Whispers of the Heart: Secrets Unveiled at Hogwarts

Sorting and Revelation

The sorting of houses continued, and the anticipation was palpable. Uncle Neville called out all the first-year students' names alphabetically, one by one, to go and sit on a stool. He placed the Sorting Hat on our heads, and the ceremony began.

After a few students had been sorted, it was Alice's turn. Her father beamed with pride as she sat on the stool. Uncle Neville gently lowered the Sorting Hat onto her head, and we watched with bated breath. Then, the Sorting Hat proclaimed, "Hufflepuff Heiress." A collective confusion filled the hall, including the professors. Headmistress McGonagall stepped forward to maintain order and called Alice to come aside. The sorting ceremony proceeded with another student following her.

Next was Emily's turn, and her destiny was revealed as the Sorting Hat sorted her into Slytherin. Lucilia, the honey-blonde girl, was also destined for Slytherin. The Slytherin table welcomed them with open arms.

Hugo eagerly took his place on the stool, sporting an anticipatory grin. As soon as the Sorting Hat touched his head, it bellowed, "Gryffindor." Hugo beamed triumphantly and headed to the Gryffindor table, joining our cousins, his sister, and my brother.

Following Hugo, Louis confidently approached the stool. The Sorting Hat's declaration left the hall in silence, "Gryffindor Heir." The hall was abuzz with whispers and surprised looks. Headmistress McGonagall called Louis to join Alice near the staff table.

Finally, it was my turn. I walked up to the stool with a sense of purpose, knowing that the Sorting Hat's choice would reveal where I truly belonged. As it rested on my head, the Sorting Hat deliberated. It spoke in hushed tones, telling me that I could fit into any house. But I knew my heart's desire. I embraced my Slytherin destiny with a smile. The Sorting Hat roared, "Slytherin Heiress," and the hall fell silent once more. My brother Jamie, ever the vocal one, couldn't help but exclaim that the hat was going insane. Headmistress McGonagall intervened to emphasize that the Sorting Hat's wisdom was beyond question. She then called me to stand with Alice and Louis.

To round out the sorting ceremony, Derick was called. Without hesitation, the Sorting Hat declared him a "Ravenclaw Heir." He joined the rest of us, and the hall burst into applause and excitement.

As the sorting ceremony concluded, the adventure of a new school year at Hogwarts awaited us. Little did we know the remarkable journey that lay ahead.

McGonagall instructed the four of us to sit at our respective house tables for dinner and then proceed to her office. After the Sorting Ceremony, I made my way to the Slytherin table, where Albus, my friends, and Al's friends were sitting. Al greeted me with a warm hug, and both Emily and Lucilia offered their congratulations. Al's friends also offered their congratulations, and when Scorpius reached out to shake my hand for congratulations, a rush of butterflies fluttered in my stomach. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, and my cheeks flushed with warmth. I discreetly released his hand and turned my attention to my meal.

As I savored the food, my senses tingled with the feeling of being watched. Raising my eyes, I realized that Scorpius was gazing in my direction. When our gazes met, he quickly resumed chatting with his friends as if nothing unusual had occurred. I couldn't help but feel like a typical 11-year-old with a crush, even though it was on Scorpius Malfoy, the son of my father's former school rival, who was no longer an enemy.

After dinner, the four of us—Louis, Alice, Derick, and I—followed Uncle Neville to Professor McGonagall's office. We entered to find our parents there as well, and their expressions reflected a mix of concern and shock.

Professor McGonagall began, "Good evening to all, I know you want to know why I called you here." Just then, a loud bang echoed through the room, and to our astonishment, the four founders of Hogwarts appeared before us.

Godrick Gryffindor was the first to speak. "Good evening to all. We are the four founders of Hogwarts."

Helga Hufflepuff followed, "We are here for our Heir and Heiress."

Rowena Ravenclaw added, "There is a prophecy that tells when our Heir and Heiress come to Hogwarts together, we return to the mortal realm."

Salazar Slytherin concluded, "So that we can teach them, train them, and make them as powerful as we are."

The revelation left our parents in shock. Professor McGonagall continued, "I can confirm this with Albus. It's a thousand-year-old prophecy."

Then, she began the announcement. "Your children have been selected as the Heir and Heiress. Louis Weasley is the Gryffindor Heir, Alice Longbottom is the Hufflepuff Heiress," and as she spoke, I could see my parents' initial expectations were wrong. I was revealed to be the Slytherin Heiress, and Derick was the Ravenclaw Heir.

Godrick Gryffindor elaborated, "Our Heir and Heiress will stay with us in the special chambers beneath the castle, much like the Chamber of Secrets, but we assure you that no harm will come to them."

Salazar Slytherin added, "We are here to teach your children to help fight against dark wizards, to make peace, and to assist with Muggles. They have unique powers, yet these abilities can't be awakened without proper guidance."

I can sense my parents' initial thoughts that I might become a Ravenclaw Heiress, but Professor McGonagall's announcement of me being the Slytherin Heiress left both my parents and Derick's parents in shock. They had expected Derick to be placed in Slytherin, but instead, he was sorted into Ravenclaw.

As I grasped the weight of being named the Slytherin Heiress and my newfound responsibilities, a torrent of emotions surged within me, leaving me both exhilarated and anxious. What lay ahead promised a journey fraught with challenges and secrets waiting to be unveiled.