A/N: This is the reason why The sorting Hat was so quiet during the Feast in my story The Quest For Power. Go read it and leave a review. To get to the story, click my bio page. There's a link to the new and improved version.
Thanks to GlitterPunk, an angel's reflection, LadyRhiyana, Miwi, Bish, and Contia Mirian who reviewed this before.
~Many thanks to all those who have reviewed or will review or just reading (but reviewing would be nice) chapters. These stories are for you
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The Sorting Hat
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I have failed.
I am in the Great Hall and I should start my song, but I can't. I look into the faces of the students sitting at the tables and all I can see is the pain that many have suffered by the hand of Voldemort. Clumsy Longbottom, the Bones daughter, the Prewitts son, and The Boy Who Lived Potter. The suffering they have gone through.
I was supposed to be smart. I was supposed know where to put everyone when the founders agreed to leave me the important role of settling students into their respective houses.
They didn't know they left a complete failure.
******** flashback to a sorting 50 years ago
When Tommy put me on his head, he began to beseech me
"Don't put me in Slytherin. Put me in Ravenclaw," he asked. The reign of Grindlewald had just ended and everyone knew the Dark Wizard came from the Serpent's Den along with many of his followers. Tommy, a frail boy scorned by his father, wanted to be put in the same house as his late mother.
"I can see your cleverness, but you aren't willing to study hard enough to be in that house," I mused. "Those Ravenclaws are a sharp bunch. They rather study than play."
"Then put me in Gryffindor," he ordered. I refused.
"No, you're too cunning for that house. That house are known for bravery because they are willing to jump into the face of danger. You would rather check your options and pick the best one."
"Fine..I'll take Hufflepuff. Please..just don't.." He trailed off, his voice growing in panic as his options were being shot down as I chuckled gently.
"Come now, boy. You could do much better than Hufflepuff." I admonished. This conversation needed to end. I had other students to sort.
"No!! Please.. I don't want to be in --"
"SLYTHERIN!!!"
"NO!"
"Don't worry kid," I yelled to him above the applause and my being yanked off his head. "You got the power to be something great."
I wish to Merlin that I had put him somewhere else.
******** back to present day
I awaken from my daydream.
The children are getting restless and even the teachers are looking worried. I remember the job I have and break out into song. After the Sorting, I am placed near the Headmaster. I look out into the faces of the students, especially the new ones. I listened to them and tried to put them in the houses they asked for. After my mistake with Thomas Riddle, I am wary of my job. Harry Potter had the power to be great in Slytherin and I was set to put him there his first year, until I remembered what happened to an orphan 50 years ago. I ended up putting Potter in Gryffindor. If I had listened to Tom, maybe Voldemort would never have been born, surrounded by those eager to satiate their own needs. Now Voldemort is back, instilling fear into those in the magical community.
Merlin help us all.
