Disclaimer - Wish I owned it. Wish I were in it. Alas, neither is true.
In the Great Hall
There were the obligatory oohs and aahs as the first years entered the great hall. Professor Filius Flitwick suppressed a laugh, but not a grin. It was as though the hall were charmed to have this effect on the newest students. He stopped the gawking gaggle before the staff table and went to fetch the three legged stool and sorting hat. When placed upon the stool the hat began to sing.
Professor McGonagall looked over the new group of first years. Immediately Weasley red hair jumped out at her. Ah, the girl, that meant the younger potter boy would be here as well. Then a white shirt and a pair of very faded blue pants seemed to grow out of the mass of black robes. This felt oddly familiar to the Headmistress.
The hat finished its song. Professor Flitwick took a moment, a painful moment for the children, to thank his lucky stars that the small platform (for feasts only) made him just tall enough to see into the terrified faces about to be sorted. With a deep breath he called out:
"Aznix, Charlene."
A non-descript looking girl with brown hair and brown eyes ran forward. She smiled at Flitwick and promptly plopped herself on the battered old stool. The hat, which Flitwick had charmed to hover above the chair, settled on top of the bridge of her nose and on her pony tail. A few moments silence and then:
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Several of the huddled first years jumped. The Hufflepuff table burst into cheers. The oldest boy at the table jumped up, stood above his plate and began to dance. He chanted 'We got the first one!' until the young dark haired man sitting to the left of the headmistress' chair put a stop to his celebration. "Enough, Kennedy!"
The cheers and clapping ceased as "Aznix, Emily" was called. After a short, quiet moment the hat confidently deemed her "RAVENCLAW!" It was the blue tables turn to cheer now. Again near stillness reigned.
"Aznix, Louise!"
A murmur broke out. Triplets? After a wait no longer than that for her sisters, Louise was pronounced "GRYFFINDOR!" Godric's house cheered. The clapping, however, was a little slow. The seated students were looking left and right as though something wanted to be discussed. "Well now you've got one in each house, Jackie!" called a boy behind and to the left of Zaiaas. It seemed he and this boy were the only ones who did not find it strange that the sisters should each wind up in different dorms.
Zaiaas stood quietly, patiently as 'Baker, Harriet' and 'Borgin, Andrew' were both became Ravenclaws. Now that it seemed any real excitement had passed, the smallest student tipped his head back to study the magnificent ceiling. He smiled as "Jordan, Remus" was announced Gryffindor. His head snapped back to center as:
"Longbottom, Covey!" was called. The air next to him shifted as she moved away. He had been so content in her presence he had forgotten she was there. The hat stayed silent a very long time. Zaiaas had just begun to wonder if the hat would indeed say anything at all when "GRYFFINDOR!" erupted from the rip at its brim. He grinned and clapped loudly.
"Longbottom, Nels!" came next. The second boy from his boat was now to be sorted. So they're twins. That explains the exceptional timing they had. A much shorter wait and he was also proclaimed "GRYFFINDOR!"
Black eyes studied the room for a few minuets, turning to the floating candles as more first years were sorted. He raised his eyebrows as "Ra, Soren!" was called. He became "HUFFLEPUFF!" which seemed to be the most spirited group. Shortly Zaiaas heard:
"Reed, Zaiaas!" He retuned his attention to the proceedings. Only two other students were left, Rose and a girl with strawberry blonde hair. When he reached the deputy Headmaster, he paused. Smiling easily he said, "thank you for not butchering my name," and sat on the stool.
The world seemed to disappear as the hat covered his eyes. 'Ah, you are a different one. From the United States of America. Your time here doesn't matter. Plenty of courage, sharp mind, I sense that you are cunning even if you don't know it, and loyal. Very loyal.' What does that have to do with anything? 'Why it shows me where you ought to be.' That's stupid. 'Well it doesn't matter with you I'm afraid. I guess well go on to lineage. Hufflepuff. And let us see… Ah that's Slytherin. I could have told you that. 'My, really. Most students would not have made the connection.' We have a family tree. 'Still, well done. Alright then –'
"SLYTHERPUFF"
"HUFFELRIN"
"Oh, Bother." And the hat went silent.
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Author's Note: Just so you know. I'm in the process of editing. Any help is greatly appreciated.
