Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I do, however, own Rubithiana Black.
The first years were led up to the hallway outside the Great Hall. When they were ushered in, they looked around.
"Wow, the ceiling really is bewitched," Bella said.
"Yeah…" Ruby said, looking up at it. They were led to the front of the hall, where a hat was sitting on a stool in front of the teacher's table. Professor McGonagall started calling names.
"Acant, Alexander."
"Gryffindor!"
"Balath, Haley."
"Hufflepuff!"
"Black, Rubithiana."
When Ruby put the hat on, it immediately started talking in her ear.
Ah, another Black. Now, whether to put you in Gryffindor with your defiant brother, or put you in Slytherin like most of your family. Your escapade on the train shows Slytherin qualities in you, but is it forever?
"Yes."
Yes, eh? How can you be so sure? I'm the only one who can. I can see it all here, in your head. I think you may be incorrect. There is one house that will suit you much better than Slytherin, no matter how much you think you are a Slytherin.
"No. Please. Put me in Slytherin."
I'm sorry, I cannot. Now, as for the house that suits you far better, it is…
"Gryffindor!"
"No!" Ruby exclaimed, pulling the hat off her head and pulling her wand out, attempting to set it on fire. However, it would not burn. She was restrained by Professor McGonagall, and led out of the room by Professor Crane, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin.
"Come, Miss Black," he said. Everyone stared at her while she was walking out, but the only eyes she felt on her were her brother's.
When she got out the doors, she had to run to keep up with Professor Crane.
"Where are we going?" she asked, furious.
"In here," he said, stopping in front of a portrait and mumbling a password. He gestured for her to walk in, following her. The portrait swung shut after them.
"Now, Miss Black, you cannot attempt to set the sorting hat on fire like that, no matter what it puts you in."
"But I am supposed to be in Slytherin! Not in stupid Gryffindor with my stupid, backstabbing, annoying, airhead of a brother!"
"Just because you…"
"No, you don't understand," Ruby said, tears running down her cheeks, "I can't be in Gryffindor. I have to be in Slytherin. I'm already a disappointment to my parents because I'm a girl. And I don't want to disappoint them anymore."
"Ok, Miss Black. I shall see what I can do," he said, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"Thank you," she sniffed, wiping her eyes and regaining her composure.
She was led out of the room by Professor Crane, and re-entered the Great Hall with him... He gestured for her to sit at the very end of the Gryffindor table and then walked up to the teachers' table. He sat down next to Professor McGonagall and murmured something in her ear. She then said something to Professor Dumbledore, who stood up.
"Good Evening everyone. First off, I'd like to welcome all first years, and welcome back all returning students. Need I remind you of the rules, namely, the out-of-bounds areas, which are the Forbidden Forest, and, also, the third floor corridor, on the right-hand side. Now, enjoy the meal, and then we shall all have a good night's rest, before the start of classes tomorrow," He smiled, sitting back down as the food appeared. Then, he stood up again hastily, food disappearing again.
"One more thing. After the meal, I would like to see first year student, Miss Rubithiana Black in my office. Professor McGonagall will lead you there. I suggest that your brother accompany you, but it is your decision," and with that, he sat back down, food appearing again. Ruby wasn't hungry, so, she just sat, staring at her plate. She felt the bench sink slightly as someone sat down next to her.
"Hi Ruby," the person said. It was Sirius.
"I have nothing to say to you," she said, not looking at him.
"Ah, but, dear sister, I have something to ask you. Do you want me to accompany you?" he asked. Ruby looked at him in shock.
"Are you serious? Do you really think I do? I mean, seriously," she said, scowling.
"Either way, I will be," he said, standing up and going back to his friends. Ruby pulled a copy of Frankenstein out of her robes, and started reading. By the time the meal was finished, she was halfway through the book. Dumbledore stood up.
"Prefects, please accompany first years to their dormitories. Everyone should get a good night's sleep before classes tomorrow," he said.
Everyone stood, apart from Ruby. She stayed where she was until everyone had left the Great Hall. It wasn't until then, that she realised that her brother was still sitting as well, not too far from her. Professor McGonagall was walking towards her, with Professor Crane, Sirius behind them. She stood up.
"Follow me," Professor McGonagall said, leading her to a gargoyle in an archway.
"Lemon Drops," she said, and it leapt a side, revealing a set of stairs leading upwards. All four of them stepped onto the staircase, and walked into Professor Dumbledore's office. He was sitting at his desk, reading a sheet of paper. When they entered, he looked up at them through his half moon glasses. He took them off, and stood up, walking around the desk towards Ruby.
"Now, Ruby, I understand you believe you were sorted into the wrong house," he said, and Sirius scowled.
"Yes, sir," she said, looking up at him.
"Sirius, you will not have any choice in this matter, so you might as well wipe that scowl off your face now," Dumbledore said, "Now, Ruby, would you like to be sorted again, this time, without the hat taking Gryffindor into account." Sirius scowled again.
"Mr Black, I mean it." His face went blank.
"No sir, as that leaves the possibility of houses other than Slytherin. I really do want to be sorted into Slytherin, which I would rather not discuss in front of my brother, especially seeing as I did not request him to be here. He came of his own account, no matter what I thought."
"Ah, Mr Black, is this true?"
"Yes sir," Sirius said, sheepishly.
"And is it wrong for me to believe that Mr Potter and Mr Lupin are possibly here as well?"
"No sir," he said, looking down.
"Accio Potter Invisibility Cloak," Dumbledore said clearly, lifting his hand. A cloak flew out of the corner of the room, revealing James and Remus.
"Mr Potter, Mr Lupin and Mr Black. You will all return to your dormitory immediately," Dumbledore said. James came towards him to retrieve the invisibility cloak, but Dumbledore pulled it away.
"Minerva, am I wrong to assume that you have the sixth years for Transfiguration first tomorrow?"
"You are correct, Headmaster," she said.
"Well then, will you please return this to Mr Potter tomorrow morning? I do not want them wandering the castle tonight."
"Certainly, Headmaster." The three boys left the room reluctantly.
Now, Miss Black, will you now tell us why you are only willing to be a Slytherin?"
"As you know, my brother is a disappointment to our parents. After all, he is a Gryffindor. And he ran away. I do not wish to be a disappointment, though I partly am, as my parents wanted a boy, however they got me. They believe girls to be worthless wenches. If I am not in Slytherin, especially if I am in Gryffindor, I will be even more of a disappointment, and I cannot do that to them. They need a child who isn't so much of a disappointment to them. I cannot help that I am a girl, but I hope that I am able to help what house I am in," Ruby said.
"Ah, now this is quite a dilemma," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, stroking his beard. At that moment, an owl flew in the window and hovered in front of Ruby. She took the letter from it and opened it. It was from her parents.
Dear Ruby,
Your brother has written to us saying that you have been sorted into Gryffindor. He also told us how you want to be Slytherin. Just remember, that you could not be any more of a disappointment to us. Frankly, we do not care what House you are in because of this. You will always be a disappointment to us, no matter what.
Your parents
She finished reading, and put the letter in her pocket.
"So, Sir, is it possible for me to be in Slytherin?"
"Of course, Miss Black. Professor Crane will show you to the Slytherin common room and tell you the password," he said, sitting back down at his desk, and writing a note. It disappeared almost immediately.
"Your trunk is being transferred to the Slytherin Common Room as we speak. You may go," he said, looking back down at the piece of paper.
"Thank you sir," Ruby said, following Professor Crane out of the office.