Disclaimer-I do not own Harry Potter.My response to the HMS Harmony discord's 4K member Competition.The Prompt I used was 4 Hogwarts Houses
2 days. 2 of the longest days of their lives. 2 days spent missing their adopted son after they watched him board the Hogwarts Express and disappear as he embarked on his first year at Hogwarts. They both remembered what that journey was like. They both remembered what the ceremony was like but neither of them quite knew, at the time, how significant the sorting itself was.
Harry, in his first year, did not have anyone to write to when he got into Gryffindor. There was no one who cared enough or really understood what Gryffindor was outside of the castle. So, when his friends all started getting letters back from their parents a few days later saying congratulations or we knew it all along or we're so proud of you, he felt a little left out.
Hermione, of course, had written to her parents immediately and excitedly told them that she had made it into Gryffindor. Their reply came a couple of days later saying how excited they were for her. When she read it, her elation fell a little at the realisation that they didn't really understand what it meant. She had talked their ears off about the different houses and what they symbolised but, at reading the letter, she could tell that they had not really understood why she had been so happy to be in Gryffindor. She looked around at all of the other first years and could hear them chatting about how their parents were so happy about their sorting. She suddenly started to see the difference being muggleborn made in this world. She really was different. It was then, also, that she first started feeling the distance that was forming between her and her parents.
Hence, when they themselves became parents to young Teddy Lupin, the experience of the sorting was bound to be very different. They had spent several weeks discussing Teddy and what house they thought he might be placed in. Hermione pointed out that he had always loved playing Quidditch with Harry, and going on adventures to the park and never needed a great deal of encouragement to do so. Occasionally, he hesitated before grabbing his adoptive father's hand and going in with determination. But Harry often rebutted that Teddy had engaged very well with Hermione's encouragement of reading and learning before school. Before he left, they had decided that he could very well be a Lion, Eagle or Badger. They doubted that he would be a snake though.
Then, after 2 days of waiting impatiently to hear about Teddy's sorting, they received a letter. It was addressed to them in Teddy's unmistakable, appalling handwriting, Hermione's words, so Harry grabbed at it as quickly as he could and rushed to open it. He sat down and Hermione came leaned on him from behind so they could read it together.
Dear Mum and Dad,
This place is gorgeous. It's also massive, I already got lost twice on my way to the Owlery to write and send this! The Giant Squid came up while we went across the lake on those boats. That thing is wicked! And massive! I mean, bigger than Hagrid massive! He, obviously, just patted it on the head like it was nothing. Crazy giant.
They were starting to get impatient. This was all great to hear, but let's get to the sorting already.
I wasn't expecting to get so stressed at the Sorting though. The Great Hall is massive, with a lot of people in it so I didn't feel, exactly, calm when I sat down on the stool and faced them all. The hat is also massive. It went over my eyes! Apparently it thinks I could be pretty good in any house. I was getting bored though cause is sat on my head going 'hmmmm interesting' for like five minutes or something. Apparently, it was nearly a hatstall! But, anyway, eventually it decided to put me in...HUFFLEPUFF!!! I'm really happy with that! Hufflepuff's are supposed to be the nice ones, right? Loyal and determined? Wasn't my other mum a Hufflepuff too? You know, Tonks? I'm getting really excited!
Anyway, got to go. My first lesson starts in like twenty minutes.
Miss you guys.
Love you,
Teddy.
They turned to look each other in the eyes. They found each other beaming just as wide as the other. They knew they needn't say much. They both understood how big of a deal this was. They were so happy.
After another few moments of silently beaming at each other, a silent understanding was reached between them and Hermione launched for some parchment and a pen ('pens are so much more practical than those blasted quills.' Hermione often insisted.) and began, furiously, writing a response. They both knew what it was like to not have the people at home not know or understand how important your Hogwarts house is, so Hermione ensured that Teddy never doubted that they understood how he felt and knew how proud of him they were.
"Daddy, the baby's pooed again!" came a voice from upstairs. Harry Potter looked at his wife and knew she thought the same thing at that voice. I can't wait till that 5 year old writes home about her Hogwarts house.
Of course Rose was quicker at getting the letter to her parents than Teddy was. She was always an antsy kid. Couldn't relax when there was something on her mind that she hadn't dealt with. It hadn't even been 24 hours by the time the letter arrived home.
Hermione gave one stern look at her husband before she chided him
"I told you you shouldn't have given Teddy that cloak. There's no way Rose could have got this to us so quickly without borrowing it off him and going to the Owlery at night. First night and she's already broken the rules."
"Well, to be fair, she is a descendant of Prongs. He was, without a doubt, more careless than Moony."
"Yes, but she's also MY daughter. She should know better." Harry looked at her with an amused smirk for a moment before Hermione broke in to an excited grin. He knew she was just as excited to read it as he was. They found themselves in the exact same place as they had been for Teddy's letter, but Hermione was sat down this time.
To Mum and Dad,
Wow! This place is crazy! I'm pretty sure I saw a Thestral flying over the forest on the way across the lake. I know I've never seen anyone die but, you know, you guys are really powerful, so maybe I can see things other people can't. Maybe I'm more powerful than most!
The enchanted ceiling is amazing. I'm going to learn how to do that and then I'm going to make our living room ceiling snow at Christmas. You'll see it's going to be amazing!
Two amused parents turned to look at each other with similar grins on their face. They had, similarly to the build up to Teddy's sorting, discussed where Rose would be sorted. Although, this time, they both were fairly certain there was one obvious destination for their eldest daughter. She had always been enthused by the idea of learning more and had always seemed more hesitant to join in with Teddy's and her father's adventures. They continued to read.
The Sorting was fascinating. Did you know that the Sorting hat can speak out loud but also inside your head?! I spoke to a couple of people on my table when I sat down and they didn't hear a thing that the hat said to me when I was sat on the stool.
I think it may have been like 30 seconds before he put me in RAVENCLAW! I'm so happy right now. The people I've spoken to are already so fascinating and are just as excited aboyr lessons as I am. A couple of them haven't read the year's textbooks yet, which seems kind of strange to me. They're just going to be left behind.
Anyway, I should go. It's late and cold and I'm tired. I'm sorry for coming out after curfew but I was too excited to not send this immediately.
It's not Teddy's fault. I snuck the cloak out of his bag on the train.
Miss you already,
love you,
Rose.
They chuckled fondly at their daughter's confession before closing the letter. Hermione held her palm out behind her and Harry met it with his own palm in a proud high five. They called it. Hermione leaned forward to write another their response when they heard the sounds of a 7 year old and a 3 year old playing around upstairs. They smiled wistfully upwards at the sound and both thought the same thing.
Still got two more to come.
Lazy bugger. Ruby Potter was a right lazy bugger. 4 days it took before the Potter household finally received word from their middle daughter about her house and first few days at Hogwarts. Harry knew that she shouldn't be expecting a letter that was 100% pride and joy. There would definitely be some scolding from her mother.
But it came and Harry and Hermione hurried into the kitchen and to their normal position for this particular letter before Harry tore it open and held it so Hermione could read it from behind him.
Hi Mum and Dad,
Sorry this is kinda late. I got distracted by stuff. But to be fair, Liam hasn't sent anything to Uncle Ron and Auntie Luna yet either.
I'm so glad first years are allowed brooms now. We've already been out at the pitch several times this week and it's been great fun. Rose is embarrassed to tell you this but she has a girlfriend now! Her name is Maisy. She's a Gryffindor and pretty annoying.
There's another first year that seems to be getting bullied. His name is Scorpius Malfoy. I don't get why, he's kind of cute.I got put in Gryffindor by the way. It was quite quick, mercifully. The hat being so big it covered my eyes was kind of embarrassing.
Got a quick question actually. How deep into the forbidden forest would you have to go for it to get actually dangerous? You have both been in it right? Me, Liam and a few others want to go in a little bit, but not to the really dangerous bits, obviously, just to see what it's like. Calm down mum, we're gonna be quick and not go too deep.Anyway, I've got to go, already late to Transfig.
Love you,
Ruby.
"She is unbelievable." was Hermione's immediate reaction. "She takes 4 days to write to us, decides to tell us she's in Gryffindor with no build up and then expects us to be OK with her going into the Forbidden Forest! She's mental. She's definitely your daughter." Harry couldn't help but chuckle at that.
"Maybe we shouldn't have told her that Prongs became head boy after all the crap he got up to."
"Absolutely YOU shouldn't have. You've told her way too many stories about the Marauders. If she comes home after fifth year and she's an illegal animagus..." she responded with a threatening finger pointed at Harry, who raised his hands in surrender, which would've been convincing if not for the smirk he was wearing at the same time. She sat down with a huff and started to write their reply.
"Well, what can we expect?" he said in a low tone. "She's a Gryffindor." Hermione looked back up at him and slowly started smirking back at him. They could both feel the pride rising in their chest, both secretly relieved one of their kids went to Gryffindor.
"Has Ruby written? Has Ruby written?" exclaimed the bouncing ball of excitement that entered the kitchen.
"Yes, she has." Harry replied and handed his final child the letter. He studied his youngest as he read and realised with excitement, but also a hint of melancholy.
One last time.
This was it. The final letter. Jack sent his letter at a similar time to Teddy, who has long left Hogwarts and is now in his Auror training. 2 days, the first 2 whole days that Harry and Hermione have spent completely alone in this house for years. This wait was slightly more agonising than any of the others. Their last child was now at Hogwarts. It seemed a little unfair. They only got 11 years of each child before they were whisked away to Hogwarts for the majority of the rest of their childhood. How much have they been missing?
So, this time, as Hermione sat down on the chair in their kitchen and Harry stood behind her, hands on her shoulders, they found the experience a more sombre one than they had experienced before. But, they weren't any less excited to find out where their youngest had been sorted. He always felt like the biggest enigma to them. He enjoyed learning, he enjoyed adventures with his parents and siblings, was fiercely loyal to his friends and family and he seemed to have a smartass response to everything, as well as an annoyingly obvious but still impossible solution to many problems. For the first time, they could give any guesses.
Mum and Dad,
I made sure to have this done quite promptly. I remember the disaster that was the 4 days before Ruby's letter. A quick update on her, she finally asked Scorpius out on the train. He was all spluttery and red faced. It was kind of pathetic. But, he said yes, of course. She's not got detention yet, so that's a plus.
For me, I'm really excited. I've already made some good friends, I was only on the stool for a minute so that wasn't too embarrassing. To some people's chagrin though, I was put in SLYTHERIN! I actually can't quite believe it myself, but I think I'm happy about it. The common room is gorgeous, the light coming in through the lake is really pretty actually. Some of them are really nice and fun, others not so much. With slight shame, I must confess that I broke a third years nose earlier. He did call someone that mud word so it feels justified to me. He hasn't told anyone because he's embarrassed, moron, so I'm not in any trouble. Sorry.
Anyway, I ought to run. First lessons of the day fast approaching.
Love you lots,
Jack.
"Wow. Slytherin. Who'd have thought, eh?" was all Harry could think of to say initially.
"Well, it's not all that surprising. He does have quite a resourceful mind doesn't he?" Hermione responded. "I'm actually really happy for him. And proud of him. This is amazing!"
"Yeah, it really is. And, he punched a bigot. I'm proud of him for standing up to the guy, but I also think that we've allowed Ron to have too much influence on our kids." he said with a laugh.
"Ha! You're probably right. You know what, we have four kids and each one went to a different house! What are the odds of that?"
"Probably not high!" and thinking about it, Harry realised that that was amazing. "We could nickname them the founders. Haha!"
"We are not nicknaming our children the founders!" Hermione retorted, with a poorly veiled laugh.
They fell into a sombre silence then as they both thought about they're children. Teddy, the Hufflepuff, was in his Auror training and living with Victoire. Rose, the Ravenclaw, had just left Hogwarts and moved in with her new girlfriend, Lucy, straight away, with slight trepidation from her parents given how fast they were moving. Ruby, the Gryffindor, in her fourth year had finally asked out her best friend and was, of course, the top of her class. And finally, Jack, the Slytherin. He was just embarking on his first year at Hogwarts and was already seeming to be quite happy there.
4 Hogwarts houses.
4 Potter children.
4 reasons Harry Potter's life was filled with happiness and love. He has never been more proud.
He looked up and smiled at the other reason.