Chapter III

"Pettigrew, Peter."

Peter crept up to the Sorting Hat. He felt scared; what if the Hat told him that he wasn't a fit for any of the houses? That was his fear, that he wouldn't fit in. When he looked at himself he didn't see any of the attributes desired by any of the houses. He wasn't smart like a Ravenclaw, he wasn't overly caring or loyal like a Hufflepuff, he certainly didn't have the cunning ambition of a Slytherin, and he wasn't noble or courageous enough to be a Griffindor.

"Don't be ridiculous." A voice said in his head.

Peter nearly fell off the stool. He had been so caught up in his own thoughts that he had failed to notice the Sorting Hat being placed on his head.

"Pardon?" he thought.

"Everyone has a place in at least one of the houses. Perhaps not as obvious as others, but they do all belong."

"So where do I go?" Peter asked hesitantly.

"That depends."

"On what?"

"Where you'll fit best. Hmm, Slytherin is out. You're comfortable with lurking in the shadows, but only if those shadows will protect you, otherwise you want excitement. Hufflepuff is full of cheer and fun, but there's not much of a spotlight there, and you want to be noticed. Not by yourself of course, you want others there to have the glory and bask in their light, just enough to glow yourself. If that is what you want, however, there may be risks involved. Are you willing to take them?"

"Will I be alone?" Peter asked. Risks didn't sound as fun as he'd like, but if there were others who would help him, protect him if things got too bad, he could do it.

"Again, that depends on you."

"I...I want to have fun."

"Well that puts you in...GRIFFINDOR!"

Peter stood and made his way to his new house. Along the way he noticed his friend, James Potter, give him a thumbs up. It was then he remembered how confident James was of being a Griffindor too. At least he'd have one friend in his house.