⊹ ࣪ ˖ My chosen one ⊹ ࣪ ˖ [ Harry Potter x Y/n ]

⋆𐙚₊ Sorting⭑ֶֶֶָָָ֢֢֢𖹭

The train rattled to a stop, and as I stepped out, Hogwarts rose before me—a towering silhouette against a star-speckled sky. A sense of awe washed over me like a wave. The castle, illuminated against the dark backdrop, was even more breathtaking than I had imagined. Its grand silhouette stood firm on the hill, guarding secrets of ancient magic. The cool breeze carried the smell of wet earth and ancient stone, sending a shiver up my spine—not just from the chill, but from the overwhelming realization that I was here, in a place where legends were born.

We were met by a tall, stern-looking woman whose sharp eyes scanned the crowd with quiet authority. Even in the chaos of first-years, she seemed to command absolute respect.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," announced the head of Gryffindor House, Professor McGonagall. Her voice was firm yet somehow reassuring, like a lighthouse guiding us through a storm. "In a moment, you'll be sorted into your houses. There are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."

My stomach knotted, and I couldn’t help but fidget with my nails. A nagging thought gnawed at me—what if I don’t get into Hufflepuff with Cedric? The idea of being separated from my brother felt unbearable.

Cedric must have sensed my nerves. Without a word, he reached over and ruffled my hair, playfully messing it up. "You look like you just soiled yourself," he teased, a wide grin spreading across his face, his lightheartedness cutting through my anxiety like sunshine through clouds.

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at my lips. "I’m fine," I said, though my voice lacked conviction.

"What’s wrong?" Cedric asked, his teasing gone, replaced by genuine concern. His familiar warmth always made me feel like everything would be okay.

"I'm just... worried," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if I don’t get into Hufflepuff with you?" I glanced up at him, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. The fear of the unknown wrapped tightly around my chest.

Cedric crouched down slightly, so we were at eye level. His eyes softened. "Hey, don’t sweat it," he said gently, resting a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You’ll be fine, no matter where you end up. Sure, it’d be great if we were in the same house, but think about it—do you really want to be stuck in my shadow forever?"

I sniffed and gave a half-hearted shrug, but a small laugh escaped me despite myself.

"Exactly!" Cedric grinned, his tone more upbeat now. "You’ll make your own mark, your own friends, your own adventure. No matter what house you’re in, you’ll be brilliant. Trust me, you’ve got this."

His words warmed me, easing the tightness in my chest. He was right—no matter where I ended up, I would make it work. I had to.

Just as the tension was starting to ease, I noticed a group of students approaching us. One boy, his hair slicked back like he’d practiced that look in the mirror, walked with an air of entitlement. His cold, pale eyes locked on us as if he were assessing something beneath him.

“So it’s true, then,” he began, his voice dripping with arrogance. “What they’re saying on the train. Famous Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts.” He made a sweeping gesture toward the two hulking boys standing on either side of him. “This is Crabbe, Goyle, and I’m Malfoy, Draco Malfoy.”

Ron, who was standing next to Harry, snorted at the overly dramatic introduction. Draco’s eyes narrowed as he turned his attention to Ron. “Think my name’s funny, do you? No need to ask yours—red hair and a hand-me-down robe. You must be a Weasley.”

Draco's sneering tone hit a nerve, and before I could stop myself, the words slipped out. “You must be an arsehole,” I muttered quietly but loud enough for him to hear.

His icy gaze snapped toward me, surprise flickering across his face before being replaced by annoyance. “What did you say?” he demanded, his voice laced with condescension.

I straightened up slightly, feeling a rush of defiance. “Who me? I didn't say anything.”

Cedric shot me a warning glance, but I kept my eyes on Draco. He took a step closer, but before anything else could be said, Professor McGonagall’s voice cut through the tension.

“That will be quite enough,” she said sharply, her stern gaze making everyone freeze. “It’s time for the sorting ceremony. Move along.”

Draco shot me one last disdainful look before turning on his heel and striding off with Crabbe and Goyle in tow. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, and Cedric gave me an exasperated but amused shake of his head.

The Sorting Ceremony went by in a blur, students being called up one by one, but my nerves grew worse with every name. My stomach churned violently, making me feel like I was on a rollercoaster. When Professor McGonagall finally called my name, my heart nearly stopped.

"Y/n Diggory!"

My legs trembled as I stood, my knees weak beneath me. Each step toward the sorting stool felt like dragging a boulder uphill. I sat down, the weight of the room's attention pressing down on me. My throat tightened, and I held my breath as Professor McGonagall placed the sorting hat on my head.

"Ah… interesting… very interesting," the hat murmured inside my mind. I felt it sifting through my thoughts, my feelings, as if it could see every corner of my soul. "Brave like a Gryffindor, compassionate as a true Hufflepuff, sharp as any Ravenclaw, but ambitious like a Slytherin. Where should I put you?"

My heart pounded so loud I was sure the entire hall could hear it. My palms were slick against the edge of the stool, and every breath felt like a struggle as the Sorting Hat hummed, lingering in its decision. "Please... Hufflepuff, with Cedric," I thought, practically pleading.

The Sorting Hat seemed to consider this for a long moment, humming thoughtfully. "I see… Your heart pulls toward Hufflepuff. You value loyalty and kindness above all. But... there’s more to you, isn’t there?"

I gripped the edge of the stool tighter, waiting, breath held. Finally, the hat made its decision. "No, I know exactly where you belong… GRYFFINDOR!"

The word rang out, clear and final, echoing in my ears.

Gryffindor?

The Gryffindor table burst into applause, though the sound felt distant, muffled, as if I were underwater. Blinking, I struggled to process it, a thrill bubbling up in my chest, pushing aside the initial shock. Gryffindor—the house of bravery. Maybe this was my chance to finally step out of Cedric’s shadow.

I found an open spot at the Gryffindor table beside a girl with bushy brown hair who was practically bouncing in her seat. “Isn’t this incredible?” she whispered breathlessly, her words tumbling out in excitement. “Real magic! We’re actually here! I’ve already started reading Hogwarts: A History, and there’s so much to learn. Did you know the Forbidden Forest is off-limits because of all the magical creatures? Oh, and the staircases move! And Professor McGonagall—she’s supposed to be brilliant!”

Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I found myself laughing, tension melting away. “That sounds amazing. I’ll have to borrow your copy sometime.”

Hermione beamed, already launching into another fact when a strange awareness prickled at the edge of my mind. Glancing up, I met a pair of startlingly green eyes across the table.

Harry.

He was looking at me, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his gaze. For a heartbeat, everything else faded—the laughter, the chatter—until it was just him and me.

Harry’s cheeks flushed, and he looked down quickly, pretending to study his plate, his shy reaction oddly endearing.

Before I could dwell on it, two pairs of arms draped over my shoulders, one on each side, pulling me into a friendly squeeze.

“So you and Harry, eh?” Fred’s voice murmured in my left ear.

“First day at Hogwarts, and you’re already making moves?” George added from my right, his arm slung over my shoulder with a teasing grin.

“Moves? Me?” I spluttered, feeling heat rush to my cheeks as I squirmed between the two grinning twins.

" Denial, classic case, Fred," George shook his head teasingly

Fred sighed dramatically, leaning in with a smirk. “Oh, Georgie, how rude of us. We didn’t even introduce ourselves.”

“Scandalous, really,” George said, releasing me and giving a mock bow. “Fred and George Weasley, but between you and me, I'm the better-looking twin.” George whispered, giving her a playful wink

Fred flashed a grin. “So, has stinky Ronniekins been absolutely showering you with praise about us?”

“Might’ve mentioned you two once or twice,” I replied, giving them a playful smirk.

“Only mentioned?” Fred feigned heartbreak, clutching his chest. “After all we do for that boy?” Y/n couldn’t help but chuckle at their dramatic antics,

Dumbledore’s speech concluded, and Hermione reached over, squeezing my hand, her eyes bright and sparkling. “This is just the beginning, isn’t it?”

I nodded, catching her excitement as I glanced around the Great Hall, glowing with candlelight and brimming with possibilities. “Yeah,” I whispered. “Just the beginning.”

The staff room :

Dumbledore: [gasps dramatically] "Minerva! Minerva! Did you see that? The way they looked at each other? I think—I think I'm going to cry!" [dabs at his eyes, visibly moved] "They’re just so adorably awkward!"

McGonagall: [smiling fondly] "Oh, yes, it’s rather sweet, Albus. Young love..."

Snape: [groaning, arms crossed] "Sickening." [mutters under his breath, glancing away]

All the Professors: [in unison, rolling their eyes] "Oh, shut up, Severus!"

I had such a fun time writing this chapter. I hope you
all love this as much as I do

💋LoafyLaufey out💋