STRIKHEDONIA | MARAUDERS

TWO;

1977, HOGWARTS, THE GREAT HALL

☆ ☆ ☆
*WARNING just mean things, reference to weight*

"I have no doubt that he'll be a Gryffindor!"

"I'm placing my bets on Ravenclaw, if he's by chance at least half smart as Rowen—"

"Stop flirting with Lovette, Moony!"

Boisterous voices were heard from the middle of the long Gryffindor table, the discussion heard by everyone present in the vast Great Hall. The voices were easily distinguishable: it was evidently the Marauders and the dynamic duo, Thea and Rowen. As the student population sat in wait of the First Years' arrivals, their hunger only seemed to get worse, therefore they all preoccupied themselves in small talk amongst themselves.

"Guys, let's face it here," Thea loudly spoke over the four bickering boys, effectively quietening them down," I know him better than you lot, with the exception of Rowen. He is so a Hufflepuff!"

Her words seemed to only provoke outbursts of disagreement once again. For discussing the possible future house of Rowen's younger brother Benton, the conversation was heated. James and Sirius were arguing for Gryffindor, Thea had just expressed her thoughts about Hufflepuff and Remus and Peter were sure that his intellect would have him placed in Ravenclaw. The onlooker, Rowen, watched with amusement in her eyes as her friends pointlessly argued.

"Well, what do you think, Row? Of course you agree with Prongs and I!" Sirius exclaimed, finally including the unusually quiet girl. Unlike his expectations of her crying out in agreement, she chuckled and shook her head, tapping her manicured fingernails on the polished, wooden table, swinging her body around to face her friends.

"My bet's on Slytherin."

Thea and Peter's mouths were agape, Remus appeared to be considering her statement, whereas James and Sirius looked pale and as if they were about to dramatically faint and collapse on the floor any moment. However, they both recovered quickly.

"No, no way," James shook his head vigorously, "your brother is not a Slytherin!"

"How could you even think that of your brother?" Sirius added in disbelief, followed by a sneer and a disgusted glance towards the other side of the hall where his brother, Regulus, sat clad in the Slytherin robes. "They're all prats and your brother is so much better than that."

"I know Benny better than all of you, so I'm pretty sure he's a Slytherin," she replied without hesitation, the hall quietening down as the large doors opened to reveal a huddle of tiny First Years. They all looked incredibly nervous, but as soon as the six spotted Ben, they all not-so-subtly sent him a thumbs up of encouragement.

Professor Mcgonagall gave her usual welcome speech and instructions for the Sorting Ceremony, and then swiftly began to call up the names of each student to be sorted. There were a few Gryffindors, but the majority of the eleven year olds were being sorted into Ravenclaw.

"Lovette, Benton."

The sound of his name shook poor Ben out of his trance as he shakily sat on the wooden stool. After a few dozen seconds, the Sorting Hat appeared to have made up its mind.

"Slytherin!" It called out as the emerald green house erupted into cheers and applause.

Everyone in the group reluctantly handed Rowen three galleons each in penance for losing the bet. But they all cheered and applauded in support for the young boy. Each and every one of them would make sure the other pureblood supremists had no influence on him. The beaming girl tucked the money away, and they all silenced as Dumbledore gave his beginning of year speech before clapping, causing food to appear. They all groaned as their stomachs grumbled and they tucked into the large buffet of food. Thea piled potato chips and chicken onto her plate with a side of salad, and the others opted for similar meals, along with a goblet of pumpkin juice. Thea swallowed her first piece of food. "How were the rest of your summers? God, I missed this place."