stephanometra

Third piece of writing in a day. Goddamn. Also, since it's about Sorting, showing my own colors. :D

Title: The Only Choice
Rating: G
Words: 448
Warnings: None!
Summary: A conversation between one Regulus Black and the Sorting Hat.
Author's Note: This is

regulusa's fault. Completely.

-

"Well, young Mr. Black. I had heard that we'd have another of you this year."

You're a hat. How could you possibly have heard anything of the sort?

"Come now, you know better than that. Your great-great-grandfather's a portrait in the Headmaster's office, and that's where I live."

If you spend all your time talking to Grandfather Phineas, I'd not call it living.

"Too true, too true. Now, what shall we do with you?"

Mother says I'm to be in Slytherin.

"And your mother would know, of course."

Wouldn't she? Better than a hat, anyway.

"Ah, but can she read your mind?"

I certainly hope not. But sometimes I wonder.

"There speaks a Slytherin, at least."

Good, we're finished.

"Not so fast, Mr. Black. I need a moment more to think."

What is there to think about? I'm Slytherin, you just said so.

"There is often a difference, you'll find, between what we say and what we believe."

I have to be in Slytherin, Hat. Cissy says she'll look after me there.

"You trust your family so implicitly? Perhaps I should put you in Hufflepuff."

No. No. Anything but that.

"Funny, your brother said the same thing."

Did he?

"You admire him greatly, I see."

He should have been in Slytherin, too.

"Maybe you should be in Gryffindor."

Mother won't have it.

"You might be surprised to hear this, but I don't give a fig what your mother will or won't have."

Lucky you.

"Ah, bitterness. Perhaps you'll be alright in Slytherin after all, if you've the mettle to become a true cynic."

Yes, that's exactly what I'll do.

"I don't like it, though."

Do you have to like it in order to Sort me?

"I ask myself that many times each September, Mr. Black, and the answer is always different."

Indecisive, are you?

"Now that's the cauldron calling the kettle black."

Pun intended, I'm sure. And I'm for Slytherin, I told you.

"Yes, thank you. And you've the head for Slytherin, that much is clear, but your heart belongs elsewhere."

Don't say it.

"I warn you, boy, that the heart always wins out, in the end."

I'm not Sirius, Hat.

"No doubt, Mr. Black, no doubt. In some ways, I think, you're even more a Gryffindor than he is."

I'll be more a Slytherin than he ever could.

"We'll see about that."

I'm sure we will.

"Are you certain this is what you want?"

It's the only choice, Hat.

"If you say so."

And I do.

"SLYTHERIN!"

Thank you, Hat.

"Don't thank me, Mr. Black."

Why not?

"Because I fear I've done you a great disservice."

You haven't. You won't be sorry!

"I already am, Mr. Black."

-

The usual re: feedback.