Being Sorted

1st September 2019

Katie and Oliver Wood were late. Managing twins had never been easy and ever since they were born, the Woods were always late (something Angelina appreciated, as her family wasn't the last one to arrive anymore). Katie had asked both her children a thousand times if they had everything all set for the upcoming school year, but when the morning of 1st September arrived, she found herself running around the house, searching for Carter's favourite pyjamas while Oliver looked for Jenny's teddy bear (a present from Teddy for her second birthday), named Ted. "Found it!" Oliver screamed from the living room with the bear in hands. "Carter, I'll owl your pyjamas when I find them." Katie promised her son, giving up from the search. "Let's go. We're late!" Each parent grabbed one pet cage and one kid's hand and went out of the house running to apparate to the nearest alley from King's Cross. They didn't even give time for the kids to settle into the new environment before starting to sprint towards the station's direction. On Platform 9 and ¾, a worried Ginny and a restless Hermione were waiting, together with their husbands and youngest children. They weren't very surprised not to find the Woods at the platform when they arrived, but now that the clock showed the train would leave in only 7 minutes, they were starting to get preoccupied. "There they are!" Lily Luna announced. Oliver was without a breath and Katie was completely red from all the running they had to do, but Jenny and Carter didn't seem very worried at all. They hugged Lily and Hugo while Oliver, Harry and Ron placed their stuff inside the train, on the same compartment they had used for Lily's, Hugo's and John's trunks. "Have a good year, pumpkin." Harry wished, kissing Lily's head. "Have fun, buddy." Ron fist-pumped little Hugo who was laughing away to the world, too excited about going to Hogwarts. The Woods shared a common glance before going for a group hug. Noticing they needed a family time, Lily and Hugo waved goodbye and got themselves inside the train, while Harry and Ron went to Susan's and Seamus's side, Ginny waved to Cho and went to have a word with her and Hermione wandered off to talk with Percy and Audrey. The rest of the family that had gone to the Platform and had older kids had already headed off to work. "Kids, please, don't worry about the Sorting, ok?" Oliver pledged. It didn't take long for the whole family to hear about the Louis's incident the previous year. "We'll be proud no matter what. We love you and try to keep the fighting to a bare minimal." Katie carried on. "I will if Carter does." Jenny counter-pointed, showing her tongue to her brother. "Jen." Oliver only said. "Fine." The girl rolled her eyes. "I'll see you at Christmas." Carter promised, hugging her mother, while Jenny hugged her father. The train soared its whistle and both eleven-year-olds ran inside the train, with one last wave goodbye to their parents. "Was it hard?" Ginny asked, going back to their side. Katie waited for the train to leave and be out of the twins' sight before sighing loudly and screaming out of joy! She jumped on her husband and they both started to kiss passionately. "What the fuck?" "What's up with them?" Ron asked, too coming back with Harry and Hermione. The couple parted and started to laugh. "I can't believe we'll have some peace at last!" Oliver admitted. With so many weird glances from everyone, he carried on. "You have no idea what it is to have twins." "I did have four kids, Oliver." Ginny noted. "It's not the same." Katie discussed. "Believe me! I haven't felt this good ever since they were born!" "I- I-" Hermione tried. She was devastated not to have a house full of kids and noise. "You must think I'm a horrible mother." Katie sighed. "Not at all." They enchanted at the same time. ~ "Freedom!" Jenny and Carter yelled at the same time as they entered the compartment their friends were at. The first thing they found was Lily crying. "What happened?" Carter added. "Molly." Hugo explained from his place next to Lily. He had one arm around her shoulder, trying to calm her down. "Called her Daddy's girl." "But you kind of are, Lil." Jenny noted with a smile, sitting down in front of her. "I know." She cried. "But the way she said it. It was so mean." "You know how she is." John tried. "That doesn't give her the right." Hugo pointed out. The compartment door opened to reveal a very entertained James with a laughing Fred, but they both frowned when they saw Lily's swallowed face. "What's wrong, mini Potter?" James immediately asked, going to his little sister. Although he pretty much liked his bad boy image, James always had a soft spot for his sister and his cousin Rose, and felt very protective of them. "Molly." The others said in unison. "You would think aunt Audrey's daughter would be more nice. She could be more like Lucy." James dryly said, bringing Lily for a hug. "I don't know what she said, Lil, but ignore her." "Ok, Jimmy." "I love you, ok?" James pressed and the girl only nodded. "I'll go find her." "No, Jim." Lily hurried to say. "There's no need. Seriously!" James nodded and left with Freddie after kissing her on the head. As soon as they stepped out of the compartment, they saw Lizzie Dupont and Marie McDonnell standing in the corridor, the latter with her arms crossed at her chest. "Wow, Potter is nice." Marie gasped, making James lose all his colour. "Come on, Marie." Lizzie begged, with a huge prefect's badge on her robes. "It's not a big deal, he cares for his sister." "It is a big deal." Marie disagreed. "Come on, McDonnell. Let us go through." James politely asked. "Marie, come on." Lizzie begged again. "I'll see you, James. Fred." And the redhead managed to drag her friend away, avoiding her to make a fuss about James. They never got really along and ever since Lizzie and Marie became friends, she always hid from her the fact James and she actually got along well and often saw each other during the breaks because of their mothers. "She likes you." Fred put in once both girls were out of earshot. "Which one?" "Elizabeth, of course." Fred answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Wh-what?" James stammered, his face still white. "No, she doesn't. She can't possibly-" "Merlin, you like her?" Fred concluded with a very devilish smile. "Who?" A voice came from behind, only to reveal Rose and Scorpius. "We are leaving." James announced, ignoring his favourite cousin and her best friend and grabbing Fred's arm and dragging him with him, leaving Rose and Scorpius very confused. Back at the third year compartment, Albus was actively discussing with Evan, Roxanne and Gwen about where they would go for their first Hogsmeade trip while Alice and the other Gryffindor girls talked about Lawrence Boot. "Have you seen him yet? He's a Ravenclaw, one year above us." Alice gasped. "What about him?" Dakota wanted to know. She never had eyes for anyone else other than James ever since first year (something Rose and Roxanne never really understood). "I think I know who that is." Carol remembered. "Isn't he on the Quidditch team?" "Yeah." Alice confirmed. "He's the Keeper." "Ahhh." Stella sighed. She had become quite the Quidditch fan and knew all about Hogwarts' League. She was the to-go girl if you wanted any kind of information about any of the school's players ever since she entered school. She could also name which ones made it to professional league. "How could I forget! That skinny boy with gorgeous green eyes?" "Well, not so skinny anymore." Alice corrected. "I have no idea what happened to him over the summer, but girls. O-M-G!" On the other side of the train, a very much quieter compartment held a couple of Ravenclaws who were sitting in front of each other, each with a book in their hands. Dom still didn't feel fit to go back to school. Her OWL's year had taken all of her and she still hadn't rested all she needed. The same could be said about Tristian, since he always wanted to overdo stuff and ended up at the hospital wing about five times because of nervous breakdown. "Hey, strangers." Erika greeted, coming into the compartment, together with Sean. She and Tristian were both prefects while Dom and Sean weren't. She sat next to the redhead and gave her half a hug. "I didn't see you the whole summer." "Sorry." Dom quietly apologised. "I slept the whole of it." "Tristian did too." Erika revealed. "You 'Claws work yourselves up too hard." Sean commented, next to Tristan. "It's not healthy." "Oh, believe me. You didn't see Teddy on his OWL's year." Dom noted, getting her friends by surprise. She never said anything about her family than the bare minimal, especially after her Allan accident and then the Louis incident. Actually, now that Erika thought about it, Dom hasn't been herself for a while. She figured that the previous year she had been too busy with schoolwork to pick up fights with James and Fred, but the school year had already 3 hours in and nothing had happened yet. "Any plans against the Potter and Weasley duo?" Erika asked. "Wha-what? No." Dom immediately denied. "How come?" Sean asked, in confusion. Tristian closed his book to pay better attention. "I just want to be away from all of them." Dom explained. "I don't need any more hate from my family." "I thought you didn't need them." Tristian put in. "Aren't we your family too?" "Well, I do." Dom hissed, getting up and storming out of the compartment, not really believing on the words that left her mouth. After last year, when her whole family in Hogwarts had shared that one meal when they apologised to Louis, a hole had been left on her heart. She regretted the past five or more years where she wished not to be apart of that family. Dom hid herself behind a mask and her three friends and thought it was all she needed. But she realised all too late that she needed the Weasley's gang. "You ok?" Louis asked, crossing his sister in the corridor. He had gone to the bathroom and was going back to his compartment with Cassandra and their other friends. "Yeah." Dom lied, now realising there were tears on her eyes. Louis noticed them too, but decided to leave his sister alone, and it killed her inside. She waved him goodbye and started searching for a vacant compartment. Not finding one, she settled for the back of the train. She figured a little wind would be good for her. "What's wrong?" A familiar voice asked from behind. For a moment, Dom wished it was her childhood best friend. The one who pretends to be a badass and a heartless womaniser, but deep down was a bit of a mama's boy, with a heart of gold. But she had to be content with her friend, Sean. "Oh, nothing." Dom answered, turning around and resting on the guardrail and cleaning her eyes. "Come on, Dommie," Sean insisted, only making Dom want to cry harder. Only her family called her that, once upon a time. "Clearly something is not right. I've been noticing. We all have. But we thought it was the OWL's pressure. Obviously, it isn't." "I've been a bitch." Dom admitted, immediately placing both her hands on her mouth. Sean grinned and took a step closer. "I like it when you're bitchy." She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right." "I do. It's sexy." Sean blushed and stepped back again. "Uh-hm. Relax, ok?" Dom kept staring at him, wordless. "Let's go back, shall we?" "Fuck." Dom breathed to herself, before following Sean back inside the train.~ The Great Hall went silent as the first years entered behind Professor Longbottom. The Weasley/Potter/Bennett/Jordan/Longbottom/Finnigan/Wood/Scamander family had yet another Sorting Ceremony to get excited about. The little kids seemed more at ease than the older ones, who couldn't bare anymore stress coming from one certain Hat. James wanted his sister with him, so he could secretly keep an eye on her; Louis knew Molly's personality would probably get her to Slytherin, which would not look good for him (she was pure evil and Louis preached that not everyone in his House are bad); Rose too wanted her brother next to her and Roxie expected the Wood twins to follow their parents steps and be close to her (despite being older, Roxie was always very close with them). "Bowman, Isaac." Neville first called. Lily, Hugo, the Wood twins and John were all together on one small group, making witty remarks about the castle or their fellow classmates and were completely disregarding the Sorting happening in front of them. "RAVENCLAW." The Hat announced. "I wonder if James will be nice enough to take me to the kitchens." Lily thought out loud, not caring about her brother cheering and welcoming a new housemate. "I hope so." Jenny sighed. "I don't want to wake up early on the weekends just to come down to breakfast." "Elsbury, Leah." Neville called again. "I think it's so unfair first years can't try out for the Quidditch Team." Carter commented next. "And to think they will try to teach us how to fly." Hugo laughed. "Please, we all have been flying before we could walk." "HUFFLEPUFF." "Hey, who did win yesterday's game?" John asked. "Mum and Dad made us leave early, because Dylan wasn't feeling that well." But before Hugo could proudly say it had been his team who had won, Neville asked for John Finnigan to come forward. "Here I go." "HUFFLEPUFF." The Hat yelled as soon as it touched John's hair. The little boy smiled unconsciously and headed to the table further to his left, full of joy. He could swear he heard Neville say 'Susan will be happy!'. "Hutt, Edgar." "Auntie Susan will be pleased." Lily laughed. "I bet uncle Seamus won't hear the end of it." "Dylan told me they had an extra bet around it." Carter shared. "SLYTHERIN." "Our parents must have lost more than a couple of pounds of sanity during the war." Hugo started. "I mean, even my Mum bets about our lives." "Yeah, she still gloats about getting Al's middle name right." Lily mocked, before she heard her own name being called by her uncle Neville who she yet hadn't realised should be now called Professor Longbottom. "Wish me luck." And she bounced to the stool as if her brothers' heart weren't in their throats. The Hat took seven minutes in Lily's head. Neville even had to ask it if everything was ok. Lily Luna was one of the hardest picks of the century. She had a clever mind, a brave heart and an unquestionable loyalty. She would fit into either three Houses. "I hope not to make a huge mistake, Miss Potter." The Hat told her. "But I also hope you are happy with my decision. HUFFLEPUFF." "WHAT?" James and Albus screamed at the same time. "How come?" Hugo asked more to himself, in awe with the Hat's choice. Lily was surprised to say the least. She always thought she would end up in Gryffindor, but the idea of being a Hufflepuff didn't scare her at all. She only hoped James and Albus would be ok with it, but from the hurt look on their faces, they weren't very happy. "Lily!" John greeted her with a hug. He was so sure he would end up alone in that House. "Good to have you here, mini Potter." Brian hugged her tight and kissed her head. "Thanks, boys." The list was still very long until it got to 'W' and suddenly Hugo and the twins started to get concerned with their own Sorting. The five of them kind of had always been together, but Hugo knew deep in his heart he would never be a Hufflepuff, but he also knew that Lily would love him and still be his best friend at whichever House he ends up at. Jenny and Carter kept exchanging glances. Everyone expected and dreamed they would be at the same House and play as beaters together, but would that be really true? "Weasley, Hugo." Neville called with a smile. Hugo was trembling once he got near his Professor. "Chill out, bud." "GRYFFINDOR." The Hat immediately sorted and Hugo automatically walked to the appropriate table. His sight was filled with a red hair he assumed to be from his sister and a lot of hugs and handshakes were exchanged, but Hugo couldn't take his eyes from Lily, who was smiling endearingly at him, clearly and obviously happy and proud. That was Lily Luna right there. "Weasley, Molly." A silence overcame the room again and Louis started to sweat. Cassie was laughing at his overreaction while Jin Wong, their friend a year above them, was too worried about his sister. "Wow," The Hat gasped. "Ok, miss Weasley. SLYTHERIN it is, then." "Yes!" Molly commemorated while Louis just let his head fall onto the table. "Hey, cuz, aren't you happy I'm here?" "He has a bit of a headache." Cassie lied for her friend so he didn't need to handle his least favourite cousin. Cassie had been involved with the Weasley's for a year now and thought Louis's godparents to be quite pleasant. She never understood how Molly turned out so mean and Lucy so sweet. "Wong, Lie." "Like Mother, like Daughter." The Hat laughed and Jin knew exactly what it meant. "RAVENCLAW!" "Come on, Jin." Cassie laughed. "You saw that coming. She's a walking Cho." "Wood, Carter." Neville finally called. Carter let go of his sister's hand and went to meet with his destiny. Jenny was left alone in the middle of Ravenclaw's and Gryffindor's table and never in her life she felt so lonely. ~ Katie and Oliver walked into the Burrow holding hands and smiling at the world around them. They had both taken the day off at work so they could not only leave the twins at the Platform but so they could enjoy each other again, alone. The whole family was already reunited at the living room. Mrs. Weasley found herself on the kitchen, refusing anyone's help. She always got nervous for the Sorting and needed to keep herself busy. "Hey, everyone." Oliver greeted with a wave. "Merlin." George gasped. "How much sex did you two have today?" "GEORGE!" Angelina, Alicia and Katie scolded at the same time despite everyone's laughter. "We feel you, bro." Rolf said from the couch where he sat, cuddling with Luna. "Twins are a nightmare." "Speaking of them," Luna started, getting alarmed. "Where are those two?" "Outside with Lucy and Dylan." Susan informed with a smile. "Come on, guys." Ginny pledged. "I had four nightmares at home." "HEY, MUM." Teddy protested from where he was sitting at an armchair with Victoire on his lap. "I wasn't a nightmare." Harry and Ginny exchanged a look before starting to laugh. "Yeah, you could have been worse, love, but still not perfect." Ginny admitted. "Aunt Gin is right, love." Vic agreed with a laugh. "And she doesn't even know the half of our mischief." "What?" Harry gasped. "Nana?" Victoire pretended to be called out. "Yes, yes, we are coming." And there she went with Teddy on her heels, skipping her uncle's curiosity. "Tobias?" Harry asked instead. The young man started to blush and hid himself behind his girlfriend. "Ellen?" "Don't drag me into this, uncle Harry." She denied. Little three year old Roberta entered the room running and went straight to Ellie, asking for attention. "Sure, sweetie. Excuse me, adults, I have a tea party to attend. Come, Toby." "The hour doesn't seem to pass." Susan sighed. "I want to receive my money for John's Sorting." "You're too sure of yourself." Seamus laughed. "Not this again." Ben and Harry groaned loudly. "All day long we had to hear this same argument." Ben added. "Wallace and Kelly begged me for an assignment." Harry informed. "Just because they could hear it anymore of you two." "Sorry." Both Susan and Seamus apologised. Mrs. Weasley didn't take much longer before she called out everyone for dinner. Even with most of the kids off to Hogwarts, they were still a large group and it was still a loud meal. Although they had all seen each other only the previous night at Nana's Farewell Dinner, they always had lots to chat about. Percy and Hermione chatted away about Ministry business, while Harry and Ron laughed about work stories; Ginny and Victoire shared Harpies' experience and Teddy and Bill talked normally like the old times when he was just Teddy's uncle Bill (it took Bill a bit to get used with Teddy and Victoire together, but once he did, Teddy became like another son to him). "Excuse me, everyone." Tobias asked just as everyone finished with one more of Fleur's treats. Sometimes, Alicia wondered why Fleur kept in the bank business if she could easily be successful with her baking. The table went silent and payed attention to the young Auror. "Ellie and I have a tiny announcement." "Tell me you're not pregnant." Heather begged. "NO." Ellie immediately denied. "You're getting married then?" Arthur guessed. "Also no, Mr. Weasley." Tobias informed. "We are going to live together." Heather's mouth went to the floor. She always knew it would be coming eventually, but the sudden realisation broke her heart. Teddy and Victoire exchanged a discrete glance that Ginny captured and for a moment her heart froze with the prospective that probably her godson would be making that same step very soon. However, no one had time to say anything because an owl flew right into the Burrow's kitchen with a quite heavy letter. Recognising as her son's bird, Susan hurried to get the envelop on its paw. "It's from mini Potter." Susan informed in confusion, giving the letter to Ginny, who grabbed it and started reading out loud for everyone. She was ever so used to people calling her daughter 'mini Potter', just like they called her 'lady Potter'. Dear Mum and Dad, I remember you told me you'd be having dinner at the Burrow so I can safely assume the whole family is there, right? So, hey there, everyone! "Lily is the cutest, for crying out loud." Ben commented with bliss on his eyes. He was truly in love with his goddaughter. "She is." Luna agreed with a grin. So, the train ride didn't take as long as you said it would. Me and the gang spent the whole ride chatting and laughing. Well, laughing after I recovered from a little attack to my person. I rather not say whom it was since her parents are probably listening to this letter. Percy and Audrey immediately looked at each other, guessing it was probably their daughter. Audrey wondered what Molly II could have possibly done to make Lily cry. Anyways, I'm blabbering and you probably would like to know about the Sorting, right? It was indeed an eventful night for all of us. I see now why my brothers and cousins were freaking out about it. I'll shall list to be easier, ok?Hufflepuff - John and IRavenclaw - Carter and Lie Wong (Healer Wong's daughter)Gryffindor - Hugo and JennySlytherin - Molly As you can see, we are pretty torn apart. Hugo seemed a little bummed out, but I assured him it would be ok. I mean, Al and Rosie are on different Houses and kept being best friends. Jenny and Carter are the ones most confused about it all. They were never separated from each other, but I for one think it's a good thing: they'll learn how to be their own individual and not just the twins. Molly... I can only say Louis didn't seem very excited to have her at his House. John and I are really excited about it all really. I'm extremely happy to be closer to the kitchens. Our common room is quite cozy and the people are very nice. James begged Brian to take care of me which I thought to be nice of him, he doesn't always show his cute side. I guess this is it. John sends his love to everyone and so do I. I already miss you all. I hope to see you at the games now that James was named Team Captain and everything. Love you guys,Lil "Ok, this was unexpected." George commented. "I think no one got mini Potter's and Carter's Sorting right." "Molly is a Slytherin?" Percy gasped. "Louis is one too." Bill noted. "I know." Percy rapidly corrected. "But Molly is such a-" "Prat?" Teddy completed for him, receiving a slap on his neck from Ginny. "I'm sorry, but she is." "Teddy is right." Victoire agreed. "She is always trying to do something to some of the kids. Always looking for trouble." Audrey simply hid herself behind her hands, trying to figure out how she failed with her daughter so much. "I'm sorry, aunt Audrey." "It's not your fault, darling." She assured her. "I didn't see Carter being a Ravenclaw coming." Katie shared with a quite surprised look and a smile. "He won't be a beater with Jenny." Lee sadly concluded with Oliver nodding by his side.