First Of Many (Open) - September 1st

[Lily Potter]

Standing close to Severus among the gaggle of students waiting to be sorted, Lily felt calmer than she thought she would. She had thought about this moment a lot since learning about Hogwarts, so much so, that it had taken some of her nerves away. Of course the Hat would place her in a House, thinking otherwise was just silly, she was a witch after all. No, no-one was going to laugh if she was sorted into Hufflepuff. And no, if she got put in Slytherin, they wouldn't kill her on her first night. All of those thoughts were present in her mind, but she knew what they were: her minds manifestation of her anxiety. Knowing that helped to keep her from totally losing her composure and embarrassing Severus. Lily hung on to his sleeve, wishing her last name because with a different letter. As it was, she was one of the first called up to take her place on the stool and be sorted. She gave her friend a quick hug when her name was called, finding it not at all that difficult to let him go and approach Professor McGonagal. A heightened sense of excitement had taken her over, this was it, she was really about to be sorted! Momentarily, she longed for Tuney. But Petunia was back in Cokeworth, in the muggle world, she could not come here. Lily pushed the thought from her mind as she sat before the entire student body. 

There was silence for a while after the Hat had slipped over her eyes, and then:What kindness. And strength too..oh but what a dear you are!

Inside Lily beamed. Sure, it was incredibly unnerving to have a voice speaking into her mind, but at least the voice was saying nice things about her. Thank you! Nothing more was forthcoming and after a few quiet beats, Lily began to get nervous. She told herself to hold onto her calm, to picture Severus, confident in his magic. But she couldn't help it, one of her nightmares was coming true! The Hat was not going to place her in a House! It would be even worse than that little snit Sirius Black's sorting. Something inside her cried out and her resolve began to form. She would just have to prove to this old thing that she belonged here, that she could handle any one of the four houses, she was a witch. There was a house for her! 

GRYFFINDOR!

Lily nearly jumped out of her skin, she was so wrapped up in her own thoughts when the Sorting Hat shouted out her new house. Shock rang through her. Next came her beaming smile and laughing exultation. Gryffindor was a noble house, some would say the /best house. In the moment, Lily would have to agree, because now, it was /her house. She reached to pull the Hat from her head when it spoke again. 

Good luck to you child, remain true.

 

The new Gryffindor waited but it seemed that was all the Hat had to offer. Thank you, I will. she answered, and then just before the hat was fully off her head, she added. I hope we meet again. And she meant it, but right now, the world had come crashing in around her. Gryffindor table was a riot and she smiled spontaneously. She sought out and spied Severus, sending up a silent prayer that he too became a lion, she tried giving him a reassuring smile. Then she was already going over to her new table and they were enveloping her in such warmth. She turned away from her best friend to begin shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. Everyone was so welcoming! Lily sat with her new house happily, cheering when someone was sorted into her house and clapping politely when someone was sorted into one of the others. She even clapped for that Potter boy, even though she didn't want to. Everything was so overwhelming, she feared she wouldn't be able to remember any of it. She so desperately wanted to remember it all. She kept an ear out for Severus' name but until then, had best start making friends. Lily turned to the boy next to her. "Hi, I'm Lily!"

[Mary Macdonald]

Gryffindor Table

This was a day of opportunity, and Mary Macdonald wasn't going to squander it.

Hogwarts had accepted her, as she'd always known it would. While few of her early memories were clear, she knew the one of Daddy beaming so giddily at her at her first signs of magic was real. Mummy looked slightly horrified in the background as she made her toys fly out of the bath in play, but Daddy was happy, so she was too. I hope you can see me here. The girl shut her eyes for a spell against the sudden welling up of feeling in her belly, shutting out the impatient crowd of peers around her. The candle-lit air was full of warmth and possibility, and she made herself breathe it in deep. 

Everything that comes next is up to you. You can do this. No one but Alice knew her here. No one would stare at her more than anyone else. No one would start the year mocking her about how much better off her parents were now that they didn't have to care for her. No one would provoke her into a fight. Not today. Today was a day to start fresh, to give her best smile, and start making another new home. She'd started meeting nice people already; a pair of students on the boat ride had helped settle her stomach and heart through the anxiety-inducing ride. There are good people here. You'll be fine. And so Mary waited agitatedly for her chance to sit under the Hat, gently shaking her auburn curls off of her shoulders as she watched one after another of her classmates take the place that would soon be hers. 

"Macdonald, Mary!"

After an unbearable passage of time, her name was called from the stern lady who'd led her and the other first years inside, and for the moment she'd lost her ability to breathe. But the lady was waiting, looking around for a child she couldn't pick out from any of the others, and Mary propelled herself out of the brief incapacitation. This is it - go. Her classmates made a disorderly path for her as she moved forwards, but she made it to the stool with only a slight stumble, and before she could find Alice's eyes, the Hat covered her own.

Macdonald? I've known Macdonalds before. Your father was in Gryffindor, your cousin is too. But what to do for you...While you've shown an ability to persevere, your idealism would be suited for Huffle-

    I belong there, sir. Gryffindor, like them. Respectfully.

The girl gripped her skirt so tightly her knuckles turned a bleached white. While she didn't bring up her parents much in conversation, it didn't mean they weren't parts of her thoughts often still. She'd accepted that she'd never know them, not really; stories told by family and friends could only show you so much. But the chance to be in the House her father had boasted of once upon a time, to live in the dormitory he'd loved, to walk the halls he'd treasured...it wasn't something she would simply give up. She could still be her father's daughter. I'm strong enough to handle myself there. I know I can do it, if you give me the chance.

Is that so? I'm inclined to believe you, child. Strength of heart is needed in all Houses, but the best place for you must be - "Gryffindor!"

Shock colored the girl's face but, along with the sudden tears, she swept the look away with a beaming smile and ran from the dais as soon as the Hat was taken off of her curls. She went to join her House, finding Alice with some difficulty and locking her in a tight hug as soon as she could. While she hadn't explicitly told her cousin of her aspirations, Mary had a sneaking suspicion that the older girl knew that this was her goal. "I nearly had to tell off that Hat," she said in laughing relief, squeezing herself into the seat next to Alice. Her heart's throbbing quieted as she looked about proudly, wondering and wondering about her new fellows. As the names kept being called, conversations were had in low voices around her, and she tuned in as she heard one of the other first year girls asking about dinner. You're here - step one, accomplished. But you can't just...be here and say nothing. Time to make a good impression.

"I've heard that the food's amazing," Mary piped up, giving a confident smile to the girl across the table. "I'm Mary, by the way." She turned her smile to the other young girls around her. "We all get to be roommates, isn't that exciting? I do hope that we can all be friends besides - surely we've got loads in common, if we're all in this House together!"

[Lydia Avery]

Slytherin Table

Lydia complained quietly to those who would listen, rather unimpressed as she waited for her future classmates to assemble in the Great Hall. Were the instructions really so difficult to comprehend and act on? For those who hadn’t attended Etiquette School, were their manners really so base? Amateurs, she thought loftily, tossing her silky dark hair over her shoulders as she trained her keen eyes on the Sorting Hat. Being an Avery had many benefits, of course, but one of them was that her Sorting would take place before many of her peers’. And, with any luck, dinner would be on the table when she arrived. The day was so long, and she was tired, lacking the buzz of energy that seemed to jump like lightning among the others huddled around her.

Because for her, personally, this "monumental" day held little suspense.

Her brother Nicholas was a seventh year Slytherin. Their parents had made the noble House their domain while at school. Slytherin was what was expected of her, and Slytherin was what she would be. Even though her Charlie was beginning her second year as a Ravenclaw, and that House was respectable in its own right, Lydia Avery knew it wasn’t the one for her. And, while she would never admit to it, having the majority of the castle between her and her sometimes volatile betrothed was not the worst thing for her wits.

”Avery, Lydia!”

Finally the ceremony began, and it was not long until she was called up. The first pair to be sorted were twins, and Hufflepuffs both. Disappointing. Head held high, knowing her destiny, Lydia approached the stool and sat with practiced grace, even after the Hat was deposited and blocked her sight.

There is no need to waste time. You know where I belong.

    That I do, child. No one is to stand in the way of you getting what you want - even me, is that right?

I do not mean to be rude, but since no one can hear us and you cannot divulge this to anyone besides - yes, you are correct.

    Even with your convictions, you will not find navigating your House an easy feat.

Oh my dear Hat, believe me when I say I will play this game to win. Now, if you could do your duty and let me do mine…

    ”SLYTHERIN!”

The girl left the stool with the dignity expected of a new Slytherin, and waited through the rest of the ceremony with critical eyes to each of her new classmates as they were Sorted. There was only one moment of disappointment for her - a long and drawn out one where Sirius sat under the Hat for all of eternity until he was sent to Gryffindor House by mistake - along with many moments of boredom - How did they let so many Hufflepuffs in? - and some of excitement. The greatest was when Meredith Mulciber and Dorcas Meadowes were separated moments after each other, placed into opposing Houses with Meredith joining her in the proper one. When all was said and done and dinner arrived at long last, Lydia moved away from her brother’s side to take the empty seat next to Meredith.

"Would you look at us!" she gushed, giving the girl a warm smile before taking a piece of this and that for her plate. "It’s such rotten luck about Dorcas and Sirius. I, for one, hope that Dumbledore will let them try again," she assured Meredith with a lie through her teeth, "but if not, I’m so glad we have each other!" Their separate friendships with the new Gryffindors were things that they couldn’t hope to authentically maintain for long now, Lydia knew; even though she would miss her partner in banter, it was highly unlikely that any switches could be made after the public display. And with the slot for best-friend-of-Meredith-Mulciber soon to be open...who better to stick her lot with? The girl was beautiful and brilliant, her family lineage as pure as Lydia’s, and she would not stop trying until Dorcas was forgotten and replaced with her.

[Deleted]

Gryffindor Table

This is it…new school, new beginning…

A young boy with short messy brown hair thought silently as he waited impatiently in line with all the other kiddies, though unlike his fellow classmates, he was more anxious to get this all over with and just stuff himself with dinner. He was starving.

The Fudges were far from the famed Sacred Twenty-Eight to be sure, but their family had worked their way up the social ladder, with Uncle Cornelius rumored to be a shoe in for the next Minister of Magic, so really, they were doing pretty good so far, or at least that’s what father said last time he was home. Not like Ruff actually cared what his parents said, or what Violet said for that matter. They were never home, and even if they were, they never cared about their second and third child. Nope, the only family Ruff had was Char and Brownie and Doe and Ethan and Mere. The rest just didn’t count. Though despite his lack of love for the ‘Fudges’…they were still known to produce Slytherins…hence Ruff not even bothering to think that he’d be sorted into another.

A kid can dream though, can’t he?

No, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming, young Fudge.

Woah! The hat’s actually talking to me!

Indeed.
Your parents and your sister, and many before them were sorted into Slytherin…but you…you’re the black sheep aren’t -

Just get it over with. 

Not caring if he was being rude. He was going to be in Slytherin, just like all the Fudges. He’d already accepted it. The only good part of all this was Ethan being there too. At least one of his best mates was going to be there with him, even if Doe and Mere were likely going to be in Ravenclaw. They could still hang out!

You have a good heart, and yes, a very gifted flyer…but that’s not all there is to you now is it? You can be resourceful when the need arises…though I sense loneliness and a thirst to prove yourself…you should be in…GRYFFINDOR!

And just like that, before Ruff had even had time to lose his temper and give the stupid hat a piece of his mind for invading his thoughts, his house had been decided, and it was not one he’d ever thought he’d be in.

Oh boy…

Well the good thing was, Sirius Black had already shocked everyone to their core, so Ruff being sorted into Gryffindor was hardly that shocking, compared to his new roommate’s predicament; the bad part, he’d be alone here, with all of his best friends in other houses. Argh. Sure he knew quite a few of the purebloods – every pureblood knew about each other, it was just a matter of how close they were really – but it wasn’t the same. Hell, he doubted his parents even cared which house he was in, so long as he continued to do well in quidditch and join the house team. Ruff didn’t know if he should be happy about that or not.

He really should have been more upset with the results of his sorting, but he really wasn’t. He was far – as far as possible – from his family, and it suited him just fine to be different from them. He just knew that Violet wouldn’t give him a second glance, even if he were sorted into Slytherin house. A quick glance across the room confirmed his suspicions, with the old Fudge going about as if her only brother wasn’t just put into the opposing house. Go figure.

“Hi, I’m Rufus Fudge. But you can just call me Ruff.” smiling at the other first year boys, knowing James from Fly Camp already and Sirius and Peter he saw at parties at one point or another. He’d never seen Remus before. Oh well, always happy to make new friends! “Exploding snap anyone?!” hoping he’d be able to fit into his new adopted family as he suggested they all stay up and singe their eyebrows. Lovely first impression wouldn’t you say?

Ruff had just settled into his seat and started to chat up the other kids around him when a miracle happened. Well, miracle for him. He doubted Doe being thrilled about her sorting, clear from the shock written all over her face. You and me both, bestie. Though to say Ruff was thrilled and excited at having his best friend and secret crush sorted into the same house as him was the understatement of the year, even if it’d been just as unexpected as his own sorting. Maybe there was something wrong with the Sorting Hat?

“Never thought we’d be in the same house.” grinning cheerfully at his best friend as she slid into the spot next to him. Well if there’s one thing he was good at, it was cheering up his friends. He reached down to take her hand under the table and gave it a light squeeze. “We’ll go talk to them tomorrow, ok?” knowing his friend missed the other half of their little gang seated across the room. And…there was also the fact that she’d gotten sorted here instead of Ravenclaw. That must suck. “Not what you had in mind…but glad we’re in this together.”

“I’ve heard it’s amazing too!” almost drooling at the thought. Merlin he was starving. When was the bloody sorting gonna end? “Ruff. Nice to meet you, Mary!” smiling at the cute redhead sitting across from him, glad that she seemed really nice. Maybe they’d become good friends? He already knew Guin and the others, but it never hurt to know more people.

“Thank Merlin it’s almost over…” mumbling to no one in particular as he glanced to the front and saw but a handful of students left. Was it possible to starve to death on his first day?

Merlin he missed Lottie and Brownie.

[Emmeline Vance]

She had been waiting for years to be here at Hogwarts, and as she followed her fellow first years into the Great Hall it was hard to stay focused. There was so much to look at! There were so many people staring at them! It was overwhelming, but Emmeline was so incredibly excited to be here. The train ride had been an eventful one, with a run-in happening with two girls she could see in front of her, hands clasped together as the blonde one shot a look back towards her. She stuck on her tongue in response, laughing to herself quietly as they all reached the front of the room. The hat sitting on the stool was soon drawing in her attention, and she watched with awe as the sorting began.

The first two people to be sorted went into Hufflepuff, and then third girl - Lydia, the girl from the train - was sent into Slytherin. Emmeline wasn’t surprised by the placement of the snooty brunette, given their minor run in on the train. She knew enough about the houses to know that she would be sorely disappointed if she got sorted into that particular House. Her father had given her a full run down, and she wasn’t really sure where she was going to end up, but she did hope the hat put in the same house her father had been in.

The sorting was going quickly, although the silence that followed the sorting of some students was a bit peculiar. The two girls she had mouthed off to on the train had ended up in Slytherin, and the group of them standing at the front was getting smaller and smaller. Giving a squeeze to the boy standing next to her, she flashed him a smile as his name was called. Stebbins, Zachary was sorted into Ravenclaw, and she clapped for him excitedly as she watched him head off to to table. The next two boys also joined him in Ravenclaw, and Emmeline exchanged looks with the two boys who were still waiting with her.

“Vance, Emmeline!”

She jumped at the sound of her name, before quickly hurrying up to get onto the stool. “Interesting mind, very loyal. Already jumping to the defense of people you might consider friends. Much like your father, it seems. Better be…RAVENCLAW.”

The last word was shouted, and she barely gave the Professor a chance to remove the hat from her head before she was bouncing over to the table, squishing into a seat next to the boy she had befriended on the train. The benefit to being sorted close to the end meant they didn’t have to wait long for the sorting to be finished, and as food appeared on the table in front of her she eagerly turned to her new companion. “Zachary Stebbins, are you as excited as I am? I’m really looking forward to flying lessons. I want to join the Quidditch team, although they don’t let first years join I’ve heard.”

[Bronwyn Nott]

Looking over her shoulder, Bronwyn Nott shot a glare to one Emmeline Vance, and gave a long sigh when the girl responded in such a childish manner. Vance was not a last name she knew, and neither was Stebbins. It seemed fitting that the trash had already sorted itself, the two of them trailing behind her and Cordelia as they proceeded into the Great Hall. She linked her arm through her best friends, leaning into her to whisper, “The sooner we get into Slytherin the better.” There was no other house for her, that she was sure of. Like many others starting their first year at Hogwarts, her proper pureblood family had a status to uphold. Which meant that she wouldn’t be taking anything besides Slytherin as her house, regardless of what the hat said.

There were plenty of faces she recognized, although she had to admit she wasn’t fond of all of them. Meadowes and Mulciber were thick as thieves, so the two of them would probably end up in either Slytherin or Ravenclaw together. Vanderhyde was clearly going to be in Slytherin, which would make up for the fact his family wasn’t as high status as hers. Avery would be in Slytherin, which meant that they would be roommates. She was interested in getting to know the other girl more, given her family’s status in the Sacred 28.

She didn’t have time to scope out any more faces before the sorting had started, and she watched uncomfortably as Sirius Black took ages to be sorted. It was with shock that she laughed loudly after the hat called out Gryffindor, giving an annoyed look to the small boy who had clapped. This was too good, she would absolutely have to write home about this. A Black in Gryffindor? He wouldn’t make it.

Rufus Fudge joined him in Gryffindor soon after, however. She didn’t know much about him other than seeing him at Ministry events. His Uncle was the one her parents were more interested in talking about. And then it was Cordelia’s turn, and Wyn let her go with a sigh, clapping with a smile as she was sorted into Slytherin. There were some more surprises to follow, with MacMillian going into Hufflepuff and the hat separating two best friends. And then, finally, it was her turn.

She flicked her hair back over her shoulders, walking up the stool with pride. It was her father who had written the Sacred 28, she had every reason to enjoy everyone watching her be sorted.

Nott, parents in Slytherin. Smarter than you give yourself credit for.

I thought you were supposed to be a smart hat. I’m quite aware of how smart I am. Now if you would.

“Slytherin!”

The hat was soon removed from her head, and she shot the remaining students waiting a smug grin before heading towards her new house, sinking in besides Cordelia. She watched the rest of the sorting in silence, making mental notes as other purebloods were sorted. It was good to know where your enemies were. Once dinner had begun, however, she turned her attention to the conversation starting across the way from her. Mucliber and Avery would both be her roommates, which meant she would have to get to know them on some level. “Meadowes and Black are lost causes, being in Gryffindor. It’s better to cut contact now before their parents find out.”

[Deleted]

Finding out about Hogwarts had been the most exciting thing to ever happen to him. He had known he was different for a while, just as his younger sister was. Growing up as a muggle with the weird things that happened around him had been confusing for so long, but when Professor McGonagall had shown up on their doorstep with a letter for a magical school? He had been thrilled. Leaving his home behind to go to this fancy magic school was a dream come true.

At least, it had been.

He had heard the term first in Diagon Alley where they went shopping for his schools supplies. The word mudblood slipped out of the lips of people around them there quietly, and he hadn’t known what it had meant. But whatever it was, he didn’t want to be it. He had insisted he board the train himself, and he figured that had been a smart move. He had heard some of the students using the words towards families similar to his own, and had managed to ask someone less threatening what exactly it meant once on the train.

It was not what he had expected. So many students seemed to already know each other in the group of students being sorted. He didn’t know anyone, not really. He’d sat quietly on the train, kept mostly to himself behind a book. He just seemed studious, when really he had been trying to figure out what to do. Now as he watched people go off to their different houses, he realized he didn’t know much about any of them. The only thing he had figured out so far was that he was going to need to lie about his parents, and it had to be convincing.

He was the last to be called to be sorted, which was uncomfortable enough. He barely had time to steal a glance at Professor McGonagall before the hat was over his eyes, and a voice was in his head.

Interesting, the first of your family to show signs of magic.

        No. I’m a pureblood like the rest of them.

Is that what you want to believe?

        Please don’t tell. Please don’t tell.

You desire to be what you aren’t to fit in. Sharp mind, but you’ve chosen this path.

“Slytherin!”

The hat was off his head, and he headed towards the house clapping for him. Was Slytherin a good house? He knew so little other than the fact the people he’d watched get sorted into Slytherin had all seemed to already know each other. He sunk down next to the boy who had been sorted right before him, determined to stay quiet for as long as he could.

[Elliott Thomas]

Ravenclaw Table

All you have to do is sit on a stool under a hat, and then go to the right table. You don't have to say anything. Breathe in - one, two, three, four. Hold - one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Breathe out - one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight...

While Elliott Thomas was in an incredibly cavernous hall, and while his brothers and parents had done what they could to prepare him for this day and ease his nerves, he still found himself uncomfortable in the mass of fellow first years rubbing elbows with him as if it was their prescribed duty. It felt like they were in an enclosed space, what with all of them pressing in on him and breathing so loudly, and with a last name near the end of the alphabet, Elliott knew he was in for a long wait. Especially if everyone's Sorting took as long as Sirius Black's. Thankfully, his pessimism was not founded for long, as no other students took as long as the eventual Gryffindor had. The space around him cleared with time, and the child found himself not needing to use his calming tactics as much once he could have a breadth of room around himself.

You just need to wait this out. You'll be in Ravenclaw, surely, no surprises there. Wait this out, get Sorted, join Joel, have dinner.

As time went on, Elliott took notice of others his age he'd seen around at events, and didn't know whether to be pleased or displeased that none of them were Sorted into Ravenclaw. Sirius Black, Rufus Fudge, Marlene McKinnon, Dorcas Meadowes, Peter Pettigrew, and James Potter all became Gryffindors. Lydia Avery, Cordelia Goyle, Meredith Mulciber, and Bronwyn Nott became Slytherins. Maggie MacMillan became a Hufflepuff. Two girls had been Sorted into Ravenclaw early on, but as time ticked and the ceremony continued, Elliott began to wonder. What would happen if there was a disproportionately small class in his soon-to-be House? Was that even a possibility? Did the headmaster somehow recruit an even group? Thoughts such as these occupied him until they met the S's, and suddenly two boys were headed for the Ravenclaw's Table. Catching up? 

"Thomas, Elliott!"

The small-for-his-age boy was shocked from thought at the call, and took measured steps up the stairs and to the stool. He caught a glimpse of his brothers before the Hat was over his eyes. He clasped his hands tightly together in his lap, not liking the dark -

Thomas, Thomas - calm yourself, boy.

    I'm sorry, I just...my mind runs away from me most of the time.

I see. You're going to have to go somewhere where you will learn how to use that talent - for it is one - and also rein it in. But you suspected this, I see.

    Yes. From what I've heard from my mother and my brother, Ravenclaw seems fitting...

"RAVENCLAW!"

Relieved, Elliott was shortly rid of the Hat and let to navigate himself towards the Ravenclaws. He took the open seat next to Joel, who was beginning his last year at Hogwarts, and waved unobtrusively across the Hall to Oliver, their third year brother making a scene with the Gryffindors. His seat put him across from the boy Sorted just before him, and as the Sorting ended, two more were added to their numbers. The girl sat next to the boy - Zachary Stebbins, Elliott logged as she said his name - and as soon as it was all right to speak, she started talking eagerly about Quidditch. Not being athletically inclined himself, Elliott wasn't altogether optimistic at finding fellows with the pair. This is supposed to be where I find people like me. But he had made a promise to Mother, that he would try. And so he cleared his throat, went through the words in his head, and spoke up. "My brother Oliver tried to join his team in his first year. They didn't let him in, but that could just be because he's rubbish but thinks he can play. Maybe different Houses have different rules about it," he said with a shrug.

[Deleted]

She could only think of how dreadfully she missed her brother. Timmy was so annoying to have around this summer - it was as if she couldn't get a moment of peace without him wanting them to play or climb a tree. Those activities were well and good for a second-born boy, but as her parents never let her forget reminded her often, she was above all of that. If she played she could dirty, if she climbed a tree she could be labelled as unladylike, and then she would never find someone to love her! Now though, that she had made the long journey to Hogwarts all alone, crossed the lake by boat, and taken in the glory of the castle, Maggie was missing her annoying little brother. It would only be one year of schooling before he could join her within these walls, and if she closed her eyes tight then she could imagine his face when he first looked at the floating candles.

There were students that she recognized from their family's circles of course, and she made a note to say hello later when things weren't as chaotic. Maybe they would even end up in the same house! One by one, her peers were sorted and she clapped politely for each of them, storing away whatever information she could about who was going where. Her mother would want to know the details of it all, especially the shocking house that Sirius Black had gone. That was surely going to be the main point of conversation in every Pureblood house for the next month. She wondered what Sirius' Mum would do about such an embarrassment. Maggie found that thinking on the possibilities was a good way to pass the time, and soon enough she was being beckoned up to take her place on the stool. Being in front of people had never scared her - she was a leader after all - but she did feel a semblance of worry when the sorting hat was covering her eyes and she could no longer see their reactions. 

I see that perseverance is of importance to you, that could make you do well in Slytherin...

    I don't care where I go - my family has an expansive history of multiple houses and I know I'll succeed in whichever I end up.

Most comfortable around others, and not afraid of standing up for the weak - HUFFLEPUFF!

The hat was ripped from her head, and as she met the eyes of her classmates once more her face flamed red. With a speed she didn't know she had Maggie scurried off the stage to the table she would be forced to sit at for the next seven years. When she'd said that she would accept any house she had obviously been talking about the good ones! She would need to write to her parents and see if they could get this decision reversed. So focused on her new dilemma, she didn't even realize that a girl had come to sit next to her, and while she didn't want to speak to anyone at that moment, it was no excuse to be rude! Still distracted, she turned to face her, "Hello. I'm Maggie MacMillan."

[Deleted]

How exciting! Starting Hogwarts at long last. It was everything her brother had said it would be and so much more. She was used to magic, growing up partly in Diagon Alley, and the other in a magical forest, but the abundance of it at Hogwarts was truly mesmerizing. She had been happily diverted since boarding the train and entering the castle had only amped up her excitement. She couldn’t be nervous for which house she would be placed in, or sad for missing her family and friends back home, or anxious for her turn to  just come on already -O was so far down the alphabet. Vi was too busy taking in all that there was to offer. First in the entry where they stopped to receive their welcome from Professor McGonagall -Viola smiled up at her, remembering that her new superior had a fir wand, with a dragon-heartstring core, she found it amusing that the owner was so much like the wand- and she had first spotted the moving portraits in their gilded frames. Then in the Great Hall, with all the people, ghosts, and talking hats, there was so much to look at she barely noticed the wait to take her place on the stool. The bewitched ceiling was enough to entertain her until...

'Ollivander, Viola!'

That caught her attention, and everyone else’s apparently, as she felt many eyes on her. You’re just imagining it. She told herself as she made her way up the steps. She gave the Professor another smile as she took her seat and closed her eyes before the Hat even touched her head. If people were staring, she didn’t want to see, she just wanted to enjoy the moment. At last she felt it slip over her eyes and she sighed as it spoke.

Ollivander.

Vi stayed quiet. Her family had a long history of diverse houses and she was curious to see what the Hat thought of her. She knew she had her preferences, and thought she knew where she belonged, but she tried hard not to think them.

I can still see them you know.

She gasped at the intrusion and then giggled, how could she think she could hide something from a mind-reading hat? Oh well!. She tried.

HUFFLEPUFF!

Viola was still giggling when she leaped down the stairs over to her new house table to many applause. George would be happy he was right in his guess, her mother would be disappointed she wasn’t placed in Ravenclaw, but Viola could only be ecstatic. Hufflepuff was her preference all along. Taking her seat to handshakes and ‘Welcome!’s she was nearly vibrating with energy and couldn’t seem to calm, she found herself cheering for everyone, no matter the house. When the girl she had sat next to turned to her Vi gave her a bright smile and a firm shake of her hand. “Nice to meet you, Maggie! I’m Viola. Viola Ollivander. We’ll be roommate’s you know, so you can call me Vi.” As she spoke another person was sorted into their house and she let out a cheer, standing to welcome their new member home. She hadn’t caught the name, as she’s been getting acquainted with her new roommate, but none the less, when the new girl came over she found herself giving her a big hug. “Welcome!” she said, taking her seat again. “I’m Viola. We’ll all be roommates!”