A Study in Gold and Garnet
I couldn't wait any longer! Here's chapter 4; enjoy!
Chapter 4
John and Sherlock got separated in the bustle to get off the train. As a huge man herded the youngest students towards some boats, John caught himself feeling nervous and searching for Sherlock in the crowd. Gosh, he thought. Have I already befriended him?
John got into a small boat along with three other kids. He was too busy looking around to really notice them, but he did take note of one suave-looking, very pretty girl. She had dark hair, red lips, and was staring around her with large, calculating eyes. John thought back to what Sherlock had told him on the train. I'll bet she's placed in Slytherin.
John didn't have much time to dwell on this however, before the castle came into view. The soaring towers, torch-lit windows, and precarious placement of the castle struck awe into the hearts of all the first-years. The big man helped them out of the boats and led them towards the enormous front doors of Hogwarts.
The first-years were herded into a large hall that somehow contained a whole universe up in its rafters. Four long tables ran the length of the hall, each of them filled with students. A fifth table was located at the head of the room, perpendicular to the rest of the tables, and various adults sat at it. John could only assume they were the teachers. The old woman who had appeared at his house a couple of weeks ago, Professor McGonagall, stood at the front of the room. She introduced herself and placed a old brown wizard's hat onto a stool. "We'll now begin the Sorting ceremony," she announced.
At that moment, the old hat on the stool began to sing. John didn't even catch what it said, he was so preoccupied with the way it moved. Once it sang its final verse, John looked around the room one more time. Finally, he spotted him, some of his curls higher than the rest of the crowd. He wriggled his way through the crowd towards him.
Professor McGonagall unfurled a long scroll and told everyone to listen for their name, before calling up an "Apple, Abigail." The girl emerged from the crowd, walked up to the stool, and took a seat. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head. John paused on his way to Sherlock, eager to see what would happen next. Suddenly, the hat shouted "HUFFLEPUFF!" The girl hopped up, wobbled on unsteady legs, and made her way to a table filled with students in yellow apparel.
"Each of these tables is a house," Sherlock bent down and whispered in John's ear once he arrived. "And each house has its own colors." They watched as names were called and young wizarding-folk walked up to the Sorting hat and were sorted. The girl from the boat, Adler, Irene was sorted into Slytherin after a small amount of deliberation on the part of the hat. Soon after, an Anderson, Philip was sorted into Hufflepuff, almost instantly. Donovan, Sally was placed in Gryffindor. Then, "Holmes, Sherlock" was called.
John watched him march up to the hat, dark robes fluttering behind him, no trace of emotion upon his countenance. He sat rigid on the stool as the hat was placed upon his head. Then, the whole room gasped. Other first-years had quietly muttered or chanted to the Sorting hat; indeed, it was rather common. However, no one had ever loudly commanded the hat before.
The old hat had started to call out "SLY-" when Sherlock interrupted in a high, clear voice. "No, that's my brother's house, certainly don't place me there."
"Well, then HUF-" the hat started.
"Not there, either. They're sentimental. Honestly, I'm offended you even attempted that."
"Make it GRY-"
"Are you sure you're an intelligent hat? Gryffindors are reckless and chivalrous, and I have no time for antiquated social norms."
The hat was visibly deflating and finally called out in a much more quiet and tired voice, "RAVENCLAW, then."
"Well, I guess it'll do," Sherlock said, sliding off the stool and walking towards his new house table. The entire student body sat completely silent, staring in shock at this insolent first-year who had completely disregarded Hogwarts tradition. As a result, most people missed Hooper, Molly being sorted into Hufflepuff without a hitch. John glanced around the room. Even he, a muggleborn with the most rudimentary knowledge of the wizarding world, could tell that Sherlock had done something really out-of-the-ordinary. He made eye contact with one of the professors, a grey-haired old man with matching robes, who gave him a wink and a knowing smile. John blinked hard, unsure of what all had just happened, and turned back to watch the ceremony.
oooooo
The rest of the ceremony passed much more smoothly. A Lestrade, Greg was sorted into Gryffindor notably quickly. Soon enough, it was his turn. "Watson, John!"
He shakily walked up to the stool. The hat was slowly lowered onto his head. To his surprise, he heard it talking inside his head. "A good heart," it muttered. "And loyal too. You could possibly be a Hufflepuff, but no," it paused. "You have a strong set of morals and nerves of steel. You are definitely a GRYFFINDOR!" It shouted this last part and the teacher took the hat off his head. John stood up unsteadily and turned towards the gold and garnet table that was celebrating his placement. Before he walked off towards it, however, he turned to look at the Ravenclaw table. He met Sherlock's eyes, and Sherlock gave him small smile and a wink.