A Different Sorting

By Laura Schiller

Based on: Matched/Harry Potter

Copyright: Ally Condie/JK Rowling

"Carrow, Xander!"

No relation to the Carrow twins, I trust? a clipped, disapproving voice said in Xander's ear.

He jumped, but recovered quickly; after shopping for magic wands, changing money at a goblin bank and walking through a train station barrier, a talking hat began to sound almost normal.

Never heard of them, he thought. My dad's a doctor. I didn't know anything about this place until we got our letters …

He peered from below the floppy hat brim at his friend Cassia, whose auburn hair shone in the light of the hundreds of floating candles. She was watching him anxiously, her fingers clasped together. How lucky he had been to find her, the one girl in the neighborhood who would make paper birds sing and heal with a touch just as he could.

But what if they weren't even in the same house?

I'll go wherever she goes, he pleaded. Anywhere. Even to that house they say is where all the evil wizards came from. Although they can't all be evil, can they? Some of the Slytherins, in secondhand robes and faces too old for their years, looked downright miserable. How many of them had parents in prison? He almost wanted to get over there and talk to them … especially if it turned out Cassia would be sharing that house.

I haven't tested her yet, boy, said the Hat, in a tone that sounded as if it might be rolling its eyes. But you've given me an idea. Loyal, selfless, compassionate … I know just where to put you.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"