Conversations with a Hat

Have you ever wondered about what goes on between the ickle-firstie on the stool and the Sorting Hat? How much do the first years influence their placement? Or was Harry a special case? What could have possessed the Hat to put people where he put them? Well, now it's time for you to find out.

Sirius Black's Sorting Sirius Black stood in the back of the line, staring sullenly at a spot on the floor. He'd made friends today on the train, but none o them were in line now. He knew that first impressions were important. But he wasn't planning on making the kind of first impression his family would approve of. He'd found older students on the train and made them laugh by humiliating Severus Snape. That git. Sirius remember his mother saying they would be the best of friends at Hogwarts. Yeah right. He felt satisfied with the day's events…so far. He was away from his family and had a few friends amongst the upperclassmen. Not bad so far. Well, he'd already made his decision. He wasn't joining those snake-worshipping slime balls. That was it. He didn't want to be feared. Respected, yes. Loved, maybe. But not feared. Never feared.

The stern looking witch read his name off the roll of parchment she was holding. "Black, Sirius."

Sirius made his way to the sorting stool, head held high against the whispers. People had heard the Black name. Most recently they'd heard it in the context of his aunt who had tried to make Muggle-hunting a legal sport. Just great, why did he of all people have to go first? Why couldn't somebody's last name be Avery or Addison or something, anything that started before Black?

He took one more look around and sat on the stool. Bella had told him that the Hat would just shout his name, nothing to be nervous about. Right? Right. He put the hat on his head.

"Young Sirius Black. A defiant little thing, aren't you? I can sense that already," the Hat said after a few seconds' pause.

"Just do your job, Hat. Nobody told me you'd be this chatty. I thought you didn't talking until you said the house name."

"Yes, yes. You aren't the easiest person for me to place. You're brave enough to stand up to your parents I see, but despite noble goals you are quite willing to do nearly anything to get what you desire. You would do quite well in—"

"Don't you dare say it! If you say 'Slytherin' I'll tear you apart from your bloody seams!" Sirius hands clasped the edge of the stool until his knuckles turned white. If the Hat put him in Slytherin he'd run away from Hogwarts and home both this very night.

The Hat laughed at him, a sound only for Sirius's ears. "Temper, temper, Black. Your family always was a little rash in its decisions. Wash your mouth out with soap when you get to your dormitory in GRYFFINDOR!"

Sirius took off the Sorting Hat and put it on the stool. He coolly walked toward the applause of the Gryffindor table. He looked up at a green-eyed redhead at the front of the line of first years and winked at her, hoping she'd be in Gryffindor too.

He leaned back in his seat to watch his new peers squirm as the Hat whispered to them.

Thanks to everybody who reads and reviews this for me. I really appreciate it. I hope you liked Sirius's Sorting and I hope you'll come back next time for Neville's Sorting! Neville is one of my favorite characters. I love him. Let me know what you think, as always, I'm taking requests and I'll update as soon as I can. Thanks, have a great day and click the little review button in the left hand corner.