Sorting Hat

Stepping out of the fire, Art dusted the ash from his robes before look around. He saw lots of young witches and wizards with their parents boarding a large scarlet steam engine. Soon Amelia stepped through and used her wand to remove the ash.

"Make sure to write me and Susan's letters. If you have any problems write me." Amelia said, guiding Artland towards the train.

Art gave her a big hug. "Thank you, Aunt Amelia, for everything."

"Hurry along now. I have to get back to the Ministry." she said gruffly.

Art nodded and got on the train. Amelia gave him a finally wave before disappearing. Taking a deep breath Artland found himself an empty compartment before entering it. Soon a loud whistle rang through the platform and the last students quickly got on the train. Art played with his wand nervously as the train started moving. A knock on the compartment door brought Art out of his own head, looking up his saw two red headed boys that looked identical.

"These seats taken?" the one on the left said.

Art shook his head. The two of them took their trunks and put them in the overhead compartment.

"I'm Fred and this is George Weasley." Fred introduced them.

"I'm Artland Cason."

"Cason? I thought they all died." George said surprised.

"Not all…" Art said quietly.

Fred and George looked at each other before awkwardly becoming silent but they soon started talking again, making jokes and telling stories about their older brothers. Their second oldest brother was in his 7th year at Hogwarts and was Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and played seeker. They told him about his obsession with dragons which made Art perked up, interested in dragons himself.

The twins were funny and quick witted and Art enjoyed talking to them. Soon a trolley came through and they purchased some sweets. Soon the compartment was filled with laughter as they tried Bertie Bott's Every-Flavor Beans. George got puke flavour which caused him to gag, making Art double over in laughter.

"Which house do you think you will be in?" George asked, still trying to get the puke flavour out of his mouth.

"I don't know. They all have good qualities about them." Art said, remembering what he read about them.

"Even Slytherin?" Fred asked incredulously.

"Though Slytherin is known for producing dark wizards, the traits they value are ambition, cunning, and leadership. In the right wizard these qualities are very powerful." Art recited what he read in a book.

The twins looked at him like he was crazy. Art smiled, "But Gryffindor is where my dad was and Hufflepuff was my mother so hopefully one of those two."

Soon they arrived at Hogwarts and exited the train.

"Firs'-years! Over 'ere firs'-years!" a booming voice was heard.

Looking over towards the voice, he saw a gigantic man with a bushy beard. He had black beady eyes and wore huge trench coat that looked to made of animal skin.

Fred, George and him made their way towards the giant man with the other first years. Art looked around and saw large carriages that the older students were getting into. Pulling the carriages were skeleton horse things with large bat like wings. Art made his way over to them, getting scorned by a couple older students.

"What is this idiot first year doing?"

Ignoring them, he gently approached the skeleton horse and placed his hand on it. The creature remained calm as Art looked into it's black eyes.

"What are you doing first year?" a large red headed student came over and looked at him weirdly.

Art looked embarrassed as he apologized. "Sorry, just these creatures are interesting."

The student looked at him and the space beside him confused.

The giant man came over. "Charlie. How ya bin?"

"Good Hagrid. This is a strange first year." he said looking at Art.

"You can see 'em?" Hagrid asked Art.

"Yes sir."

Hagrid nodded slowly before turning to Charlie. "Thestrals."

A look of understanding came over his face as he looked at Art with sad eyes. Hagrid led the first years down to the lake where they loaded into some boats. Soon they were on the lake and a huge beautiful castle came into view.

"Welcome to Hogwarts." Hagrid said proudly.

The first years 'oooed' and 'awed' at the castle. Art could feel excitement bubbling up from inside him as they made their way towards the castle. Going through a massive door, a tall, black haired witch in emerald green robes stood there waiting for them. Her face was stern and reminded Art of Tim. She guided them into the castle and explained that they would be sorted into the four house before joining the feast.

Beside the twins was a handsome young man with brown hair. He looked calm and refined, as if everything was under his control.

"Artland Cason. You are?" Art said, introducing himself.

Art noticed the boy's face changed when hearing his last name but quickly regained his calm expression. "Cedric Diggory."

"So Cedric, what house are you hoping for?" he asked curiously.

Cedric eyed Art before answering. "I know I am going to be in Hufflepuff. It's not really my choice, my entire family was in Hufflepuff and I will be the same."

"I don't know about that, I've read many cases where an individual was placed in another house other than their family house." Art said, remembering what he wrote. He then shrugged his shoulders, "But Hufflepuff is a great house regardless. Goodluck to you."

Professor McGonagall told them to form a line and guided them through another pair of large doors into the Great Hall. Artland was amazed as he saw thousands of lit candles floating along the four tables where the students were sitting. Another long table was placed at the front of the Great Hall where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led them to the front of the Great Hall and turned them to face the students. Looking up at the roof they saw a black ceiling dotted with stars. Art knew that it reflected the sky outside from a book he read.

Professor McGonagall placed a normal stool and a patched and frayed black wizard hat on top of it. Much to his surprise it started to sing a song.

Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!

Art felt like laughing after hearing the Sorting Hat's song. This hat was gifted with intelligence from the four founders of Hogwarts and it seemed like it gained sentience from the magic. Soon Professor McGonanagal took out a list and started calling names.

"Alsferd, Carl."

A short freckled kid nervously walked up and sat down on the stool, placing the hat on his head. A few seconds later the Sorting Hat yelled out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

A round of applause filled the Great Hall as the boy made his way to his new house. This continued until it was Art's turn.

"Cason, Artland."

"Cason? The pureblood family that was wiped out in the war?"

"I thought they were all killed by You-Know-Who?"

Artland heard the students point and mutter amongst themselves but ignored them, a look of determination on his face. He wanted to see what the Sorting Hat had to say about what qualities he had.

Sitting down on the stool, he put the oversized hat on his head.

'Difficult, very difficult. You are the most difficult student I have had to sort for a long time. You crave power and are filled with ambition which Slytherin would help you achieve but… your intelligence would be a great fit for Ravenclaw. You fear nothing but one man, which Gryffindor would value.'

'I don't fear him!' Art thought interrupting the hat.

'No? Hmm… maybe you're right. You fear your own weakness and not being able to stop what happened.'

Art's hands balled up in fist, knowing the hat was right.

'But you are hardworking and loyal to you family, Hufflepuff would be proud to have you in her house.'

'So which is it?' Art asked shortly.

'Like I said… difficult. Where do you think you should go?'

'All founders were great figures and I want to have all their qualities.'

'Greedy, every wizard had a flaw, even the founders. But I see in your heart where you want to go… follow your father's footsteps and go to GRYFFINDOR!' the Sorting Hat shouted the last word.

Art took the hat off and heard a loud round of applause from the Great Hall. He saw Professor McGonanagal looking at him strange but he ignored it and made his way towards the Gryffindor table which had a large lion behind it. Sitting down, lots of older students came over and congratulated him. The rest of the first years were sorted into their respective houses, the Weasley twins were both placed in Gryffindor house and sat next to Art.

Their older brother, Charlie came over and congratulated them.