The Mistaken Hat

"Luperca Sostantivo," called a woman with long black hair slicked back into a tight bun.

I, standing at the very back of the line, began to push my way through the crowd, Oliver following close behind. "Excuse me, sorry, pardon me," I whispered to people I shoved and threw them out of my way.

"Luperca?" the woman called again.

"Coming," I replied in a voice louder than intended.

I finally made it to the front with less embarrassment than expected. I climbed the stairs and onto the stage, suddenly noticing that I was walking alone. I looked back at Oliver who smiled and shooed me onward. The old stool seemed even farther as I got closer to it and my heart and mind began to race. I knew little of the houses, besides what Oliver had told me.

I clasped my hands behind my back and sat down. No sooner had the hat touched my head than it began speaking in my ear.

"Oh your goals, they are very high…" it said, which caught me off guard, I didn't realize this about myself at all, "difficult choices lie ahead, crucial choices…" it continued, "but you are also young and foolish, and some many doubt your judgment…. Cunning, but geniusly deceivable… when it comes to your friends be warned, all things are not as they appear…. Slytherin!" the table, my table began to cheer, but I didn't notice.

The hat had spoken… and my heart had hit rock bottom and smashed… I got the house no one wanted…. It made no sense in my mind, I was a muggle born… and Slytherin was for pure bloods. I wondered if Oliver was a pure blood, it had never come up, "Why would a pure blood hang around with a muggle born?" I thought walking to my seat at the far right table.

"Good job," smiled a brown haired boy as I passed him.

I turned quickly to thank him but my left foot got caught in my own cloak and I tumbled downward into the table, my silver plate and matching silverware flew into the air and clattered on the stone ground.

"Sorry!" I shouted, scrambling to pick it all up. I heard a small chuckle from Oliver who was now on the stool with the hat on his head. I piled the items on the table and looked out at room, all eyes on me, "Err… continue…."I said sitting down at my mess, and burring my bright red face in my hands.

I couldn't hear much of what the hat said to Oliver, besides, "knowledge of years far beyond your own," and, "a knack for history," then it shouted, "Ravenclaw!"

He smiled and went to sit at his table. Now I was feeling lonely and tired, I laid my head down on the table and I must have fallen asleep for the rest of the sorting because girl sitting next to me flicked me in the ear and I jolted upright.

"Wake up," she ordered, "Food's here."

I nodded vigorously and yawned.

"You have plenty of time to sleep before classes start, or after they start… it's your choice."

"Okay…." I said grabbing for a basket of chips and catsup and greedily stuffing them into my mouth before collapsing on the table again.

Half hour later

"…. Are you okay?" someone asked.

I peeled my cheek off the wooden table and looked around to see who was talking to me.

"Excuse me," I heard again, and someone tapped me on the shoulder.

I turned around and saw a thin boy, about my age with scraggly black hair, olive colored skin, and brown eyes. He was a bit taller than me and he had Gryffindor robes on.

"Yeah, I'm fine thanks," I said trying to rub the red color off of my face.

"Everyone else has just left; you should catch up with your group."

"All right, thanks. I'm Luperca Femmin-ile Sostantivo," I said extending a hand.

"Aden, Aden Guerriero Amico," he replied taking my hand and shaking it, "You don't seem like the type to be a Slytherin," he blushed.

"How can you tell I'm a Slytherin?"

"Your robe…."

The robe that had not so long ago been all black now had a green collar and a green tie.

"They're enchanted," he nodded, "as soon as you get your house they change."

"Cool. Did you have siblings that went here or something?"

"My older sister Hera came here. She graduated last year."

I nodded and said, "Well I better go find my group."

"Yeah, it'd be terrible to get lost in this place. I'll see you Monday."

"All right."

I walked out of the Great Hall and down the corridor to my left, my black shoes making the only sound I would hear for a while.

"Not the type to be in Slytherin… type…" I thought, "Was I too nice to be a Slytherin? Did you have to be rude, or pushy, or rich and powerful? Why would the sorting hat put a muggle born in a pure blood house, it just made no sense? Did I need to be in that house for a reason?" I thought as I passed a painting hanging on the wall.

"I am Sir Cadogan!" a man in a suit of armor, who looked like he was about to go into battle, inside of the painting shouted.

I let out a high pitched yelp and fell backwards.

"What villains are these that trespass upon the land of I?!" It continued.

At this point I was totally lost for words, "H-h-huh?"

"A first year!" Sir Cadogan exclaimed, "I haven't seen any new first years since the beginning of last year! Congratulations!"

"I-I… b-but… you're… a painting…."

"Indeed I am!" he turned and looked to the side and said, "Did you hear that?"

There wasn't a sound to speak of. "What?" I asked.

"My dear girl you must be deaf! ....It sounded like someone calling for help!"

"……?"

"Sir Cadogan will rescue you!" he hollered before running out of his frame, leaving only a green background.

"……? That was weird…." I said picking myself up and continuing down the hallway.