The great hall was exactly as Ailsa had pictured it from her mother's recollections and from the reading she'd done. The pressing mass of first years gaping at the ceiling and jostling for a view of the sorting ceremony all while trying desperately not to appear overwhelmed - all of these things Ailsa herself indulged in as she stood awaiting her name to be called - however, was not as pictured for it had simply not been mentioned.
It didn't help that Haddie was still half scowling at her for, well, honestly, for the fact that when Ailsa had been seven she'd been seven and acted accordingly.
Before she could give this too much thought, however, her name rang out in the hall.
"Denaker, Ailsa!"
The copy of The Will, The Word, and The Wand still clutched in her hands Ailsa climbed the stage, desperately hoping that her nervousness wasn't showing.
What if I'm not good enough? What if I don't fit in any house? What if I really shouldn't be here? What if... The doubts rushed through her head but there was no need. There was no pondering, no lingering conversation with the hat as she'd read others sometimes experienced. No, not the slightest iota of uncertainty. The instant the hat had even brushed her copper hair, the decision rang out.
RAVENCLAW!
Oh happy day! Ailsa nearly skipped to the table under the deep blue and bronze banner as the welcoming applause rang pleasantly in her ears.
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