History of Magic Assignment: Write a story with Merlin as your main character, or narrated by someone else but is focused on Merlin. Alternatively, write about prejudices against Slytherins.
Why?
Atlas Eriksson had always known about the house of Slytherin and its reputation. Muggle-borns were never accepted, and it was the house of the cruel and ambitious. He definitely didn't want to be part of that house.
His mother had raised him alone, his father having left her for a reason she never discussed with him. She had been a Hufflepuff, and raised him to be kind to everyone and disregard "blood-status". She had always believed that Atlas would be sorted into Hufflepuff.
As a result, it was a shock when the Sorting Hat told him he would be best in Slytherin.
"Ah, yes, Atlas Eriksson," said the hat. "I sorted both your father and mother, you know. I do suppose Hufflepuff would be good for you, but your father's house would suit you better. You don't know your father? He was a cunning one, and was always setting high goals for himself. And he often succeeded, and in some cases he even exceeded his goal. You may not think so, but his house would suit you well. Yes, I suppose it must beSLYTHERIN!"
The Slytherin table started to clap loudly as he made his way to his house. One Slytherin gripped his hand tightly, and congratulated him on getting into the best house.
All Atlas could think about was what just happened. He didn't pay attention to the rest of the sorting, and was the only person that didn't look up when the name Harry Potter was called.
Why? Why was he in Slytherin, of all places? Surely the Sorting Hat had made a mistake. He knew that he didn't belong here, where all the unpleasant and cruel people were.
The next day was even worse, if that was possible. He was just on the way to the library when he heard a very heated conversation taking place.
It was between a Hufflepuff girl and a Ravenclaw boy, Iratum Incassum. Incassum was one of the wizards that believed "pure blood" was better. He watched as Incassum insulted the girl and took out his wand. Suddenly, the girl's hair turned from black to an angry red. A metamorphmagus!
Her sudden change shook him out of his thoughts, and Atlas stepped in. "Hey! Get lost and leave her alone!" he shouted.
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" snarled Incassum.
"You heard him, Incassum. Get lost!" exclaimed the girl. He watched as Incassum walked away, and turned his attention to the Hufflepuff.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks." And she turned around.
Atlas could see the shock registered in her eyes as her eyes travelled to his Slytherin badge. It seemed like she was the same as everyone else. No one could believe that a Slytherin could be nice.
He vaguely followed the conversation they were having, but his mind was occupied with his thoughts.
Why?
Why was there this prejudice against Slytherins? He was just trying to help. Atlas had accepted that he was a Slytherin. Couldn't these people accept that a Slytherin could be kind? He had no ulterior motives hidden in what he did, contrary to what people thought.
Atlas watched with sad eyes as the Hufflepuff girl snapped something at him, and marched away. He called out a weak goodbye, but she was already gone.
He walked away, his head filled with questions and a desire to not cross paths with the Hufflepuff girl, if possible.
But what he didn't know was that despite everything she had harboured against him, the two would soon become the best of friends.
If you are confused as to why I am writing this story, go check the summary above.
This could be a bit of a back-story for Atlas from my story Metamorphmagus, and some of his thoughts in Chapters 2 and 5.