Disclaimer / I don't own anything

Isobel's POV

I feel the Hat being taken off my head, but I sit there in numb shock. Gravlepin? What is that? There are no cheers like the others before me when they were sorted. Everyone holds their breath, unsure of what is happening. I feel a hand on my shoulder, and very slowly I turn my head to look at Professor McGonagall, who is looking at me with almost a pitiful expression. She motions for me to stand up, so I do, but I don't move. I don't know where to sit. Seeing my confusion, Professor McGonagall guides me towards the staff table, and I see an extra chair has been added to it, next to an old man with a silvery beard, who I recognise as Albus Dumbledore, from the chocolate frog card. My confusion turns to worry as I head to sit next to the Headmaster. Dumbledore doesn't speak to me; however, he smiles warmly at me, and his brilliant blue eyes seem to twinkle. This puts me a little at ease as I sit next to him. The seat on my other side is empty, so I assume it is Professor McGonagall's seat. Once I am settled, the Sorting continues until Blaise Zabini is placed in Slytherin. The cheering returns, however, it isn't as spirited as before. I only clap when Ron is placed in Gryffindor, and goes to sit next to Harry, who I see is happy about that. Professor McGonagall puts the Sorting Hat away and returns to her seat next to me. Dumbledore stands up beside me and says a few words before the feast starts. I don't really listen. Suddenly, food appears along all the five tables, and staff and students alike dig in. I hesitantly take a sausage, and nibble on it silently. A few tense seconds pass before Professor Dumbledore speaks to me.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, Miss Potter."

His voice is cheery, but his expression slightly weary. I put my sausage down and smile weakly at him. I wait to see if he says anything else, but he doesn't. So, taking a deep breath, I ask.

"Sir, what did the Sorting Hat mean when it placed me in…Gravlepin?"

Dumbledore's eyes flicker briefly to look over my head, presumably at Professor McGonagall, who I'm placed between. Then they flick back down to me again.

"Well, I believe it meant to place you not in one house, but in all four houses. A rather interesting play of words, Gravlepin, but I suppose it works."

Again, his voice doesn't match his expression. I choose to risk another question.

"But sir, why? Why didn't it place me in just one, like everyone else?"

I hold my breath as Dumbledore considers my question. Just when I think he won't answer; he opens his mouth.

"I think, the Hat didn't know what to do with your diversity."

I am about to question him, but he continues on.

"You see, normally, when one is brave, they become short-sighted. When one is smart, they become obnoxious. If they are loyal or kind, they can be unpredictable, or if they are ambitious, they become manipulative. You, however, possess courage, intelligence, kindness and ambition, all in an even balance. No one trait stands above the other, therefore, you belong in all the houses."

I stay silent, turning it all over in my head. Possessing the traits of all houses is both a blessing and a curse. Like Dumbledore said, with those four traits, come those four flaws. Then I realise that the flaws mostly outweigh each other. How can I be short-sighted if I'm intelligent? Or obnoxious if I'm kind? I decide that I am happy about my sorting. But then small problems reach my thoughts. Professor McGonagall said that we attend classes and sleep according to our houses. Where would I go? I voice my questions to Professor McGonagall. Just like Dumbledore, she flicks her eyes over me, then answers my question.

"I know you have many questions Miss Potter, and I promise you they will be answered, but for now, let's enjoy the feast. Afterwards, we will speak more in Professor Dumbledore's office."

I look at Dumbledore, and he nods, his eyes twinkling. I'm still worried, but I am able to push it aside, and enjoy the feast. On either side of me, Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore engage in small talk, occasionally including me, but otherwise dinner is a quiet event. Once the feast it over, Dumbledore stands again, and the school participates in a song, he warns us against a Forbidden Forest, and tells us to stay away from the third floor. This information confuses me, but I don't ask any questions for now. Once the feast is over, everyone stands up and disperses out to their separate chambers. I wait for Professor McGonagall to stand up, before doing the same. The two Professors turn to face me.

"Follow me to my office Miss Potter, and Professor McGonagall and I will answer your questions," Dumbledore says.

I nod my understanding. They lead me out of the Great Hall, through a series of hallways, and come to a stop in front of a set of stone gargoyles. Dumbledore says, "Lemon drop" and the gargoyles spring apart to reveal a staircase, which we descend upon, reaching a wooden door Dumbledore opens. His office is a large and beautiful circular room, full of funny little noises. A number of curious silver instruments stood on spindle-legged tables, whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke. The walls are covered with portraits of old headmasters and headmistresses, all of whom are snoozing gently in their frames. There is also an enormous, claw-footed desk, and, sitting on a shelf behind it, a shabby, tainted wizard's hat — the Sorting Hat. Professor McGonagall must've put it away here. Dumbledore goes over to his desk, and sits in the chair behind it, while Professor McGonagall takes a place beside Dumbledore's chair, standing up. Dumbledore starts.

"I assume you have some questions Miss Potter?"

The two professors both look at me expectantly, so I swallow and nod my head. I look at Professor McGonagall.

"You said that our houses determine where we sleep and what classes we attend. How will that work for me?"

Professor McGonagall frowns a little, then looks at Dumbledore. They seem to share a silent conversation, and I wonder how deep their relationship runs. I guess that they have worked together a long time, so they're bound to be friends. Professor McGonagall's answer shakes me out of my thoughts.

"That's correct. For tonight, so as not to disturb the other students, we will set up a guest's chambers for you to use, if that's alright with you?"

I nod my head.

"As for where you sleep in the future and who you attend classes with, well that is mostly up to you."

I knit my eyebrows in confusion.

"Obviously, we will have to work out a class plan that lets you attend all the classes, but it will be your choice who you attend them with."

I am astounded that they are letting me choose this. At the Dursley's, Harry and I were never allowed to choose anything. We just had to make deal with what we were given. Just then, Dumbledore picks up where Professor McGonagall left off.

"As for where you will sleep, well, you will have access to all four of the common rooms and will be able to come and go into them as you please. An extra bed will be set up in each of the dormitories you will sleep in, so you have a place wherever you end up."

I process the information, as more questions come to my head.

"Professor," I say, looking at Professor McGonagall, "You also mentioned house points. How will they work?"

Again, the two professors seem to have a silent conversation. Dumbledore answers.

"I will make some changes to the points system, so that however many points are awarded to you or taken away will apply to all the houses. Does that suit you?"

I am once again surprised he's asking my opinion. I think over his proposition. It seems a little unfair that all the houses will lose or gain the same amount of points from me, but then I realise it would also be unfair if only one did, while I also belong in the other three. So, I agree with Dumbledore, and ask another question that enters my mind.

"Sir, you mentioned something about Quidditch. I don't know much about it, but my friend Ron Weasley explained it a little bit, and I was quite interested in it."

Dumbledore smiles a little bit before answering.

"Ah yes. Unfortunately, to try-out, you must be a second year, but if you do, it will be your choice what team you play for."

I'm a little crest fallen that I can't play for another year but nod anyway.

"I just have one last question," I say. "Where will I sit for meals?"

This time the Professors don't have to share a silent conversation to answer me.

"You may sit with however you like, at whatever table you like," Dumbledore replies. "Actually, all students are allowed to do this, however they generally stay with their house, as most of their friends are in their house."

I nod and try to think of any other questions. I can't, so I wait for Dumbledore to speak. He does.

"Well, if that's all sorted, you should probably be heading off to bed now, do you agree?"

I nod. He smiles, then leads me out of his office, bidding goodnight to Professor McGonagall. Dumbledore leads me through the castle as I try to keep track of where we are going. Eventually though we pass too many corridors for me to keep my bearings, so I just make sure I keep up with Dumbledore. He leads me a hallway somewhere off to the side of the castle. The hallway is straight and has many doors along both sides. There is a solid wall at the end with a window that looks out to a small hut and a forest just behind it. I assume that it is the Forbidden Forest. Dumbledore leads me to the fourth door on the right, stopping to stand in front of it. The door is once again wooden, with many different patterns and designs carved into it. Dumbledore reaches up and with his middle finger traces a line that starts in the top left corner and circles around the centre pattern of a flower, then ends near the handle. The door springs open to reveal a massive room furnished with modern hangings and furniture.

"All of your things have been brought into the bedroom. Make yourself comfortable, and have a good night, Miss Potter," Dumbledore says.

I smile at him, then enter the room. The door closes behind me, and candles light up the room. I'm too tired to properly look around, so I find the bedroom, wash myself, then head to bed, thinking about the events of the day.