Trembling, only Neville's encouraging smile gave him the strength to walk up to the stool. The hat was over-large, falling over his eyes, drowning him in darkness in its velvety folds.
"Hmmm... let's see..." came the Hat's crooning voice, "Plenty of courage, if you just discover how to use it... A kind nature... A sharp mind... And a little... jealous? Jealous of a better older brother? Already... hoping to outdo him? Maybe Slytherin would be best... But no, your nature is kind... Hufflepuff... But what a sharp mind... Only Ravenclaw could hone it to the best of its ability... But with courage like this, you could only be a Gryffindor... So where to put you?"
"I want to be in Gryffindor," whispered Albus, "I want to be where Dad and Mum and James were..."
"Are you sure?" asked the hat, slowly, "You may regret it later..."
"I want to!" replied Albus, more forcefully, remembering his father's words, "Dad said you take my choice into account."
"I do indeed, and your father chose well... Very well then, better be GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers, and Albus gratefully took a seat next to Cheng. The last few people were sorted, Rose being placed in Gryffindor the second the hat touched her hair. The last one to be sorted was "Zabini Kayn" who became a Slytherin, and the feast began.
Rose, Cheng and Albus laughed and talked, and Albus had never been happier. Until he saw Scorpius, sitting alone.
"It must be difficult, being in Gryffindor," said Albus, sympathetically. Scorpius glared at him.
"You think I'm not brave enough?" he sneered. Albus shook his head.
"That's not what I-"
"Leave it, Al. He's not worth it." Said Rose, from the other side of the table. Scorpius turned to her, distastefully.
"Red hair, hand-me-down robes... you must be a Weasley," he told her, scornfully. She grinned.
"That's me,"
Eventually, Cheng and Albus grew tired of Scorpius and Rose's bickering, and steered Rose towards the doors. A pang of guilt clutched at Albus' heart, as he saw Layla sitting alone. He hadn't taken her into account when picking his house. He could have picked Ravenclaw, and ensured she was not alone. But he had been selfish.
"Are you okay?" he asked her, as they passed. She nodded solemnly.
"Mother always said that the loneliest people are the kindest." She told him, with a sad smile. And she turned back to her food.
Albus and Cheng entered the boys' dormitory they were to share with Scorpius, Colin and a round-faced boy named Kevin. They chose beds next to one another, and changed into their pyjamas, slipping in beneath the soft sheets.
"Are you chinese on your mother's side or your father's side?" asked Albus, sleepily.
"My mother," replied Cheng, "My father is British."
"What are their names?" he asked. But the soft snores indicated that Cheng was already asleep.