Word Count:521
Disclaimer: Nope. Never Have, Never Will.
House Legacy
Anticipation rolled in his stomach, and he nervously rocked back and forth with the ball and heel of his feet. Cedric wasn't usually so antsy. It was actually rare for him to be so worried since he usually handled situations with ease.
"Aren't you excited?" Cedric smiled at the boy to his side. The dark haired boy stood at his shoulders and his eyes lit up when he stared at the huge doors leading to the Great Hall. "I wonder what house I'll be in!"
The boy's excitement was almost enough to make Cedric forget his worries. Almost, but not fully. You see, the houses were the source of his anxiousness! They were of major importance in his family. His dad had been a Hufflepuff. His mother had been a Hufflepuff. His dad's dad had been a Hufflepuff, so the house Hufflepuff was kind of a tradition. How terrible would it be of Cedric if he was the one to break it? He knew, of course, that his parents would be proud of him even if he got sorted into another house. Except for Slytherin, but he had been assured that his personality and character would never be sorted there.
"Don't you think Gryffindor sounds amazing?" The boy continued without waiting for a response. "I mean, the others sound neat, too, but bravery? That's what I want to be. Besides, they're lions! That can't be compared to a crow or badgers. Definitely not a snake either."
"Badgers are neat, and so are crows," Cedric replied, his voice a bit quiet but unhesitating. "I may not know about snakes, but some look really cool."
The boy's eyes widened a bit as if he wasn't expecting a response. "Oh, yeah, of course. I'm just talking about the size of the animals. What house do you want to be in?"
"Hufflepuff," Cedric replied quickly, a blush settling on his cheeks. To make his family proud, he would choose Hufflepuff in a heartbeat. "My whole family's been in Hufflepuff. I don't see why I would be different." At least that's what he hoped.
"That's cool, too!" The boy reassured him, his grin covering his entire face. Unfortunately he couldn't say more since Professor McGonagall, as the woman introduced herself, led them into the Great Hall to be sorted. The names were called, and Cedric could feel himself growing more nervous by the second.
His new friend, Philip Bartley, slapped his shoulder kindheartedly and grinned as he was called. Cedric had to grin when Philip whooped because he was sorted into Gryffindor. Soon after Cedric's own name was called, and he made his way towards the stool.
"Such promise you hold. There's no question about your house."
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Cedric's heart soared and he laughed as he joined his new house. Hufflepuff. A wonderful house. The night passed in a blur fulled of food, ghosts, and laughter. Cedric could already see himself writing the letter to his parents. They'd be so proud of him! He ended up in Hufflepuff just like his parents and their parents. Maybe he, too, would be able to pass the house tradition on!