The Year of Thestrals

by acciodublestuff

Seven years have passed since the Battle of Hogwarts. Four unique students enter Hogwarts as first-years: the curious Rapunzel, the inventive Hiccup, the adventurous Merida, and the mischievous Jack. Sorted into different Houses, it seems unlikely that these four would ever become friends. Yet, despite adversity from all sides, they manage to always end up eating lunch together.

6. Chapter 6

The Sorting Hat sang,

The school year has started

Friends that once had parted

Now find themselves reunited

And new faces join our ranks

And all look quite excited

Though some look very fearful

Fret not, young ones, be cheerful-

For I'm the Sorting Hat,

And won't bite you like a mud rat

Try me on, and I will tell you

To what House you belong

Perhaps Gryffindor, where the strong

And brave dwell, tried and true

There's Hufflepuff, where the loyal

And just dwell, unafraid of toil

Then wise Ravenclaw, where the astute

And witty dwell, always absolute

Lastly Slytherin, where the cunning

And sharp dwell, achieving their ends

So which shall it be?

Just try on me,

The answer is forthcoming.

Merida was one of the first to be called, and the Sorting Hat had no trouble deciding which House to put her in. "Gryffindor!" it shouted, and Merida flushed with pleasure. She took the hat off and ran to the Gryffindor table, sitting down next to a few girls she had met on the train.

Jack was called sometime later, and several gasped at his snow-white hair. He smirked, and Merida rolled her eyes, recognizing him as the boy that bumped into her earlier that day. "Arrogant jerk," she mumbled under her breath. Tatiana, one of the girls who had sat with her in the train, giggled. Merida glanced at her and gave her a small smile.

The Sorting Hat sat on Jack's head for a few seconds before shouting, "Slytherin!" Merida could almost discern a slight frown on Jack's face as he took the Sorting Hat off, but she thought she must've imagined it, as a smile shone on Jack's face as he made his way to the Slytherin table.

Right after Jack sat down, Hiccup was called up. The Sorting Hat took a much longer time deciding with him, and Hiccup's anxiety was evident. After awhile, however, the Sorting Hat finally shouted, "Hufflepuff!" Hiccup walked down the steps towards the Hufflepuff table, feeling thoroughly depressed. He thought of what his father would say when he heard that his son had been put into Hufflepuff.

Rapunzel's sorting was unique, in a way. When she was called up, several people perked up and paid attention. In certain informed circles, the Royals' name carried deep significance. Most non-first years don't pay all that much attention during the Sorting, and only jerk out of their contemplations about the food soon to be served to applaud when someone is sorted into their House. But several students and the majority of the staff turned their eyes up to watch the Sorting of Rapunzel Royal, daughter of perhaps the most important and obscure member of the Ministry of Magic.

The Sorting Hat had hardly touched Rapunzel's head when it shouted, "Ravenclaw!" The customary level of applause was heard, but those in Ravenclaw who knew Rapunzel's identity beamed brightly and welcomed her more warmly than their peers.

The rest of the Sorting passed without incident.