The Sorting Ceremony began in earnest after the Sorting Hat had finished with his song of the year. It was boring, at the beginning at letters at least. As the names progressed, the joining of the Four Houses became more and more exciting. Daphne had just been sorted, Slytherin, and McGonagall looked to read the next name as the clapping from Slytherin died down.
"Gr-" Minerva paused, double checking to see if she was reading the list that Hogwarts had written out for her properly. "Grindelwald, Gerrod." Whispers throughout the Great Hall ensued.
"Grindelwald as in the Dark Wizard?"
"No way, it can't be, Grindelwald has a descendant?"
Gerrod calmly walked down the aisles, don't bothering to listen to the whispers around him, nor even bothering to look at those blatantly staring at him as if he were a disease. Sitting on the chair, the Sorting Hat was placed onto his head.
'My, my, my,' the Sorting Hat said in Gerrod's mind. "What have we here? Potential, and so much of it. Surely, you'll surpass your Grandfather, boy."
'Greetings, may I ask for your name, hat?' Gerrod said. He knew that time was irrelevant as this conversation was taking place in his head, they could talk for hours and not even a minute would pass in actual time. This was due to the immense Magic that had been poured into the Sorting Hat. It is recorded that all Four Founders had poured their greatest Magic into it before dying, giving it sentience and the combined might of all four of Hogwarts Founders.
'You may,' the Sorting Hat answered smoothly, "I am called Eshar-Del. Named long ago in the language of old. The language of old has been long lost, my name is the only thing that survives. The only thing I remember from the beginning, which is my name and what it means, Wise Voice."
'Well, Eshar-Del, it is finally nice to put a name to one of the most powerful Magical beings in the Wizarding World.' Gerrod said with a revered voice. 'I'm Gerrod, but you already know that. Shall we begin the Sorting?'
'Lets.' Eshar-Del says with a pleasure to its voice, it was not every day that the sentient hat had the absolute pleasure of Sorting a descendant of such a powerful Wizard. 'To begin, let us measure your potential.'
And just like that, Gerrod appeared in his body in a black void. Clothed in his robe, facing a man sitting on a large white couch, a small white table to the right with a teapot and a silver plate full of biscuits. The man was slim looking, relaxed, his eyes glowed blood red, steaming off the same-colored energy from the end slits. His Magic was literally escaping from his body.
'Not many people get the privilege of meeting me face to face, Gerrod, you should be honored.' Eshar-Del said. His face was sleek, pointed if one will, his nose was sharp, slightly large, but nothing that felt imposing onto his face.
'It's nice to put a face to the voice.' Gerrod said.
'Have a seat.' Eshar-Del flexed his hand and a cushioned chair appeared from nowhere. 'My first impression of you? I'm greatly pleased. Let's begin the measurement of your worth, shall we?'
'Very well.' Gerrod answers with a slight hesitance.
'Excellent.' Eshar-Del happily exclaims, he clapped his hands and stood, snapping his fingers a wisp of blue energy expelled from Gerrod's body. The boy gasped realizing what it was. 'Yes, my dear boy, this is your Magic.' Eshar-Del mischieviously said, he grabbed it from the air waving it back and forth childishly. Before, oddly and surprisingly, eating it. 'Delicious. That was some of the best Magic I've eaten in a long time.' He said licking his lips.
'Weird.' Gerrod said, seemingly unfazed. 'The results?'
'Yes, yes, patience is virtue, have you not heard of that, besides it's not like you're going anywhere special.' Eshar-Del calmly reprimed. 'Here are you results.' He snapped his fingers and a piece of paper appeared in front of him. Just like the other students before him. These held his results.
Name; Gerrod Grindelwald, Age 13
Wand; Yew, Phoenix Feather and Dragon Heart-string Core, 13 Inches, Unyielding Flexibility.
Magic Potency; Tier 3
Core Usage; Neutral
Magical Capabilities; Tier 10
Magical Connection; Tier 10
Possibility of Growth; Tier 10
Affiliation for Charms; Tier 8
Affiliation for Transfiguration; Tier 7
Affiliation for Jinxes; Tier 8
Affiliation for Curses; Tier 9
Affiliation for Light Magic; Tier 3
Affiliation for Dark Magic; Tier 10
'Is my Affiliation for Light Magic that weak?' Gerrod asks quizzically, not believing that his Affiliation was so bad it was below average for Light Magic.
'Yes,' Eshar-Del says. 'You're a weak Tier 3 for Light Magic, the reason behind this is because you have plenty of intent when it comes to Magic, but not nearly enough emotion. That is why your Affiliation is so weak. Dark Magic, if you can call it that, is all about intent, while Light Magic, even though there's no such thing in my opinion, is more about the emotion one puts behind it, usually it has to be a positive one. Which is quite terrible really, you have the highest marks I've seen so far. Most students are barely average, some slightly above.' As an afterthought he pondered aloud. 'I wonder how your Sister will fair, now that you've been appraised?'
'Probably same thing,' Gerrod spoke, but after a quick thought he added to his comment. 'Maybe, I betting she'll have a stronger Affiliation for Light Magic than Dark Magic. She's practically my opposite. Probably better at Jinxes and Transfiguration than Charms and Curses also.'
'Perhaps,' Eshar-Del frowned in thought, 'perhaps not? Though some advice to your Young Grindelwald,' Eshar-Del leaned forward. Mumbling with a low and dark tone. 'Keep an eye on Harry, I sense very powerful Dark Magic tainting his aura. Anyways, I've finished my analysis, and I must say, you belong in-'
"SLYTHERIN!" The Sorting Hat yelled, the Slytherin table was the only who clapped for Gerrod. The Young Grindelwald got up and walked to the Slytherin table, clutching onto a piece of parchment that had Magically appeared in his hands. The other students looked at him like as if he were a monster. It was not moments later Gerrod's Sister, Historia, was called to be Sorted.
More whispers ensued. Some of the older students thought the Ministry was crazy to allow spawns of the Dark Wizard, Grindelwald, to learn Magic. Though the Ministry were just as in the dark as they were, but Gerrod and Historia knew that before the week was to be over, the Ministry will have made their opinion known on the matter.
'Hello Historia.' Eshar-Del said from behind the girl, Historia turned around to face the voice. Eshar-Del had his hands behind his back, and a wicked smile on his face, a smile a child would show when they've done something naughty their parents would disapprove of. 'Let's skip the introduction shall we?' He tapped the space between her brows and the memories of Gerrod's and his conversation transferred into her mind.
'Hello Eshar-Del.' Historia said with bemusement. 'Why have you shown yourself to me? I understand my Brother because he's always been special, talented as well, but why me? '
'Why not?' He said playfully. 'You and your Brother intrigue me, though not as much as the Boy-Who-Lived, but enough. Tell me, do you know why Hogwarts decided to invite you and your Brother at your respective ages?'
'Does that have to do with anything?' Historia asked, confusing on what he was asking of her.
'It does,' Eshar-Del says, he began to pace around the black empty void, ''you see, you two, four really, were chosen for a reason. A prophecy was made very long ago that the Dark Lord would be defeated by a group of five and three. Hogwarts believes that you five and the three are coming. I myself do not know what the prophecy says, Dumbledore does, I know just enough from my frequent listening's to the old man while in his office.'
'What makes you so sure we're the five and three?' Historia challenged.
'Oh please.' Eshar-Del scoffed at her question, waving his hand as if to dismiss it. He snapped his fingers to summon the couch and chair that he and Gerrod sat in during their conversation. Indicating her to have a seat. 'The oldest First Year I've seen in 30 years at the age of 13, who just so happens to be Grindelwald's Grandson, bringing also the Granddaughter of Grindelwald as well the Boy-Who-Lived, c'mon, a direct descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw in Nermaius Lovegood? And the last, but not least, the Daughter of a Death Eater, though it could be the Son, I'm not sure on this part. I do know for sure that the five of you met that very train ride. Magic willed it, fate and destiny saw to it. And that is where your story begins, Hogwarts Express.' The Sorting hat said triumphantly, smiling with a victorious glint in his eyes.
'Well, when you put it like that,' Historia said as she pieced the facts. 'Guess there's no arguing. How come you never told Gerrod this?' She tilted her head.
'Where's the fun in that?' Eshar-Del quickly answered. Historia frowned. 'Let's get you sorted, shall we?' With that, a wisp of blue energy exited Historia's body, she watched as her Magic was eaten by the Sorting Hat's avatar and piece of parchment appearing in front of her the next moment.
Name; Historia Grindelwald, Age 11
Wand; Alder, Double Phoenix Feather, 9 3/4 Inches, Hard Flexibility.
Magic Potency; Tier 2
Core Usage; Neutral
Magical Capabilities; Tier 9
Magical Connection; Tier 9
Possibility of Growth; Tier 10
Affiliation for Charms; Tier 6
Affiliation for Transfiguration; Tier 8
Affiliation for Jinxes; Tier 8
Affiliation for Curses; Tier 6
Affiliation for Light Magic; Tier 8
Affiliation for Dark Magic; Tier 8
'Well that's weird.' Eshar-Del said suddenly, how he got behind Historia was a mystery. 'You're quite well rounded for a Double Core. Odd.' He commented to himself, pondering as if the revelation meant anything. 'Oh well, Slytherin for you then?'
'Slytherin.' Historia confirmed with a nod.
"SLYTHERIN!" Another cheer from Slytherin's table as Historia made her way to her Brother, clutching onto a piece of parchment like his and more looks from the others. It was most certainly an odd year for Headmaster Dumbledore, the Grandchildren of his long time friend, companion, rival, enemy, and for a short time, lover, had come to his school. This was completely unexpected, but oh well, more pieces to use for his fight against Lord Voldemort. The Headmaster watched as more and more students were sorted into Slytherin.
'Disgusting' he thought, 'where are the Gryfindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs?' As soon as he said that, several students were sorted into those said Houses. Had Hogwarts heard him?
"Potter, Harry." A silent hush fell onto the students. Harry Potter, the Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, the one person to ever survive the Killing Curse.
The boy in glasses nervously walked up to the stool. The Professors either smiled at him or looked at him indifferently. Though most were thinking the same thing, which House was to have the honor of having Harry Potter in their care for his First Year? The would find out as McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat onto the boy's head.
'Harry Potter.' Eshar-Del's voice ominously said. He and Harry were facing each other.
'Hello.' Harry said meekly in the presence of the person in front of him. He could feel the power radiating off of him.
'Hold still.' Eshar-Del touched the space between his brows for the sixth and final time. The memories of Gerrod, Historia, Nermaius, Draco and Hermione all flooded into his mind. It was a little too much as Harry experienced a headache.
'Wow, that hurt.' Harry said, still clutching his head. Once the pain subsided mostly, he looked back up at Eshar-Del. 'So you're the Sorting Hat?'
'Its avatar, but to answer your question, for all intents and purposes, I am indeed the Sorting Hat.' Eshar-Del confirmed. 'Do you have any questions?'
'No, the other's answered them for me, well you did by giving me your memories, eh, a copy of them anyways.' Harry nervously said, why the boy was nervous Eshar-Del did not know. But he didn't care either.
'Let's get to Sorting, shall we?' Harry nodded to Eshar-Del's question. A small sliver of his Magic exited his body, it was red, the other's Magic ranged from blue, gold, silver, and green. 'Odd, yours is red, your Mother and Father's Magic, when I ate it that is, were pink and silver respectively.'
'Does it mean anything?' Harry asked.
'Wouldn't you like to know.' Eshar-Del mischievously said, smiling and leaning towards Harry's face as he ate the sliver of red Magic. The piece of parchment appeared to Harry as he stood back up.
Name; Harry Potter, Age 12
Wand; Holly, Double Phoenix Feather, 11 Inches, Solid Flexibility.
Magic Potency; Tier 3
Core Usage; Neutral
Magical Capabilities; Tier 10
Magical Connection; Tier 9
Possibility of Growth; Tier 10
Affiliation for Charms; Tier 8
Affiliation for Transfiguration; Tier 9
Affiliation for Jinxes; Tier 8
Affiliation for Curses; Tier 9
Affiliation for Light Magic; Tier 10
Affiliation for Dark Magic; Tier 10
'Congratulations Mr. Potter.' Eshar-Del said lowly. 'You officially have the highest marks I've seen this year. Now, which of the Four Houses do you wish to be in?' He asked.
'Slytherin, with my friends, sir.' Harry asnwered.
'Not Gryffindor?' The Sorting Hat asked. the he added almost teasingly. 'Poor Hermione will be all alone. Plus the Headmaster will most certainly have you placed in Gryffindor if I sort you in Slytherin.'
'Why's that?' Harry asked, confused why the Headmaster would do such a thing.
'Well, that's because,' Eshar-Del leaned in once more, whispering into Harry's ear, a hand on his shoulder. 'He hates Slytherin.' Stepping back with a devious smile and look. The Sorting Hat continued. 'But it'll also be beneficial for you, with that scar, it'll be better if you were in Gryffindor to make the public believe that you're the hero they believe you are to be.'
'But I'm not, I was only a child!' Harry protested.
'I know,' Eshar-Del said, walking in a circle around Harry. 'But they don't care, they look to you as a rally point. As their Savior if you will.' He paused to think on what he had said, adding one more comment before letting the boy confirm his choice. 'Plus, you'd make a terrible Slytherin, you're neither cunning, nor resourceful, well, a little. Your personality is more out-going and brave, it'll fit you more. Actually I take that back, you do have the traits of a Slytherin, you're just horrible at using them. Maybe in a couple of years after you've been taught some etiquette. That and when it's your time to fight the Dark Lord, you'll have friends to back you up. Hopefully.'
Harry sighed in defeat, the Sorting hat was right, but he didn't like it. The only good thing that being in Gryffindor was Hermione, he'd have to put up with that annoying and rude red head, and probably some extremely eager fans. or something of the sort. 'Fine.' He said exasperatedly, there was no way around the problem the Sorting Hat had brought up. 'Put me in Gryffindor.'
'As you wish,' Eshar-Del bowed dramatically, 'oh, and Harry, be careful with your scar, what lies inside it will be the key to your victory or downfall.' Harry frowned, what did that mean?
"GRYFFINDOR!" The Sorting Hat shouted. all the table cheer, Slytherin was respectfully clapping due to Draco's example. Though he was quite disappointed that Harry joined Gryffindor. Dumbledore was smiling greatly.
'The Savior has join the Light.' He thought triumphantly as he watched as Harry was kindly being welcomed at the Gryffindor table.
"We got Potter! We got Potter!" A pair of twins yelled, cheering and dancing joyously at their supposed luck.
To be continued...
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[Easy Edit 05/20/2021]