Chapter 11: Sorting

It was September 1st, 1991 and several students and their families were at King's Cross Station to catch the Hogwarts Express. Among them, Harry Potter and Acquila Black. "Remember, kids." Sirius Black told them. "Pull enough pranks on Snivellus to revive the Marauder legacy."

"You and the other three are the only ones who solemnly swore you're up to no good, Padfoot." Harry replied.

"Father, how come Harry has a nickname based on his father's Marauder name but I don't have one based on yours?" Acquila asked.

"I can call you 'Padlet' if you want." Sirius jokingly suggested.

"Never mind, father." Acquila replied, regretting bringing it up.

The students boarded the train and the adults said they goodbyes. Harry and Acquila found an empty compartment and took it for themselves. They were soon interrupted by a redheaded student who seemed to be on the same year as them. "Are you really Harry Potter?" The boy asked.

"Yes." Harry answered. "And you?"

"No, I'm not." The boy answered but soon understood what Harry meant. "I'm Ronald Weasley but you may call me Ron." He then noticed the girl with Harry. "Isn't she Sirius Black's daughter? What're you doing with her after what her father did?"

"After what he was accused of doing, Weasley." Harry corrected Ron.

"Sirius Black isn't the only Death Eater to cheat justice, Harry." Ron told Harry and Acquila frowned.

"That much I can agree, Weasley." Acquila was surprised by Harry's reply until he added "Since Sirius Black never was a Death Eater at all. Peter Pettigrew faked his death and framed my Godfather."

"That's even more ridiculous than Lucius Malfoy being merely a victim of the Imperius Curse." Ron commented. "At least Malfoy had the decency to avoid defaming his victims."

"Have I heard my name?" A blond boy suddenly asked.

"Nobody called you here." Ron rudely said. "You must be a Malfoy. Get out. There are already too many Death Eaters in the making here."

"Hey." Acquila protested.

"It's too soon to tell if any of us will become a Death Eater, Weasley." Harry defended Malfoy and Acquila.

"Malfoy's father is a Death Eater who falsely pleaded Imperius and Black's is a mass-murderer who cheated justice by framing a victim." Ron argued. "You shouldn't have anything to do with either of them."

"They aren't responsible for anything their parents were accused of doing." Harry said. "Acquila and I arrived here first and, if either presence bothers you, you should leave."

After Ron reluctantly did as asked, Malfoy talked to the others. "Nice job putting the weasel into his place, Potter. Too bad we never had a chance to introduce ourselves before." He commented. "My name is Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

"I'm Harry Potter."

"And I'm Acquila Black." Acquila added. "Too bad this is the first time we meet outside funerals."

"Agreed." Draco replied.

Ron's twin brothers Fred and George Weasley would have interrupted the conversation to ask Harry and Acquila about the Marauders but they didn't want to talk about their idols in the presence of a Malfoy so they left the trio alone. They were eventually interrupted by a girl and a boy. "Has anyone seen a toad?" The girl asked. "Neville lost his."

"I haven't." Harry and Acquila simultaneously answered. Upon evaluating their answers, Draco Malfoy decided not to be rude in spite of having figured out the girl was a muggleborn. "I haven't either." He simply replied.

"Well, thank you anyway." She said and then left with Neville.

"So, did you really grow up in a muggle orphanage?" Draco asked Acquila.

"Yes, Draco." Acquila answered.

"What was it like?" Draco asked while expecting to be horrible.

"I don't remember a lot because I still was a little kid when my family found me but it was sad to think I didn't have one." Acquila explained. "My Great-grandfather Lord Arcturus Black says I was fortunate to be found before I started showing magic or the muggles at the orphanage would mistreat me."

"It wouldn't be that bad." Harry argued.

"Great-grandfather also says you were lucky your Uncle Vernon and your Aunt Petunia already knew about magic by the time you were left under their care and learned to accept it." Acquila commented.

They eventually arrived at Hogsmeade Station and were led to boats. Two of Draco's friends, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, tried to join them but only one of them could because no boat was allowed to have more than four passengers at any time. Draco chose Crabbe. At the castle, they were mildly surprised by the ghosts but not much since they were told about them. The sorting started and Acquila didn't have to wait long for her turn since her surname started with "B".

"Black, Acquila." Professor McGonagall called and some people were whispering about her. Mostly about how she'll likely become a Slytherin like her family and become a Death Eater.

She sat on a stool and put on the Sorting Hat. 'Nothing bad. I see you have no problem with Slytherin itself but you don't like being in a House headed by Severus Snape.'

'Snape is a Death Eater who only avoided Azkaban because of Albus Dumbledore and I don't rule out the possibility that Uncle Regulus got it right about Dumbledore being involved with my mother's death to prevent her from taking Harry from the Dursleys.'

'I don't think the Headmaster would have done it but he deserves having people with such a low opinion of him. The question is where to sort you. You don't want Slytherin but you don't want a place with too many people hating you over the crimes attributed to your father. Better be RAVENCLAW!'

A few names later, the girl with Neville was revealed to be Hermione Granger and sorted into 'GRYFFINDOR!' and Neville Longbottom also went there. Draco Malfoy became a 'SLYTHERIN!' without the hat even stopping to think about it.

"Potter, Harry." Professor McGonagall said and several students were surprised that 'the Harry Potter' would be there.

'Another one who doesn't want to be in the same House as Severus Snape. Too bad. Slytherin would help you on the path to greatness. Where else to sort you? You're brave, loyal and smart. Oh, you want the same house as your Godfather's daughter? Better be RAVENCLAW!'

Dumbledore and McGonagall were upset that Harry didn't go to Gryffindor. Severus Snape was just glad Harry and Acquila didn't go to Slytherin. Professor Flitwick was hoping the other Ravenclaws would understand Sirius Black might be innocent or at the very least that Acquila shouldn't be judged over those crimes either way. The other Professors didn't betray any emotions on the matter of Harry's and Acquila's sorting.

End chapter.