what is right // what is easy - magic au

The hat takes no more than three seconds to decide.

You should be nervous. Anxious, hushed like the other first years. But not you. You're far too brash for that, head held high as you walk up to the stool when they call your name. Ignoring the whispers that follow you, trickling all the way back to the last seats by the entrace hall door.

"Hart," they whisper. "Like the Gryffindor that died?"

You smile as you sit, place the hat on your head - but inside you are malice. How dare they speak her name. Act as if they knew her. Your sister was a pariah, standing up against dark forces that tried to break into the school last winter, and she gave her life to protect them.

Lord knows why she chose them over you - over Poppy. Who are they? Nobody. You are Paisley, her sister, her betrayal stings. Stirs something terrible in you. Still, you smile. Spit venom beneath the grin. But she promised-

The hat murmurs in your head, "ahhh." A sigh, of relief. As if this was the easiest decision in the world.

"Slytherin!" it yells, the far table erupts into cheers. You see Poppy then, blue and silver wrapped around her collar, politely applauding and saying nothing. Stone cold, ignoring the pitied looks from her classmates - you just smile, curve from ear to ear, and slide off of the stool. 

You see the Gryffindors slumping, disappointment obvious. Good, you think as you take your seat. They didn't deserve her. They certainly don't deserve you.

The malice, self-doubt, that horrible green whisper, coils a question around your mind: 

or is it you that doesn't deserve them? Or, even - her? Sam Hart, saviour of the school? Sister slain for the greater good? Who sacrificed herself for them over you?

You swallow the idea down, dark and deep. 

The snake in you shall eat it whole.

[ coding by griffin ]

I am holding out that Mom and Dad will write me a letter this year. I just have a good feeling about this year, y'know? Sixth year, did pretty well on my O.W.L's last year, I'd say I've earnt it.

Like I said over summer break, it's not my fault that I'm the first Salazar ever sorted into Hufflepuff. Dad even said he'd prefer Gryffindor over Hufflepuff, but I think he's just being a grump. Plus he doesn't even know all the great things about my house. Back in his day, yeah, they never won the House Cup or anything. But we're right by the kitchens! Free snacks whenever we want!!!

And yeah, maybe they were known as the 'lame' house. And maybe we're still underdogs to this day. But times have changed! We won the Quidditch Cup last year. Sure, on a technicality when it was discovered Ravenclaw's captain was slipping Liquid Luck into his team's breakfast goblets... but a win's a win you know? 

Anyway, I just have a good feeling about it all. So I'm going to write a letter every week for a whole year until they respond. I wrote them first night back, leaving out the fact that I might have a date with Marley for the first Hogsmeade trip of the year. They're still not over my sister dating Mickey from Gryffindor in her seventh year. Mom said she didn't know what was worse, me being in Hufflepuff or Jaci dating a half-blood. But like, Mom! They were Head Boy and Girl, that's like, inevitable! Right? Look at her and Dad! 

Well! I didn't get prefect but Marley did! I'm so proud of him. He wears his pin upside down a lot and I'm always having to adjust it for him, but I don't mind! I'm just happy to help out where I can! Like when that first year was crying, homesick as all hell, and he didn't know what to do so he sent her to my dorm and I let her cuddle my cat until she fell asleep on one of the couches in the common room. 

I'm just hoping they don't send a Howler like they did one week into first year. They said I was a disgrace to the family and that they were ashamed to call me daughter and how could I let this happen and why didn't I ask the Hat to put me in Slytherin and that I wasn't allowed home for Christmas. Ugh, gives me shivers! Some other kid started crying and it wasn't even their parents screaming through the entrance hall!

But I just smiled and shrugged it off, letting the eaten pieces float around me like confetti. "That's not even that bad," I'd said, skipping off to Defense Against the Dark Arts. "You shoulda seen them when Rafael almost got expelled for getting a replica Dark Mark tattoo!"

They were more upset that he was showing it off to everyone rather than actually getting it, Mom telling him to be more discreet next time. So yeah - feeling positive! Sixth Year is my YEAR! ...it's just got to be!!!!

Reckon it's too presumptious to start picking out my Christmas outfit already? N'aw who am I kidding - I've had this one saved for five breaks already! 

[ coding by griffin ]