Seren watched as the ghosts argued amongst themselves curiously. Collin, on the other hand, stared at the ghost sadly. It was a sad sight to see these should unable to move onto the afterlife, trapped eternally in the living world until they finally found peace. Vortex just sighed, of course there were ghost at the school his charge was attending. At least he hadn't seen any poltergeists, that would have been annoying.

One of the ghosts resembling a small, heavy-set monk argued, "Forgive and forget, I say. We ought to give him a second chance—."

"My dear Friar," Another ghost wearing ruffles and tights interrupted, "haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know he's not really even a ghost—"

The ghost stopped as he finally spotted the first years before frowning at the sight of Vortex, an unknown adult amongst the children, "I say, what are you all doing here? And why is there a—"

The Friar interrupted him with a smile, "New students! About to be sorted, I suppose?"

Some of the students nodded silently. Unsure of whether they should be panicking or not that ghosts existed.

The Friar, undeterred by their silence, continued, "Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house, you know."

"Move along now. The Sorting Ceremony's about to start." Professor McGonagall told the ghosts sternly.

She watched as the ghosts complain softly to one another before they drifted out of the room through the opposite wall, one by one.

She turned back to the children and Vortex, "Now, form a line and follow me."

Everyone followed as she led them out of the chamber, back across the hall, and through the pair of double doors leading into the Great Hall. Thousands of candles floated above four long tables where the remainder of the students were seated, many of them watching the younger students and Vortex in curiosity. They seemed especially interested in Vortex, wondering why a grown man was standing amongst the younger generation. The golden tableware in front of the students glittered in the light and ghosts, some seated amongst the older students, shone a misty silver. McGonagall motioned for them to stop and they watched as she left their side to place a four-legged stool before them with a dirty, frayed pointed wizard's hat atop it. Seren's lip curled in disgust at the hat, his mother would be horrified at the mere sight of it near him. Seren glanced up and his eyes sparkled in delight at the sight, above him was a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. Seren smiled softly, it was beautiful and helped ease his nerves.

"It's bewitched to look like the sky outside." Hermione whispered to him, "I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."

The hat suddenly twitched and a rip near the brim opened wide, much like a mouth, before it began to sing, "Oh, you might not think I'm pretty but don't judge on what you see. I'll eat myself if you find a smarter hat than me. You can keep your bowlers black, your top hats sleek and tall, for I'm Hogwarts Sortiing Hat and I can cap them all. There's nothing hidden in your head the Sorting Hat can't see, so try me on and I will tell you where you out to be. You might belong in Gryffindor where dwell the brave at heart; Their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindor apart. You might belong in Hufflepuff where they are just and loyal; Those patient Hufflepuff are true and unafraid of toil. Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw if you've a ready mind, where those of wit and learning will always find their kind. Or perhaps in Slytherin you'll make your real friends; Those cunning folk use any means to achieve their ends. So put me on! Don't be afraid! And don't get in a flap! You're in safe hands, though I have none; For I'm a thinking cap!"

Everyone burst into applause once the hat had finished it's song and it bowed to each table before becoming inanimate once more. Seren stared at the hat in disbelief, what in Lucifer did he just see? And did it just say that nothing in his head would remain hidden?

"So we've just got to try on the hat? I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll." Ron said with a scowl.

Seren couldn't help grinning, "Why do you keep taking your brother seriously?"

Ron blushed, "I just… I know it's stupid to keep believing him even though he's always messing with me, but… he's my brother and he sounded like he was serious for once."

Seren nudged his shoulder, "Nothing to be ashamed about. Family loyalty isn't something to be sorry about, it's Fred that should be ashamed for taking advantage of your trust again and again."

Ron smiled before they turned their attention back to McGonagall as she stepped forward with a long roll of parchment, "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."

McGonagall began calling out names and each were sorted into their house. Seren noticed that, while some would be sorted almost immediately, others took a while for the hat to decide on their placement.

"Goetia, Seren." McGonagall finally called out.

Seren stepped forward, Vortex trailing behind him protectively. Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire and Seren hid his nerves with practiced ease.

"Goetia?! I thought the royal line went extinct!"

"A member of the Ars Goetia! I can't believe it!"

"Who are the Ars Goetia?"

"What?! You don't know about the royal family?!"

"Who is that man following him?"

Seren ignored the whispers and sat down on the stool, not able to hide his lips curling in disgust as the hat was dropped over his eyes.

"Hmm. Difficult. Very difficult. Such familial loyalty, I see. And quite a brilliant mind, always eager to learn. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes. A thirst to prove yourself as a worthy member of the Ars Goetia and not just the spare of your father's precautionary heir. So where shall I put you? Hmm? What's this? A demon… now that's interesting…"


AN:

The moment has finally come for Seren to be sorted! I didn't post it in the previous chapter since I was trying to figure out if Seren's friends would be sorted into the same houses as canon or if I would sort some of them into another house. In the end, I decided to leave it on a cliff hanger and ask your guys opinion. What do you think? Which houses should Hermione, Neville, and Ron be sorted into? Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw? I can't see any of those three going into Slytherin though, it just doesn't suit them.