The Sorting Ceremony

"First years over here!" Andy heard the call and walked towards the man who was shouting.

The man was twice the size of a normal person. He held a lantern in his hand and ordered them to board the boats.

After a while, everyone was settled in their boats except for Andy. Every boat was full. He looked around again and finally found one with only one boy sitting in it. Andy walked towards the boat and asked the boy if he could join him.

*******

"May I sit with you?" Teddy looked up and saw the same boy he'd nearly sat with on the train.

"Yes," Teddy replied without hesitation.

********

Andy sat down after the boy gave him permission. They sat in uncomfortable silence for a while.

"What's your name?" Andy asked, breaking the silence.

"I'm Teddy Lupin," the boy answered.

Andy's skin turned pale. The boy sitting across from him was Teddy Lupin, son of Nymphadora Tonks and Remus Lupin, the same couple who had been killed by his father on the day of the Battle of Hogwarts.

"What's your name?" Teddy asked.

Andy was reluctant to answer. He tried to avoid the question, but after a moment, Teddy repeated it.

"I'm Andy," Andy said, trying to conceal his surname.

"What's your surname?" Teddy asked.

What could I do? Andy thought, then answered, "Lestrange."

Teddy's expression hardened. He glared at Andy, his eyes burning with vengeance.

Teddy couldn't explain the turmoil inside his mind. The person sitting across from him was the son of his parents' killer. He wanted to kill him. He was considering what to do when a thought occurred to him: Maybe the boy isn't like his parents. Maybe he's innocent.

*********

Andy watched as Teddy's expression changed, softening.

"Do you want to be my friend?" Teddy asked.

What? Andy thought, wondering if he'd misheard. Maybe he said, 'I'm going to kill you,' or 'You're dead!'

"Do you want to be my friend?" Teddy repeated.

"Yes, I do," Andy said.

**********

Neville watched as the first years entered the Hall, following Professor McGonagall. He observed each one until he spotted Teddy. Neville waved, and Teddy waved back. Neville then observed the boy standing next to Teddy. He looked familiar. One thing that troubled Neville was the boy's heavy-lidded eyes. He tried to remember where he had seen him before.

**********

Leo sat at the Gryffindor table, looking towards the teachers' table. There was a new face there. The new professor had a round face and wore glasses. He scanned the table and noticed that Professor Flitwick was missing, along with Professor McGonagall and Hagrid. He couldn't have left, Leo thought, observing the table again. At that moment, the first years entered the Hall. After a while, the Sorting Ceremony began.

"Lupin, Teddy!" Professor McGonagall called. Teddy's legs trembled.

"Gryffindor!" the Sorting Hat declared.

**********

Teddy felt as a weight lift from his shoulders. He stood up from the stool and joined the Gryffindor table.

"I knew you'd be in Gryffindor!" Leo called.

Teddy smiled at him.

"Lestrange, Andy!" Professor McGonagall called.

The hall fell silent as Andy walked towards Professor McGonagall.

"Gryffindor!" the Sorting Hat called.

Teddy started to clap, the only one doing so. Andy walked towards the Gryffindor table and sat next to Teddy.

Andy couldn't believe he was in Gryffindor. He sat in shock next to Teddy. They remained quiet until the Sorting Ceremony ended.

"Now that the Sorting Ceremony has concluded, I'd like to make some announcements," Professor McGonagall said. "First, I'd like to introduce our new Charms professor, Professor Macmillan." The hall applauded as Professor Macmillan waved.

The feast began,platters of roast chicken, potatoes, and steaming pies materialized on the tables, a testament to the house-elves' culinary magic. Pumpkin juice flowed freely, and the air buzzed with excited chatter. Everyone ate enthusiastically. They joined in, while a ghost glided towards them.

"You're the son of old Lupin, aren't you?" the ghost asked.

Teddy nodded apprehensively.

"Well, I'm Sir Nicholas, the Gryffindor house ghost," the ghost said.

"Nice to meet you, Sir Nicholas," Andy said.

Sir Nicholas glared at him as if he were dirt on his shoes.

"I wasn't talking to you, son of a murderer," Sir Nicholas said.

"He's not a murderer!" Teddy stood up.

Sir Nicholas glared at him and left. Andy was in tears. Teddy noticed.

"This will happen, and you must be patient," Teddy advised