Chapter 3 - Sorting
The Great Hall was buzzing with excitement as the entire school gathered to welcome this year's newcomers. It was a nostalgic event for the seventh years knowing it was to be the last sorting they would ever watch. Professors alike whispered to each other intermittently as they awaited their youngest charges.
The massive wooden double doors opened to reveal the entering students. A few hadn't recovered from diving through the solid brick wall of Platform 9 and ¾'s. Others had been more familiar with the process due to their older siblings telling about their experiences.
The professors looked on, knowledgeable about the eager, fresh faces full of anticipation. Would the school year bring out a few gems?
A sudden gasp and all eyes diverted to the middle portion of the queue.
Two figures stood over a head taller than their peers, glaringly older than those around them.
Transfer students perhaps?
Peter and Susan merely smiled calmly, taking the attention in stride.
"At least we're together," Lucy whispered.
Edmund nodded, merely dumbstruck by the enchanted ceiling glowing with hundreds of candles.
It was such a change, Peter noted, to go from war and hardship to such opulence in a few short years. Wizarding robes, broomsticks, and familiars all in a brand new world.
A secret smile between the peculiar family. This would not be their first adventure. Nor their last.
To their amazement, a seemingly ancient and battered hat rose to motion, singing a ditty welcoming the first years. The same chapeau was placed upon each eleven year old's head, proclaiming them a member of one of the four main houses.
The Pevensies had been given a run down of each of the esteemed groups - their characteristics, the strengths and advantages.
"The good and the evil," Gingott warned. He and his kin, as the kings and queens knew, that looks could be deceiving.
Fortunately they had a plan.
"Pevensie, Edmund!"
Armando Dippet leaned forward observing the teenager. Perhaps the sorting could deliver a clue to this enigma of a family.
The illustrious enchanted item was placed atop a mop of dark, tousled hair.
"Oh? Oh!" The hat exclaimed as he scanned the boy's memories and thoughts. "What's this? Another lifetime?" He hmmed and ahhed. "A thousand apologies, Your Majesty. Welcome to Hogwarts, King Edmund the Just."
The boy sat straighter in his seat, a royal bearing falling easily onto his shoulders at the familiar moniker. "A pleasure, although I have no earthly idea why we're here."
"Yes," the hat huffed. "You and your siblings should have been called years ago. Nevertheless, you're here now. Now with what has happened I see you are a perfect fit for… SLY-!"
"No."
"What? I mean. Pardon me, your majesty?"
"The house of stealth and cunning? Yes, I did betray my family once, but that is not the extent of who I am, though it still pains me."
The hat stuttered, "But Edmund! You negotiated with the Calormenes and devised the plan to save Queen Susan from marriage. You convinced the Lord of the Great Isles to join without a drop of bloodshed! Can't you see your way with words is a perfect addition to the Slytherin House?"
The boy shook his head, forgetting who he was speaking to was sitting atop. "And reside in an echo chamber with those who would merely agree with me? No, I need those who can counter and give different viewpoints."
The talking hat straightened higher at his next thought.
"Oh, that house? If that is your command, King Edmund."
"It is."
"RAVENCLAW!" The hat burst forth.
The room was atwitter with how long the Sorting Hat was taking with this boy, and the initial redaction only brought confusion.
"Didn't the hat say Slytherin?" Hambleton Quince murmured to his friend at the raven blue table, welcoming the newcomer with cheers and claps. His fellow student was about to answer when the next name was called.
"Pevensie, Lucy!"
Again the hat was placed upon a set of blonde locks.
"Welcome, Queen Lucy the Valiant." He scanned again the two lifetimes within the youthful girl. "With your love of the lion, I could place you in Gryffindor, but I believe that Hufflepuff will fit you better."
"No, Sir Hat, though it would be lovely. They all look so friendly."
The magical item blanched at the next idea of the one who wore him.
"But… but you'll be eaten alive!"
"Will I?" Lucy said with a smile.
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat muttered.
Professor Dumbledore, teacher of transfiguration, raised an eyebrow. Was the hat in pain?
"Pevensie, Peter!"
Again with the ceremony.
"High King Peter, ruler of Narnia and the Lone Isles, wise and magnificent upon your seat at Cair Paravel."
"Sir Hat," he greeted. "Gatekeeper of destinies."
The hat squirmed a little on the eldest's head. "I merely read their minds and hearts. I have changed my mind to those who asked, but even the houses they picked suited them. What they did with their fate after they leave the school is on them."
The High King demurred. "I'll not question what the wizards and witches have been doing for centuries, but for me and my blood, we are best placed where we are needed."
"And where are you most needed, my lord?"
"A house with good hearts, and eager hands."
"Ah, yes. A good choice then, your majesty."
The hat let out a bellow. "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Those robed in yellow looked shocked, but then erupted as the oldest first year joined their ranks.
"Don't worry," Pomona Sprout reassured their newest member. "We can all tutor you enough to get caught up to the rest of us 7th years."
Peter thanked her with a graciousness that caused the cheerful girl to blush and smile.
"Pevensie, Susan!"
The last and pretty girl glided up the seats, sitting demurely with ankles crossed on the high seat.
"Ah the Gentle Queen, my greetings to you." The hat creased a little at the top, in imitation of a bow.
"Hail, Lord Hat. I am sure you're taking pleasure in the excitement of this day."
"Yes, but I believe this has been the most unusual in all my years of sorting."
Susan smiled, causing her lovely face to glow. "My family could never keep out of trouble. However, you know our intentions now."
The hat tried again, "You could share a house with your siblings. Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff would welcome your regal bearing."
"No, I… I need courage, a reminder of what I had dismissed and ridiculed."
"Ah yes. How appropriate that house's symbol is the lion."
"A good reminder, it will help to bolster my fears."
"Good luck to you then, your highness." Another breath, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Susan took her place next to a stern second year.
"Minerva McGonagall."
"A pleasure. Susan Pevensie." The pair shook each other's hands.
The remainder of the students passed by with a blur. The hat proclaimed their houses within the minute of placement.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. Let the feast begin!" Dippet declared, as was his yearly custom.
As the children ate, memories of famine and rationing were but a distant memory.
The headmaster picked up the hat, placing the revered item in its special stand in his office.
As he turned to leave, he could hear the hat wearily proclaim, "Fare thee well noble Kings and Queens. Do we choose our fates or do they choose us?"
I wanted to shake up the status quo of the siblings always being sorted into certain houses. Please leave your thoughts and comments
Grignard