I drew in a quick sharp breath as the realisation dawned that I was next.

"Rolanda Weasley" Neville called, I mean, Professor Longbottom. it was so weird, thinking of him as a professor, less the deputy head. He'd dropped in at the burrow one night we were there to share the news at the start of the summer. I honestly didn't know what to expect, I mean what if I didn't get where Dad wanted me. He'd been so happy when Igor had written home about Gryffindor, and then he'd been able to fill him in of all the nooks and crannies he'd found with Fred during his time there. What if I'm different?

A memory of what auntie Hermione said to me breaks through my anxiety- stay calm, a clear mind, and the hat is open to suggestions. But I don't want to choose where I go. What if I choose wrong?

"Rolanda Weasley" he called again, searching the much diminished group of first years standing in the middle of the hall. I took a deep breath, summoned my courage- maybe I was Gryffindor material?, held tight to my wand, and approached the raggedy old hat

"Hah, another Weasley." a voice erupted in my head, startling me, and making me jump. "but, your different. Your hardworking, there's no doubt about that, and a fierce, fierce loyalty. I've never seen strength of character such as this, not since your uncle anyway, and he was quite a character. your on the cusp of two worlds, its plain to see, and its given you such strength, such acceptance, such a heart. yes, you'd do well where I put you"

"and where is that, mr hat, if you don't mind asking, you see I'm just a bit anxious, its taken a long time. whats wrong with me Mr. hat?"

"Wrong, child, have you not been listening, nothing's wrong. your different yes, but that's not necessarily wrong." "You need to work on your patience my dear, everything is normally revealed in it's own sweet time... Very well" and with a roar the top of the hat fell backwards and the proclamation of my house rung around the walls of the great hall

"Hufflepuff"

I blinked. What.

"the table to the far right were clapping and cheering, waiting to welcome me into the badger clan, I rose, and risked a glance to my cousins who were clapping though slightly upset, especially Hugo who had just been sorted into Gryffindor. my eyes sought Igor, who was, was that tears I saw coming from my older brothers face? Brilliant. I could use this for weeks.

there were only two after me, and once Chloe Zabroski had been sorted into Slytherin , much to the delight of the table on the far side of the room, the feast appeared on the table. I worried I wouldn't like the food, dad hates how much of a picky eater I am, but it was amazing. dang, these house elves can cook I thought, tucking into my third chicken drumstick, while eyeing up the cakes which had just appeared three people down.

I have an appetite. But I'm allowed it. I do football, basketball, and swimming at home- they're muggle sports by the way- and yeah, dad often jokes how I could out-eat my uncle Ron. (I can't though, I tried last Christmas... four helpings of turkey with veg... plus a helping of mum's special Christmas pudding.. all I'm gonna say is that it wasn't pretty)

Anyway, a couple (or four) cakes later the entire hall started to vacate, and, swallowing the last mouthful of a truly delightful chocolate cream cupcake, i rose, and followed the prefects and other hoards of students with yellow badges out of the hall.

"hufflepuff this way"

"Hufflepuff follow me"

i followed the call for Hufflepuff, picking my way through. i heard a shout as i was about to turn down a flight of stairs

"Hey Ro. " it was albus

"y'allright Al" i replied, "sucks we're not in gryffindor together. sorry mate.

"its ok. are you ok though?" he started. "your all on your own. how comes you were in hufflepuff anyway, the hat was on you for ages. What did it say?"

"just how i was different, and that, but yeah i'm fine. i've got to be don't i. can't interfere with the hat. and it's not like i won't see you. i will see you won't i?"

"Gryffindors follow me!" the gryffindor prefect yelled from halfway up the accending staircase

"i guess you'd better go. i'll see you later though. owl me if we don't catch each other?"i gave my cousin a quick hug, and watched as he ran up the stairs towards the fifth year waiting for him.

i turned, expecting to see a prefect waiting for me, but there wasn't one. i stood, at the platform connecting many staircases, completely alone in a very large castle, suddenly feeling very small, and very lost.

I walked around a bit, looking for any clue of whatever it was a Hufflepuff was meant to recognize when at Hogwarts, pointing to their common room. what kind of Hufflepuff doesn't even know where her common room is.