Author's Note: a very short update. I'm not usually one to beg for reviews, but...if you enjoy could you please drop a line? If you didn't enjoy could you please drop a line? I'm very friendly to constructive criticism.
"GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the Hat. It had taken a minute, more than a minute. The boy beneath the brim had muttered under his breath, unaware of the strain of eyes around him. He had shut his eyes and soundlessly moved his lips and the Hall around him had waited –
Gryffindor, the crowd watched in silence. Sirius took off the sorting hat and put it on the stool. He stood in front of the Hall and glared at them all, dared them –
People began muttering. People stood up from the benches to get a better look. People started whispering in their neighbor's ears. The Professors exchanged glances. Narcissa dropped her goblet where it clattered on the floor and rolled beneath the table.
Gryffindor, Andromeda hadn't realized – this proved it – she felt like something soared within her, that if she spread her arms she might fly. Something that might have been laughter or might have been tears leapt to her throat. She hadn't realized how brave – this proved it, how brave –
She stood, found Sirius's eyes, found his dark, daring eyes and caught them, and began to applaud. At the Hufflepuff table Ted stood and joined her. Sirius smiled at her, his arrogant, self-assured smile, and sauntered to the Gryffindor table. Professor McGonagall called the next name before the pause could grow much longer. Andromeda and Ted had been the only ones to clap.