you'll be in Gryffindor" Ron told Harry who smiled.
Their door opened again to reveal a bushy haired girl. "Has anyone seen Neville's toad? He has apparently lost it. I'm Hermione granger by the way" the boys gave the same reply they had before as she closed the door behind her. "who was she?" Ron questioned as Harry shrugged.
A few minutes later, the boys were interrupted for the third time by the door opening for a third time to reveal three boys. "Hello" Malfoy greeted them and turned to Harry "everyone has been saying that Harry potter was in this carriage. Is it true? Are you him?"
Harry nodded eyeing the other two boys. Malfoy noted this and introduced them "this is Crabbe and Goyle. I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy" Ron smirked and said "you can call me Ron Angelo" Draco smirked and said "I know we've already met in case you don't remember"
Ron smirked and answered "I do, you're the future claw" Draco scowled as Crabbe and Goyle looked at him confused.
"Wait! You guys know each other?" Harry asked looking between Ron and Malfoy "yeah, we do" Ron said he then turned to Crabbe and Goyle and asked "and how are you two Hufflepuff's doing?" they growled but Malfoy stopped them from going ahead "he's just kidding boys" he said.
Soon the three left and Ron turned to harry "he seems rude and arrogant, but isn't beyond salvation. Harry then told Ron all about how he had met Malfoy in Diagon alley "hmm" Ron said stroking his chin "it seems we have had a coincidence" he said in a serious voice making harry punch him in the arm.
"Thank you Mr. obvious" harry told him grinning. The two then changed into Hogwarts robes as the train pulled into the station. Harry and Ron walked out of the station with the rest of the students. "Firs' years here! Firs' years here" a tall and bulky man said as the first years gathered around him "hello Hagrid" harry greeted him
"Hullo Harry, doin okay?" Hagrid asked as he led the first years. Ron stumbled on a root but steadied himself "careful now" Hagrid told them as he led them around a corner and in front of a lake.
There were many 'ooh' and 'ah' as everyone got their first glimpse of Hogwarts Ron personally thought it was beautiful and majestic and knew that almost everyone would agree with him.
"Okay sit in the boat's no more than four in a boat" Hagrid told them as harry and Ron climbed a boat with Hermione and Neville. Once they reached the other side, they followed Hagrid to a pair of huge oak doors. Hagrid knocked the door three times and waited.
The door opened and standing before them was a tall woman wearing an emerald cloak. She had sharp brown eyes, thin lips, and had her hair was tied up in a tight bun, wearing a no-nonsense and strict expression on her face. Ron could tell she was a person he was not to cross.
"The first years" Hagrid gruffly told the woman. "Thank you, Hagrid" she replied. When Hagrid left, the woman made a sweeping glance over all the students and said, "If you will follow me" She turned and walked briskly inside and the first years trailed behind her, looking around their surroundings in curiosity.
She led them inside the entrance hall and closing the door, she faced them. "Welcome to Hogwarts, my name is Professor McGonagall..." she made a small introduction of the magical institution and its overall rules and after she was done, she reminded them to clean up and left the room.
The moment she was gone, everyone inside the room began to speak. Harry faced Ron and asked worryingly, "Do you know how we get sorted?" Ron shrugged, Butler had been quiet about the sorting test, saying it was a surprise but assured him it was nothing dangerous.
"All I know is that it's nothing dangerous" the students were chatting on, as the bushy haired girl was reciting spells to whoever was hearing her. Soon the doors opened and McGonagall led the students into a huge room with four parallel tables and one staff table at the podium. Hundreds of candles floating mid air and what seemed like an open roof ("the ceiling is enchanted to show the sky" the bushy haired girl told the round faced boy) and right in the middle was an old parched hat on a tripod stool.
The brim of the hat opened and the hat started to sing a song. The song was about the four houses and their qualities and telling the students not to be afraid. After the song, the entire hall clapped and the hat bowed to the four tables before going still again.
"Abbot, Hannah" McGonagall called and a blonde girl with pigtails rushed forward and put on the hat. "Hufflepuff" the hat cried immediately. And the girl rushed to the clapping table.
"Angelo, Ronald" McGonagall called and Ron rushed forward and put on the hat.
(AN: italics are hat talking normal is Ron thinking)
"Hmm. Interesting"
"What's interesting?"
"you seemed to be trying to understand who you are and where you belong, it's very complex, especially about your parents and adoptive family"
"..."
"Thinking seven different things at once to confuse me? Brilliant and Slytherin like secrecy"
"So I belong in Slytherin?"
"You are quite smart and curious; you would do well in Ravenclaw"
"I hate reading books"
"Knowledge isn't limited to books. Though your guts and loyalty are commendable as well"
"Just decide on a goddamn house"
"Such anger, if I put you in Slytherin you might revolutionise the entire house, or just tear it apart"
"..."
"Amusement and interest? You are definitely..."
(AN: narration ends here)
"...SLYTHERIN"
The hat shouted as the table clapped and Ron hurried on to sit there. Ron looked at the Gryffindor table to see Fred and George look shocked and outraged while Percy had a neutral look Percy caught Ron's gaze and nodded at him as if to say "it's all okay" Ron nodded back saying "I'm where I belong"
"Welcome to Slytherin Angelo" the boy beside whom Ron sat spoke up "I'm John Wicker, your senior, remember to bow down when you see me" Ron was about to reply when the girl on his other side spoke up.
"Don't listen to him, he's just an idiot. I'm Alyson Hall by the way" she told Ron. "I'm Ron Angelo" Ron introduced himself as Bulstrode Millicent joined them, Ron noted with some pleasure that Crabbe and Goyle joined Hufflepuff like he had predicted.
What was really surprising was Draco Malfoy in Ravenclaw. "Guess he took what I told him to heart" Ron mused as harry was sorted into Gryffindor. Soon the sorting was over and Dumbledore stood up to address them.
"Oh what a party I have created?" Ron grinned as the entire school discussed the crazy sorting.