The Resurrection Stone

by Dragon Elexus

When Steven Universe turns eleven, he's utterly excited for his chance to attend Hogwarts, the school that he's heard so much about from his... family members. There's a lot he hasn't been told, however, and Steven will find that he needs to understand the past if he has any hope of surviving the present. (Hogwarts AU)

6. Sortings

Chapter Six: Sorting

The magical ice cream sundaes are good; vanilla and strawberry, heaped tall with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, cherries, sparkling with fizzy magical fireworks that tickle in the mouth. Steven makes a huge mess, while Greg laughs, and Pearl tuts, cleaning his cheeks with a napkin.

What's less good is when people notice him again.

It's much like how it happened at the Leaky Cauldron. A few odd, sneaked stares. A few nods at 'Professor Magpantay', that she returns, curt and professional. And then, someone overhears his name, and suddenly, people are coming up to him, smiling, shaking his hand, enveloping him in hugs, asking to see his scar—

— Steven's friendly despite the strangeness of it all. Pearl hurriedly pays, and next thing Steven knows, he's being ushered down the alley. A few minutes later, they're standing in the streets of muggle London, Greg suggesting that they take a visit to Trafalgar square.

Steven has always enjoyed Trafalgar, with its throngs of people, and the huge old buildings, and the stone lions you can climb all over, and the people dressed up in silver paint pretending to be statues, and the giant flocks of pigeons. And he still enjoys it, all that day. But none of it can completely distract him from wondering what that was all about.

oOo

He gets an explanation that night.

Steven's tired from the expedition, but bubbly, unable to resist flicking his wand around, seeing if he can make any sparks, or if he'll be able to do any of the spells in the books. His Dad seems kind of on edge— "Careful with that Steven," and "You know you're not supposed to do intentional magic outside of school", he says. And while it's true that he does look a little nervous with every swing of his son's new wand, he doesn't seem to relax even once the wand is away and they're chowing down on mac'n'cheese, one of Greg's favourites.

The food's been finished and dish washing's just begun, when there's a loud ' woosh ' from the living room. Steven rushes out to find Garnet brushing away soot from her robes. She greets him warmly, but then says, "There's something we need to talk about."

"Okay," Steven says. "But we gotta do dishes first."

He gestures to his Dad, peeking out from the kitchen, wringing his hand on a wash towel. Greg and Garnet exchange strange looks. "I'll handle that," Garnet says.

With a wave of her wand, the wash towel flies out of Greg's hand and the dishes begin an automatic cleaning routine of their own. They all take seats in the living room.

"Steven," Garnet says. "Do you remember what we've told you about your Mom?"

Steven glances towards the painting above the mantlepiece. The woman in it looks as beautiful as ever, but there's a slight frown on her face. He can't remember her, but he's been told a lot. "Yes?"

"About how she… died," his Dad says.

Steven shifts a bit.

He's been told a little. Not a lot. All he knows is that someone bad tried to kill him, and his Mom died saving his life. She was very brave, and very kind, and that everyone misses her very, very much.

"It was actually a bit more complicated than that," his Dad says, gentle.

"Rose was not the first person that witch had killed," says Garnet. "She killed many, many others before."

"What?" says Steven. "Why?"

Greg sighs. Garnet adjusts her glasses.

"Because she was cruel and bitter," says Greg.

"Because she hated anyone who was different," says Garnet. "Or maybe that was just an excuse, and she simply wanted power. There were many people who agreed with her, and followed her beliefs. They hurt a lot of people."

Steven feels strangely numb and detached.

"Not everybody did, though," adds Greg.

"No," agrees Garnet. "Many people hated what the witch was doing. Your mother was one of those people. So were Pearl, Amethyst, and I. We were part of a group that fought against her. We helped a lot of people, but the witch did not like that. She was so angry that she went after you and Rose." She smiles, but it is not a very happy smile. "She underestimated your mother, and her love. She may have killed Rose, but not before she was able to place a protective spell on you so great, so powerful, that the witch's attempt to break through it killed her."

"Wow."

There's a long silence. His Dad wraps a warm arm around his shoulder.

Finally, Garnet starts again. "With the witch's death, the war was over," says Garnet. "Her reign of death and destruction ended. Everyone was so happy. They all wanted to know who had defeated You Know Who."

"You Know Who?"

"That's what people call her. They don't like to say her name. Either You Know Who, or She Who Must Not Be Named."

Steven frowns. That seems a little silly. But he doesn't press.

"They decided it must be you."

Steven's frown deepens. "Wait, me? But you said that—"

"None of us were there, the night you mother died," Greg says. "None of us saw what happened. We know Rose would have done everything to protect you, but none of us know how."

"And what she protected you against was the Killing Curse." Garnet's voice is suddenly like ice, like iron. "Steven, the Killing Curse is one of the darkest spells in existence. It is illegal to cast. There is no known way to block it, no way to survive it. Yet, somehow, you did. And with nothing but a scar."

At the words, Steven can't help but lift up his shirt, look at the shiny bright pink patch of skin where his belly button should be. He presses his fingers against it. It feels cool and smooth.

"Because of that," Garnet continues, "Many witches and wizards respect you greatly."

"Is that why everyone acted so weird when they met me?" Steven asks.

"Yep," agrees Greg. He winks at him. "You're basically a magic celebrity!"

"Huh," Steven says. He's not really sure how to feel about that. It's pretty cool. But he doesn't really feel like he did anything to deserve it.

oOo

He doesn't think about it much, in the coming months. He's too busy— busy practicing with his wand, busy choosing what to bring with him to Hogwarts, playing with his muggle friends, busy counting down the days to September— to worry about any fame he may or may not have.

Finally, on the last day of August, he and his Dad hop in a van for the trip to London.

oOo

King's Cross is amazing.

It's so busy . People from all around the world, wearing different clothes and talking in different accents, some with luggage, others giant backpacks, some with seeing-eye dogs… The air is filled with the smell of dozens of different foods, pasties and fries and curries and coffees. The station is half built from old stone, half from shiny new glass, filled with bright light, and Steven's heart bubbles as his Dad leads him through it all.

"Seven… eight… nine… There's ten. Okay. This should be it," he says. "Platform 9 and 3/4s."

Steven stares at the completely ordinary stone barrier standing in front of them. "So we just walk through?"

"Apparently," Greg says, voice slightly strained.

Pushing on the wheeled cart carrying Steven's luggage, they rush forward, and go through the barrier together. There's a rush of wind, a sudden darkness, and then…

… a new platform, filled entirely with witches and wizards and hooting owls and bustling parents and crying children and floating trunks and wow.

Greg helps Steven lift all of his bags onto the nearest train-car, and then pulls his son into a bone-crushing hug. Around the station, other children in a variety of ages try to escape as their parents do the same, but Steven leans into it, giving a hug just as good as he gets.

"I'll send you an owl first thing tomorrow morning," he promises.

"I can't wait," his Dad says, breaking out of the hug and giving Steven's hair a ruffle. "Have an awesome time. And if anything happens, Garnet, Pearl and Amethyst will be there to help."

"I know Dad." A loud whistle blares at the front of the train; Steven hoists himself up. And then, "I love you!"

"Love you too, Stewball!"

Steven makes his way through the crowded train corridor, peeking into compartments. Most of them are already filled with kids far older than him, chatting happily among themselves— which normally wouldn't worry Steven at all, except they fill the compartments to bursting, not enough room to fit even one extra first year. Hoisting his cheeseburger backpack further up, Steven tries to find one with enough room for him.

At the very back of the train, there is a compartment filled with only one person. A nervous American muggle-born first year, clutching her new spell book tightly to her chest.

Steven would have found it, if he'd continued a little further. Instead, he stops three compartments short of her, at one that holds only two teenagers, who seem to be arguing in a good-natured way. Steven pokes his head in. "Hey! Mind if I sit here?"

The boy shrugs. "Whatever, man."

"Sure, come in!" says the girl, with a bright smile. She is short, wearing robes in red Gryffindor trim that match her pink cheeks. "I'm Sadie."

She looks pointedly at the boy, wearing green, who says, "Lars."

"I'm Steven! Steven Universe, nice to meet you!"

A shock seems to run through Lars. "Wait," he says. " The Steven Univer-"

Sadie elbows him in the side. She says, with a slightly forced chipperness, "Nice to meet you too!"

Steven beams at them, dropping his bag on the seat. Just then, another whistle pierces the air, and the train shakes with a sudden lurch. "We're moving!" he says. He runs to the window, looking out through the crowd to find his Dad. He waves. "Bye Dad!"

Sadie laughs, and comes to join him. (Lars, meanwhile, sinks further back into his seat). She gives a rather sheepish wave, and Steven catches sight of a broad, friendly woman, who looks an awful lot like Sadie (only covered in more owls), waving back with enthusiasm. The train is picking up speed now, the station receding, all of platform 9 3/4 out to it, some people racing down the platform after it. Steven smiles and waves and waves until his Dad disappears behind the bend.

He's off for school.

He takes his seat, trying to clamp down on the sudden giddiness that has risen up inside him.

Lars pulls a pack of cards from his pockets, while Sadie rummages in her trunk for something. She brings out a large brown paper bag. "Hey," she says, blushing a little. "Either of you want donuts? My Mum made them."

Steven's eyes light up. "Would I?!"

oOo

Hogwarts castle is even more magnificent than Steven imagined.

It appears on the horizon like a spectre, a dark shape against a darker sky, twinkling torchlight and twisting towers, reflecting down onto the waves of the mighty lake below.

In his excitement, Steven starts shaking the boat, and almost gets himself and everyone else tossed in. The other first years with him yell at him to stop, and the friendly voice of Hagrid the groundskeeper echoes across the water asking if they're okay.

"We're fine! Sorry!" says Steven. He just got kind of carried away.

Otherwise, all the first years makes it across the lake without incident. They disembark in a cave in a rocky cliff, where the walls drip with water, and are lead to a huge set of rock doors that open automatically as they approach. Behind them is Pearl, standing straight, dressed in a beautiful pink robe. Their eyes meet as she looks over the assembled crowd, and she smiles.

"Welcome, everyone," she says. "I am Professor Magpantay, deputy head-mistress and professor of potions. Follow me."

She leads them through the ancient walls of Hogwarts. The first years move in a whispering herd behind her, staring around at the suits of armour, the moving portraits smiling down at them, the occasional ghost gliding through the walls. Pearl lectures the entire way through, but Steven barely hears a thing she says, he's so distracted.

Finally, they're lead through to the truly massive set of doors that can only lead into the Great Hall.

"Students. First years. Through here, you will begin your seven year journey through Hogwarts," she says. "Here, you will meet your other teachers and fellow students, and join them in them in this year's welcoming feast. Before that, however, you will be sorted." It's nothing Steven hasn't heard before, but everyone else around him has grown silent, listening intently. "The Sorting Hat will be placed upon your head, and it will stare into your very mind, to see where you best belong; Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin. It is with your fellow house members that you will live, eat, and take classes. In many ways, they can be like your second family." A strange expression passes across her face for a moment, before she she schools it into its previous smoothness. "In a few moments, the doors will open. Please enter silently, and wait patiently for your name to be called."

Pearl turns to face the door. The silence is anxious with anticipation. Steven finds himself recalling the things his family told him about sorting in the past.

'Oh, I was so nervous, Steven ,' Pearl had told him. ' Rose had made the school sound so glorious, so magnificent, and I found that she hadn't exaggerated one bit. The Great Hall is truly beautiful, Steven, it's lit by a thousand floating candles, and its enchanted ceiling looks out onto the open sky. On clear nights you can see a thousand stars. ' The doors open, met with the roar of a thousand students clapping, and in a daze, Steven looks up to see just how true Pearl's description was. 'Before I knew it, it was my turn to go up and try on the Sorting Hat. It looks right into a person's mind, sees their true natures, and after a long period of musing… well, it placed me into Slytherin .'

There are students all around them, sitting at long tables, staring at the first years and muttering in expectant whispers, buzzing with discussion. Steven shivers a little, knowing all those eyes are on him.

At the far end of the hall is the raised staff table. In the very centre sits Headmistress Garnet Abeni; she stands. Everyone immediately looks towards her, and falls silent.

She looks even grander and more impressive than usual. She's dressed in a rich red robe and long gloves, and she stares out across the hall through darkened spectacles. Then she says, "Let the sorting begin."

And so it does, with a song.

There's an old, tattered witch's hat sitting on a stool before the staff table. What had appeared to be a rip in hat's side opens, revealing itself to be a mouth, and from it comes the words;

Welcome all into our castle

Here is your new home

For seven years of studying

From teachers and from tomes

Companionship, as well, you'll find

Amongst the hallways here

Secrets, science, sorcery

To fill your school-time years

So where of four do you belong?

In which will you be put?

Each house has different traits and tricks

The sorting game's afoot!

In Gryffindor, most daring house

The bravest students dwell

Their valor and their gallantry

More powerful than spells

Perhaps in steadfast Hufflepuff,

Is where you'll hear the call,

Their patience and their loyalty

And drive to value all

In Slytherin, you've heard it said,

Beyond ambition's trend

Their cunning and their cleverness

And fiercely faithful friends

Ravenclaw might be your place

If knowledge is your goal

Their logic and their artistry

Combine a potent whole

Your head is in the best of hands,

(In figurative sense)

I've done this for a thousand years

Let sorting now commence!

The song ends, and is met with rapturous applause. The hat dips its tip as a little bow. With a swish of her wand Pearl conjures a long parchment, and begins to read from the list of new students. First to be called up is a brown haired girl named 'Bones, Aimee'. She makes her way to the front of the hall. Pearl nods at the nervous girl as she takes a seat and places the old hat on her head.

It was only a couple months ago when Steven had asked Garnet how her sorting had gone. Her answer had been as brief and direct as they usually were. ' I was the first student to be called up. The Hat sat on my head for a few moments, debated, and then eventually decided on Gryffindor .'

Aimee gets sorted into Gryffindor, too. A rousing cheer goes up through the hall, but the whoops and screams are by far the loudest form the Gryffindors themselves. Aimee's flushed as she joins them.

The Sorting Ceremony turns out to be less exciting that Steven had thought it would be. Sure, it's fun when the Hat announces a student's house, and their table erupts in cheers as they greet their new member. It's just that before that happens, you're just left standing there watching a student sit silently. Steven's right at the end of the alphabet. He has a long time to wait until it's his turn. It's nerve-wracking, watching student after student walk to the front, and sit there, eyes clenched or muttering under their breath. Eventually Steven can't take it, and looks away.

His eyes sweep around the hall, taking in the four House tables, with the fellow first years settling in. He grins at the ghosts hanging in the air, watching the proceedings with interest. He looks over the teacher table, filled with his future professors. Amethyst is whispering something to Hagrid when she catches Steven's eyes. She grins at him with a cat-like smile.

'Oh, yeah, sorting ,' she'd said to him, when he'd asked. ' It's no big thing, really. The hat's really old and stuck up, he takes forever to make up his mind. At that point I was just hungry, so I told the hat I didn't really care where he put me, if he'd just get it over with already. So then he yelled out 'Gryffindor' and that was that .'

Steven can't imagine being so calm about the whole thing, but he has to admit, it fits Amethyst perfectly. He's heard plenty of Amethyst's stories from when she was learning to be an auror, and he's sure there's no-one alive braver than her.

They're moving steadily through the alphabet. Hs, Ls, Ms…

Pearl calls out "Maheswaran, Connie", and Steven starts when he recognises her. She's the girl from Diagon Alley, the one who lost her bracelet!

She's biting her lip, but she otherwise seems very calm when she takes her place under the hat. Sometimes the hat knows exactly where to place someone, the moment it grazes their head; this is not one of those times. She sits under there for what seems like ages, face screwed up in a strange expression, lips occasionally moving as though speaking under her breath. Finally her eyes fly open, and the hat announces, "Slytherin!"

Looking a little dazed, Connie grins, and rushes off to join her new housemates. Some greet her with welcoming smiles, but Steven can't help but notice that the clapping seems rather… muted.

They're a small year. Only about five students are left after her. Steven plays with the hems of his robes as he waits. He already knows exactly which house he wants.

Finally, it's his turn. Pearl can't suppress a smile when she says, "Universe, Steven."

Fierce whispers erupt across the hall. Steven does his best to ignore them, to focus on Pearl and the hat. He takes his place on the stool, and the hall vanishes when the huge hat falls over his eyes. For a moment, there's nothing, and then a voice like the whisper of fabric hisses, Well, who we have here?

Hello, Steven says, or rather thinks. Can you hear me?

I most certainly can , the hat replies with a scratchy laugh. Let me take a look at you then .

Hmmm. Not Ravenclaw, I don't think. You enjoy learning, but that's not your drive , it says. And certainly not Slytherin. That's not the place for you at all.

You're brave, though. Very brave. You could do well in Gryff—

Please , Steven interrupts. I already know where I want to go. The same House as my Mum .

Your Mum , says the hat. It does not sound surprised. People are not always destined for the same house as their parents, you know.

On the stool, Steven squirms uncomfortably. He can't help but think of all the things his family have told him about Rose— how loving and caring she was, how she always helped others and saw beauty where no-one else did—

But, the hat sighs. I cannot deny that it fits. You are brave, true, but you are also caring, dedicated, loyal. And if that is truly where you want to go, then it can only be…

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The hall sits in stunned silence. It's only when Steven pulls the hat off his head, and beaming, starts off towards his new house, that the other Hufflepuffs begin yelping and clapping. Belatedly, the rest of the hall follows suit. Steven doesn't even notice the delayed reaction, he's so overjoyed. Someone thumps him on the back; someone else embraces him in a hug, and he's done 's a Hufflepuff, just like his Mum was.

oOo

Author's Note: Big thanks to my wonderful friend LadyRavenEye who basically wrote 3/4s of the Sorting Song. She also edited the chapter, plus indulged me in many discussions about house sorting.

'Abeni' is a traditional west-African surname. It means, "We asked for her, and behold, we got her."

Also, PS, please nobody kill me about those house sortings. I do have a plan with them, I promise! Instead, let's open up a friendly debate about where you'd put everyone. XD