The Sorting
Eventually, the train stalled and the older girls grabbed their bags.
“C’mon, we’ll get you to Hagrid and he’ll show you the boats,” Marlene said.
Just like before, the hallway was crowded with students eager to get off the train and get to the feast that awaited them. Evan and Pandora followed the girls through the masses of students and to the train’s doors.
The crisp September air bit as he stepped off of the train. It was a clear night and he could see the stars, gleaming and boasting, in the sky. They almost seemed to blend with the lights emanating from the many windows of the castle. The castle itself was a sight. Across the lake it stood proudly, years of tradition built inside those walls.
“First years this way.” a gruff voice bellowed.
“That’ll be Hagrid.” Marlene pointed at where the voice had come from. A little further down the path, a large man continued to call for the first years. Although he loomed over the students surrounding him, he didn’t seem inherently intimidating. Something about his demeanor made Evan think he would hardly hurt a fly despite his great size.
Evan and Pandora waved goodbye to Marlene and Lily. Mary had already slipped off into the sea of students. Evan was rather sure he had seen her board one of the carriages while chatting with the older boy from the station, but he didn’t let his mind dwell on it.
Together, the siblings traveled into the fray of nervous first years. Students around them mumbled anxiously, all waiting to see what would happen.
After a few minutes, the commotion coming off of the train settled down as the older students headed off towards the castle in carriages.
“Arright,” Hagrid announced. “Let’s get you lot on the boats and headed to the castle for sorting. Group off into fours and we can go.”
Evan and Pandora ended up in a boat with two other new students, the younger brother from before and a frazzled young girl who was talking a mile a minute.
“I’ve always thought I would make a fantastic seeker, although I haven’t quite mastered letting go of the broom yet, but I’m sure they’ll be begging me to be on the team as soon as they see me fly.” The girl bragged.
Evan could see Pandora trying her best to be polite by nodding and smiling while the other boy didn’t bother hiding his annoyance.
“I’m sorry, I don't believe I caught your name?” Pandora interrupted.
“Sybil Treylawney. You’ve probably heard of my great great grandmum Cassandra Treylawney. I think I’m gonna follow in her footsteps and be a seer just like her, and I'll probably be in Ravenclaw like my mum. She has always told me I’m more of a silent genius.”
“Hardly,” The other boy scoffed.
It was barely above the whisper but Evan couldn’t help but laugh at the boy’s comment. Not having heard the remark, Pandora eyed him and he did his best to turn it into a cough but it was too late.
“What’s so funny about that?” Sybil turned her attention to Evan, looking him up and down.
“Oh, n-nothing.” The other boy caught his eye and smirked. Evan bit back a grin.
Sybil seemed either content with the answer or just too eager to return to talking about herself to care. She descended again into her rant and even Pandora sighed in indignation. Attempting to tune her out, Evan turned his attention to the scenery unfolding around him.
The stars he had previously noted were now reflected by the lake, giving the illusion that they were sailing through the sky. The lanterns from the boats appeared as suns. Up ahead, the castle grew as they approached. The stone towers peered down at them. The windows all flooded the night with a warm glow.
He tapped Pandora who was still nodding to Sybil, and gestured her attention forward. Pandora gasped as she took in the sight. Around them, the oo’s and ah’s of the other students echoed off the water. Evan couldn’t deny the excitement that built inside of him as the boat docked.
They made their way to a grand staircase, where they were greeted by a strict looking professor in emerald robes and a twisted hat.
“Welcome to Hogwarts. In a moment, we will enter into the great hall, but before you take your seats, you will first be sorted into one of the four houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. These houses will be like your family. Your triumphs will be shared and you will earn points, any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year the house with the most points will be awarded the house cup.” Her voice was short and to the point.
She pushed open the wide doors and Evan could see the faces of the older students turn towards them. Pandora grabbed his arm nervously and he gave her a reassuring smile. They entered the hall and Evan’s jaw dropped. The high ceiling reflected the stars they had seen while crossing the lake. Constellations swirled above them. Candles floated on each of the four long tables, casting a warm glow on the students below. At the far end of the room, Evan could see the staff chatting and watching the first years enter. In front of the staff table lay an old, decrepit looking hat.
Evan, Pandora, and the rest of the first years filed in and formed a clump in front of the hat, watching as the professor picked it up.
“As I call your names one by one, you will come up, sit on this stool and I will place the hat on your head. Once you are sorted, you may go and find a place at your house table.” The Professor unfurled a scroll and proceeded to read a name. “Lydia Burbage.”
A thin girl with dark hair down to her waist walked up, shaking, to the seat. The professor placed the hat on her head and Evan held his breath. After a few moments the hat cried out.
“Hufflepuff!”
The table against the left wall erupted into applause as the young girl took her place.
“Edward Greengrass.”
This time, a lanky boy sauntered up to take his seat.
The hat had barely touched his head when it exclaimed, “Slytherin!”
This time the table far against the other wall all cheered.
As the sorting continued, Evan started to ease up. He could tell Pandora felt the same as she smiled and clapped along with the other students.
After several other names, the professor called, “Pandora Rosier.”
Pandora winked at him as she ran up to take the hat. “See you in Slytherin.”
She sat down and Evan smiled, waiting for the hat to sort her into their house. After well over a minute, the students around him tried to whisper. It was the longest the hat had taken all night. He tried to make out Pandora’s face, but she sat emotionless under the hat.
“Ravenclaw!”
Evan snapped out of his trance. It had to be wrong. He watched Pandora as the hat was lifted off her head, her eyes wide in disbelief. Just like before the students cheered, not knowing the calamity of what had just occurred. He could see Pandora searching for his face through the crowd of students. Finally, she found him. Her eyes were scared and pleading. She mouthed his name but was then ushered to the table.
Evan didn’t hear the next name called. He couldn’t breathe. His hands were shaking. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
He grasped the back of his neck, feeling the tight pink scar under his hand. Even now he could feel the blistering heat. He wouldn’t let that happen to Pandora.
His hands shook.
All he could see in front of him was his father’s twisted sneer and mother’s disappointed face.
Maybe she could ask to switch? But what good would that do? She had already embarrassed the family name.
Evan’s vision was spinning. He couldn’t feel the ground beneath him. The air was hot and thick, choking him as he tried to catch his breath. A static like hum drowned out the room.
Where was he? Back in his father’s study?
A hand touched his shoulder and Evan's head snapped towards it.
The young boy from the station looked at him knowingly. But why was he here?
Slowly, the rest of the great hall melted back into view.
“What do you see around you?” The boy whispered to Evan.
“C-candles, they’re everywhere.” Evan’s voice shook. He didn’t know why the boy was asking such a weird question.
“Good, what does the floor feel like?”
Evan looked at the boy, confused. “I’m not about to lean down and touch it.”
“Not like that,” The boy smiled. “How does it feel under your feet.”
Evan considered it for a moment. He felt the strength of the stone holding them.
“It feels sturdy.”
The boy nodded. “When they call you, focus on the floor and how it feels or count the candles.”
Evan paused, “Was it really that noticeable?” He whispered.
The boy shook his head. “Not really, I’ve just seen it before.”
Before he could respond, Evan heard his name called.
He took a deep breath and slowly made his way to the stool.
The professor smiled at him then placed the hat on his head. It was quite large and slid down over his eyes. Evan started to panic again. The stool was too high for his feet to touch the ground and the hat hid the candles from view.
“No need for a fright, boy.” A smooth voice seemed to whisper in his ear. “Let’s see what we have here. Another Rosier hm? Two in one year is interesting, quite rare indeed. Are you going to follow after your sister?”
“No.” Evan couldn’t stop the thought.
“No?”
“I need to be in Slytherin.” Evan pleaded with the hat.
“Hmm, you do seem quite apt for it, although, loyalty like yours would benefit much more in Hufflepuff.”
“It has to be Slytherin.” Evan begged again.
“Very well then, If you insist.”
The word rang out into the hall.
The hat was taken off of his head and light flooded his eyes. Not feeling in control of his body, he made his way to the cheering table. As he passed by the Ravenclaws. Pandora was avoiding eye contact, looking instead at the empty plate in front of her.
Getting closer to his own table he started looking for a place to sit and saw a familiar face waving him down. The boy slid over leaving a space for Evan.
“Fancy seeing you again.” The boy laughed. It was the same laugh that had been replaying in Evan’s head for the better part of the day.
“H-hi” Evan stammered.
“I probably should have introduced myself since we got so up close and personal in that cupboard.”
Evan choked trying to turn his cough of surprise into a laugh but it came out quiet and awkward.
Luckily the boy didn’t seem to pay him much attention. “I’m Barty.”
“Evan.” He responded, regaining his composure.
The boy smiled at him. It was lopsided and Evan could see that he was missing a tooth. Although he would have had plenty of time to smooth it into place, Barty’s hair was still wild, dark tufts sticking out at odd angles.
“You have got to be kidding me, Reg.” a voice exclaimed.
Everyone’s head turned towards the Gryffindor table.
The older boy from the station had stood up and was yelling at his brother who had just been sorted. The younger boy gave no attention to the commotion and continued to walk towards where Evan and Barty sat at the Slytherin table.
Just like in the compartment, the boy with glasses stepped in to calm Black down. He reluctantly sat, fuming in his seat.
Evan scooted closer to Barty, leaving a space for the boy.
“He can never just keep to himself.” He sighed, taking the spot.
“Interesting bloke. Knows how to make a scene, I can appreciate that.” Barty joked. “I’m Barty.”
He reached his hand past Evan who’s gaze had now drifted away from the Gryffindor table and over to the Ravenclaws. Pandora seemed to have calmed down immensely and was chatting animatedly with the dark haired girl next to her.
“Regulus Black.”
“Well Reggie,” Barty started.
“You will absolutely not be calling me that.” Regulus made a face of disgust.
“Alright, fine but we’re finding something besides Regulus. I’m sorry mate, but that is dreary”
Regulus rolled his eyes but didn’t protest.
“Back to what I was saying, Evan here and I pulled quite the stunt on the train.” He clapped Evan’s shoulder.
“Excuse me?” Evan almost laughed. “I don’t recall pulling any kind of stunt, that was all you. I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Or maybe it was the right one.” Barty winked at him. “Nonetheless, we are now wanted men, I say we strike again before they can retaliate.”
“This is a school not a war zone. Can you try and make it to the start of classes before getting yourself expelled?” Regulus gawked.
“That would have to be some kind of school record, quite impressive actually.” Evan added.
“But where's the fun in that?” Barty complained. “This is set to be the best seven years of our lives, why not make the most of it?”
Evan thought he actually might agree with Barty. There wasn’t much fun to have at home so why not let loose at school. Evan thought he would be smart enough to not get caught. “You might be onto something there, Barty”
“That’s the spirit! What about you, Reginald?”
For a moment Regulus seemed to consider the idea, his lips twisted in a subtle smirk. But then he shook his head laughing.
“Whatever am I going to do with you two?”
“We’ll convince you eventually, Right Ev?”
“No doubt about it.”
The sorting drew to a close and an old man with a silvery beard came forward from the staff table. Dumbledore, Evan assumed. His father had spoken many times about what a fool he was and that he was a threat to wizardkind. Evan eyed the old man warily. He certainly didn’t seem like a threat, in fact, he looked a little looney in his bright yellow robes and matching hat.
“Thank you, Professor McGonagall.” He nodded to the witch who had been reading the names. “And welcome all new first years. We hope that you will find your time within these walls beneficial, for no matter how much you know there is always more to learn. I also ask that while we do sort you into houses, you treat the rest of the school with equal respect as you do your housemates. The houses were made for friendly competition not a war.”
Evan shared a glance with Regulus. It wasn’t surprising that the growing political tensions would make their way onto the school grounds. Evan knew that his father’s colleagues had older students as did many of the members of the Wizengamot.
“With this in mind,” Dumbledore concluded. “Let us begin the feast.”
Instantaneously, the empty platters in front of them filled with an assortment of foods. Barty piled his plate high with pies and sausages while Evan and Regulus made considerate attempts to maintain their composure despite the ache in Evan’s stomach. He had shared some treats with the girls on the train but still he was starving. Theiri conversation ran out as each boy was busy stuffing their faces.
Feeling full and content, Evan searched again over the Ravenclaw table for Pandora but she no longer was at her seat.
“Who are you looking for?” Barty tried to follow the path of Evan’s eyes.
“My sister, she was just sorted into Ravenclaw but I can’t find her.” Evan felt a wave of nausea at the thought of her disappearing.
“I’m sure she’s around.” Regulus commented. “Probably just off in the loo.”
Evan nodded. He was probably right, Pandora couldn’t just disappear out of Hogwarts. He eased up slightly.
As the feast drew to a close, he worried again. Pandora hadn’t returned to the table and the prefects were starting to lead students to the dormitories. Eventually, there was nothing for Evan to do but follow his new friends out of the great hall. He tried to listen to what they were saying, but his mind kept wandering back to his sister.
Almost as soon as he got to the first moving staircase, someone brushed up against him.
“Can we talk?” Pandora asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Evan nodded and let her lead him to a small alcove under the stairs. Right as they stopped, Pandora burst into a flurry of words.
“I-i’m so sorry, I don’t know what happened. I asked it, I really did. Bu-but it said it couldn’t bear to see me wasted like that. I promise Ev I really tried. Please, please don’t be mad at me.” She sobbed out the last plea.
“Pan,” Evan wiped her face. “I could never be mad at you, look at me.”
She met his eyes.
“You are my sister and no house will change that.”
She melted into his arms, her voice no longer frantic but just as frightened. “What will Maman and Papa say?” she whispered into his shoulder.
“T-they won’t be happy.” Evan knew better than to lie to her. She already knew what would happen. The flames she had seen earlier burned bright in Evan’s memory. “But I won’t let them hurt you, I promise.”
She shook her head against him and raised it to look him in the eye. “You can’t do that again.” Her face was stern and tear stained. She sounded more grown than any eleven year old ever should. “It’s not your price to pay.”
Evan sighed reluctantly, knowing it was no use fighting her but that when the moment came he would not let them touch her.
“Get some rest Pan. We’ll deal with that when the time comes.”
She seemed to choke for a moment, trying to find words, but eventually she just nodded and followed him around to the stairs. He watched her go as she ran to catch up with the rest of her house before turning to the dungeon stairs.
When he reached them, he noticed Barty and Regulus waiting for him.
“Alright, Evan?” Regulus questioned his searching like before.
“Y-yeah, alright.”
“That’s the twin I presume?” Barty gestured with his head towards where Evan had come from.
“Yeah, she’s just, a little worried about what our parents will think about her being in Ravenclaw and all.”
Regulus nodded understandingly and Evan recalled what Marlene had said on the train. Regulus’s brother was the disgraced heir. The boy who caused a commotion after Regulus had been sorted. Evan guessed he wasn’t the only one with family matters to deal with that day.
They made their way to their dormitory in a comfortable silence. When they pushed open the dark oak door they were greeted by two other first year boys. They were both talking and unloading their trunks.
The first of the two to notice them had smoothed dark hair and a haughty smile.
“Oh there you are, Aziz and I were just wondering if we were the only two to make the cut to be in Slytherin this year.” He let out a pretentious laugh but his eyes didn’t match the smile on his face. “I’m Edward Greengrass and this is-”
“Aziz Shafiq” The older boy cut in. He was rather tall and had rich skin.
Greengrass seemed a bit ticked by Shafiq’s interruption, but he did not comment on it.
“Who are you?”
“Evan Rosier, this is Barty and-”
“Barty? Barty who?”
Evan paused. He had just realized Barty had failed to tell them his family name. He looked at him, unsure of what to say.
“Crouch.” Barty said dryly.
“Interesting they let you in, not going to try and lock us all up like your old man?”
Evan wasn't quite sure what to think of this new development. Barty’s father had almost compromised Evan’s family by making vicious claims against his father. Still, he was one of the twenty eight so it couldn’t be that terrible and he was a man of power.
“I’m nothing like my father.” Barty spit.
Edward raised his eyebrows but didn’t bother to push. “I didn’t catch your name.” He turned to Regulus.
“Regulus Black” Regulus raised his chin.
“Black? You don’t say. I’m sure your family is breathing a sigh of relief they only got one screw up of a son.”
Evan saw something shift in Regulus’s eyes but his face remained neutral.
Having everything sorted, the boys found their beds. It wasn’t too late, but the day had taken such a toll on Evan that he found himself pulling off his robes and changing for bed rather early. Regulus seemed to have the same idea and crawled into his own bed.
While the other boys were all busy playing a round of exploding snap, Evan took the chance to speak with Regulus privately.
“Hey Regulus,” Evan said under his breath. “Can I ask you about something?”
Regulus nodded, sitting up and motioned for Evan to sit next to him.
“Earlier, when I was panicking, how did you know how to help?”
Regulus paused for a moment before answering. “It happens, or used to happen to my brother sometimes. Our mother has never been the most forgiving woman and many times he reacted how you did when she called him to see her. He never knew when to hold his tongue.”
Evan nodded, picturing a house similar to his own. The nicked wood of his fathers desk and the lick of flame on his neck.
“Thank you for helping me. I don’t think I could've made it to the hat if it wasn’t for you.”
“If it happens again, don’t hesitate to ask for help.” Regulus smiled. He had only smiled a few times that night, but this one was different. It reminded Evan of the fleeting smile he had seen on the platform. It was genuine.
Evan said goodnight to him and climbed into his own bed. He drew the curtains and closed his eyes, drifting off to the muffled pops from the boys’ game.