Different are you
Better be…… Gryffindor
The hat bellowed as the Gryffindor’s cheered as the girl ran over getting consumed by the gold and red. All of them are smiling and for a minute I think this whole thing is a bad idea, and that I should ask to be put in Gryffindor. But Penny is in Ravenclaw and one of your uncles on your mothers side was and so what if they care. They are just your family the people you are force to rely on for the next seven years why do you need to them to like y–
“Percival Weasley”
Oh Merlin, save me. I walk up to the stage before sitting down and as the hat is about to be placed on my head a thought no, a realization comes to me.
If you are a Gryffindor you will never escape the comparisons, you will always fall short of the image of Weasley. Can you live with that for the rest of your life?
No I can’t
“A Weasley ah."
"Yes I am."
"An interesting mind, a lot of courage Loyalty… and a thirst for knowledge and Ambition to grow. You are a tricky one, where to put you mhm. could just go where all Weasley before go or somewhere different."
"Yes, well, I would like to make a request."
"Oh what’s this, go on."
"Not Gryffindor put in Ravenclaw."
"Oh surprising."
"Well I am not a Hufflepuff. And let's be honest, if I was not a Weasley Gryffindor would even be an option. And if I was brave enough to ask for Slytherin. And you would put me there but am not. But I am smart, logical and I can be creative when I need to be. Ravenclaw it's the best opinion for me."
"Mhm logical thinking, and a smart conclusion. Yes I think you will fit nicely there."
"So say it."
"Mhm better be… Ravenclaw”
The silence is suddenly filled with the sound of cheering. I look over to the sea of blue and silver. As I walk over and sit down I look over to my brother. I freeze as I catch their eyes. Bill and Charlie are looking at me with a look of shock and horror. “Percy were in the same house” someone says, snapping me out of my steering conception with my brothers. Penny, her excited smile turning into one of concern. “Percy what’s wrong. Did you want a different house?”
Five seconds ago I didn’t. But the look my brothers gave me. What if everything was different, what if I miscalculated and being in Ravenclaw was a bigger deal than I thought. I mean what if me wearing blue and silver was not acceptable for them. What if red and gold was the only acceptable choice? Merlin if that was the case I might have well asked for Slytherin.
Wait what. What am I saying is if this isn't ok, then why bother. I did this to show everyone that I am different from my family and if that can’t accept it then fine.
“No. I want to be in this house just a bit out of it. Being up there with everyone looking at me is scary. You know.” I smile. “Oh yeah that was scary. But there are only a few kids left then we get to eat and we are in the same house” she smiles again. And so do I.
After the last couple kids get sorted by the hat the headmaster steps up to give a speech I give him my fall attention. If I am looking at him I don’t have to look at my brothers. “Well with all that out of the way” Dumbledore announced as he waved his hands, and all of sudden the tables were full of food. “I believe it is time for the feast to begin” he finished.
No one wasted any time and started digging in. It was a lot calmer than what I’m used to. At home it is every man for themself with food, but here it was civilized. Oh don’t get me wrong, everyone was filling their plates with more food than they needed and shouting to the other end of the table. But it was what they were yelling that made it civilized. For people to pass the food platers over and if anyone wants some before putting it down.
“Anyone want a chicken leg?” a boy cried out next to me.
“Yes…. please” I whipped just loud enough for him to hear me. He looked over to see who had asked, and for a moment he looked at me with disbelief before smiling. “Sure kid, how many do you want?” he asked
“Two please.” I answered
“Oh I want two to please” Penny interjected herself into the conversation
“Alright, two chicken legs for the two new Ravenclaw. Penelope and Percy right” he asked us to put the chickens on our plates respectfully. “Yes we are. And you are?” Penny asked. “Oh my name Aran Green I am one of your perfect. I am actually in the same year as your brother Charlie, Percy.” he says. Oh right my brothers I almost forgot. My worry must have shown on my face because his face softened. “Hey don’t worry you can talk to them after the feast and if you need help and can’t ask them you can ask me. Okay” he smiled at me. It was the same one that Bill gave me on the train.
“But anyway that is a problem for later do you want anything else” he asked.
“Oh I want those bread rolls and sausages”
“I would like some buttered corn and something to drink please”
“Coming right up. Ella pass the sausages please the first years and I would like some”
“Ok just give me a minute ok”
This is going to work out, being in Ravenclaw I just know it. Because I am going to force it no matter what. The feast after that was nice. I was still refusing to look over to the Gryffindor table, like Aran said that is a problem for later. I just talked to Penny, ate food and tried my best not to worry about it.
I even made another friend or Penny did. Her name is Audrey Flint and she has a twin brother. Penny is already planning how she is going to make our friend too.
“Well Percy can’t be the only boy. This way we get another friend and if he has made some to we have two or more.”
“You were nearly a Hufflepuff weren't you” Audrey asked half amused. “Yes I was. And you were nearly a Slytherin like your brother, and Percy could have been any house but the stupid old hat decided that we were all better here. Now help me plot ways to make your brother our friend.” she smiled.
“stupid old hat, you got that right.” she smiled back. “You need to prove you're worth his time. That you're not a pushover.” She smiles at us.
“So just be yourself Penny and everything will be fine.” I tell her in a playful voice. Both girls turn, with Penny giving me a angry but playful face.
“Are you calling me bossy”
“Oh definitely” I say
“He right you know you will have no trouble at all” Audrey chimes in.
“Fuck both of you.” Penny yells lightly hitting both of us on the arms with either hand. But me and Audrey just laugh knowing Penny was not really mad. “Hay we were just saying that it will be easy for you and we will soon have another friend.” I smile trying to hold back some of my laughter so as not to get her actually angry at me. “Fine but you have to be stubborn with me so that he will be Percy.”
“Yes ma'am”
Another friend. I have two friends. The thought made me giddy. I have two friends and one is already making plans to make more. See, being in Ravenclaw was the best option, maybe the only real option where you can be happy, Percy. But the happy and calm feeling doesn't last as the headmaster stands up. The entire of the grand hall goes silent as he raises his hands.
“Well I know you are all having fun catching up with old friends and making new ones. But I am afraid that it is time for bed. This year we will be doing things a bit differently prefect’s if you would please show the first year to the dorms but this year snice Ravenclaw and Slytherin have the longest way to go you will go first and then Hufflepuff and Gryffindor.” he announcers.
I can’t talk to my brothers now. The statement gives me a lot of mixed up feelings. On the one hand I am upset and angry that I won’t get a solid answer on my opinion on my house placement, but on the other hand I'm happy that I don’t have to face them with the possibility that they will be angry with me.
“Well come on you lot lets get you all set up yeah” Aran calls out. I look out to see all the first years have started to get up while I was zoning out. Including Penny and Audrey who were looking back at me realizing that I hadn’t gotten up.
“Come on Percy. Don’t want to fall behind.” Aran smiled at me.
“Sorry I zoned out” I said as I raced to my feet.
“Oh it’s okay Percy that what I and the rest of your house is here for. To make sure you don’t fall behind. Now come on, your friends are waiting.” Aran smiled again. Before looking over to a different table. It makes me feel important and wanted.
I quicken my pace catching up to Penny and Audrey. They both smile as I do all three of us then pick up the pace again to catch up with the rest of the group. Aran is behind us still looking over smugly to someone or something but I don’t know who. Because whoever it is there over at the Gryffindor table.
And I am still refusing to look over there. No matter how curious I am to what's happening or who Aran is looking at. Because that might be Bill and Charlie or next to them.
Why? why can’t it just go my way for once. I don’t think I am asking for much just for my family to be happy for me. To not care that I’m different I mean I am not that different. I am not that different…. Am I
Or maybe that is the problem. Maybe I am too…. Different.