rethink re-sort (Alayna)

There were times when students of the school questioned their placing of their house. Nine times out of ten, the faculty didn't see it as a concern: as long as the students were content and were able to form alliances within their house, it didn't particularly matter. But on this instance, Professor Riddle could see the reason why Alayna Nott requested re-sorting. She didn't thrive in Gryffindor house. Locnlan was actually curious to know what the hat would say.

Calling Alayna to his office, he had already taken the sorting hat from the Headmistress's office and waited for her to turn up.

@Alayna Nott

Alayna was nervous when professor Riddle called her to his office. She knew it was going to be about re sorting her. She had heard whispers around the castle for the past few days. She walked up the staircase and knocked on the door before opening it and stepping inside, "You wanted to see me, sir?"

@Lochlan Riddle

"Let me get straight to the point: I don't think you have done well in Gryffindor house. Most of your friends and loved ones are in my house - Slytherin - and I'm curious to know if the hat agrees with me."

He gestured to a chair for her to sit on, while he grabbed the dusty old hat.

"Would you be so kind?" He said, prepared to lower the hat once she was sat down. "Don't be nervous now, Alayna."

@Alayna Nott

"I agree, sir. Even if the hat doesn't. I feel I would do better to finish out my school years as a Slytherin." She sat on the chair he pointed her to and watched as he pulled the hat out of the cabinet, "I'm not nervous, sir." That was a lie. She could feel the sweat on her palms. She wanted to be in Slytherin so badly. She wanted to be with Ptolemy. She could make up with Carina easier from inside Slytherin. She called her eyes and waited for the hat to make it's decision.

@Lochlan Riddle

Professor Riddle watched as the hat was silent. At least to him it was silent. It had begun whispering inside of Alayna's ear:

"Nott, again? I had already placed you, seven years ago. Is there a reason why we are here again? Ah, yes... you found your friends in Slytherin, didn't you? It comes as a surprise. I really thought you could do well in Gryffindor, but it seems even Gryffindor himself is rejecting you now. Your mind didn't develop into the way I predicted for you. I'm hardly ever wrong, you know. But, I will admit, the magic the founders placed on me has grown weaker through the years..."

The hat paused there, as though thinking.

"And you would much rather be in Slytherin, yes? That makes sense, I suppose. Very well. I see your potential is in Slytherin now. I only wished you had seen me sooner, your greatness could have transpired earlier. Now go - be with your friends and alliances, and make use of the new placement to truly thrive."

Riddle was watching her carefully. Finally the brim of the hat opened, and the hat told them: "Slytherin."

Lochlan smiled. He nodded to Alayna proudly. "I surmised as much. Very well, Alayna. Are you happy?" he asked her, feeling that he was growing fonder of her just by what had happened.

@Alayna Nott

Alayna listened to the hats speech in her head. It was true. She craved Slytherin. She didn't do any good in Gryffindor. She might have in the past. But that was, in fact, the past. She had grown as a person and developed a new personality that just didn't fit in well with the other lions anymore. She wished she had seen professor Riddle about it sooner as well, but it was better late than never. She felt a big smile on her face when the hat decided on Slytherin and nodded when professor Riddle asked if she was happy, "Very much so, sir. Yes. I'm happy."

@Lochlan Riddle

"Good," he said, smiling back at her.

"I will have the elves transfer your belongings over to the seventh year girls' dormitory. All you have to do is pack everything up for them in your old dorm, and they'll take care of the rest. Go get some dinner in the Great Hall after you've packed, then head on over to Slytherin quarters - I'll have Carina give you the password and show you to your new dormitory. Your bed will be made up for you."

He took put the sorting hat back down on his desk.

"And if you have any concerns at all, don't hesitate to come and find me. Off you go, now."

@Alayna Nott