Six of Crows One-Shots

Hogwarts AU

Standing in the Great Hall, Wylan was extremely nervous for his turn at the sorting hat.

"Nervous?" A boy asked from beside him. He was burly and broad-shouldered, with shoulder-length blond hair and icy blue eyes.

Wylan shrugged. "I guess."

"What's your name?" The boy asked.

"Wylan."

"I'm Matthias."

Suddenly, a voice boomed from the front of the room, "Kaz Brekker!"

Everybody went silent and looked towards the man holding the sorting hat.

A boy walked to the stage. They are, like, ten. He sat on the stool and immediately, everybody started to whisper.

"Who's that?" Wylan asked Matthias.

Matthias shifted awkwardly. "Kaz is feared in the wizarding world. Everybody knew of his brother, Jordie. Jordie was a powerful wizard, but he was killed by another wizard. Kaz was very upset by his brother's death."

Wylan nodded in understanding. "Why do people fear him?"

"They believe that he could be just as powerful as his brother, but they fear that his sadness and anger could cause him to become evil."

"Oh."

The sorting hat spoke quietly to Kaz and the hall went silent. Whatever the hat determined, it must have scared the poor boy. He was frowning, his brown eyes wide, his face paler than it should have been.

Then, the hat let out a loud laugh. "You are a difficult one to determine, Mr. Brekker. Hardworking, cunning, intelligent, and daring."

A pause. Kaz closed his eyes for a moment.

"Slytherin!"

The boy jumped off the stool and marched over to the Slytherin table, greeted by claps and cheers as he took a seat.

"Wylan Van Eck."

Wylan took a deep breath. Matthias smiled and nudged him forward.

Wylan sat on the stool, trying desperately to calm his breathing.

"Hm..." The hat crooned as it was placed on his head. "Very intelligent... a thinker..."

Wylan closed his eyes tightly.

"Ravenclaw!"

Wylan leaped from the stool and hurried over to the Ravenclaw table, taking a seat next to a boy who was already picked.

"Hi!" The boy grinned. His skin was a dark brown, his hair a shade darker. "I'm Jesper."

Wylan nodded. "Are you excited for... class?"

Jesper shrugged. "It depends."

The two boys laughed and continued watching the ceremony.

*****

"Fourth Year and you still won't admit it!" Nina taunted.

Inej frowned at her friend. "I do not have a crush on Kaz."

"Who has a crush on Kaz?"

Both girls looked up as Wylan, Jesper, and Matthias entered the tower. Typically, students of other houses did not visit other houses, but Inej's friends usually broke the rules.

Matthias immediately squished onto the armchair beside Nina. The tall girl giggled.

Inej couldn't help the jealousy she felt. Matthias and Nina seemed so happy. Though Kaz had tried to do kind things for Inej, she wouldn't let him in. She didn't want to end up with her heart broken once they were done with school.