Days gone by

First time

First year.

When the first year students were ushered to stand in a line a few meters away of the Sorting Hat, Krystal gave Seulgi's hand one last squeeze, before she released her grip, adjusting her school uniform and cloak, head held high in self-confidence, too mature for a mere 11-year-old.

Seulgi watched as her childhood best friend offered an excited wave to the Slytherin table, before she quickly faced up front, an assured smile finding its way along the edges of her mouth.

Whereas Krystal beamed with joy, Seulgi lowered her head frowning, pretending to pick at her cloak gently, before she chanced a glance at the Slytherin table.

She immediately spotted her brother, the 6th year prefect, sitting next to Krystal's sister, 7th year Quidditch team Captain, Jung Jessica. He gave her a wink and an encouraging smile and Seulgi in turn gave off a weak one.

Please, any house but Slytherin...

"Bae Suji"

Names continued to be called out, and one by one, the first year students were sorted into different Houses. Three Ravenclaws, two Gryffindors, two Hufflepuffs.

"Jung Krystal"

And one very pleased Slytherin.

Born a pureblood, Kang Seulgi heard all kinds of stories about Hogwarts and its famed Houses. However, coming from a long line of Slytherin witches and wizards, the silver and green decorated house is the only one her elitist family ever talked about. A house, it seems only Seulgi hated.

The resentment, of which Seulgi was cautious to keep secret, was not a spur of the moment kind; rather it was the result of many years being the youngest Kang, always living in her brother's shadow and witnessing firsthand the weight of bigotry and prejudice displayed by her dear family and close relatives.

From the time she peeped on her brother's sleazy friends practicing Dark Magic, in her family house's attic one summery day, to the slap her Gran gave her when 5-year-old Seulgi confessed innocent love to a muggle boy, she met while vacationing with her family in Spain. Seulgi knew she needed to get away from whatever her family adhered or represented.

Which, in Seulgi's naïve ruling, meant the cunning and ambitious house of Salazar Slytherin.

Two sortings later, a Ravenclaw girl and a Hufflepuff boy, Seulgi heard her name called aloud. The clapping and the cheering quieted down at once, and once again, the Great Hall was overcome in silence.

She took careful steps all the way to the stool, feeling everyone's eyes following her movement. Once seated, and the Sorting Hat placed on top of her head, Kang Seulgi squeezed her eyes shut and began reciting a mantra of pleas and prayers, knowing all too well, the magical hat can read her thoughts clearly.

Hmm, I see both talent and potential...another Kang, huh? Well your sorting should not be the hardest-...oh, is that so? Not Slytherin? But you can fit in there just right if you try a little bit...no? Well if you insist, I know just the house...you are undoubtedly a HUFFLEPUFF.

When she got off the high stool, her steps were considerably lighter. She reached the Hufflepuff's long dining table, while deliberately avoiding her brother's shocked expression and Krystal's offended one. As much as she felt relieved, Seulgi anxiously questioned her decision.

What will her brother say? Should she write a letter to their parents first and tell them the news? As of now, will Gran stop sending her gifts awfully wrapped in silver and green? Will Krystal stop being her friend?