Peter Pettigrew's Sorting

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3. My name's Peter. Anyone there?

Hello, Peter. I can hear you.

So you DO read minds! That is so COOL! Can you teach me?

Sorry, boy, no can do. I was enchanted to be like this, my maker's idea. Could you teach me how to walk on two feet?

No, cos you don't have feet.

Exactly, and you aren't a magical object. Although–have you ever heard of Legilimency, son? That's the ability to extract memories from a person's mind. A little like mind reading, but you can't speak in their minds.

Nope. Do they teach that here? That would be a wicked subject to take!

How am I supposed to know? It's not like they tell me anything. Treating me as if I'm some baby bonnet when I Sorted each and every single one of those ungrateful brats… Excuse me.

It's okay.

Much obliged….The Pettigrews have been in Hufflepuff ever since I Sorted your dear old many greats grandfather Theodoros Pettigrew. Since then, not one Pettigrew was Sorted anywhere else. But today, you, boy, are going to decide if it stays that way.

You mean I'm not going to be in Hufflepuff?

It's your choice in the end, boy. You would do well in either Hufflepuff or Gryffindor. Hufflepuff would help you become a great hard worker. In Hufflepuff, you would be the best you can be, but not better...there is always room for improvement. Gryffindor would help you step out of your comfort zone, and become more confident…I see you have a friend there already?

Remus Lupin. But, sir, I - I don't want to be the one who ruins the Hufflepuff family streak. Everyone would be disappointed.

That's what Sirius Black said to me. Do you know him?

The one whose Sorting took forever?

I'll have you know it was only ten minutes! Mr. Black's family has been in Slytherin almost as long as your family has been in Hufflepuff. He might be happy to be friends with someone who knows what it's like to break tradition.

He looked pretty scary after you Sorted him. What if he beats me up?

Oh, pish-posh! Back in my day, if someone wanted to hurt me, I'd hurt them first! Have you ever heard of a supreme headlock, boy? 'Course, I don't have any hands, but I used to – baahh, off topic.

Before you make your decision, Mr. Pettigrew, please keep in mind that whichever house you choose will not forge the path you will take for you – your final outcome lies in your own hands.

Gryffindor or Hufflepuff?

Remus Lupin grinned big at the demure boy heading their way. "You made it, Petey!"

"That's what my mother calls me." He noted, taking a seat.

Remus and the redheaded girl beside him exchanged mischievous looks.

"Petey, dear," started Lily Evans in a high-pitched voice which caused Peter to be reminded of all the stuffy dinner parties he was forced to attend as a child. "When the food arrives, please do make sure that you refrain from eating with your mouth open. There are some lovely ladies looking for suitors tonight, and I don't want you to disappoint! And fix your collar! I didn't raise a ruffian!"

"Listen to your mother," Remus added quickly after Lily sent him a mock-irritated look. "She always knows best."

"Darn right I do!" Lily ad libbed, sniffing delicately. Turning to Remus, she pointed a threatening finger, "And if I catch you even thinking about trying to teach our Petey any hexes or jinxes or anything that would earn him detention, you will regret it."

"Yes, dear," Remus said, eyes boring respectfully down his dinner plate.

Peter watched them, an amusing grin playing on his face as he listened to them argue (well, Lily did. Remus kept shut, looking like a scolded puppy that had ripped the curtains).

Peter was glad he had listened to his heart and picked Gryffindor.

Even if that meant having a tetchy Great Aunt Nora in his hands, and knowing that he broke the Pettigrew Hufflepuff line. Peter didn't care about what anybody else thought. It was his life and his choice, and if he wanted to be in Gryffindor then so what.

Chancing a glance across the table, Peter spotted the surly looking boy the Hat had told him about: Sirius Black. Sirius didn't look anything like the cheerful kid in the waiting room fooling around with James Potter. Now he was radiating off a don't-talk-to-me-or-I'll-kill-you aura as he sat by himself at the end of the table. Peter noticed he had a large part of the table to himself. Most people were scooting away as far as possible from him. Peter didn't blame them; he wouldn't want to sit next to the miserable boy too.

Peter remembered the Hat said they might get along – what with them being Sorting somewhere besides their family house. But Peter didn't want to go up to Sirius. Call it cowardice, but Peter was perfectly content sitting with his new friends Lily and Remus.

But looking back at Sirius, Peter began to feel bad. He remembered when he was like that; forlorn and friendless. It wasn't a nice feeling. So he resolved to talk to him later, preferably after the feast. Peter had heard the Hogwarts' food was the best around, and he would need his full concentration to confirm that.