Ch46. Sorting
I started a new story: In Naruto: Reborn with Talent
do check it out if you are interested.
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McGonagall took a parchment with names and started calling the kids to the sorting hat.
Everything proceeded as in cannon and Hadrian was quite bored as he shuffled his feet, 'nervously' clenched his fists and looked all around the castle, feigning astonishment. It was hard to keep the facade but Dumbledore's gaze was on him full time and he had no choice.
"Harry Potter!" McGonagall called out, quieting the entire Great Hall for a moment.
The silence quickly passed as the kids started whispering around, trying to take a good look at their resident childhood hero.
Hadrian restlessly approached the stool, his head lowered, meekly looking at the floor.
The hat was dropped onto his head and he could feel its magic invading his mind, not differently than Narcissa's probe.
'Heh, lad, do not try to lead me astray.' He heard the hat in his mind, chuckling amusedly as he tried to do what Narcissa taught him.
'Sorry, it was instinct.' Hadrian mentally shrugged.
'Liar.' The hat rebuked. 'Now... Since you are already aware, I can tell you that Mr. Twinkledydoo, good nickname, by the way, wants you badly in Gryffindor.'
'And where do you want me, Mr. Hat?' Hadrian innocently asked.
'Oh, kid, we both know you know how this works.' The hat mentally rolled its eyes at him.
'Indeed, Mr. Hat but be a good artifact and tell me your assessment of me, will you?'
An exasperated sigh resounded in his mind as the hat annoyedly grumbled about snotty brats and whatnot.
'You are no Hufflepuff. That's for sure. Yes, you can be loyal but you are too reclusive to be a part of the badger's den. You wouldn't try to protect those you care about, instead, you would prefer teaching them how to protect themselves. While admirable quality, it just doesn't fit the puffs who would rather be the ones getting hit for their comrades than let them learn a valuable lesson. You can be rather cold too and you also hate the simple-minded 'going with the flow' kind of thinking that is so prevalent in Puffs. You are also no budding Dark Lord in need of a friend or cheering up. So, no, Hufflepuff is out at all counts.
As for Gryffindor... Yes, your view of the house is rather negative. Wow… rash, stupid, loud, hypocritical. Well, Salazar would praise you for your 'accurate' assessment, I am sure. Anyway, that house is out due to the simple reason you vehemently refuse to be part of Lions. I can not place you somewhere you do not want to be. A pity really. I would place you there just for laughs if nothing else. Sigh, so many students would be in different colors if only I could do so.
Ravenclaw, yes. You would fit in there. Albeit that's mostly due to your wonder of magic and liking to skulk around the dark corners of the library rather than spending time with other kids. Oh, you have a pet raven you called Rowena! Hmm, definitely a fit for Ravenclaw. Rowena would be proud of your vanity...
Slytherin. I would just chuck you there and be done with it, Mr. Potter. You are Lord Slytherin, after all...
And yes, Hogwarts recognizes your claim. You have the blood of Godric Gryffindor in your veins while having the Lordship over the Slytherin line. Through magic, I can feel your wife being at least partially related to Rowena. And while Hogwarts can not discern the depth or strength of the lineage of your wife, your family is due to it related to three of the four founders. Without the Lordship, it would be a moot point but with it... You are recognized.'
'Oh, any advantages?' Hadrian asked excitedly as ideas swirled in his mind, getting a chuckle in return.
'No. Not really. This is a school, young Slytherin. And while the castle can be your home, Founders made sure no heir of theirs is able to circumvent their wishes and claim the castle. Hogwarts will stay a school as it will be independent. You have all that Hogwarts offers at your disposal but you won't be able to alter anything.'
'Bummer. What good is it when I can't even sack the old man...' Hadrian sullenly whined.
'Always happy to disappoint! Nevertheless, back to the assessment... So, Slytherin. Uh, it is full of purebloods who would not look kindly at you. As sad as the current state of House Slytherin is, I know you would be able to get them in line but you are also not looking for gullible followers. Yet again, Dark Lord you are not. Just a selfish bastard, really. Which would arguably fit right in with the more ambitious sort of Slytherins. You would be able to form many beneficial connections and gain powerful allies. Alas, as I said, I would just throw you there and be done with it but we both know the choice depends on you.'
'I want to go into...'
The hat mentally gagged.
'I'd rather not...'
Hadrian tilted his head and interrupted it, peeved.
'And why ever not?'
'There are too many people with the predisposition to becoming Dark Lords in that house! Are you seriously wanting me to send YOU there!?'
'Yes.' Hadrian deadpanned as the hat groaned in resignation.
'Better be...' It started to grumble.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat exclaimed as the entirety of the Great Hall stilled.
Slytherins were looking with their jaws on the floor, expecting Potter to be Lion as per tradition.
Ravenclaws showed mild interest but their logical side just shrugged it off and wrote Harry Potter as somebody useless, as per prejudice.
Most Gryffindors were bewildered and some were angry that their poster boy went to the house of the hard-working duffers instead of the proud lions. They also had loyalty, alright! They had it in spades! Why would Potter forsake Lion's Den for some pathetic bunch of Badgers? They had no idea. There was just no logical or illogical way to understand it! They were the best and the Boy-Who-Lived belonged to them! His father and mother were both Lions, for goodness sake!
Hufflepuffs were just glad to have a new friend in their midst, clapping loudly.
Hadrian walked towards the Hufflepuff table and immediately saw Dora waving at him, beckoning him to come closer. He was quickly deposited on her lap as the other Puffs gawked with wide-eyes at him and Dora as they introduced themselves.
Hadrian had to give it to the woman. She could really make her tights soft and comfortable. A boon of metamorph, he was sure. His mind was, however, quite confused as to why she was so friendly and showing so much affection as he distractedly returned the introductions of his new housemates.
It would be still a long time until poor Hadrian understood that what Dora craved most was someone giving her recognition. He cheered her 'Puffy' self up on the train when she was at her lowest and the 'friends' she shared with Charlie made fun of her for being too 'clingy' and 'emotional'. That instant, Hadrian unknowingly gained a very loyal friend for life. She was a badger, after all.
McGonagall was happy for the boy as she saw him in the lap of the resident metamorph and vowed to herself to have a long, very detailed talk with Miss Tonks. She owed it to the boy's parents.
Snape sneered as he saw the insufferable brat sitting at the house of the useless and thought that it is oddly fitting.
Other Professors just clapped, Pomona more enthusiastically than others at gaining a new badger.
Dumbledore was intently watching the boy with a calm grandfatherly smile as he internally seethed. Yes, his plan was fine. Maybe even more than fine but there were too many disadvantages in Harry being a Hufflepuff! He won't be able to naturally bring out his rashness and selflessness now. Plus he actually might get genuinely loyal... friends. What a disaster!
Then the boy sat on the lap of Nymphadora and Dumbledore paled. Of all people, the little shit could choose to approach he chose the girl with a connection to House Black!?
His mind instantly recoiled as he vowed to use his resources more actively now that the boy is not a Gryffindor and is out of the 'constant vigilance' of Dumbledore's redheaded allies. It was time for Professor Snape to finally showcase his brewing skills.
At that time Dumbledore had yet no idea what a clusterfuck was waiting for him after the Feast...