The Corpse That Lived.

Chapter 24

A/N Shorter chapter but you get to see the sorting. Put in your final predictions for which house Dahlia will be placed in. Votes and comments are appreciated!!!

The first–years spilled into the Great Hall in a wavering line, the sound of their footsteps swallowed by the vast stone chamber. Dahlia lifted her chin as she stepped inside. The ceiling shimmered far above, a perfect night sky hung over them, deep and glittering, as though the stars themselves had pressed close to watch the Sorting. 

Professor McGonagall lifted the scroll and called out children's names, each getting sorted into different houses.  the hall quieted as if someone had placed a charm over every breath. 

Dahlia zoned out for a while waiting for her name until she heard a name she recognised get called out. 'Cassian Dubois.'

A few students craned their necks as Cassian stepped forward. He moved with a careful sort of heaviness, as though hoping that if he didn't disturb the air too much, no one would pay attention.

Hyacinth leaned in close to Dahlia. "I'm pretty sure he was with us last Christmas," she whispered.

Dahlia's stomach tightened. "You think he remembers us?" she murmured. "Or... remembers we know what he is?"

Hyacinth made a soft sound of warning. "Dahlia, keep it down. He's obviously trying to keep it a secret."

Dahlia nodded, though her thoughts churned. Remus had told her how magical beings who weren't wizards were pushed aside, judged before they ever had a chance. She watched Cassian climb the last step to the stool, shoulders drawn in.

The Sorting Hat settled over his forehead, muttering in its scratchy voice. The hall waited. One minute stretched thin, then another.

Dahlia leaned toward Hyacinth again. "Do you think the hat knows?" she whispered.

"Probably," Hyacinth whispered back. "It knows everything. But that doesn't mean anyone else needs to."

The hat twitched. Its brim opened.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The Gryffindor table erupted with cheers that spilled across the hall. Cassian looked stunned, then relieved, and walked toward the waving arms waiting for him. Dahlia watched him take his seat among the red-and-gold banners. Gryffindor wouldn't be a bad house to get sorted into herself.

***

"Granger, Hermione!"

Oh, very smart, young woman. You certainly enjoy a research based challenge don't you?

"Yes, I really do."

But you're quite ambitious as well, are you not? Big dreams of exciting careers and helping to change the world?

"Yes! Exactly!"

Hmm, but not very cunning are you? Too much trust and reliance on authority figures...

"Well they are here to help, why wouldn't I trust them?"

Ha, well reasoned! A dashing bit of bravery in there, isn't there?

"I suppose so, yes."

You are a brave and ambitious girl, but above it all you treasure knowledge and intelligence. There's really only one option... "RAVENCLAW!"

***

"Longbottom, Neville!"

"Gryffindor, Gryffindor, Gryffindor."

What? Be quiet Longbottom, I'm reading your mind.

"P-please, Mr Hat, I want to b-b-be in Gryffindor."

But look how loyal you are! And goodness, you are a dedicated and hard worker aren't you? You'd do so well in Hufflepuff, lad.

"My g-gran will k-k-kill me if I'm in Hufflepuff. Says it's for duds."

Tell your grandmother she's an idiot. Hufflepuff is filled with the best sort of people.

"P-please, I can b-be brave."

Well, you certainly are chivalrous. And there is some bravery in you. I suppose it'll grow nicely in... "GRYFFINDOR!"

***

"Malfoy, Draco!"

"Don't say anything Hat, my father said to tell you that I will either be in Slytherin or he will curse you in to a flowered bonnet."

Ah, Lucius' son. You don't have a drop of the subtle cunning that your father held but you do possess quite a bit of self-preservation and determination, don't you? Enjoy... "SLYTHERIN!"

***

"Weasley, Ronald!"

Another Weasley, eh? I know just wher-

"I am NOT 'another Weasley'. My name is Ron. Remember it."

... awfully determined to stand out from your siblings, aren't you?

"What? I'm not determined. Don't get any berk ideas. I'm bloody chivalrous and brave, got it?"

Ha! 'Bloody chivalrous', good one lad. Oh no, you're plenty brave but ambitious as well. Head boy, quidditch captain, and prefect? I don't think that's even possible.

"Well that's what I'm gonna do, okay? I'm gonna be all those things, and more! Then nobody's gonna call me 'another Weasley' ever again. They'll say, 'oh that's Bill, Ron's older brother'."

Course they will lad, you can accomplish all your goals with a bravery that only matches... "GRYFFINDOR!"

***

The Great Hall held its breath when "Potter, Dahlia!" had been called forward by Professor McGonagall. She was called before Hyacinth and she have her a nod hoping for the best.

The Hall was silent as the sorting hat sat on the child's head. Everyone desperately wishing they could hear the mental conversation being shared, but sure they knew of her eventual placement.

Minerva hoped the child of two of her favourite students would grace her house. At the same time, she wasn't sure she wouldn't be a little relieved not to have the Weasley Twins and the next generation Mauraders in Gryffindor at the same time.

Hyacinth remembered Dahlia's fevered expression as she pulled out stacks of books at the library and knew she would be in blue and bronze any moment now.

Hermione Granger sat primly in her seat and wondered if Dahlia had worked very hard to become so powerful or if she was simply born that way? She was sure she would go to Hufflepuff but now that she thinks about it she didn't seem to value fair play very much.

Severus Snape swirled his drink around in his hand, a bored look on his face. He wished the Potter brat, that he would be cursed to teach would hurry up and be sorted in to so they could eat.

Three minutes down and whispers began breaking out in the Hall... four minutes and students were standing on the benches to better glimpse the tiny kid seated on the stool... five minutes in and there it was, the famous Dahlia Potter is a hat stall, the first one since Albus Dumbledore himself.

Professor McGonagall was starting to shift on her feet slightly. Merlin himself took only a little over eight minutes, Albus had taken twelve, and Potter was now at thirteen.

She glanced at Albus and raised an inquiring brow. He waved his hand slightly, an indicator that they should just wait.

At fifteen minutes and 42 seconds the hat opened its brim wide and announced, "SLYTHERIN!"