A/N and what if Al was sorted into Gryffindor
"Albus Potter"
Al walks calmly up to the stool and sits looking only at his cousin and his new friend before the hat is placed on his head and immediately he hears its voice.
"Hmmm another Potter-Weasely child. You all are such an interesting lot it can be quite a trial to sort you."
"Where do you think I belong um sir?"
"I see greatness in you, you take after your father a great deal don't you. You are also incredibly bright as your grandmother was. You seem to be concerned about what others feel more than most and yet I sense in you a willingness to go where ever I sort you and I believe you could find a place in any house."
"So which will be my home away from home?"
"I need more time to think child. Where would you want to be sorted?"
"You're asking me?"
"Why yes? Sometimes I feel that it leads to the best choice."
"Then why didn't you listen when Neville, erm, Professor Longbottom wanted to be in Hufflepuff?"
"He was scared but I could see the determination in him. I knew he would find the bravery and courage he felt he lacked in time but would be more likely to find it if he were in Gryffindor. If you asked him now what do you think he would say about his sorting?"
"That you made the right choice. But you let my dad make a choice."
"All houses can lead a witch or wizard to greatness. There are times where certain traits stand out more than others or where I can see the potential for those traits in a child. It really would not have mattered which house your father was in he would have still been a great wizard so I let him choose yes."
"And you're willing to let me choose."
"I would like to hear what you think and your reasoning yes."
"Well I would like to be in the house where my family has all been, but Teddy always said such cool things about Hufflepuff. I learn things ok but not as fast as my cousin Rose so I'm not sure Ravenclaw is for me. Dad told me Slytherin was the house of one of the bravest men he knew, he named me after him. I think it would be ok to be there, then maybe my brother would learn that the people in that house aren't all bad. He always says he's just teasing but I'm not sure he is. Still Gryffindor is family tradition though with James is already there and it would be nice to get away from him for a while but I have to stop letting him bug me. I have to stop letting him get to me and if I'm going to do that then I probably need to be in the same house. I have to be able to stand up to him and tell him to knock it off. Maybe fight back once in awhile."
"You have quite an interesting way of working things out, I think you have arrived at your own conclusion."
"I guess I have."
"Very well then GRYFFINDOR!"