"Malfoy, Draco!" The first name was called out. The first-year strode up to the seat near the professor and sat down, a look of eagerness on his face. Professor McGonagall placed the tattered hat on top of the boy's head.

"Slytherin!" The hat shouted.

Thor was bewildered at the talking hat. "A bewitched hat?" he whispered to his brother. Loki nodded slowly, frowning.

Draco proceeded to his place at the Slytherin house's table, where he was welcomed.

"Weasley, Ronald" came the next name. This time the hat's verdict was Hufflepuff, and the anxious-looking boy headed to the table under the Badger's emblem. The Prefect shook his hand.

Ten minutes later, more than half the first years had been sorted. The two brothers grew more anxious by the minute. The house they were put in would determine their family at Hogwarts.

"Odinson, Thor!" Professor McGonagall finally called out, consulting her parchment. Thor swallowed back his nervousness and walked over to the hat. He took a seat.

"An Odinson, eh?" The hat's voice resonated in his mind. "Great strength. A willingness to face challenges... A fair deal of courage... And a certain disregard for rules..." Thor smiled slightly. Hela's description of Gryffindor house had made him eager the very day he had received the letter.

"Very well. GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat declared.

The students under the lion's scarlet banner erupted in cheers as they welcomed their newest member. Thor smiled as he joined them and took a seat, taking one last look at Loki.

"Harry Potter!" came the next name. A hush fell over the spectators. It was as though some celebrity had appeared, and Loki scoffed at their unusual reaction. The boy caused great joy to the house of Gryffindor as the Sorting Hat's verdict resounded. Loki watched as the he made his way nervously to the lion's house table.

"Finally... Odinson, Loki," the Professor called, putting away her parchment and beckoning to the raven-haired boy. Loki felt his surroundings blur as he walked up to the sorting hat, taking self-assured steps to calm himself down.

Professor McGonagall placed the hat on Loki's head after he took a seat. His siblings watched in anticipation from their opposite tables.

"Another Odinson," Loki heard the hat's voice in his head. He gritted his teeth. He hated being called that name.

"A sharp mind, suited for achieving great feats. A burning ambition to prove yourself to those who doubt you..." The hat whispered. Loki was frozen, the words ringing true in his heart.
"An obsession with power... You'd do great in Slytherin."

Loki smiled.

"However," the Sorting Hat continued. "You have the courage to carry out your ambition. A strength to fight your enemies, that is otherwise hidden. You could be great in Gryffindor...
Where to put you?"

Loki frowned. He hadn't expected himself to be considered for Gryffindor. But the hat had asked him, and from all that his sister had told him, he knew where he wanted to be. Loki exhaled slowly, making up his mind.

"Slytherin would be glorious," he thought fervently.

"Very well. In that case, better be SLYTHERIN!"

The table under the emerald Serpent's banner resounded with applause. Hela smiled to herself, proud at her brother's selection.

"Velcome to the esteemed house of Slytherin. I am Viktor Krum, prefect," an older boy greeted as he shook Loki's hand. He was tall and appeared to be in his fifth year. Loki looked around at his fellow house mates inquisitively. His eyes fell on the teachers' table and made eye contact with the man with the shoulder length black hair. The teacher smiled slightly and looked away.

"That's Professor Snape. Slytherin house Head and potions master," Hela remarked with a smile. Professor Snape had been her favourite teacher for a year and Loki had heard of his sister's high prowess in his subject.

"You made it into the most powerful house at Hogwarts," Hela continued, smirking. "You'll be great here."

Her brother smiled craftily. "I think I will," he responded with a grin. There was nobody here to curb his magical abilities. No All-Father to doubt his capabilities.

Loki glanced across to the Gryffindor table and caught Thor's eye. His brother was lost in conversation with the Potter boy and a girl with frizzy hair, settling in already. Thor didn't have anybody to stop his duelling obsession here, nor was there anyone to watch over him protectively all the time.

The first-years were too caught up in their thoughts to notice that the Headmaster's speech had almost ended. The old wizard they had seen at the teachers' table peered at them through his crescent glasses.

"Enjoy your term, students. Good luck," Albus Dumbledore continued, stepping down from his pedestal.

They were now part of the Hogwarts family.