Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Written for the Globetrotter Drabble Competition - New York.
Also written for the Scavenger Hunt Competition - Next Gen.
Better Be...
The conversation with his father stuck in Al's mind the whole journey through. He sat in a compartment with Rose, letting the soothing sound of her voice run over him as she waffled on about some book or other.
'Was it really alright to be sorted into Slytherin?'
Albus didn't know what to think anymore. James could be right. Of all the houses at Hogwarts, Slytherin seemed like it would suit him best. He wasn't brave, like the Gryffindors, not smart like the Ravenclaws. He didn't feel like a Hufflepuff.
He paid little attention to the sail across the lake, didn't hear any of the speech from his Uncle Neville, the new deputy Head. He followed his classmates in to the hall, waiting on tenterhooks for his name to be called.
He sat on the edge of the stool, the hat, too big for his head, drooping over his eyes.
"Ah, another Potter boy! Slightly harder than your brother I see. He was born to be a lion, but you, well. I see intelligence, but I don't think you'd fit in, in Ravenclaw. Bravery, yes, hardworking yes, loyal, oh my boy, very. Hmm."
"Was my father really almost put in Slytherin?" Albus thought, and the hat chuckled.
"He was indeed. You share many of the same qualities he himself did as a child. Do you have a request to make as he did, all those years ago?"
Albus thought for a moment. Was he really that scared of being a Slytherin? Should he request Gryffindor, to make his family proud? But then, his dad said he'd be proud no matter the house...
"No, you know best."
"Indeed I do. Better be...SLYTHERIN!"
Albus took the hat off his head, a wide smile playing on his lips. Handing the hat back, he ran to the table where students cheered for him, patting him on the back. Al couldn't wait to write and tell his Father.