“HUFFLEPUFF!”
The name rang out through the Dining Hall loud and ear splitting, only eclipsed by the resulting cheers from the table of badgers welcoming their new kit. It was a disappointing outcome for the other tables who’d waited—wasted, some unkinder minds would think—the fifteen minutes it took for the Sorting Hat to decide where to place its present wearer for the next seven years she’d live out her Hogwarts experience.
A new record breaking hat stall, Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall thought, if not a little disappointed herself as she shooed off the dainty bronze skinned eleven-year-old to her new House. The tiny girl flashed a bright but awkward smile to the older woman as she placed the worn Sorting Hat back on its stool whispering a gentle thank you and goodbye, shuffling quickly to her table of fellow badgers now adorned in their shared colors of yellow and black, only to whirl around and dart back to Minerva for a brief but surprisingly strong hug.
“Thank you, Ms. Professor. Deputy.”
The words came out muffled against her robes but no less grateful and the Professor had barely uttered a welcome in reply before the girl was gone and seated among her peers before she could blink. She was fast for such a small thing. The girl barely came up to Minerva’s hip for Merlin’s sake! But a warm feeling settled over her at the kind action. Yes, the girl would never be one of Minerva’s cubs but she was no less precious and honored because of it. It was clear by her actions that the Sorting Hat had chosen right by sending her to Helga’s house.
Time would tell what Genesis Domine-Lunaré Eternaé became as a result of it and whether or not that kindness would last in such trying times.