Sorting of Camdyn
Camdyn woke up to his sister slamming into his room, the door knocking against the wall with a loud bang. Alyssa shouted, her voice filled with excitement, “We’re going to Hogwarts! Get your lazy butt out of bed!” Her ambush finished, Alyssa ran downstairs, breakfast now the thing on her mind. With a groan, Camdyn poked Toby, who was napping in the crook of his neck, trying to get him to move.
The kneazle glared at him before leaping off the bed, and sauntering out of the open door. Camdyn quickly changed, taking a quick look at the clock and seeing the time at ten thirty. He was very glad that he had packed his trunk the night before, as he wouldn’t have enough time to pack his things.
When he got to the bottom of the stairs, his mother was there with two pieces of toast wrapped in a paper towel which she handed to him. Camdyn whistled and Toby sauntered over, giving him a glare. Setting the toast on the counter, he put Toby in the carrier, much to the Kneazle’s horror.
By the time Alyssa had brought down her trunk, and their mother double checked everything, it was 10 minutes to eleven, and their mother decided to apparate, as it was too far to use the car.
The platform was as busy as Camdyn remembered it to be, with owls and cats making noises, parents shouting to their children, and witches and wizards clumping together next to the scarlet steam train. His mother ushered him and Alyssa onto the train, and kissed their cheeks, telling them to send a letter after their first day, and I love you’s. Camdyn thought his mother was a bit much sometimes, but Alyssa loved the attention.
“I think I’m going to find a compartment of my own, brother dearest. I need to make friends without you looking all moody behind me. See you at Hogwarts!” And with that, Alyssa walked off, looking into the compartments as she passed them.
With a sigh, Camdyn wandered off in the opposite direction, searching for an empty compartment, as unlike Alyssa, he’d rather not make friends. It took him ages, and the train was almost ready to go when he found one, near the front of the train. After a few seconds of struggle lifting his trunk onto the rack above, he let Toby out of the carrier and set it on the rack as well.
The kneazle gave him a rather stern glare, and lept up onto the cushions across from him, curling up in a patch of sunlight. Camdyn shook his head, exasperated.
“You should probably get used to the carrier, you’ll be in it several times over the next few years. And at Hogwarts you’ll be able to run around to your heart’s content Toby.” The kneazle ignored him, already asleep and snoring. With a sigh, Camdyn pulled out his toast and ate it, becoming lost in thought.
What Hogwarts house would he be sorted into this time? Honestly it was always a toss up, the Sorting Hat liked to put him in the three other houses when it pleased, but acquiesced to his requests when he asked it to put him in Gryffindor. It had taken him a few lifetimes, but Camdyn had figured out that the Sorting Hat put you in Gryffindor if you asked. It made sense, to ask you had to be brave, even if you didn’t know you were being brave.
Camdyn just hoped it wasn’t Slytherin. To be honest, Camdyn had nothing against Slytherins, and most times at Hogwarts, he made very good friends with Slytherins. They weren’t all bad, just like people. But while he loved Slytherin (the dorms and common rooms were quiet, and people were willing to help, even if you had to do a favor for them), it would throw Harry bloody Potter into super suspicious mode.
Camdyn knew how Harry Potter thought, after all, he had once been Harry Potter, and the fact that Ollivander had told him that his wand leaned toward darker magics . . .
It didn’t help that Harry’s indoctrination into the Wizarding World was that Dark wizards and Slytherins were all evil. While he had no plans on making friends with Harry, Death would probably manipulate the situation to make them friends, the asshole. It would be easier to not chafe with the boy, and Camdyn didn’t particularly feel up to being a manipulative mastermind.
The was a knock on the door and it slid open, pulling Camdyn from his thoughts. It was the trolly lady, and he paid for some sweets, not really hungry, but craving sugar. With a small smile and a thank you (he had met Hannibal Lecter in one life, and made it a point to be polite always from that point on. Camdyn had been lucky that Hannibal liked him, or he would have been dinner), he sat down and began to pick at the sweets.
It was while he was gnawing on a pumpkin pasty that the door slid open a second time. Having expected this, Camdyn did not startle like the first time. The bossy voice was familiar, and Camdyn felt something weird stirring in his chest, it almost felt like loss.
“Excuse me? Have you seen a toad? Neville here as lost his, and we’re looking for it.” Camdyn looked at Hermione, trying to get rid of the weirdness in his chest, and spoke quietly.
“I must apologize, I haven’t seen a toad on the train, I do wish you well on your journey to find it though.” There, that was formal enough to not sound like he was feeling anything. Hermione nodded sharply, and closed the compartment door and walked off, Neville trailing behind her.
Camdyn looked at the kneazle, who had one eye open and was staring at him.
“What in the ever loving fuck is happening to me Toby?”
The kneazle just flicked it’s tail and went back to sleep.
§~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~§
The train came to a halt a while later, and darkness had fallen upon the scottish countryside. Camdyn left Toby curled up on the cushions, knowing that the kneazle would be in his dorms when he got there.
He turned to the voice shouting “First years over ‘ere”, and began to follow the hulking giant known as Rubeus Hagrid. Camdyn kept an eye out of Harry, making sure to avoid him when he saw the boy. Hagrid led them down a trail to where a little fleet of boats sat in the inky waters of the Black Lake. A fitting name indeed.
Harry got into a boat with three other people who whispered amongst themselves. A bit of motion came from the corner of his eye and he saw Alyssa sitting with Pavarti Patil and Lavender Brown. (He had always found Lavender’s name odd, who named their child after two colours?) She was waving at him vigorously, and he gave a wave back, which seemed to satisfy his sister.
They passed a bend and Camdyn saw the beautiful sight that was Hogwarts. No matter how many times he saw it, Hogwarts was always beautiful, a shining radiance exuding from it that Camdyn had never quite seen any other place do. He stared at it, listening to the sounds of awe from the other first years, until they bumped into the shoreline on the other side.
Camdyn followed the herd of children to the Entrance Hall, and stifled a laugh when they jumped at the ghosts passing through the wall. Camdyn felt another weird pang in his chest when he saw Professor McGonagall, and began to wonder if he was sick.
Her speech was the same as he remembered it, and when the doors opened to the Great Hall, Camdyn’s breath caught in his chest. It was so obviously magical, and it was beautiful. Then again, everything about Hogwarts was beautiful.
He heard Hermione whisper, “The ceiling is enchanted to look like that,” and the awed exclamations of others. Camdyn observed the students in the hall, who were watching the first years with eager eyes. He dragged his gaze to the stool at the front of the room, and made an aborted little laugh when he saw the Sorting Hat.
After they all lined up and the Sorting Song, McGonagall called names. Camdyn didn’t pay much attention until he heard, “Potter, Harry,” and looked up like the rest of the hall. Harry walked to the stool, slightly curling in on himself with all the stares directed at him. It was about five minutes before Harry was sorted, officially making him a Hatstall.
The cry of “GRYFFINDOR” had the Gryffindor table erupting with cheers, and grumbles from the rest of the hall, excluding Slytherin. Camdyn lost his fascination until he heard his sister’s name, knowing he’d be called next. “Stewart, Alyssa!”
Camdyn watched as his sister winked at him and strolled up to the Sorting Hat, jamming it eagerly on her head. It was only a minute later when the hat called, “Gryffindor!” and the hall clapped. Now it was his turn.
“Stewart, Camdyn!”
He walked to the stool, keeping his limbs and shoulders loose and easy, face blank. When he got there, the hat was placed onto his head, and Camdyn immediately felt the mental connection take place.
Oh ho ho, what’s this? A time traveller? No, a continuously reincarnating immortal who’s come back to Hogwarts. Plenty from all four houses, indeed.
Well, it has been a couple millenia, I would hope I’ve become more fleshed out then the average eleven year old.
Ah, a sharp tongue as well. I wouldn’t put you in Gryffindor, it isn’t your wish, and while Slytherin would thrive in your presence, I can’t help but feel that isn’t the right path to go to.
Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw then? I’ll admit, it isn’t often I’m placed within those two houses.
Yes, I have seen that. You used to have a great thirst for knowledge, but that died out sometime long ago. You are plenty creative, and would flourish in Ravenclaw. But wait, what’s that? You’re extremely loyal to those who earn your trust, almost like a compass needle. And while sometimes you wish to not do so, you are an extremely hard worker, and put effort into the things you do.
You are kind, despite what you would like to think, and care a great deal for others. Yes, I know just where to put you, Camdyn Stewart.”
Get on with it then.
So snappy, well then, better be,
“Hufflepuff!”
Camdyn felt the hat being lifted from his head, and walked down to the Hufflepuff table with a small smile on his face.