Were people watching? They should turn around and pretend the Sorting Hat was taking a break. Beverly's hands were tight fists on her lap, clammy and trembling. The stool wasn't comfortable, she preferred a big princess-sized chair, but that was the least of her worries. Current major worry: Landing in Hufflepuff.

It would shame the family. She'd get disowned. Heck, she'd disown HERSELF.

Her hair ruffled as the Hat shrugged itself to life.

BOO! It said in her mind. Beverly jumped, startled. The Hat guffawed. No need to fear me, young witch. I don't have hands nor arms.

It wiggled and Beverly tried not to scream. She wasn't scared of it, she was scared of the results. "So..?" she whispered.

I know your family, your kind, but you make your own destiny, Beverly Juniper Wayne. Intelligence. Ambition. Nerve. Tsk, tsk, such tough decision.

While the Hat mulled things over, Bev kept thinking about three different houses. Three different choices. She always wanted Slytherin, it ran in the family, but she also felt she was one. Then there was Ravenclaw. She knew she was smart, that was a given. But a Gryffindor never, ever.

Beverly grew more anxious as the minutes passed.

"Listen here," she said, shutting her eyes. "If you land me in Hufflepuff I will set you on fire and...and...and end your puny little life."

She thought she felt the Hat freeze on her head, then it announced: "SLYTHERIN!"

Thank you, Merlin! With a sigh of relief Beverly hopped off the stool and sped walked toward her new house table. It worked. Threatening worked! Of course she hadn't meant it, but it worked. :3