Back To The Beginning
1971
"Avery, Evangeline!" The professor called.
She looked stern and formidable, but her voice was gentle upon calling the girl's name, she clearly knew the pressure Evangeline was under to be sorted into the 'correct' house and continue the line of Slytherins in the Avery family.
Sitting down, she faced the sea of students sitting at the tables, their eyes locked on her as though she was a brand new broom that no one had seen before.
"Another Avery? Hmmm... Where to put you?"
"I think Slytherin is a good choice, um... sir?" Unsure of what to address the hat by and aware that hundreds of eyes were glued upon her still, she spoke softly and timidly.
"Well, yes, Miss Avery. It's also the most obvious choice, and the one I disagree with the most. You would very definitely do well in Slytherin house, but I sense something that there most certainly is not in the rest of your family. You want to grow and learn more than they think possible, you wouldn't be able to achieve that if you did not break the mould created many centuries ago-"
"Please! I have to be in Slytherin! It's where I'm expected to be!" Evangeline was getting desperate now. The Sorting Hat hadn't taken this long with the students before her; in fact, it hardly touched their heads before making its decision.
"Yes, Miss Avery, it is where you're expected to be, however, I have never made a mistake throughout the entire time sorting young witches and wizards, some of whom have been in this exact situation. Their families had expectations for a certain house and I thought they'd be better somewhere else. I was always right, so rest assured wherever I put you, you will blossom into the exact person you so desperately wish to become."
She was confused. The only way she could become what she wanted to become was if she was sorted into Slytherin, and the Hat was very determined that she wouldn't be. "Well, I need to be in Slytherin. It's the only thing my parents will accept."
"You're determined, Miss Avery, I'll give you that, and you're definitely willing to do what it takes to get where you want, but Slytherin isn't the best match for you. It'd be a good match, but Gryffindor is the perfect house for you!"
As the hat made its decision, she felt the colour draining from her face and the eyes of her older siblings pierce through her head as she turned to go towards the table filled with red and gold ties. She didn't hear the rest of the sorting, but she suddenly became aware of a group of boys sitting next to her. She recognised one of the voices instantly as her best friend, but why was he at the Gryffindor table? He sounded like someone who was pretending to be happy but failing miserably.
"So, Ev, I think there has been a slight cock-up somewhere, don't you?"