Not Slytherin
A/N: Just an idea I thought of after I watched The Half Blood Prince. Not that the connection makes sense.
Summary: The sorting hat tries to decide where to put Sirius.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter.
"Aha!" said the sorting hat, ready to place Sirius as easily as he had any other Black. "I know just wh–" The sorting hat cut off, surprised. Underneath Black's calm exterior there was something else. Then Sirius started chanting.
"Not Slytherin, not Slytherin. Please no."
"Not Slytherin? But, my boy, every Black before you has gone to Slytherin with the lone exception of Andromeda in Ravenclaw."
"I don't want to be like them. I'm nothing like them," Sirius murmured.
"Oh? Wait. Yes, yes I see now. But where to place you?" The sorting hat was silent for a moment as it went through Sirius's mind. "You have much loyalty, you wouldn't let down those you love for anything. So maybe...?" The hat trailed off, once again in thought.
"If I'm placed in Hufflepuff, they'll kill me," thought Sirius, panicking slightly.
"Not to worry, Mr Black. I don't think Hufflepuff is the place for you. But I see that you also have a thirst for knowledge. You're incredibly talented and smart. Although I see much mischievousness in you. But like I said, smart."
"I guess Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad. My family likes intelligence almost as much as that 'cunning ability'," Sirius smiled.
"Mr Black, are you sure you don't want to be in Slytherin? You could do great you know."
"I'm sure."
"You're also eager to prove yourself, not afraid to stand out. You like the crowd and the attention. You would do anything for your friends, no matter how dangerous the situation. And I can tell you do the right thing just by going against everything your family believes in by wanting a different house. You know, what about Gryffindor? I think that house would be perfect for you."
"Gryffindor? My parents would – they'd skin me alive," Sirius thought, once again panicking slightly.
"But isn't bravery part of it? Do you really want to set yourself apart from them? Show people that all Blacks aren't allied on the Dark Side? I think you can handle it."
Sirius contemplated this for a second. True, they would kill him. Gryffindor was even worse than Hufflepuff. And yet, Sirius felt the urge to do it. To put as much distance between himself and his family as possible. What better way than to join the house that they stood against in every issue? Sirius made up his mind. He was different. He didn't like torturing Muggles, he didn't like the word Mudblood. He hated his house and his family, and everything they stood for.
The hat was still looking into his mind and if hats could smile, it certainly would be. If a Black could end up in a good house, there was hope for everyone. "Good for you. Be proud to be in GRYFFINDOR!" The sorting hat shouted this last word for the whole hall to hear. Smiling, Sirius took off the hat, gave it to McGonagall, and walked over to the Gryffindor table. The hall was silent. "Well, this is going to be interesting," thought Sirius and he sat down, ready to stand up for what he really believed in.