Chapter Text
“Ravenclaw!”
Viola wore a proud smile as the musty hat was taken from her head. She was from a Legacy after all. Most, if not all, of her family members were sorted into Ravenclaw, and of course all of them were accepted to Hogwarts. She was a Pureblood, how could she not be? Then there was Tadg Murdock. He had already been sorted. Barclay never would have guessed that the grumpy brooding boy would be a Hufflepuff. Those were his friends, but before Tadg were Shazi Essam, Hasu Mayani, and Cecily Lloris. Shazi got into Gryffindor, she seemed the type. And he would know after the time they spent at the Sea together. Hasu made it to Ravenclaw as well, she was always thoughtful and studious. Cecily also went to Gryffindor. Barclay expected that of her, she was quite daring. But the next name to be called was the one he dreaded most. His own.
“Thorne, Barclay.” Shouted Professor Harlow
He stood still for a moment, unable to move. Then he unlocked his legs and shakily made his way to the stool as Professor Harlow lifted the ragged hat.
The only one of his friends that wasn’t a Pureblood was Cecily. Even then, she was a Half-blood so she had at least a little familial magic running through her veins. But he was a Muggle-born. He wasn’t meant to have magic, he wasn’t meant to be here, why was he here? The only thing stopping him from running out of the great hall was the unsorted kids blocking his path to the doorway and the fact that he had already reached the stool.
'Hmm…Powerful, that’s for sure. Though you do not know it yet, and you don’t believe me when I say it. You doubt yourself, and you hear the doubts around you…You yearn to prove yourself, not only to them. Perhaps Slytherin would be the right house for you? You’re ambitious, and despite what the others say you’re still proud of your heritage. Yet loyal to those around you, and hard-working. Clever as well! Mm, but you’ve got bravery and daring in you too, not to mention courage. It took much of the same courage for you to sit here tonight…Do you have anything to say for yourself?'
'I-I don’t know?'
He found it very odd to have another voice in his head, every word sent shivers streaking down his spine.
'All your life you’ve done what you think your parents would have wanted…so choose for yourself, not them.'
'W-Well, some of my friends are in Gryffindor—'
'Don’t choose for them either! Slytherin is built on pride and ambition, Gryffindor on bravery and courage, Ravenclaw on cleverness and creativity, and of course Hufflepuff on loyalty and grit.'
'U-umm, Gryffindor?'
'A question or a statement?'
'Gryffindor.'
“Gryffindor!” the sorting hat shouted immediately
Barclay was shaking. Exhilaration and doubt merging in his stomach, it melted away when he saw Shazi and Cecily screaming his name with huge grins. Viola was clapping very fast and very loud at the Ravenclaw table. Hasu had even stood up to cheer, and Tadg—Tadg even had a small smile on his face. When Barclay’s eyes met his, he gave a reassuring nod. Any lingering feeling of doubt was washed away by the heaps of delicious food that spontaneously appeared. Pear cider and other delicious beverages were conjured and chicken, roast beef, lamb, duck, and deer replaced the once empty table. Their elation was short lived. The doors burst open for two figures. One tall, the other stocky. Audrian Keyes and Yasha Robinovich had come to Hogwarts.
“Stop where you are!” Cyril seethed, preparing his wand
“I wouldn’t do that.” Audrain smiled, “My apprentice has a right to be sorted, you know.”
Cyril seemed to think about this for a moment, but his stance never wavered.
“You’re wanted for your crimes against the Wilderlands. Both of you.” Cyril bit out
“Well, while that may be true, my apprentice was accepted into your school and you know that if a child is accepted they must attend if it is their choice. You wouldn’t keep a poor kid from his education would you Cyril?” Audrian clearly thought Cyril would bend at that, if not break
He thought correctly. It was indeed against the law for Cyril to keep Yasha from Hogwarts. Even if he was a traitor.
That didn’t mean Cyril was going to let Audrian escape, however.
“And besides” Audrian continued, “I’ll be gone before you can stop me.”
“I wouldn’t count on that.” Professor Rasgar stepped in
“You should.” Audrian’s smile turned malicious
He apparated away before either professor’s could react. Professor Rasgar let out a growl of anger, Professor Harlow glared at the spot where Keyes had just been. Then every gaze in the room flashed to Yasha. He was taller than the last time Barclay had seen him, perhaps a little thinner. His hazel eyes were sharp and calculating as ever, and he had buzzed the sides of his hair. But he was still Yasha, still a traitor. Barclay himself hadn’t changed much, just as short. Hair a bit longer with half of it tied in a knot at the back. But he had learned so much from the Sea, the Desert, and the Tundra. He had shed tears over that boy, blood as well. And now he had to show up here. It was hard. Back then at least. Now, though? Now Barclay didn’t care about saving him. He was done.
“Robinovich. You’re to be sorted then?” Professor Rasgar huffed
He answered her with a sharp nod.
The sorting hat was placed on his head. While the moldy cap decided, Barclay could have sworn the hat turned slightly to look at him with a raised eyebrow. Then—
“Slytherin!”
It wasn’t a terrible surprise. Cunning, ambitious, dark in general. Yasha was a shoe in. The only cheers that rang out were the Slytherin’s as he went to sit at their table. Barclay glanced at Tadg to see a simply murderous glare etched onto his face.
“Let the feast begin!” Headmaster Asfour declared
The festivities were dulled in great measure by the unaccounted-for arrival. The food was still good, the drinks warming and sweet, but minds were soured and fearful that night. And Barclay never took his eyes of the blond boy across the hall.