'Lo everybody. Read, review, don't flame. Another oneshot.

Disclaimer: No way I own this.

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I have forgotten more than anybody will ever know. I have heard things, secret, astounding, dark things. I have seen things better not revealed, and seen thing I wish I could.

The spells covering me, ensured I never could.

I remember much, learn more, and forget the most… And yet, there was one thing I and the castle could agree upon… We will never forget our creators… Four powerful people, both in magic and in soul.

The stereotypes were overwhelming… That which nobody took into account was to ask me about it. Since they never did, they would never know. Never know, that sweet Hufflepuff, for all her hardworking loyalty, could turn quite plump, when it came to the feast of the year… Never know, that darling Ravenclaw, for all her smarts, was quite the fool when it came to love… Never know, that brave and bold Gryffindor, always quick to fight and quicker to laughs, for all that courage, was a drunk, a thief, and a ladies man… And never know, that sneaky and wary Slytherin, wary of all, for all his cunning, let his guard down with his lover, the brave and courageous 'ladies man', as he was called, Godric Gryffindor… After all, someone who flirts with all things female, he could never be more interested in men, now could he?

All had tried, and yet they never would manage, to replicate me. After all, they had incorporated their very souls in me, from their early twenties to long after they turned old and grey.

I live on a shelf, three hundred and sixty-four days a year. In those days, I am waiting, watching.

One day a year, hands carefully lifts me down from my perch, high in an office. More often than not, those hands are old. The same hands carefully place me upon the heads of students, all nervous, even though some does not show it. Nobody can hide things from me. This is what I was created for. This is what I have done for the last ten centuries, the last millennia. 'Tis what I will be doing, for many millennia's to come.

I have been present for the makings of many dark lords, and for the few dark ladies, I've seen those too. Their minds are great, even when they know less than they will. I've seen the greatest light wizards to graze this country, and I've seen their doubts…

I have seen the most fantastic minds this century had to offer, and the minds before them. And yet, when I know that nobody can ever be the same as anyone else, and yet… I know that that boy could become greater than Merlin himself… if only he tried. He was always focusing on the right things, in the wrong order… Not Slytherin, his friend wouldn't go there… No, but in Slytherin he would get so many great friends, so many great friends to help him with his destiny… His destiny to help this world… A worlds fate lay upon his shoulders, and we all must hope that those shoulders can bear its weight… If they can't, we are doomed.

He managed, of course. Hufflepuff's always manage, and, no matter how remote the connection, he is, after all, one of Helga's boys.

I am the Sorting Hat.

I have watched.

I am watching.

I will watch.

I will be here, watching, waiting. Waiting for the heir, waiting for me being needed once again.

One heir has already passed through these halls this century. One is sitting in the headmasters chair. Salazar's heir is not using his powers for good. Helga's is doing what he can, but only Godric's can survive Salazar's. Godric's heir is coming. He is coming soon, and Salazar's won't be surviving this heir.