Michael's eyes widened as James Potter was called up. The thought had never crossed his mind that he might end up in the same year as one of Harry Potter's children.
He couldn't even imagine what it must be like to have a father that famous.
As the Winters girl went to be sorted, Cale bit his lip and tried to shove away any more thoughts of fathers. And parents in general. It had only been a couple short years since the accident. It hadn't even really sunk in that he wouldn't be going to school with any of his siblings.
Before that thought could travel too far down an unfortunate road, Madeleine was trotting off to the applauding Gryffindor table and the words, "Wright, Michael," were summoning him forward. He lifted his chin, reinforcing his determination to get through this as he stepped forward and sat down, ready for the hat to be dropped down on top of his head.
"Not ambitious at all, I see."
Nothing had prepared him for that voice in his head.
"Not much for books, mm? But I see a fair bit of courage here. Strength in the face of adversity makes you a good candidate for--"
"--GRYFFINDOR!"
Michael wasn't sure how he felt about the sorting as he took the hat gingerly from his head and made his way to his new house mates, still making a point to hold his head high. The first free seat he found was across from James.
"You know," the boy said casually as Cale sat. "With your chin like that I can see straight up your nose