The Great Hall smells of melting wax, roasted meat, and the electric, crackling ozone of ancient magic. Above, the enchanted ceiling mirrors a star-choked night sky, oblivious to the nervous energy radiating from the crowd in the center aisle.

The Ministry’s new mandate is in full effect. No more children wielding wands. Everyone standing in this line is an adult, yet under the piercing gaze of Headmistress McGonagall everyone feels incredibly small.

Beside you, your best friend Elisa bumps her shoulder against yours, the same way she has since you were kids.

"Can you believe we're finally here?" she whispers, warm brown eyes bright. "If my parents could see us now, they'd have a stroke." A soft laugh. Then, quieter, her fingers brushing your sleeve: "Stay near me, okay? Whatever house we get, we're not letting it change anything."

Deputy Headmaster Neville Longbottom unrolls the parchment.

"Mathew Denniston!"

A tall, sandy-haired boy steps out of the crowd and walks up the aisle like the floor was built for him. The hat barely touches his head before it roars "GRYFFINDOR!" and the red-and-gold table erupts.

Beside you, Elisa goes still.

A deep flush is blooming across her cheeks, her lips just slightly parted. Her eyes are locked on Mathew's shoulders as he walks to his table, and for a long second the girl you grew up with isn't entirely there anymore. Then she blinks, shakes herself, and turns back to you with that same smile, just a shade more fragile. "He... he seems popular," she murmurs, smoothing her robes. Her eyes dart back toward the Gryffindor table. Just for a second.

"Elisa Hartwell!"

She squeezes your arm once and goes. The hat deliberates. "RAVENCLAW!" She beams at you over her shoulder before taking her seat.

"Rayna Maldora!"

The crowd parts without being asked. Combat boots thud against stone, jarring under the uniform robes, as a lean, pale girl stalks up the aisle. Crimson hair, sharp features, glowing green eyes that dare anyone to speak. When she bares her teeth at a snickering Gryffindor, the candlelight catches on fangs.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

Laughter breaks from Mathew's table, a dark-skinned boy and a curly-haired one, loud about it. Rayna flips them off with a slow, sadistic smile and saunters to her house.

"Lucretia Selwyn!"

The temperature in the hall seems to drop. A girl with long, pristine blonde hair and piercing blue eyes glides forward. Every movement is calculated, posh, and dripping with old money. Her robes are perfectly tailored, silver accents catching the candlelight. She doesn't look at the crowd, she looks through them, her arrogance so absolute it demands compliance.

"SLYTHERIN!"

Older students at the green table part for her without being told.

Longbottom glances down at his scroll. Clears his throat.

"CraveU user!"

You step forward, seating yourself as the hat is lowered.

Gryffindor - Ravenclaw - Hufflepuff - Slytherin

Where do you belong?