LEVY MCGARDEN AND THE SAVAGE STAIRWELL
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Author's note:
I have no rights to the use of any of these characters. Those rights are held by better, more creative writers than me. In fact, as this is a work is of cross-over fanfiction, I have used other people's characters and settings as much as possible. In terms of copyright law, 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good'.
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Laxus was sorted to Slytherin.
Next came Gajeel, and he was assigned to Hufflepuff. And as of that moment, Levy realized, the Fairy Tail guild was no more.
She had hoped that they would be able to stay together as their old guild was absorbed into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Perhaps a house of their own? Or all of them sorted into the same house? But instead they were being distributed to the four houses of Hogwarts, just fourteen more students in the largest wizarding school in the world. Broken up as if their guild had never existed. And now it was official that they wouldn't be together.
Levy watched as Natsu approached the stool, put on the Sorting Hat, and was sorted to Gryffindor. Three guild mates, three different houses.
This was an enormous hall, the largest room Levy had ever been in. It was impressive, no doubt, even though one wall was barely held together with piled rocks and binding spells since the great battle just a few months ago. Mostly, right now, it felt intimidating. Levy knew only thirteen people in the room – Master Makarov and twelve young members of her guild. She thought about the new girl, Lucy Heartfilia. As far as Levy knew, she didn't know anyone here. She had been accepted at Fairy Tail, then informed that she'd be going to Hogwarts instead. She must be reeling.
Now, Levy's name was called. She was terrified. To be in front of hundreds of strangers, all eyes on her, as her guild family was being torn apart – she felt herself panicking. Think of the library, she told herself. That was the one positive thought she'd had since this whole transition was announced. Fairy Tail's library was good, but the Hogwarts library was legendary. Think of the library.
She approached the stool with hesitation. She was wearing tiny robes that were still baggy on her frame. She worried about tripping on them. The Sorting Hat seemed somehow surprised by her, but spoke reassuringly. "You don't need to worry, dear. You don't have to sit down." Then, loudly, "this one goes to Ravenclaw!"
Ravenclaw! The house of the brightest, most creative young witches and wizards. Secretly she'd hoped to be placed in Ravenclaw, although she didn't know if she was smart enough. "Thank you", she whispered to the hat, then headed to the long table of applauding students. She took an empty seat next to a fair-haired older girl, who had a look in her eyes as if she was both fascinated by the ongoing events and completely unaware of her surroundings.
Next, Happy's name was called. He looked adorable in his robes. He approached the stool, jumped up to the seat, and as the hat was placed on his head, he pleaded, "I want to be with Natsu! I have to stay with Natsu! Please…is one of the houses a fish?"
The Sorting Hat groaned. "Not much of a mind here. Not much of a mind at all…but the heart, the heart is Gryffindor!"
"Your friend is an exceed." Levy was startled by the girl sitting next to her.
"Excuse me?" she said.
"An exceed. Also known as an egg-cat. They're quite rare. I've never seen one before." She extended her hand. "My name is Luna Lovegood."
"Hello. I'm Levy McGarden. I…I've never heard that term before, 'exceed'."
"They're in Scamander's book. It contains a fair number of unusual creatures, although it's by no means comprehensive. And what kind of creature are you, if I may ask?"
Levy's stomach dropped. She could easily pass among Muggles, but witches and wizards were too sensitive to other, less-human possibilities. But there was something in this girl's tone that wasn't accusatory. She just seemed genuinely curious. "My grandmother was an elf", Levy answered embarrassedly.
"Oh. I've heard stories of dalliances, but I've never heard of an offspring before. An elf freed me from a dungeon once. It's nice that your guild is joining us. So many students died in the war, it still seems empty here. Not as much revelry."
A cheer went up from their table. Levy had lost track of the sorting. Alzack Connell, one of the older boys, had been sorted to Ravenclaw as well. He seemed happy about it, but his enthusiasm faded moments later as his girlfriend Bisca was sorted to Gryffindor.
Next – Lucy Heartfilia, to Ravenclaw. Limited applause, forced and awkward. Levy didn't know her, but made a point of welcoming her like a long-lost sister.
Was that it for Ravenclaw? There were fourteen Fairy Tailers enrolling at Hogwarts, so the odds were that each house would get three or four. Levy watched the remaining members assigned to their houses. Selfish thoughts ran through her head. Alzack was 16; he'd be graduating at the end of next year. Levy was 12. The next six years of her life would be spent at this school without any of her old friends nearby.
The final Fairy Tail student stepped up and put on the Sorting Hat: Gray Fullbuster. Levy's heart jumped when the hat announced Ravenclaw. She had known Gray nearly all of her life. This was good news to her, the best of the day. Levy cheered along with all of the others at the Ravenclaw table.
If her heart felt more than friendship, she didn't realize it. She was, after all, only 12.