The Sorting Hat

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"Chase, Annabeth."

Annabeth perked up, and stepped forward, allowing the hat to be placed on her head. A voice spoke, sounding like it was coming from inside her head and outside it, disconcertingly. She frowned.

Demigods at Hogwarts. Never thought I would see it, the voice, the hat, hummed.

Ambitious, yes, you are quite Ambitious. You could have a path in Slytherin, do doubt, but your mother is the Lady Athena. Annabeth glanced at Percy and swallowed, sweat prickling at the back of her neck. Wise beyond your years. And you love to learn and discover new things.

I used too, Annabeth corrected sagely, remembering what questing and discovering had her end up. Her face soured.

Whatever you say, Lady Chase. May Athena and Metis guide you, for you will be in:

"RAVENCLAW!"

Annabeth resisted the urge to grab her knives, and plastered on a fake smile and walked proudly to the blue and bronze table, all eyes on her.

---

"di Angelo, Nico."

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and sat, thin fingers gnawing at the edge of his ring as every eye lingered on him and the hat was placed on his head.

The hat was speaking to him, Another demigod, it tsked. Let's see what you have, Ghost King.

His breaths quickened ever so slightly, and he could feel the hat in his head, in his memories. A just man you are, Nico di Angelo. 'The underworld has no mercy, only justice," he quoted.

How do you know that?

I have seen it, young one. I know what you have done, and know your sense of justice is high and holy. You value it. You wish to bring everyone to justice, no matter what.

Get out of my head. The memories floated past him unbidden, and he looked up at the ceiling. His stomach twisted as he saw the stars, glimmering and twinkling.

Very well.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

He scowled as his tie turned yellow, tuning out the snickers from his friend. He walked over to the Hufflepuff table where his housemates watched him with caution. He cursed the hat, cursed his memories, and cursed the stars.

---

"Grace, Jason."

Jason had watched as his friends got sorted, and the barely noticeable changes in demeanour about them, and knew whatever that hat did, it wasn't fun. He proudly walked to the stool, mulling over what could have possibly made Annabeth and Nico falter the way he had seen.

The hat was placed on his head, and the deep rumble of it spoke to him.

Wise and Just the past two have been, let us see what this Lord brings. Brave, a great leader. Noble and kind, hardworking. A true Roman. Jason couldn't hide his wince.

Hmmmmm, you are a tough choice, Son of Storms.

Why did you call me that?

The sorting hat did not answer, but the warmth in his mind reminded Jason of a coy smile. He frowned. The sorting hat thought, Chivalry runs in your bones. And an undeniable grace, if you will. The hat laughed, and Jason steeled his face, sensing what was coming.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Cheers erupted and Jason jogged over, a small smile on his face.

---

"Grace, Thalia."

Thalia's hands tightened slightly as that stupid name was called, but she walked forwards despite it all, posture as straight as a knife. She sat and made sure to make her face cold and distant, just in case anyone got the wrong idea about her.

The hat, which had likely never been washed, was placed upon her head, and for not the first time, Thalia wished that she had been able to keep on wearing her circlet. A voice filled her head.

The lieutenant of Artemis, it said in her ear, causing her to glance around. It laughed, All of you are so on edge. Hogwarts is a haven for many, why do you not see it? Especially you, Lieutenant Grace, with the forest so close by.

My definition of safe is not the same as yours, old hat.

Bold, it laughed again. Yes, yes, it must be. You will join your brother in:

"GRYFFINDOR!"

---

"Jackson, Perseus," the witch called out, and Percy looked up from where he stood. He walked forward to the stool, and sat, eyes finding Annabeth as he sat. She smiled at him as the old hat was placed on his head.

Such an interesting pattern your friends have made, sea-son. I wonder how you will fit into this... Percy straightened slightly as the voice filled his head.

Let's see...quite loyal, no? Yes, you could do well in Hufflepuff. But there's something else here, isn't there? You're quite the leader, and very resourceful aren't you? And that loyalty, who is it to?

My friends? Percy replied after a second, realising the hat had asked him a question.

Yes, yes. Selectively loyal, that's what you are.

Get on with it, he snapped. He glanced at Annabeth again.

There's no path for you there, destroyer. Percy froze. Better be:

"SLYTHERIN!"

He swallowed a smile and sent one more glance at Annabeth, before turning away and placing a faux air of ease around him. Easy enough.

---

Piper breathed in and out as Hazel was sorted, knowing she was next. And true to the order that Piper had figured out, her name "McLean, Piper," was called out next.

The hat was placed on her head, and for a moment there was silence. She breathed in. Breathed out. Lady McLean. She nearly jumped. The hat laughed lowly and spoke again, You are not overly ambitious, wise, loyal, or brave.

She scowled, Now wait a moment—

No harm meant... It drawled and she listened, You subdue your emotions...yes...you do. Your mother is the fair Aphrodite, the daughter of only Ouranos. She was the spawn of treachery and the bringer of love. Your emotions are large and complicated.

It hummed. Piper longed for Katoptris, but she hadn't been able to disguise it. A charmspeaker, huh? You may not admit it my lady, but your charmspeak will forever grow with you. And I think it puts you in:

"SLYTHERIN!"

Piper walked to the table and sat next to a troubled person, never once forgetting the words the hat spoke to her.