Was it his turn yet?

No, really, when was the hat going to get to the Os? Archie wanted to go join his house already. All these people seemed to be taking forever, and Archie already knew which table he wanted to be sitting at. Couldn't he just go join them already?

"Ogden, Archie."

Fiiiiinally! Archie skipped excitedly towards the hat, skidding to a halt just in front of the stool, and plopped it on his head. And then there was a voice in his head. The hat was speaking to him! Archie gave a little a squeal of delight. No wonder everyone had be taking so long!

"Your loyalty betrays you, Archie," the Hat stated, as Archie wondered whether he could speak to the hat back. Did he just have to think and the hat would understand? "You'd do well in Hufflepuff. Thrive, even." Archie shook his head stubbornly, causing the Hat to fall down over his eyes. Ravenclaw, like my cousins. Ravenclaw like Kalla and Garrick and Benjy.

"Hmm, you're determined for sure. And a keen mind too. Attentive... It's difficult for sure...but I think you'll do well in..."

...Archie held his breath, hoping that the Hat really could hear his thoughts. Blue. I want to be blue. I belong there with them. He said it with everything he possibly could.

"...Ravenclaw!"

Ravenclaw? He'd done it! Archie beamed as the hat was taken from his head, leaping up and grinning at the Ravenclaw table. He already knew where it was, but the clapping from that direction soon confirmed it. He waved excitedly at his fellow housemates, and headed over to join them. He was BLUE!