Author's Note: I hope my readers enjoy this chapter. There are some very unexpected Sortings, since I liked the suggestion a reviewer made of having unity between houses.
September the first arrived and Aunt Petunia drove Emily and Diana to King's Cross Station in London so they could take the Hogwarts Express to school. The Grangers arrived the same time they did and they proceeded to make their way to the barrier between Platforms Nine and Ten to get to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Muggles could get on the Platform if they were holding on to a witch or wizard, fortunately.
Neville was already on the Platform, telling his grandmother that his toad was gone. Mrs. Longbottom sighed. "Not again, Neville." Diana spotted a toad next to someone's trunk and was able to grab it. "Is this your toad, Neville?" she asked.
"Trevor!" exclaimed Neville joyfully, taking the toad. "Thanks, Di."
The Weasleys appeared and Ron quickly joined them, looking slightly annoyed. "Fred and George were being annoying, as usual." Then he brightened as he greeted everyone. Trunks were loaded on the train and everyone boarded.
"Have a good time at Hogwarts, dears," said Aunt Petunia, a wistful look on her face. "Don't misbehave, do the best you can in classes, and enjoy yourselves. I'll see you again at Christmas." She hugged Diana and Emily, then Hermione.
When the train began moving, Ginny ran after it, half laughing, half crying, until it gathered too much speed. Then she fell back and waved.
The very last compartment was empty and the five of them settled in it. A couple of minutes later, Alex turned up, dragging his trunk behind him and carrying a cage containing his owl, Emerald. As he settled in, he said, "That Draco Malfoy tried to get me to join him and Crabbe and Goyle in their compartment. I told him that I wasn't going to sit with an 'insufferable, stuck-up, spoiled git' and his 'two stupid, brainless lackeys.' Malfoy wasn't at all happy, especially when I added that I had always thought of them like that and had only tolerated them before because Father had forced me to. Finally I said that I was sitting with my true friends and that Muggleborns and people like the Weasleys were better than them."
The girls exchanged grins. "Your father is going to throw a fit when you get Sorted into Gryffindor," said Diana.
"Or Hufflepuff," added Alex. "That house is often overlooked by the others and many consider them to be pushovers, when they're really not and it's a great house. But families like mine that've traditionally been in Slytherin think being in Hufflepuff is about as bad as being in Gryffindor. Ravenclaw's accepted, though not preferred, because it shows that you're really smart. Since I don't particularly care to follow family tradition or be accepted, I want to get Sorted into Hufflepuff or Gryffindow."
Hermione tilted her head slightly. "I think you're more of a Gryffindor, since you're something of a rebel, Alex."
The discussion then turned to what houses the rest of them wanted to be in. At half-past twelve, a smiling witch came by, asking if they wanted anything from the trolley she was pushing. Ron turned red and muttered that he'd brought sandwiches. The others got to their feet and went out to the hall to buy some snacks. Between the five of them, they got some of everything.
Back in the compartment, Ron made a face over his sandwiches, which were corned beef, which he didn't like. Instantly, the others offered to share their snacks. He made a protest, which the others ignored, and Emily dumped two pasties, three chocolate frogs, and a box of Every Flavor Beans in his lap.
A few hours passed and the compartment door opened. Three boys, whom Emily recognized from Alex's description to be Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle walked in. "Everyone's been saying that Emily Potter's on the train," said Malfoy. "So it's you." Then he spotted Alex and continued, "And so this is where you've been sitting, Alex. How do you know the Girl-Who-Lived?"
"I happen to live in the same town as Emily and met her, Malfoy," answered Alex levelly. "We're best friends, in fact. Along with her cousin Diana Evans and their friend from school, Hermione Granger." He gestured at each girl as he said their names and added, "And since meeting Neville Longbottom and Ron Weasley in Diagon Alley, there's two more that I think will join my group of best friends. Which you and your lackeys are not a part of. Ron, who's from a family that some consider to be blood traitors, and Di and Mia, who are Muggleborn, are better people than you."
"You're friends with two Mudbloods?" asked Malfoy incredulously.
Ron jumped up angrily, but before he could say a word, Neville burst out, "Don't call Mia and Di that, Malfoy!"
Malfoy sneered at him. "I'll call them what I want. Anyway, Emily Potter, I wanted to be your friend." He held out his hand.
Emily looked at it coolly, then said icily, "If you think that I'm going to be friends with you after you just insulted my cousin and my best friend since I was five, you're mistaken. Now please leave before I lose my temper and punch you in the nose."
"And I don't think you want all of Hogwarts to know about a certain incident when you were seven," added Alex, smirking.
A pink tinge appeared in Malfoy's cheeks and he resentfully left, Crabbe and Goyle following him. When they were gone, Alex told the others about the incident he had been referring to, adding that it and several other incidents he'd witnessed were good blackmail material. If Malfoy bothered them too much, Alex would threaten to tell the whole of Hogwarts about them to get him to leave them alone.
A couple more hours passed and the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station. The older students headed for carriages that would take them up to the school, while Hagrid called all the first years to him, for they would be crossing the lake in boats. It was four to a boat. Emily, Diana, Mia, and a red-haired girl who said that her name was Susan Bones got in one boat. Alex, Ron, Neville, and a sandy-haired boy got in another. Hagrid clambered into the lead boat and soon they were off.
All the first years stared at the castle that was Hogwarts in awe. When they reached the other side of the lake, Hagrid led the way up a path to the front doors. He knocked and Professor McGonagall met them. After giving a speech about the four houses and the Sorting, the first-years were shown to a room next to the Great Hall. There was nervous silence over the upcoming Sorting.
A soft shriek interrupted the silence minutes later and Emily turned to see about twenty ghosts float through the wall, arguing. A ghost in ruff and tights was first to notice the new students and the Fat Friar cheerfully said that he hoped to see them in Hufflepuff, his old house. Professor McGonagall returned then and escorted the first-years into the Great Hall.
A stool and a rather patched and frayed hat was set in front of the staff table. After a moment's silence, the hat began to sing a long song about the four houses and their qualities. When it was done, there was much applause. Professor McGonagall unrolled a scroll and called the name of the first student on the list, Hannah Abbott. Hannah sat on the stool and placed the Sorting Hat on her head. There was a moment's pause and then the Hat called out, "HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hufflepuff table clapped as she went to join them.
Next was Susan Bones and she was also Sorted into Hufflepuff. She scuttled off to join Hannah. Third was Terry Boot and he was sorted into Ravenclaw. The next person, Mandy Brocklehurst, was also Sorted into Ravenclaw, but Lavender Brown became the first Gryffindor. The Gryffindor table clapped enthusiastically and the Weasley twins catcalled.
After Lavender was Millicent Bulstrode, who looked exactly like how Alex described her. Not to Emily's surprise, Millicent was sorted into Slytherin. Alex Carrow was the next name called. He walked up to the stool with a determined look on his face and placed the Sorting Hat on his head.
"Hmmm," said a voice in his head. "Rather tricky. You're a Carrow, and would be good for Slytherin."
Don't you dare put me in Slytherin! Alex thought back fiercely. If you do, I'll-I'll-I'll set you on fire!
The Hat chuckled. "Don't worry, you're not exactly Slytherin material. You have some of the cunning, but not that much of ambition. Ravenclaw would be the better choice, as you do have brains and like reading."
I would prefer being in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, Alex silently said.
"Well, you certainly have the qualities of a Gryffindor. You're a brave and noble person, and something of a rebel. You could fit in Hufflepuff, too, since you're loyal to your friends and don't mind working hard. So where shall I place you?"
Whichever house is guarenteed to annoy my family more, responded Alex.
"Well, that solves things. And you are a rebel. So I shall Sort you into - GRYFFINDOR!" The last word was shouted out for everyone to hear. Their was a shocked silence from the Slytherin table. Several students from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff also looked shocked that a Carrow hadn't gone to Slytherin. The Gryffindor table clapped loudly and Fred thumped Alex onthe ground as he sat down.
The next person was Stephan Cornfoot, who was Sorted into Ravenclaw, and the Sorting progressed. After Kevin Entwhistle (Ravenclaw) was Sorted, Diana Evans was called up. She calmly made her way to the stool, showing no sign of nervousness. Then again, in front of other people (besides her family and closest friends), she rarely showed any emotion beyond a calm expression.
Hello, Mr. Sorting Hat, she thought politely. I would prefer being in Gryffindor with Alex, but I have no objection to any other house. Though it would be best that I wasn't in Slytherin, seeing as I'm Muggleborn and the Founder of the house would have a fit if a Muggleborn got Sorted there.
"Well, you're certainly more polite than your friend," said the Hat with a chuckle. "He threatened to set me on fire if I Sorted him in Slytherin. You're a rather tough person and a rebel in your own way, Miss Evans. Hogwarts could use some change. So I'm putting you in - SLYTHERIN!"
Diana blinked in surprise at this announcement. Slytherin was the last house she expected to be Sorted into, considering the fact that she was Muggleborn. She had thought herself to be a more likely candidate for Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. However, the Sorting Hat did have a point when it said that Hogwarts could use some change. A Muggleborn in Slytherin would certainly change things, for they were very rare, if not non-existant. As she took off the Hat and made her way her to the Slytherin table, she wondered what Malfoy would do. Alex had told him that she was Muggleborn, and while Malfoy hadn't been sorted yet, it was a given that he'd be in Slytherin. He would no doubt try to her life miserable, unless she used the blackmail material Alex had told her, and get the other Slytherins that thought the way he did to join him.
Needless to say, the rest of the sextet were shocked by Diana's unexpected Sorting. Ron, who didn't think much of Slytherins, would have been repulsed except for the fact that Diana was Muggleborn and a nice person. Since he couldn't grasp the concept of a Muggleborn witch or wizard becoming evil, or at least a follower of Voldemort, no matter what the house, he just stood there wondering why the hat put her in Slytherin. Alex was beginning to regret not having the Sorting Hat place him in Slytherin. Diana could use a friend in the same house, one that wouldn't look down on her and probably bully her for being Muggleborn. And now that he thought about it, he could have become one of the few decent Slytherins and helped change the reputation of the house.
Emily and Hermione exchanged looks, wondering about it as Justin Finch-Fletchley went up to be Sorted. They barely noticed as seconds later he was declared a Hufflepuff. Hermione was startled out of her thoughts when, after Gregory Goyle (Slytherin), her name was called. She slowly made her way to the stool.
Why did you put Diana in Slytherin? she demanded the Hat silently.
"I put her there because she has some of the qualities Salazar Slytherin admired in his students, there hasn't been a Muggleborn in Slytherin since sixty-three years ago and he lied about his parentage, and Hogwarts needs a change," answered the Sorting Hat. "Miss Evans will help change things for the better. If your intelligence and bravery didn't overshadow your ambition, I'd put you in Slytherin for the same reason. As things stand, you're the most likely candidate for Gryffindor or Ravenclaw and I'm not sure which to pick."
Either one is fine with me, Mr. Sorting Hat, thought Hermione.
"All right then." There was a few seconds' pause as the Sorting Hat debated with itself before shouting out, "RAVENCLAW!" With a pleased smile on her face, Hermione took off the hat and went to sit at the Ravenclaw table admist the applause. One of the prefects shook her hand.
A few more names later, Neville Longbottom was called up. He tripped on the way to be Sorted, and sat on the stool for an entire minute. The Hat obviously had rather a hard time deciding if he was better suited for Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. Neville wasn't helping very much with the decision, for while he had a preference for Gryffindor, he honestly didn't mind being Hufflepuff and thought he was better suited for that house. The Hat agreed on that point, but decided it didn't want to go for the obvious choice. In the end, the Hat declared him a Gryffindor and Neville ran off to sit next to Alex.
As expected, Draco Malfoy was Sorted to Slytherin. After Sally-Ann Perk's Sorting, Emily Potter was called up. There were instantly whispers, which she paid little attention to as she sat down and placed the Hat on her head.
"Hmm," said a small voice in her ear. "Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes - and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting ... So where shall I put you?"
After the unexpected Sortings of four of her friends (though Alex's was only unexpected to the Slytherins and anyone else that thought that as a Carrow he would be in Slytherin and Hermione and Neville had qualities of the respective houses they'd gone to), Emily decided that she wanted her Sorting to be different as well. The first choice that came to mind was Hufflepuff. That was the house most overlooked by the others, was considered by some to be pushovers and the leftovers the other houses that didn't take, and hadn't had any glory for at least a century or two.
I think Hufflepuff would be the best choice, sir, she thought politely. Could you please Sort me there?
The Hat saw her line of thought and chuckled. "You are quite right, Miss Potter. Hufflepuff would be a very different choice. All right then, I shall do as you request. Everyone's going to get a shock when I place you in - HUFFLEPUFF!"
There was complete and utter silence from everyone. A few seconds later, as Emily took of the Hat, the Hufflepuff table recovered from their shock to cheer and clap excitedly. The famous Girl-Who-Lived had actually been Sorted into their house and they were very proud of the fact. Granted, it was unexpected, for everyone thought she would end up in Gryffindor. The only other choice that would have been as shocking was Slytherin.
A pleased expression on her face, Emily took a seat at the Hufflepuff table next to Susan Bones and a first-year boy named Ernie Macmillian. Several of the older students shook her hand.
There were only four people left to be Sorted. Dean Thomas went to Gryffindor, Lisa Turpin to Ravenclaw, and after that was Ron's turn. He looked rather green as he placed the Hat on his head and gave a start when it suggested that he go to Slytherin.
But the Weasleys have been in Gryffindors for generations! he protested. And what will my family think if I go to Slytherin?
"Your family will support you," said the Hat firmly. "Besides, you've got some of the qualities of Slytherin. Mainly ambition in that you want to step from the shadows of your older brothers and prove your own worth. You can join your friends in unexpected Sortings."
Ron reflected for several seconds and decided that perhaps being in Slytherin had merits. He could join Diana and then she wouldn't be alone in that house, without a friend. Also, he could become one of the few nice Slytherins (his parents had said that their Potions professor had been a decent Slytherin that didn't care about blood purity, only talent and connections) and help change the reputation of the house. With those thoughts, he admitted, I guess it wouldn't be that bad being in Slytherin. I can keep Diana company.
"Good, I'm glad you see things my way, Mr. Weasley. All right then, you shall go to - SLYTHERIN!"
For a second time there was complete silence as everyone realized that a Weasley had been Sorted into Slytherin. Ron slowly took off the Hat and made his way to the Slytherin table. The silence was finally broken as Diana began clapping enthusiastically and was quickly joined by Emily, Neville, Hermione, and Alex. As Ron sat down next to Diana, he glanced at the Gryffindor table and saw Fred and George join in the clapping. Apparently the twins had no objection to his Sorting and were supporting him, somewhat to his surprise. Percy, on the other hand, was thunderstruck, and the expression was soon replaced by one of mild disgust.
As Ron never really like Percy, (though he loved him in a he's-my-brother-and-I-have-to sort of way), he wasn't that bothered. Ron just hoped that his parents and Ginny would be as accepting as the twins.
The last person, Blaise Zabini, was Sorted to Slytherin also and then Dumbledore stood up. After he said "Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!", food appeared on the tables and the feast began.
The other Hufflepuffs were quite surprised when Emily cheerfully admitted that she had asked the Sorting Hat to place her in Hufflepuff. "But why?" asked a boy who introduced himself as Cedric Diggory. "Everyone that knows about you expected you to be in Gryffindor."
"My cousin, who's Muggleborn, was Sorted into Slytherin, and Alex Carrow, who's one of my best friends, got in Gryffindor. And Neville Longbottom, who at first glance looks like Hufflepuff material got in Gryffindor too. So I decided that I wanted an unexpected Sorting as well. Hufflepuff was the first house that came to mind. I think it's just as great a house as Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, but there are witches and wizards that don't. And I think it's about time that Hufflepuff got some of its glory back. That's why."
"Well, we're glad that you thought so," said a girl named Heidi Macavoy. "You'll be a good addition to our house."
At the Slytherin table, the Slytherins were either pointedly ignoring Diana (Draco had started telling people that she was Muggleborn right after he'd joined the table) and Ron or saying uncomplimentary things about them in lowered voices, but still loud enough for them to hear. Ron couldn't help turning red at the comments, but Diana said calmly, "Ignore those idiots. They're close-minded and not worthy of our attention."
Hermione had no difficulties at the Ravenclaw table, and Alex and Neville were enjoying themselves at the Gryffindor table.
When the remains of dessert had vanished, Professor Dumbledore got up and made his announcements. That was followed by the singing of the school song. When that was over, the students all went to bed. Emily and the rest of the Hufflepuff first years followed the two fifth year prefexts to the Hufflepuff common room, which was located near the kitchens.
The common room, which was filled with yellow hangings and fat armchairs and had little underground tunnels leading to the dormitories, all of which had perfectly round doors, like barrel tops. It reminded Emily of pictures she'd seen of badger setts. She followed the other first-year girls to their dormitory and got settled in. All the trunks had been brought up earlier and were now at the foot of the beds. After getting to know the four other girls better and discovering that Susan Bones was extremely nice and someone worth having for a friend, Emily brushed her teeth, changed into her nightgown, and went to bed.