a snape and a Malfoy

sorting ceremony

The excitement of arriving at Hogwarts had reached its peak as Cera Snape and Draco Malfoy stepped off the Hogwarts Express and made their way toward the towering castle for the first time. The night was cool, and the air buzzed with anticipation as they followed Hagrid, the giant groundskeeper, down to the boats that would take the first-years across the Black Lake.

As the boats glided across the still water, the glowing silhouette of Hogwarts grew larger in front of them, its spires stretching up into the sky. Cera, sitting quietly beside Draco, felt a mixture of awe and nervousness. Draco, on the other hand, wore a confident smirk, but Cera could tell that even he was feeling the weight of the moment.

"Not long now," he muttered, glancing up at the castle. "We'll be in Slytherin, no doubt about it."

Cera gave a small nod, though her thoughts were racing. She wasn't as certain as Draco about which house she would be placed in. While Slytherin seemed like a natural choice, especially with her father being Head of Slytherin House, she couldn't shake the feeling that the Sorting Hat might see something different in her.

---

Once they arrived at the castle, Professor McGonagall greeted the first-years and led them into the grand entrance hall, where they would soon be sorted. The room was filled with murmurs and whispers from the new students, and Cera's heart pounded as they were ushered into the Great Hall.

The enchanted ceiling above them reflected the night sky, with twinkling stars and drifting clouds. Four long tables stretched out in front of them, filled with older students from the four Hogwarts houses-Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin-waiting to see where the new students would be sorted. At the far end of the hall sat the staff, including Severus Snape, whose dark gaze flicked briefly to his daughter as the first-years filed in.

At the front of the hall stood an old, ragged hat on a stool-the Sorting Hat. It seemed worn and frayed, but as it began to sing its yearly song, describing the qualities of each house, Cera and Draco exchanged a quick glance. This was the moment they had been waiting for.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a long parchment scroll in her hands. "When I call your name, you will come forward, place the Sorting Hat on your head, and be sorted into your house."

One by one, the names were called, and students stepped forward to try on the hat. Each house cheered as their new members joined them, but the tension built as the list dwindled, and they knew their names would be coming up soon.

"Malfoy, Draco," Professor McGonagall called.

Draco straightened his robes and walked confidently to the stool, sitting down as the hat was placed on his head. There was a brief pause, but the Sorting Hat didn't take long.

"SLYTHERIN!" it shouted.

The Slytherin table erupted in cheers, and Draco smirked proudly, giving Cera a knowing look as he joined his new housemates.

A few more names were called before Cera's heart skipped a beat when McGonagall finally said, "Snape, Cera."

Whispers rippled through the hall as she stepped forward. The daughter of Severus Snape-everyone knew this was an important moment. She sat down on the stool, and McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head.