Disclaimer: Unfortunately, people just don't seem to get that J.K. Rowling, and only J.K. Rowling, will ever own all in this story except Will, Hazel, Eli, and of course, the plot.

Thanks: A big thank you goes out to all who have reviewed…Sorry I haven't been on in a while…anyway, hope you enjoy!

Paths of the Grave and Shierden

Chapter 5: The Sorting Hat

A twitch and a shiver. Will watched Eli with such fascinating intensity. At the slightest movement, Will looked ever so carefully to make sure nothing disturbed the small mound lying in front of him. He guessed Eli's mind as the large, black, and ominous bed quivered with the weight of his younger brother's dreams. His pondering about Eli stopped abruptly as pain seared through the mark his arm had taken so willingly, happily, years ago. Sickened, he refrained from gagging for the risk of waking the innocent sleeper. Innocent…he had been innocent once too…so naïve to the chaos surrounding his world. All his friends had been so confident that Voldemort could solve their problems…back then. Look at them now…begging for mercy from their master's wrath…Look at me…trying to save Eli from his destiny…Destiny…Destiny had nothing to do with it…There's nothing I can do now…

"So, erm…are you sure this is going to work?" Eli asked drowsily, waking from a mysterious dream about his sister. The dream seemed rather ironic…Hazel had been heading for Diagon Alley with…Harry Potter. He chuckled mechanically to himself. If that held some sort of truth, maybe Eli would be rescued after all. At the moment, he seriously doubted he would be able to meet her at Diagon Alley now.

"No. We can't be sure of anything at this point, but my plan will keep you safe for a couple of weeks. Maybe more," Will replied. His arm still quivered, throbbing. "I've got to go."

"I know," he said and noticed Will's trembling body. "Good luck."

Will tried to say something encouraging, but nothing came. They needed a lot more that luck.

You've been ignoring me…

"There's no excuse for that…I was trying to convince him-

Of what…does he need reassurance?

"No, but I think he needs training. You-you di-didn't even let the Malfoy kid in 'till you thought he was-was ready…" Will shook now. He had never faced the Dark Lord alone. Trembling took over and slithered conspicuously down his spine, causing him to shake uncontrollably.

Voldemort smirked coldly. Well, you aren't the bravest man I've met…However; it isn't you that I am interested in. Your brother, he is young, cunning, and brave. But he does need training, and you are good enough to perform at least that task, I suppose. Go now. The rasping voice echoed in his mind as he walked out of the dark room, blinking.

Cunning? Eli was…cunning? Never had he seen that side of his brother…or had he? He knew his brother had intelligence beyond most his age, but what about the Sorting Hat? Will's mind wandered to his seventh year at Hogwarts.

"Now children," Professor McGonagall told the first years on the stage, "When I call your name, please come forward." The procession of the Sorting Hat began, and Will watched as his younger siblings waited anxiously somewhere around the middle of the group. Finally, the Professor called Eli, before Hazel. He sat on the worn stool and wore the ancient hat for at least ten minutes. The older students tired of this immediately, and started to chatter.

A nearby voice whispered to him, "You watch. He'll get into Slytherin, seein' how it's in his blood and all…somehow, it always seems that if you've got relatives 'been in Slytherin, you're automatically sorted there too…" Will was not paying attention to this remark, though. He stared instead, straight into his brother's eyes. They concentrated, unafraid, seemingly on nothing.

"SLYTHER-"-

All quieted before the booming voice of the Sorting Hat. History in the making, the Hat had never changed its mind, nor stopped, mid-sentence. Will half-clapped for Eli, but realizing this, the clap ceased. It might have been Will's mind, playing tricks on his eyes…but Eli looked rather triumphant and his concentrated face vanished to an innocent little first year.

"RAVENCLAW!" the Sorting Hat shouted, this time with no hesitation. The students waited to see if this was the boy's true fate, then, the Ravenclaw table welcomed him in. Will saw no relief on Eli's face, but rather, victory. Victory?...

Will shrugged to himself. His thoughts consisted of only one thing: had Eli been controlling the Sorting Hat? This seemed impossible, he knew. However, a sliver of doubt remained. Nothing else queer happened on that night, or any other night for that matter. But Will had known, the night Eli had been sorted into Ravenclaw along with his sister….he should have been in Slytherin…Then, this mess with the Dark Lord would be easier to deal with. Eli would have jumped at the chance to become a real Death Eater. The fact was…Eli did not jump at the chance…he had become…a good seed. Will sighed as he plopped restlessly on a chair next to Eli's bed. His brother slept once more. That must have been a pretty strong sleeping charm…He thought of nothing else as sleep embraced him.

Note: Yeah, I know this was short, but I had absolutely no inspiration for this chapter. I also know that I have waited to post this chapter for a considerable amount of time. The only explanation: school.