Another year begins as the Transfiguration teacher, McGonagall, takes me down from the shelf in Dumbledore's office. She brings me out into the Great Hall and I see, as usual a line of first years; some fearful, some excited, but all looking anxious.
"I hope I get into Ravenclaw," a girl with long curly hair whispers. "It turns out some of the best witches and wizards."
"Not as good as Gryffindor," another girl with shining blue eyes says excitedly. "Dumbledore himself was in that one."
"…entire family's been in Hufflepuff, seventeen generations back," a third boy hisses to his friends.
"D'you think I'll be in Slytherin?" This voice sounds worried.
"No, you're not racist enough."
I open my mouth and begin to sing:
Bravery, brains, loyalty and ambition,
every House and every trait
could use a new addition.
So try me on, don't you fear,
for everyone belongs somewhere here.
Perhaps I'll put you in Gryffindor,
House of the lion and brave and strong.
If you're up to an adventure,
Gryffindor is where you belong.
Or maybe you'd be best off as a Ravenclaw,
where intellect and brains are of great use.
A house for smart children like yourself—
how could you refuse?
Or you could be sorted into Slytherin,
where ambitions flourish and thrive.
The house of the serpent
has produced some of the best wizards alive.
But I might see the House of Hufflepuff
as the best choice for you.
Hufflepuffs are great friends—
loyal, honest, and true.
So come up here when they call your name,
and put me on, don't be scared.
And don't try and lie to be—
your entire mind is bared.
The Hall applauds, and some children look considerably less (or more) nervous.
The first child to be sorted is called Heidi Albright. As she tries me on, I see a love for riddles, high intelligence…
"RAVENCLAW!" I shout. The girl smiles, delighted at getting her House of choice, and scampers off to join her sister, Hope Albright.
"Bailey, Damien!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Boast, Victoria!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Clearwater, Penelope!"
The curly haired-girl steps forward. "RAVENCLAW!"
I sort through all the others, until only two remain—one a tall, gangly redhead, another a brunette who still hasn't hit his growth spurt yet. But you could kind of tell that he'll be very tall once he does.
"Weasley, Percy!"
Ah. Another Weasley. This should be quick.
But wait…
As he tries me on, I see qualities of a House, a House very different from Gryffindor, where all the other Weasleys have been. Ambition, a desire to reach the top, brains… no, this one is suited for Slytherin.
…is he?
Perhaps he may be better off in a different House. I've seen what happens to Slytherin witches and wizards. They're warped by the political influence, which could be very, very bad for this one, especially since he's already willing to do whatever it takes to claw his way to the top. He's what Purebloods call a "blood traitor," too. Could they accept a Weasley into their House? And the Weasleys themselves. Could they accept having a Slytherin for a son?
I make my decision. It may not make the most sense, but he'll be better off in the long run.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
