| Dwarf
Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: #8000FF
Posts: 35,308
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Amelia "Mia" Adair
Slytherin Sixth Year
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Leigh Upstead
Hufflepuff Fifth Year  x11
|  be curious, not judgmental
Even though Callum had known all along this was how things were done, that did not make it any easier as the first years entered the hall together, all eyes on them. There was a part of him that wanted to avoid everyone's gaze, to stare straight ahead and not connect with all the ones that fell upon him, but he could not fight the urge to search for his sister. It did not take long - he found the red of Gryffindor badges, then her exuberance coupled with her very blonde hair caught his eye quickly, and he smiled, offering a wave her way. There were other familiar faces he recognized along the way, but halfway up the aisle he tore his gaze from his classmates to instead peer upward. The enchanted ceiling was far more wicked than he had anticipated, the floating candles made him smile, and before long, the first years at large had reached the front of the room.
Many students went before him, many to each house, and he fidgeted as he waited with the hem of his robe sleeve, trying to be calm and cool and think through his statement. He wanted to be open and receptive to what the hat said about him in its analysis, but he wanted to make sure it also heard what he had to say on the matters of where he ought to go.
He was thinking it through, running through various statements he wanted to make when Charlotte's shout of "HI CALLUM" made him turn with a broad grin, his ears tinted pink, and he waved back. If Char had not told everyone already, Hogwarts would soon know that they were siblings, so there was no use being embarrassed by her antics. They would be attached at the hip soon enough, aside from when they potentially had to split to their separate common rooms, but at least if he was Ravenclaw like their parents, they were both up in towers, he knew that much. Better to be a Ravenclaw than a Hufflepuff in that sense.
"Kettleburn, Callum!"
Oh Merlin. This was it. That was HIS name they finally called, and the eleven-year-old took a moment to conceal any visible fear before pushing his way through his yearmates standing in front of him and walking up toward the stool. He hesitated briefly to throw another smile back at Char, a silent attempt at communicating that he hoped she would not be sad if he ended up a Ravenclaw, then cleared his throat purposefully and took a seat on the stool, his eyes squeezing shut in anticipation for the hat being lowered upon his head. And the moment it made contact with his floppy hair, his brows furrowed, focused on what it had to say, forcing himself to be an active listener before sharing his perspective.
Ah, another Kettleburn - mmm, yes, there's astounding intelligence, no surprise there, and a clear thirst for knowledge, there's no doubt about that... wit and wisdom far beyond your years... there is no doubt that you would do well in Ravenclaw like your parents...
None of this was news to Callum, and the more the hat went on, the more Callum was already coming to terms with his being placed in Ravenclaw. He would be separated from Char, but he would be an eagle like his parents, so it would not be all bad. Davie was there, too, he thought, so it would be okay--
...Mmm, but what's this, now? Remarkable bravery right down to your very core... courage... determination... ohhh, yes... bold, selfless, perhaps to the point of recklessness... curious... courteous and chivalrous... mmmhmmm...
Well, he knew those things were true, too, but did it not speak volumes that the hat had noticed his brain first? Any of his Gryffindor traits he was sure came from Char's influence, so Callum was not sure if they counted fully. But, then again, his Ravenclaw traits likely came from his parents... so did those not count since he learned from them? Or was it blood? What DID matter here? His brows furrowed and he opened his mouth to ask how the hat would decide--
Ah, yes, that is the question here... but I think we both know what matters is what matters most to YOU, dear boy... and it is all here, in your head, crystal clear... do not despair... better be...
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Mouth agape, Callum's eyes shot open and honed in on Char at the Gryffindor table - his sister - his HOUSEMATE! Him, Callum Kettleburn, a Gryffindor! Spoken by the Sorting Hat itself!
"CHAR!" His face bright with boyish elation, he took off toward his new housemates and ran as fast as he could to squish his sister in a hug.
A Gryffindor! Like his sister! Like--
...What would his parents say?
__________________  |