In the Melancholy Moonlight

Chapter II: Be Brave

I'll forever be amazed
How I learned the meaning of the phrase
Be brave

"Be Brave"
Owl City

Hermione extinguished her wand light a couple minutes later with a whispered "Nox," and was soon snoring softly in harmony with my other roommates. I, on the other hand, couldn't fall asleep. I was tormented by my mind.

I was angry. I was confused. I was afraid.

I felt anything but brave. Why, oh why, was I a Gryffindor?

The Sorting Hat said its job was to sort me for who I was, but how was I supposed to accept that everyone's ideals were what had shaped me? How was I supposed to reconcile to myself that their expectations of me were simply better than anything I could ever hope to truly become? How was I supposed to fit the mold of Gryffindor when I had worked my whole life to model myself after Cedric, who exemplified everything Hufflepuff stood for?

The more I dwelt on the inescapable reality of my situation, the more suffocated I felt. When I couldn't take it any longer, I silently slipped from my dormitory and shuffled down to the common room. I walked to the window seat and curled up to look at the stars, still shining so clearly.

"I take it you could not sleep either?" a voice asked.

I jumped and turned to face the source of the voice. Percy Weasley was sitting on the couch, an open book in his lap. I managed a nod.

"I didn't mean to frighten you, Lucy, it's alright. You're not in trouble."

I relaxed slightly. "What are you reading?"

"I'm trying to read ahead in my potions book for this year," he said, showing me the cover before he closed the book and placed it on the side table at his elbow. "I figured I might as well be productive while I couldn't sleep."

"Why couldn't you sleep, if you don't mind my asking?"

"The same reason as you, most likely. Too much on my mind, with a new year up ahead. Believe it or not, this is my first year as Prefect."

I thought back to the way he had singlehandedly brought Gryffindor all the way through the castle to our common room; come to think of it, I couldn't recall who any of the other prefects were. "I never would have guessed," I admitted, "because it seems to have come so naturally to you."

He chuckled. "With four younger siblings, I would hope I've learned a thing or two at this point."

I smiled. "That makes sense."

"Speaking of learning, do you have any questions about lessons I can answer for you, while we're both awake?"

"Hm." I tried to think, but I had so many questions it was hard to formulate any single one to ask. "I pestered Cedric with questions all summer, so I think I'm alright. But I do have a question, about the Sorting. Why did they say my name was Lucy Everlin instead of Lucy Diggory? Everlin is my middle name."

"I saw your brother talking to Professor McGonagall during dinner, so he was probably clearing that up. I would encourage you to ask her about the issue when she gives you your schedule in the morning, though, just to be sure it's correct when the professors take attendance."

"Okay, thank you. It was quite disorienting," I added with a slight laugh.

He grinned. "I'm sure it was. I had the opposite problem, myself. When the Sorting Hat touched my head, the first thing it said was something along the lines of 'A third Weasley? Hopefully you're the last.'"