Slytherin
"Awwww, this one is just adorable."
. . . in a nauseating sort of way. Sometimes, guessing which House the first-years would go to was just too easy: the latest was a Hufflepuff all the way. How could anyone smile from underneath all that ludicrous hair?! And she was a Mudblood for sure: walking uncertainly, giving the Sorting Hat funny looks . . . she simply had no idea of wizarding traditions, so how could she belong in their glorious world? Draco set down a few Galleons on the little girl turning out to be a badger; it was such a sure bet, why not?
She cringed a little when her name was read, but Cassiopeia Walshen (what kind of a name was that?) straightened up by twitchy little increments and summoned back her decidedly impertinent smile. What could a Mudblood have to smile about anyway, and how dared she grin like that at wizarding traditions?
The Hufflepuffs and Griffindors, of course, were grinning back indulgently. Probably hoping they got the Mudblood, the idiots.
There was a round of laughter as the Sorting Hat slumped down over Cassiopeia's face, and even louder jeers when it was stopped by her pointy little nose. This little Hufflepuff was almost too pathetic to even laugh at. Almost.
The Sorting Hat took a long while deliberating – maybe getting senile, the choice was as plain as day – and the Mudblood's fixed little grin didn't waver for an instant. Really quite annoying . . .
Then the Hat's voice filled up the Great Hall –
And Draco felt himself freeze in disbelief –
(Cassiopeia smiled wider)
"Slytherin!"