Sorting
The seniors were already seated before the first years entered the Great Hall.
James leaned back in his seat to wish Albus and Rose good luck and then he got back to the interesting conversation he was having with his friends. Albus was thankful not to receive any more taunts regarding him being sorted into Slytherin. He had kept in mind to plea for Gryffindor and not let the Sorting Hat even consider any other house. The very prospect to being sorted in another house sent a shiver down his spine. What will everyone think of him…all his uncles and aunts and cousins and grandparents, and all the family friends he knew of (which an exception of Miss Lovegood) seemed to be in Gryffindor.
The head of the Gryffindor house – Professor Longbottom, stood right in front of them holding the renowned Sorting Hat. The old hat looked very filthy, but Albus could not wait to have it on his head. Albus allowed his eyes to drift around the hall, trying to absorb everything he could all at once. He had nothing better to do while the other students in his year were sorted in different houses. His twisting neck sprang back to the stage only when he heard the professor call out Scorpius' name.
"Malfoy, Scorpius" called Neville
Scorpius gave Rose a nervous smile before walking up the stage. He sat on the stool and closed his eyes as the professor gently placed the hat on his head.
Albus stared at his friend, not certain of what to wish for. His newest friend was positive to be sorted into Slytherin, like his father. Well, thought Albus, he'll at least have a friend if we both got into that dreadful house.
His thoughts were interrupted when the Sorting Hat arrived at its verdict.
"GRYFFINDOR" the hat announced…
Scorpius did not get up. Maybe it was just a bad dream…the hat hadn't needed even a minute to decide that he should be in Gryffindor…how could it be so, when he, Scorpius was so certain about being in Slytherin.
"Congratulations, my boy!" Neville said, he could sense the boy's disappointment. "You have been sorted into a house with a long and prestigious history. And always remember lad, the Sorting Hat has never sorted anyone wrongly so far, and you are unlikely to be an exception. This house will do you good, that I am sure of. Please do join the Gryffindor table; there is a lot of sorting yet to be done.
Scorpius went over to the Gryffindor table where his new house cheered for him. He wanted to burst into tears or get dissolved at the very place he stood. Instead, he bravely marched over to an older redheaded boy and took a seat beside him. 'Must be a Weasley' he thought. His father had told him that all Weasleys are red-heads. Well, even Rose was one.
"Congratulations Malfoy!" the red-headed boy grinned as he turned towards him. "Your face tells me you were disappointed to be sorted into Gryffindor. But honestly, I can bet you won't regret it, and tune in with us quite easily.
"Thanks," Malfoy replied managing a smile. The red-head was about to turn back to his friends but thought the better of it when he saw that they were discussing about you-know-who. He frowned, everybody expected him to know about this you-know-who, but he lacked the slightest idea of what they meant. He acted as if he knew anyway and nodded knowingly when such conversations were in progress. Therefore, he found it a better use of his time to talk to the newcomer.
He smiled at Malfoy again as he turn towards the stage. Professor Longbottom had just called for some George Nelsons. There was still time for Albus' turn. He smiled as he saw his brother clutching both his hands together and muttering something, he was obviously praying. James was certain that such dedicated prayers would not go unanswered.
"By the way, I am James Potter." He said as he offered Scorpius his hand.
"Potter?" Scorpius asked as he shook James' hand and raising an eyebrow simultaneously, "I was certain that you are a _" "Weasley? Well, my mum's one and hence I and my sister are red-heads too. My brother's the only exception when it comes to that. He totally defied the Weasley law of hereditary. His features are much like dad's ."
"You're talking about Albus right?"
"Yup, you met him already did you? He was totally nuts about his sorting and you see…"James paused as he heard Albus' name being called out.
He fixed his glance at his brother as he nervously walked up the stage. Even after teasing him on the sorting issue the whole summer, James knew for sure that he too wanted his brother to me in Gryffindor. "Look at me Al! Look at me..." He muttered softly. He found himself longing to wish him luck.
Albus walked up to the stool and closed his eyes as soon as he was seated. They were opened again to search the crowded Gryffindor table for James. The brothers held eye contact a moment too long until James gave an encouraging nod and lip-synched "good luck".
Albus smile.
"Albus Severus Potter" the Hat quoted. "you seem to have many of your family trends_"
"Gryffindor! Please Gryffindor…"
"Hey! Let me at least read your mind properly am not deciding yet, ok. So, I was talking about family trends. Yes, you are a brave one lad, like both your ...You are rather smart too and let me also praise you on your determination. But the most prominent quality I see in you is your kind heart and your values…The Hufflepuff treasure such values as yours, they can surely do with a brave and smart student in their house…"
"Please! Please, I have to be in Gryffindor..."
"Ok then, if you so insist, maybe Gryffindor could do with some high values. By the way, did you know than your father too begged me to change my decision? I had a good mind to put him in Slytherin but…well; I have come to my decision. GRYFFINDOR…!"
"Albus Severus Potter" the Hat said ."you seem to have many of your family's trends_"
"Gryffindor! Please Gryffindor…"
"Slow down! Let me at least read your mind properly. I have not decided yet. So, I was talking about family trends. Yes, you are a brave one lad, like both your ...You are rather smart too and determined .But the most prominent quality I see in you is your kind heart and your values… Hufflepuff treasure's such values as yours, they can surely do with a brave and smart student in their house…"
"Please! Please, I have to be in Gryffindor..."
"Ok then, if you so insist, maybe Gryffindor could do with some high values. By the way, did you know than your father too begged me to change my decision? I had a good mind to put him in Slytherin but…well; I have come to my decision. GRYFFINDOR…!"
A loud cheer erupted as Albus joined the Gryffindor table,James being the loudest. An involuntary smile appeared on Rose's lips as red-heads from far and near clustered around Al to congratulate the new Gryffindor.
Rose returned her attention to the sorting ceremony...
"Roberts, George"
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"RAVENCLAW!"
Rose had always wanted to be in Ravenclaw – the house that values knowledge. A first year Ravenclaw girl was already absorbed in Rose's all time favorite "Hogwarts: a History". Rose had tried to get Al read it too, but with no success. She smiled, remembering her mother telling her that she too had been unsuccessful in getting dad and Uncle Harry to read it. Rose made a mental note to try to get Hugo to read it at least… Another Ravenclaw first year was pestering the prefect about the properties of Gillyweeds. Rose had an urge to join the conversation, as she did not already know a few of the things the prefect was explaining.
"A few more minutes…."Rose told herself, and she would be with them too… she will be in the house with those like herself.
Rose did not mind being the only Weasley not in Gryffindor. Well, the house of Godric Gryffindor did have a fascinating history, but she knew that she did not belong there.
Rose Weasley was not like her cousins and was used to being not one of the group. Al and her mother seemed to be the only people who knew what she was talking about. Try talking to dad, and you got the reply, "Please Rose, talk in English. I can't understand Hermoinish to know", being in Ravenclaw would put her with people like herself. She would be taken seriously…
Rose told herself again and again that she did not belong to Gryffindor…or did she?
"Weasley, Rose"
Rose took a deep breath and stalked towards the stage….
"She'll be with us right?" Scorpius asked Albus.
"Who, Rose?" asked James, before Al could open his mouth.
"Yeh..."
"Well all the Weasleys are in Gryffindor, so she'll be too…I guess" James replied.
"But all the Malfoys have always been in Slytherin…except me…" Scorpius said sadly.
"But you see Malfoy, there has been only one Malfoy in every generation" said a girl from second year, joining in, "but we had three Weasleys at first, then six and now we have eight and still counting…and all are sorted into Gryffindor…it would be awfully odd if Rose Weasley got into anything but Gryffindor…."
"GRYFFINDOR…!"
"See! Told you…"the girl grinned, "nevertheless, she looks rather confused, doesn't she?"
"Aah! Another Weasley! How many more are yet to come, by the way?"
"Err, two…three if you count Lily, but she's a Potter…" Rose replied uncertainly.
"Ohh..Ok then…well, yes! Yes. I am sitting on top of another Gryffindor…brave…courageous…"
"What!? But I am nothing like my cousins…I – I thought I'd be a Ravenclaw…."
"Ah no!" the hat exclaimed, "Well you do have the wits of a Ravenclaw but you courage in more ….prominent."
"Are you sure…."
"Hey…don't tell me you doubt the smartest hat in the world! You're just as smart as your mother, think what would have happened if I had put her in Ravenclaw. I would have been dearly mistaken!...Gryffindor was where she belonged…she had the courage to use her knowledge when required…let me let you something Rose, your mother (was not has been) had been one of the main person people responsible for the good side's victory and this was because she was a true Gryffindor…and so are you. GRYFFINDOR!"
" Rose! Never thought you could talk the hat out of putting you into Ravenclaw. Well congrats for not being disinherited after all." James smirked and walked off to join his friends, pleased to have made Rose scowl.
"Hey! Where's everyone going?" Albus asked as all the red-heads started to leave.
"Come on Al!" James said, "Don't expect all of us to stick around in school school, OK! We all have our own friends…you have Rose don't you and this Malfoy guy seems nice enough. Hey! And try to stay in Professor Longbottom's good books, he's nothing like what you see outside school…and yes, don't call Uncle Charlie as "Uncle". He prefers "Professor Weasley." He took 20 points when I last called him uncle…slip of tongue, you know..."
James winked before turning round to join his friends just as the headmistress announced, "Let the feast begin".