Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges and Assignments): Assignment 11

Health and Fitness: Yoga

Task 1 - Downward Dog Pose: Write about Sirius Black or Ron Weasley

Genre: General (because I don't really know)

Rating: T

Warning: pressure

Word Count: 355 (Google Docs)

Summary: Sirius is expected to become a Slytherin. But he doesn't want to.

Escaping Tradition

As a Black, I am expected to become a Slytherin.

Every single Black (or, well, nearly every single Black) before me has been a Slytherin. It's tradition, my mother said.

So, you'll probably be asking, What's the problem?

Well, the problem is that I don't want to go to Slytherin.

I want to be in Gryffindor.

Why? You'll be asking.

At every family gathering, my relatives would all say You'll definitely become a Slytherin! Loads of pressure, you know? I just don't like it. And I know about Slytherin's reputation. I don't want to be associated with that.

Also, I don't think my traits match Slytherin's requirements. I'm ambitious, yes - my ambition is to prank everyone (yes, seriously. Isn't that an excellent pun? Get it? Seriously? Siriusly?). I can be cunning, too - when I'm planning a prank.

Ever since I heard the name Gryffindor, I wanted to be in Gryffindor.

As I stand in the line of students, waiting to be Sorted, I wonder what House I would be in.

Gryffindor? I hope. Slytherin? Nah.

"Black, Sirius!"

I take a deep breath, and smooth down my robes and ruffle my hair self-consciously. It's my turn.

Don't worry, I tell myself as I walk to the stool.

This will determine the rest of your life, Sirius, an annoyingly smart voice says in my head. You're right to worry.

Shut up, I tell it.

The voice goes silent.

The walk to the stool feels like the blink of an eye. Before I know it, the Hat is being lowered onto my head.

Hmm, it muses. A Black, you should be in Slytherin. That would be fitting for you. You are cunning and ambitious, that is obvious.

No! I mentally shriek, and apparently I accidentally make a sound out loud, because some people are now staring at me weirdly. I try to calm myself down. No, Hat. Gryffindor, please and thank you.

Are you sure? it asks. You could do great things in Slytherin -

Gryffindor!

Very well. If the Hat is alive, it would sigh. Better be…

My fingers grip the stool tightly, my knuckles turning white.

"GRYFFINDOR!"