AN: thanks again for reading. Just a reminder that, for the sake of the story, we are changing some events.

Cassidy (Cas) walker P.O.V

Chapter 3

Jolene isn't sitting next to me- not that I need her to, but it would be nice. We both know where we're ending up, and it isn't together. That doesn't change our bond. It doesn't change our friendship. I look at who is next to me. The alphabet planned it just so that me and Jo we're next to each other, but what separated us was relatively pleasing. Walker, Weasley, Weasley, Zocchi.

Of course, the distance is a bit harder considering what separates us is twins. Twins who are best friends and who refuse to stop talking to each other. Jo gets a word in once in a while. I don't care to try. I watch the other first years as they go up and get sorted. Everyone looks so scared, so unsure. I don't have that problem. George explains to Jo that Weasleys don't have that problem either- Weasleys are always Gryffindor. The twins older brothers, Charlie and Percy and Bill, they were all Gryffindor. Jo smiles real big at that- she knows she'll be joining them. Apparently she's never had a doubt. Gryffindor, just like daddy.

Me, I'm not keen of following my father's lead. I know where I'm going. I smile when the shaggy boy from the train gets called for Ravenclaw. He was so sure of himself- he was right to be. I am too.

"Cassidy Walker."

Heart racing. It shouldn't be, but I can't make it stop. I guess there is always a hint of uncertainty. A question of whether or I can really fit into any of these categories- these houses. I sit down and the sorting hat is placed gently on my head.

Silence. Then my heartbeat- my heart racing- my heart pounding against my chest, rattling my rib cage and tearing what's left of my nerves to shreds.

"Slytherin!"
Relief floods my entire being. I want to sigh or cheer or something, but that would show there was doubt. There was never any doubt- I always knew. I am cunning. I look to Jolene and she beams, gives me a thumbs up. I look at George, who is applauding Jo for some unknown reason. Then I look at Fred. He looks confused. Not congratulating me or waving or even smiling. Just a look of questioning.

I'm smirking as I make my way, striding, towards the Slytherin table. I meet an entire table of proud smirks, and yes- this is where I belong. I get pats on the back and handshakes and it am surrounded by pride. It feels right...but something is wrong.

Everyone is staring, not at me but at the front where the sorting is. A couple of gasps, a lot of confused states. I look up, and there is Fred. Obviously he was sorted, but he isn't smiling, isn't making his way over to his brothers to match his red hair with the red drapes of the Gryffindor table. He's looking to George, I can tell- but I can't see him or Jo. Then he looks at me. Right at me. And I realize.

Fred Weasley just became a Slytherin. My smirk, my mask of pride and relatively unemotional-ness shatters. And I'm smiling. I'm smiling the big dopey smile 12 year olds usually smile. And Fred sees me. And he gives me a small smile. And then, Fred Weasley the Slytherin smirks and strides over, just like I did. I get up and hug him as soon as he gets close enough. He hugs me back. I definitely belong here.

Now George is up. I see him sitting there, and I can see both him and Fred looking at each other. Neither looks happy.

"Do you think he'll be with us- I mean you- you know, Slytherin?"

I already know the answer. I can see it in his eyes- he put on a mask for his new house, but the limelight is with his brother now. Fred can drop the act. He turns to me, opens his mouth to answer, but decides against it.

"Gryffindor!"

Fred looks at me, his eyes wet with tears. No smile, but he's not frowning or crying. This isnt sadness. This is crushed. Torn-stabbed-cut-maimed-burned-shredded-killed. All at once. This isnt a time for tears or sobs. This is a time for strength. Change. Growth.

And echo of "Gryffindor" rings out for Jo. No surprise, so no overwhelming emotional response from either of us. I give her a wave and a thumbs up from across the hall. She smiles back. Sorting is over, and we're allowed to disperse. My instinct tells me to run to Jo, but on second thought I realize that that isn't what im going to do. Fred's eyes are still wet. Im needed here- not with Jo.

A pair of older ginger Gryffindors approaches us from one side, and George is running over from the other. The result: a Weasley sandwich with a Walker in the middle. Or a Gryffindor sandwich with two Slytherins in the middle. Either way, I'm the one in an awkward position. The tallest Gryffindor sticks out his hand.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, Fred." I'm told this is Charlie. He shakes my hand too, before stepping aside to congratulate George. The other Weasley (who I'm told is Percy) merely nods a Fred before moving on without a second glance. I feel a knife sliding into my own back just witnessing a rejection like that. But I stand silently while the Weasley family reunion winds down, until just Fred and I are left.

"You okay?" ...I stare. How could Fred ask me that? After what he just went through?
"Yeah…" I don't know what else to say, so I just take him by the arm and guide him through the crowd until we find some more Slytherin first years. We all wait to be directed to our new home.

"I think I am too, Cas." A small smile, but it's genuine.