Chapter 77: The Sorting
They were met at the castle doors by a distinguished-looking witch dressed in emerald green robes. She had a Scottish Brogue when she spoke, proclaiming her heritage. She introduced herself as Professor Minerva McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School, Head of Gryffindor House, and Professor of Transfiguration. They were ordered to set themselves to rights and then to wait until they were called to enter the great hall.
Leonis found himself calmly glancing around the hallway, taking in the other children who were in various states of excitement and nervousness. He glanced at Susan, who had stayed by his side as they had left the boats and proceeded into the castle. He gave her a small smile. "Which House do you think you'll be sorted into?" he asked of her.
She smiled shyly at that. "Probably Hufflepuff," she admitted. "Though Gryffindor is possible. The Bones family tends to sort into Hufflepuff, but we've had a few Gryffindor's. My mother's family usually sorts Ravenclaw, but I don't think I'm a good fit for that House. What about you?"
"I think I'll be sorted into Slytherin," he admitted.
"Slytherin?" a boy in front of them turned around to ask. His face was screwed up in an expression of disdain. "Why would anyone want to be a Slytherin? Don't you know that You Know Who was a Slytherin? Or are you one of those Muggleborns who doesn't know anything about our world?"
Leonis raised his eyebrow, adorning his loftiest expression as he addressed the boy. "And you are?"
"Owen Cauldwell of House Bell," the blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy proclaimed proudly.
Leonis nodded. "I see," he said with a neutral tone to his voice. The boy seemed taken aback that Leonis looked far from impressed. "Allow me to introduce myself and my companions to you," he said glancing first to Susan and then to his cousin, Scorpius who stood to his immediate left.
"This is the Lady Susan Bones of House Bones," he said introducing Susan first, just as etiquette dictated since she stood to his immediate right. He had to hold back a smirk as he watched Owen Cauldwell flush slightly at being introduced to the Head of House Bones. "This," he stated indicating Scorpius to his left. "Is Lord Scorpius Lestrange of House Lestrange," he watched as Cauldwell paled slightly at that, no doubt thinking of Scorpius' infamous parents and uncle. "And I am Lord Leonis Black of House Black."
Owen paled further at that and seemed to at least have the social graces to understand that he had made a serious social misstep when he had sneered at Leonis. "It's my pleasure," he managed to get out, fumbling a little.
Leonis inclined his head. "As for your questions," he carried on ruthlessly refusing to let Owen just slip away and forget the little incident entirely. "The majority of my family have sorted into Slytherin House and I think it would suit me. Do I know that You Know Who, what a stupid moniker, had been a Slytherin? Why yes, I did. Am I a muggle-born, ignorant of our world? No. I am not."
Owen glanced around him, very aware of their audience of listeners. He was blushing to the tips of his ears in mortification. Clearly his attempt to abuse someone he had dubbed inferior to make himself look more important in the eyes of his fellows had failed spectacularly. He couldn't have picked on a worse target. He had thought he was playing with a mouse but had found a lion.
"I apologize for my behavior, it was very rude of me," Cauldwell managed to say, sounding quite sincere.
Leonis eyed him a moment and nodded his acquiescence. "I am sure it was just your pent-up nerves due to being forced to wait for the sorting," he said smoothly.
"Yes," Cauldwell leaped on the excuse, gratefulness shining in his eyes as he looked at Leonis. "That must be it."
"I hope that you are sorted into the House you feel suits you best," Susan said, her voice full of gracious dignity, but there was a hardness to her brown eyes when Leonis glanced at her that told him that she didn't think much of Owen Cauldwell of House Bell. For some reason that eased something inside of Leonis and made him happy.
A moment later there were screams from the students ahead of them as two ghosts came wandering by. Leonis frowned at the students up ahead of them.
"Honestly, you'd think they had never read Hogwarts a History!" he heard Hermione complain from somewhere behind him. He chuckled as she continued in a huff. "The book talks about the ghosts that inhabit the school."
"Who is that?" Susan asked him as she glanced back toward Hermione.
"That is my kinswoman, Hermione Granger of House Black," Leonis said with some warm affection in his voice. Truly he doubted any other bloodline had produced a witch quite like their Hermione.
"She seems very knowledgeable," Susan stated. "Do you expect her to sort into Slytherin? Because I rather think she might prove to be a Ravenclaw?"
"It is a longstanding family debate actually," he admitted. "She can be quite cunning and devious when she wishes to so, she might sort into Slytherin, but Ravenclaw might be the best fit because of her love of learning. Yet there are some who think Hufflepuff because she is hard-working, diligent, and loyal."
Susan smiled. "I'll make sure to pay special attention when her name is called," she said. "I think I would like her very much. I hope we can become better acquainted."
"I would be only too happy to introduce you to her," Leonis said just as the doors to the Great Hall opened. "That's our cue," he added as the students ahead of them slowly entered the great hall. Leonis, Susan, Scorpius, and his other various family relations trailed behind them.
The first thing that he took note of where the four long tables inhabited by students wearing their school robes. There was no intermingling of the four houses. He hadn't expected to see it, at least not at the sorting feast, but he did hope that perhaps for regular dining they would see an intermingling of the houses. He didn't want to lose house points for sitting at another house table with his family, but he would do it. The feelings of his family were far more important to him than house points.
The second thing that he noticed was the high table where the Hogwarts professors were seated. At the very center in a high-backed chair that reminded Leonis of an ostentatious throne sat the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore. The man was looking past Leonis and there was a slight twitching upward of his lips as he gazed at Leonis' kinsman, Harry Potter.
Leonis frowned at that, unsure what to make of it. Petunia had fretted about sending Harry and Dudley to Hogwarts because Dumbledore was in charge. It was all to do with Dumbledore's high handedness in his dealings with her about Harry's care. She didn't trust Dumbledore. His father didn't trust him either and Aunt Cassie had outright hated the Wizard that many hailed as the Greatest Wizard living today. Aunt Cassie was always a good judge of character, so Leonis was content to be wary of the Headmaster for the time being.
"When I call your names, you will come forward, sit on the stool and I will place the sorting hat upon your head," Professor McGonagall informed them in a very authoritative voice.
"Hannah Abbott."
Leonis turned to make a path for Hannah and he smiled at her in encouragement as she glanced at him. She smiled at him and then she moved forward and sat upon the stool. The hat was settled upon her head for only a few moments before it cried out "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Antares Black," was the next name called out by Professor McGonagall.
Leonis again turned to make a path for a member of his family. He watched Harry give Dudley's arm a squeeze and whisper encouragement to him before letting him go to the stool. The hat took a little bit longer this time before it announced its decision to send their Dudley to Hufflepuff House.
Leonis clapped with other members of his family as he watched Dudley settle at the Hufflepuff table beside Hannah. Leonis felt a small bit of relief knowing that Dudley had been sorted into the same house as Hannah. He was sure that Dudley would watch over her.
"Leonis Black."
Leonis moved forward, ignoring his fellow students. He kept his head held high as he walked calmly to the stool and then settled himself upon it. The hat was placed upon his head and he closed his eyes and focused on remaining calm.
"Oh, how interesting," a voice said to him. It was clear to him that the voice was in his mind because it was so clear, he could feel its reverberation. "I have never been called upon to read a mind quite like yours before. A mind so intertwined with that of another's."
Leonis took a shuddery breath. "So, it is true then that my mind was somehow touched by my uncle Regulus?" he asked softly. It was something he had long suspected, but he had never had proof before.
"Oh yes," the hat agreed. "Here in your mind is the memory of his sorting, the memory of the day I sent him to Slytherin House," the hat's voice seemed slightly sad now.
"Do you regret that choice?" he asked.
"Yes and no," the hat admitted. "It is my job to sort the children, my reason for being, but sometimes child," he paused a moment. "Sometimes I fear that I was made to sort them too young."
Leonis was taken aback by the hat, by his admission of fear. It made sense though that the hat could fear, even if Leonis had never thought of such a thing before. The hat was sentient, made so with magic by Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin, and Helga Hufflepuff. The hat, as well as the castle, were proof of the wondrous magic that powerful Wixen could perform if they could come together for a common cause.
"I am sorry for your fear," he said gently because he was, and it was only right of him to commiserate with this hat.
"You remind me much of your uncle. I liked his mind very much," the hat revealed. "I was very aggrieved when I learned of his passing. But that is another matter, and here you waiting to be sorted. Where to put you? You are loyal, but only to those that you love. You are brave, but not without purpose. You are intelligent, but not for intelligence's sake. Best that I put you where your uncle dwelled, and I shall hope that it does not cause you the pain that it caused him," the hat told him before crying out "SLYTHERIN!"
The Slytherin table clapped when Leonis came to sit with them. He settled himself at the table, the first Slytherin of his year group. He glanced at the head table when he felt eyes upon him. He gazed at his Potion's Master, Severus Prince, Hogwart's newly appointed Potions Professor. Severus gave him a small smile before it disappeared completely.
Leonis turned his attention back to the sorting and watched as his brother, Orion, was sorted into Ravenclaw House. He noticed the stares of the older year Slytherin students as he clapped for Orion. He knew that Ravenclaw would suit his studious brother. Furthermore, it would settle some of Remus' worries about allowing Orion to attend Hogwarts in the first place. Remus had expressed some fears that if Orion sorted into Gryffindor House or Slytherin House then he would be dragged into the rivalry between the two Houses.
He was unsurprised when Susan Bones was sorted into Hufflepuff. The Bones family almost always sorted into that House due to their steadfast loyalty. He clapped for her and she caught his eye and smiled as she settled herself at the Hufflepuff table beside his sister, Hannah.
He watched Terrence Boot the Heir Boot get sorted into Ravenclaw. Then his kinswoman, Eleanor Branstone of House Black, was called to the stool to be sorted. After a few moments of pondering the hat called out the house choice of Hufflepuff for Eleanor. He clapped for her as she settled in across from Dudley.
He watched with mild interest as a girl named Mandy Brocklehurst was sorted into Ravenclaw. Lavender Brown was sorted into Gryffindor. Millicent Bulstrode sorted into Slytherin, and really there was little doubt in his mind that she would go there. She came from a long line of Slytherins. In fact, he was pretty sure that she could brag that there had only ever been Slytherin's in her family tree. Then his kinswoman Estelle Burke was called to the stool. The hat was on her head for only a minute before it cried out Slytherin.
"Welcome cousin," he greeted Estelle as she settled into the seat beside him.
"Pleasure to be here," she said brightly as they turned back to watch first Flora and then Hestia Carrow be sorted into Slytherin. They politely greeted the Carrow twins when they settled at the table with Hestia sitting beside Estelle and Flora choosing the seat on the other side of Flora.
Owen Cauldwell, the foolish boy he had encountered before the sorting, sorted into Hufflepuff House. His kinsmen Michael Corner and Stephen Cornfoot both sorted into Ravenclaw House.
"It was to be expected, especially Stephen," Estelle remarked.
Leonis nodded his agreement as he watched Vincent Crabbe sort into Slytherin and then a boy named Rohit Das sorted into Hufflepuff. Tracey Davis of House Turpin was up next, and she sorted into Slytherin. Then Gabrielle Delacour, the French-born betrothed of Blaise Zabini the Heir Rosier, sorted into Ravenclaw.
He watched in curiosity as Fay Dunbar sorted into Gryffindor. He didn't know Fay, but he knew that she was a cousin to Pansy Parkinson. This was now two of Pansy's cousins having sorted into the House of the Lion's, the first being Lavender Brown. He wondered if this meant that Pansy would sort into Gryffindor House. If so, she would be the very first Parkinson to ever do so.
Haruka Endoh sorted into Hufflepuff. Kevin Entwhistle sorted into Ravenclaw. Then came the three Fawley's. Eustace sorted into Hufflepuff. Leander sorted into Gryffindor and Sullivan sorted into Ravenclaw.
Leonis paid special attention when Justin Finch-Fletchley's name was called to be sorted. Justin was a distant kinsman, descended from a Squib line of the Black family, much like Hermione and Eleanor were. The Black family had reached out to the Finch-Fletchley's over the summer at Leonis' request. Leonis' great-uncle, Cygnus Black III had taken Justin under his wing to teach him about their world and to give him a crash course in etiquette. Cygnus had seemed pleased with Justin's manners. It seemed that Justin's family were of the upper echelons of muggle society. Justin was sorted into Hufflepuff House, a sorting that Leonis thought would slightly displease Cygnus who had been hoping that he would sort into Slytherin.
Seamus Finnigan was sorted into Gryffindor. Anthony Goldstein was sorted into Ravenclaw. Gregory Goyle joined Leonis at the Slytherin table. Then Hermione's name was called.
Leonis watched avidly as she marched to the stool with her head held high. The hat was soon settled upon her head and then she began her conversation with the hat. It was several minutes later that the hat finally called out "Gryffindor". He clapped for Hermione as she walked calmly to the table of the lions.
"I was so hopeful that she might be a Slytherin," Estelle whispered from her place beside him. "But I think she'll be happier there," she added.
"A happy Hermione is best for us all," he returned.
Estelle giggled in response.
The four Greengrass females were sorted next. Astoria went to Ravenclaw, Contessa went to Gryffindor, meanwhile, Daphne and Queenie both were sorted into Slytherin.
Leonis didn't pay much attention as Austin Guthrie, Wayne Hopkins, Duncan Inglebee, and Megan Jones were sorted, but he forced himself to pay attention again when Argent Kildare was called. Argent was Draco's cousin who lived in Ireland. He felt a jolt of surprise when the sorting hat called out Gryffindor only a few moments after being settled on his head. This must be the first time in history that anyone with Malfoy blood had ever sorted into the house of the Lions.
Corvus Lestrange VI was then called to the stool. He was Scorpius' cousin, the son of Theodoric Lestrange II the acknowledged illegitimate son of Theodoric Lestrange I. He was swiftly sorted into Slytherin House.
Scorpius was called up next and he too swiftly sorted into Slytherin House. He settled into the seat across from Leonis and smirked. "Cousin," he greeted.
"Cousin," Leonis greeted in return before he turned his attention back to the sorting just in time to see a girl of Asian ancestry named Su Li sort into Ravenclaw and then for Neville's name to be called. The sorting hat took a few moments to finally cry out Gryffindor.
"That was a surprise," Scorpius murmured as they watched Neville nearly trip on his way to the Gryffindor table.
"Perhaps," Leonis said thoughtfully. "Both of his parents were Gryffindor's he reminded Scorpius just as the Deputy Headmistress called out Luna's name. He watched as Luna Lovegood, the Heiress of the House of Malfoy almost skipped up to the stool. She twirled and then sat on the stool. The hat took its time speaking with her before it finally decided Ravenclaw House.
He idly paid attention as Fiona MacDonald and Isobel MacDougal were sorted into Hufflepuff. Morag MacDougal was swiftly sorted into Ravenclaw. Then his brother's name was called.
"Ernest Macmillan."
He watched as Ernie settled onto the stool and the hat was settled on his head. "Hufflepuff!" the hat called out a few moments later. Leonis clapped for Ernie and tipped his head to his sibling as he settled himself at the Hufflepuff table.
Laura Madley, Hannah's cousin, was sorted to Hufflepuff as well. He wondered if the girl would be a problem for Hannah. The Abbott family had not done much to heal the rift they had made with Alicia and Hannah.
"Draco Malfoy."
Leonis smirked when the hat was placed upon Draco's head and after a few minutes called out "Slytherin."
"About time," Leonis said in way of greeting to his favorite cousin.
Draco smirked. "Better late than never," he snarked as he settled in beside Leonis.
They paid attention as Roger Malone sorted into Hufflepuff House, Tristan McKinnon sorted into Slytherin, Cormac McLaggen sorted into Gryffindor, Eloise Midgen sorted into Gryffindor, Leanne Moon sorted into Hufflepuff and Takashi Noda sorted into Ravenclaw.
Draco clapped harder beside him when Theodore Nott was sorted into Slytherin. Leonis watched Theo take the seat across from Draco while Rionach O'Neal was sorted into Gryffindor.
Pansy Parkinson sorted into Slytherin, shooting down his theory that she might sort into Gryffindor as her cousins had. Leonis noted that her betrothed, Ronald Weasley, didn't look at all happy about her sorting.
The Patil twins were next. Padma joined Ravenclaw House while Parvati joined Gryffindor. Then Sally-Anne Perks was called to the stool and she sorted into Hufflepuff.
Then Harry Potter was called, and the murmurs began about the Boy Who Lived. Leonis frowned at that and Draco sighed beside him.
"He's going to hate these people if they don't stop calling him that," Draco pointed out.
Leonis nodded his agreement. Harry really did hate that stupid moniker and all of the attention that came with it. He watched the hat shout Gryffindor and then the Gryffindor table erupted into cheers and shouts of "We got Potter!" as if they had won the greatest of prizes.
"They'll be insufferable now," a Slytherin boy a year older than Leonis murmured. He glanced his way and recognized the man as his kinsman Adrian Pucey the Heir Pucey.
"Are you referring to the whole house or just Fred and George Weasley?" Leonis asked.
"All of them, but the Weasley twins are a special level of awful," Adrian assured him.
"Didn't your betrothed, Contessa Greengrass, sort into the house of the lions?" Draco drawled playfully at Adrian as their kinswoman Mafalda Prewett the Heir Prewett was sorted to Slytherin House even while the Gryffindor's kept up their celebration and she settled down beside Pansy, across from Estelle. They were joined a moment later by Sebastian Prince the Heir Prince.
"Contessa is impulsive," Adrian countered. "I always knew she'd be a lioness."
The Gryffindor's finally settled down just as Latisha Randle was sorted into Ravenclaw and then Ivan Renshaw was called to the stool. He was sorted into Hufflepuff. Oliver Rivers, yet another distant kinsman of Black descent was sorted into Hufflepuff. Sophie Roper was sorted into Slytherin. Then Ophelia Rushden was sorted into Ravenclaw.
Rionet Selwyn, Draco's cousin, sorted into Slytherin much to the applause of the Slytherin table. The Selwyn's were another family that seemed to always sort into Slytherin House. Daliya Shafiq was settled swiftly at the Hufflepuff table followed by Leo's kinsman Zacharias Smith.
Aleksei Spinks, Draco's genius cousin, swiftly sorted into Ravenclaw House and he was followed there by his cousin Octavia. Dane Spungen's name was next to be called and Leonis perked up with curiosity to see which house Dane would sort into. He didn't think it would be Slytherin but he wondered if it might be Ravenclaw. He was surprised when it was Hufflepuff House.
"I wish I could witness father's expression when he learns about this," Draco whispered to him. Leonis could only nod his head in agreement. He didn't think that Lucius would behave badly toward Dane for his sorting, but until this year those of Malfoy blood had always sorted into Slytherin. Now Argent had sorted into Gryffindor, Luna into Ravenclaw, and Dane into Hufflepuff. He was sure it would be quite the shock to the Lord Malfoy.
Elyzabel Strahan was sorted into Gryffindor followed by Yuvraj Suri, Dean Thomas, and Alice Tolipan. Aidan Urquhart was sorted into Slytherin. Then Romilda Vane was sorted into Gryffindor followed by Bem Vozer, Ector Weasley, Ginevra Weasley, Kadin Weasley, Ronald Weasley, Valens Weasley, and Kellah Welles.
The last two children of their year group, Cordelia Yaxley the Heir Yaxley and Blaise Zabini the Heir Rosier were sorted into Slytherin House.
A few moments after Cordelia and Blaise settled down at the Slytherin table the Headmaster arose. "Now for a few announcements before we partake of the feast that the Hogwarts House Elves were kind enough to make for us," he began. "I would like to start by welcoming Lord Severus Prince to the staff as Hogwarts new Potions Master," at this Severus stood and made a small bow to the students of the great hall. "I would also like to welcome our new History of Magic professor, Mrs. Eleanor Davis," at this the pretty brunette woman who was seated beside Professor Prince arose and she made a small curtsy to the student body. "Also joining us this year is Madame Sorcha Urquhart who is Hogwart's new Magical Studies professor."
Draco, Blaise, and Theo clapped immediately for Sorcha, who was a relative of Draco's. The beautiful blonde-haired woman gave a regal nod of her head to the student body. It was such a Malfoy thing to do that Leonis found himself smiling.
"And last but not least, we are joined by Professor Quirinus Quirrell who has kindly taken time away from his travels in order to spend the year teaching you Defense Against the Dark Arts," Professor Dumbledore finished. Quirrell was an unassuming looking man who would have gone completely unnoticed if it had not been for the strange turban that he wore upon his head. "And now, let the feast begin," Dumbledore proclaimed before taking his seat.
With that food appeared on the table and many of the students began to speak. Leonis set about putting his food choices on his plate. He smiled when he saw some of his favorite dishes on the table. "I have heard that the House Elves at Hogwarts are to be commended for their cooking skills," Leonis said.
Adrian nodded. "They do right by us," he said which was neither censure but certainly not praise.
"These biscuits are marvelous," Estelle proclaimed. "I wonder if I could convince one to give me the recipe and permission to use it at Estelle's?"
"Resorting to getting recipes from House Elves? Isn't that a bit desperate Burke?" Flora Carrow asked.
Leonis felt Estelle practically bristle beside him. "Oh, do you know of anyone else who has centuries of experience creating marvelous culinary delights?"
Flora huffed and withdrew from the conversation with Estelle to start one up with her twin sister, Hestia. Estelle shot Leonis a smirk and then began to nibble on yet another biscuit.
Leonis managed to enjoy the rest of the feast. He conversed idly with his fellow Slytherin classmates and he noted that his kinsmen that had been sorted into the other three houses seemed to be getting along well enough with their housemates. By the time they left the great hall to head down to the Slytherin Dungeons, Leonis was content with the way that things had gone. He went to bed that night with hopes of how he and his kinsmen might be able to start a new trend of the houses working together and rising above their house rivalries.
Sirius relaxed into an armchair in the study he had claimed for himself soon after he had become the Regent Black. He was pretty sure that the study had belonged to Acamar Black I, but he wasn't sure about that. He took a sip of his firewhiskey and relaxed back into his favorite leather chair. He gently lowered his hand to pet Sadie, the krup that belonged to Scorpius. Krups were not on the approved animal list for Hogwarts, much to Scorpius' dismay. The animal had to be left behind and Sirius had promised Scorpius that he would take good care of his faithful familiar in his absence. So far the animal had sulked most of the day.
He could understand how the animal felt. Sirius had done his best to keep himself busy most of the day, so he didn't drive himself crazy worrying about the children. He was especially worried about Leonis, Orion, Hannah, and Harry. He didn't really think anyone would do anything to his sons, but he couldn't help a little bit of worry for their well-being to creep up. He worried about Hannah because of the stain that Lord Abbott had left on her reputation. It didn't matter that she had been proven innocent of Warring Abbott's slanders against her mother and herself. Society loved to gossip and there were just bad people out there who would rather believe a sensational lie than absolute truth.
It was how Rita Skeeter made a reputation for herself, after all, printing sensational lies.
His worry for Harry was due to his godson's fame and how others would try to use him because of it. Harry was a pretty good judge of character, so he didn't really see Harry having too much trouble picking out real friends from those who wanted to ride his coattails to glory. He did worry about how the adults around him would try to assert their authority over him.
He took a deep breath and was honest with himself. He was worried about Dumbledore. Harry was now at Hogwarts and essentially in Dumbledore's lair. He sighed. Now he wished he had allowed Remus to have his way. His best friend had expressed great fear about the children going to Hogwarts. He had wanted to enroll Orion at Beauxbaton's and wanted Sirius to follow suit with the other children of House Black. As Regent, he could overrule the parents of the children by making a decree that they had to attend the school of his choice. He had refused to do as Remus asked. It was too much like running. Too much like cowardice.
Now he sat in his study, nursing his tumbler of spirits and hoping that he had not made a costly mistake that would damage the children.
Sadie whined at his feet and he went back to petting the animal. "I know, I miss him too," he told the dog. "I miss all of them."
The large palatial mansion was just too quiet without the voices of the children around. Nothing felt right without their presence. It would take time to grow used to it, he knew that logically. That didn't change the fact that he missed them with every breath he took.
Tapping on the window brought him from his musings and he slowly arose to unlatch the window and allow Duer, the Eagle Owl that belonged to Ernest Macmillan, to enter his sanctuary. The regal bird landed on the back of the desk chair and then held out its leg for Sirius to retrieve the letter that it carried.
"Thank you," he said to the bird and then he took out a small bowl of owl treats for the bird. He placed the bowl on the windowsill near the Owl stand in the corner.
He looked over the letters and smiled to see that the letter was from Hannah. He swiftly broke the wax seal and then began to read Hannah's missive. He smiled at her greeting, calling him Papa. It never ceased to please him. She went on to tell him that she had been sorted into Hufflepuff as had Ernie and he had given her loan of his Owl to send her missive to him. He could only imagine that Duer must have dropped off a letter from Ernie to Olivia before flying further south to Blackmoor. He was relieved to read that she thus far liked her house and housemates and she had hopes of settling in and making good friends.
More importantly, she included a list of all of the children of Black lineage who had been sorted that day. He read over the list and there were quite a few surprises for him. Leonis didn't surprise him for his was sure his son had been well trained by Cassiopeia and honestly, his oldest child reminded him too much of Regulus for him to consider any house but Slytherin for him. Orion surprised him with Ravenclaw. He was so sure that the boy would end up a Gryffindor as he and Remus had. Hermione was a real shocker. Sirius had even had money riding on her placement in Ravenclaw and yet there she went and got herself sorted into Gryffindor House. He now owed Andromeda twenty galleons.
Harry's placement didn't surprise him. While his godson did have some Slytherin traits, he was mostly a Gryffindor at the core of him. Impossibly brave, territorial, and chivalrous.
He sighed as he sat the list down on his desk and went back to the window to stare out into the darkness. He just hoped that Harry's sorting into Gryffindor wouldn't give Dumbledore undue access to Harry. Unfortunately, Minerva McGonagall was still the Head of Gryffindor House. She hadn't been able to rein the Marauders in, hadn't tried hard enough really, and she tended to bend to Dumbledore's will. He didn't think that Minerva would be much help to Harry when it came to Dumbledore.
He was chasing shadows now. Looking for trouble that had not even arisen. It was all well to be vigilant but another altogether to fly into paranoia. He had to trust that the children would tell him if anything untoward or strange was happening at Hogwarts. It was their first night there. He was really being too overprotective.
He sighed and went back to his desk to scoop up Hannah's letter and list. He would take it to Alicia. She would enjoy reading her daughter's words and learning where the other children had sorted.
