The Domino Effect (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

CHAPTER 08: In the House of Snakes

Percy watched the great hall with interest. They were going to be sorted. He was standing behind Oliver and watched as Professor McGonagall put an old, ratty-looking hat on a stool. He was even surprised when it sang. He did read about the sorting but never thought the hat will sing. He did his research when nobody in his family or neighborhood was willing to tell him what sorting is. It seems to be something of a tradition to leave eleven-year-olds to worry about the sorting process.

"So, all we have to do is put on a hat?" Oliver whispered near him. "I am going to kill your brother, Percy."

Percy raised his eyebrows at him and Oliver continued. "Charlie told us that it was going to hurt a lot." Percy knew that Oliver sat somewhere else on the train. He figured Oliver was with other first years. Percy winds up sitting in a compartment by himself. He tried finding Marcus but he was too scared to meet with other potential Slytherins. The Weasley family did not have a good reputation among high society wizards after all (even though the Weasleys have the prestige and name for it except for money). Marcus was standing a few heads away from Percy with the younger Montague and some people Percy isn't familiar with.

"You're gonna be in Gryffindor too, right Percy?" Oliver asked.

Percy nodded but was unsure. There was a chance Percy would wind up in Ravenclaw due to his love of books and information but he personally wants to stay in Gryffindor with his brothers and family.

Oliver and Percy watched as one by one; Professor McGonagall called their names. Because both Oliver and Percy's surnames start with "W" they'll be called last.

"Flint, Marcus Aurelius!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

Percy watched as Marcus joined the Slytherin table. Percy wondered if he and Marcus would still be friends even if he winds up with Gryffindor. He knew how the Slytherins and the Gryffindors hated each other. The only house the Slytherins tolerated is Ravenclaw. They see the Gryffindors as rivals while thinking the Hufflepuffs are kind of a joke. Percy doesn't exactly think anything badly with the Hufflepuffs. A lot of Hufflepuff graduates own a lot of businesses and are known to be more tolerant, peaceful, and accepting than the other houses.

Percy watched as all the other students were called. Montague, Graham Sasha joined the Slytherins until it was only Percy and Oliver left.

"Weasley, Percival Ignatius!"

Oliver patted him on the back as Percy stepped forward and sat on the stool. The last thing he saw before the hat was dropped on him was Oliver's face, his brothers, and a curious Marcus.

"Ah! Another Weasley, ey?"

"Uh, hello?"

"Yes, yes. It is very funny how many Weasleys I have sorted over the years that I automatically assumed Gryffindor."

"Why aren't you?"

"Because unlike your brother Charlie, I have to dig deeper into your psyche Percival."

What does Charlie have to do with it? Percy thought but the hat didn't answer him.

"You are a curious one Percival. You have loyalty to your family and your friends but your self-interests forfeit their desires. Hufflepuff isn't for you. You do have bravery, typical of a Gryffindor and your love of books and information would make you easily adapt to the Ravenclaws but what's this? Ohh, you are a curious one Percival..."

"Why am I curious?"

"You want to be accepted in your family, don't you? Poor Percival, very different."