(Chapter 8 edited 12/30/06)
September 1, 1986
So the day had finally come. I could not wait to arrive at that safe haven known as Hogwarts. I knew that if I didn't get into Slytherin I would have been disowned. I had no chance of getting into Ravenclaw, my family's alternative. Hufflepuff and Gryffindor would get me completely disinherited right off the bat—too bad I know I will never get into either one of them.
It started like any other day. My grandparents were going off on me on how I should be more like them and less like my parents. They also kept mentioning how I was a bright boy and I would go far if I got into Slytherin or even Ravenclaw because Hogwarts is where you make all of your connections for success later on in life. They were actually really civil to me. It was odd.
The strangest bit was that my parents actually showed up! They had missed the last few holidays and my last birthday, but that all meant nothing to me. They had showed up to take me to King's Cross. I know that they actually cared for me. I know it was difficult to take time off of work but this really touched me. I had not seen them for so long and they were acting like proper parents. My father was going on and on about how proud of me I was and my mother kept crying over how I had grown up so quickly.
Even my grandparents were falling suit. It was like the world was ending. I knew I would never get into Ravenclaw. I am not smart enough. I know that I am not stupid by far, but everyone misjudges me based on my appearance. Slytherin fits my personality well, but I feel that it's very unlikely, for I am too reckless like a Gryffindor and too concerned about those around me like a Hufflepuff. All of the houses have their strengths and weaknesses… maybe I will be the first person to not receive a house…
I doubt I am good enough for any of them.
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The trip to King's Cross was very quiet. It was almost done in complete silence except for my mother's sobs. I know they were good parents despite never being there for me. I knew that they were very dedicated to their work. And I would rather them be dedicated to their work than associating with people like the Malfoy's and the Parkinson's.
I knew they were good people and my grandparents meant well, but I really wanted to separate myself from them. I wanted to create my own identity. I am sick of being known as so and so's child or grandchild.
My grandparents left soon after we crossed the barrier and wished me the best of luck into getting into Slytherin (well what they said was "Best of luck staying out of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor").
My father left next. He went on and on about how he was sorry we hadn't had any quality father son time lately, but knew I would make a fine chaser and he would be proud no matter what house I got into. He put my trunk on the train before he Apparated off to work. He slipped me a piece of parchment with a bronze wax seal (which I have not opened to this day).
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My mother left, but not before kissing my forehead, neatening my hair, and pushing a pouch of galleons into my pocket.
"Now Marcus, I know I have not been the best mother in the world. I know you grandparents are not the most pleasant people in the world, but I would rather you be with them than unsafe and alone at home. I am sorry work takes so much of our time, but what we do is very important. I don't want… (whispers to herself before trailing off) HIM to return."
"Yes, mother. I will behave."
"That's a good boy. Marcus, I will be proud no matter what house you get into. I know you don't enjoy your studies, but try your hardest. You will need to keep your grades up if you want to be a chaser. I do hope you beat your father's or my chaser record (a lack of houses mentioned here is important). Now behave yourself and make some new friends from all of the houses."
"I will. I need to get going if you don't want me to miss the train."
"I will see you for Christmas. Your father and I have something planned for just the three of us. So do try hard on your studies. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Professor McGonagall is scary, but she helps ALL of her students. Well dear I must be off. I expect a letter to be on my desk every Monday morning. I will see you at break and do fix your collar."
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The sorting of the first was Slytherin:
The train ride wasn't that bad. I sat with a red headed boy, a fourth year Gryffindor. It was just the two of us. I knew from the hair and freckles he was a Weasley, but he seemed a lot nicer than what everyone said about them. He didn't think poorly of me when I told him my name. We had a decent conversation the whole train ride and he wished me the best of luck on my sorting when I had to make my way with the other first years to the boats.
The ride was very wet. That is all I will say. I was stuck with three very clingy boys. I don't like being too judgmental but they are either going to be cowering Hufflepuffs or henchmen Slytherins.
I didn't wait a long time to be sorted. Surprisingly there weren't that many people with last names A-E. I was sorted fifth or sixth if I am recalling my sorting correctly. I was a bit distracted by the ceiling. I knew magic existed, but I was transfixed by how the ceiling of the Great Hall was a brilliant rendering of the actual sky.
McGonagall shouted, "Flint, Marcus"
I walked up between the middle tables in the hall and walked up to the stool near the Head Table. I donned the hat and waited for its verdict:
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"So the first has arrived."
'What?' I replied.
"You are destined for great things. Loyal as Hufflepuff."
'No way. I am not going there!'
"And WHY not. I am the one that does the SORTINGS here!"
'I am not dedicated enough. And I don't make friends easily.'
"That is no reason to not put you there, but alas I do agree it is not for you."
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"Wise as a Ravenclaw"
'Not too bad.'
"You are a lot wiser than you let on."
'I like to have people underestimate me.'
"That is very Slytherin of you!"
'I DO NOT WANT TO GO THERE!!!'
"That is not very Ravenclaw of you, but very Gryffindor of you!"
'Oh vey!'
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"Brave as a Gryffindor"
'Sounds interesting.'
"You are very headstrong and firm in your beliefs. You know what you want and are not afraid to do what it takes. You don't want to take the easy way and you want to alienate yourself from your family's dark past. I feel this is going to be quite difficult."
'How so?'
"Alas something's can only be answered by time."
'Huh?'
"Better be in Slytherin" the hat shouted rather enthusiastically.
'What? Why?' I ask myself. I soon make the trek to the table I feared the most.
So I walked over to the Slytherin table and immediately felt as if it was wrong. I saw the red haired fourth year try to give me a smile from the Gryffindor table. I hope we could still be friends after that. He knew I really didn't want to be a Slytherin. Maybe I should talk to him.
I am not evil, what am I doing here?
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Author's Note
I hope you like the rewrite of Marcus' sorting. I hope you liked how I shed some light on how I interpreted what caused him to become the character he is. I don't know why but I was drawn immediately to Oliver and Marcus when I read the first book. (Katie and Hermione also became quick favorites for me also).
I don't know if I over did this, but I hope you like it. I may have gone a bit over the top, but I really wanted to come with an explanation for why he is such a cold person in the books. I know Slytherins are "tainted" but to be he has never acted (except in the movies) like the other Slytherins. Yes he played dirty in quidditch, but that's just a style of play.
I made a big improvement from the original 88 words. I hope you see that too! Please review! All comments are welcome. I am a little shy of 1400 words here and proud of it. This really tested my writing skills because I needed to make this believable to be coming from a young Marcus, the one untainted by Slytherins of yesteryear.
-Keeper