Brandi Mulvaney's Sorting

The Hat's flap fell over Brandi's eyes, hiding away the view of the Great Hall and her watchful audience of students and staff. Then the Hat immediately spoke, in a voice only she could hear.

'Ah, you've come here with many preconceptions ,' the Hat said, yet amused rather than any offence or hindrance to its task at hand. 'Hmm, well let's see... ah, yes. Quite the limitless imagination, and boundless curiosity to match. Eager, there's no doubt about that, but don't forget to look before you leap.'

There was a pause, which could have been mere seconds or long and droning minutes. Hours, even. It was impossible to pace time while under the hat, especially in the quiet moments. A few whispered spread, but didn't break the tension.

'Difficult,' the Hat said, tone a bit more serious. 'Yes, very difficult. Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, that much is sure... but where to put you? You've the heart and mind for both, with a desire to go far. Either of those would suit you. Yes, there's no doubt about that.'

The pause that came after that felt different, as if the Hat was waiting for Brandi's reactions or thoughts on the matter. It didn't give her much else to go by, as the gap between her choices was far too narrow. It didn't say anything, but she had a sense that it awaited input. What did she think? How did she feel? Was there perhaps a house that lured her more than the other?

Her fate was yet to be decided, for which house did she truly belong?


[OOC: apologies for the delay; I was dealing with a RL crisis.]

It was hard to see beyond the dark flap covering her eyes, but the Hat wasn't bothering by any jostling as Brandi tried to catch a glimpse of the Ravenclaw table. There were indeed some looking at her and smiling, but all houses were a mix of intrigued, excited, bored, or just casually paying attention.

'Hmmm,' the Hat said, when Brandi gave it her full attention again. 'Yes, perhaps you would do well in Ravenclaw. But are you sure? I see these precognitions clouding the whole picture. Intelligent, some may be. Yes, but quick to judge perhaps as well.'

And yet, Brandi had done the same; she had quickly judged which house suited her based on things she'd heard or believed. Her notions of what made Ravenclaw house what it was, and how those students may react to her before she'd actually met them or looked beyond any stereotypes / otherwise...

She painted herself a picture of what she wanted to see, and had set her heart on belonging there. But the Sorting was a strange process; sometimes the Hat corrected those misinformed or given bias, and other times the very things that a student valued and sought (however incomplete or misguided it may be) were precisely why they belonged there.

But even so, Brandi indeed became a Hatstall as the minutes dragged on. Whispers grew among the hall, quiet yet undeniable. It was a difficult decision, and the hat not only wanted to be sure but also confirm Brandi would not come to regret her decision once she gained more knowledge and experience of the houses.

They all had layers, and not-so-admirable traits. Setting aside what she thought or believed, what did Brandi value most in her heart? 

'You could be great, you know,' the Hat said. 'Yes, that much is clear. Either house would help you on that journey to greatness, but only if you're sure. If you look deeper, not to what you want to see but to what you want to become. Is Ravenclaw truly where you ought to be?'

'Well, if you're sure,' the Hat said, sounding rather amused now -- as Brandi insisted on her chosen house. There was a hint to its tone, as though it knew more about her than she did, and yet her heart was unwavering. 'Better be...'

Its voice then rose for the entire hall to hear: