A/N: Thank you to everyone for fueling my Astoria obsession, it's just getting more and more out of hand.

Written for:

1st September Event: Sorting Ceremony

Back to School: (scenario) being sorted by the Sorting Hat

o.O.o

"Astoria Greengrass," Minerva McGonagall called after checking the scroll in her hand.

The girl in question stepped up excitedly, her hurried movements causing her chocolate brown hair to fall so far onto her face that it hid her eyes. Astoria swiped impatiently, plopping her butt down on the school so the deputy headmistress could lower the old hat over her head.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" The hat mused and Astoria grinned when she heard its voice in her head.

"A witch," Astoria said happily, enjoying the low chuckle of the hat following her response.

The hat was silent for a few seconds before, "well, I do confess I am not quite sure what to do with you. I can clearly see Ravenclaw's enthusiasm for learning in your head, as well as Hufflepuff's kindness and aptitude for hard work. Gryffindor too is feasible, you seem to lack the prejudice against it that most Pureblood children tend to have."

Astoria cocked her head to the side, frowning for the first time that day. "What about Slytherin?"

"What about it, Ms. Greengrass?" The hat inquired. "There are other houses that would serve your abilities far better."

Astoria shook her head patronizingly. "Mr. Hat, what are the traits of Slytherin?"

"Ambition, cunning, loyalty to their own," the hat responded promptly, seemingly frowning if its tone was anything to go by. "I see what you're doing, young lady."

"Humor me then, please," Astoria said. "Now, which of those three qualities do I lack?"

The hat sorted through her mind, tearing through memories at an alarmingly fast rate. It went all the way to her childhood and Astoria glimpsed visions of herself holding Daphne's hand, listening to the adults talk politics at the dinner table, talking faster than anyone could ever understand.

"You do have the qualities necessary," the hat admitted reluctantly. "However, my earlier point stands."

"The wand picks the wizard, but the wizard ultimately picks the house," Astoria said eagerly, leaning forward on her chair. "Please, Mr. Hat. I have things I want to do, to change. Let me do it. I need your help to succeed."

"SLYTHERIN!"

As Astoria got off the chair eagerly, a beaming smile radiating on her face, she could have sworn she heard onee last whisper saying, "good luck."