Where Secrets Abound

The group of first years filed into the Great Hall, still in a state of awestruck wonder after their brief voyage across the Black Lake. The stunning nighttime view of Hogwarts had left all of them breathless, and now, most of them were entranced by the enchanted ceiling. After what felt like a lifetime, the group finally arrived at the front. On a wooden stool sat an old, brown Hat. The woman who had greeted them, Professor McGonagall, stepped forward with a long list in her hand.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted!" she announced.

The first years all exchanged glances, but before even a whisper could be exchanged, the ceremony began.

---

Sirius was both nervous and excited. What if the Hat ignored what he wanted and put him in Slytherin anyway? He didn't have much time to think, however, as his name was the second to be called. James flashed him a grin and a thumbs up, but Sirius could only offer a half smile in return.

Slowly, he walked up to the front and sat down, tensing when the Hat was placed on his head.

Hm, you're an unusual one, aren't you? a voice spoke in his mind. A Black who would refuse the house of Salazar Slytherin?

You're not putting me there! Sirius thought back adamantly.

No? the Hat mused. Then I know just where to put you...

"GRYFFINDOR!" it shouted to the Hall.

There was a stunned silence from the Slytherin table, but slowly, an uncertain round of applause blossomed into loud cheering from the table lined with red and gold. James was grinning from ear to ear, and Sirius was too as he went to sit at the table; the place where he really belonged.

---

Remus thought he'd get Ravenclaw, he really did. But, then again, he had thought that the Evans girl would be a Ravenclaw, and the Hat had put her in Gryffindor... When McGonagall called his name, he obediently sat down and waited.

Oh, this is an easy one, he heard the Hat say. I think that your courage in the face of what you endure every month adequately warrants this placement.

The Hat knew about his... problem?

"GRYFFINDOR!"

As he went to sit beside Sirius, Remus was suddenly very scared. How on earth was he supposed to manage his secret if he couldn't even hide it from a hat?

---

"Malfoy, Lyra!"

This was it... This was the moment. It was time to choose. With wobbly legs, Lyra made her way through the crowd of unsorted first years.

McGonagall hesitated when she went to place the Hat atop the girl's head, expecting it to have made a decision well before it even touched her hair. The Malfoys rarely had to have a lengthy Sorting process, but the Hat remained silent.

What is it about you, young Malfoy? I sense a great conflict in this mind. There was a brief silence as the Hat hummed thoughtfully.

Lyra couldn't bring herself to reply.

You want more than the droll, Pureblood's life? I see... The Hat paused once more. Oh, really? it asked, its tone curious. Very well, then...