He nods. I think... I don't think I have any trouble being brave, and my dad's been teaching me to be smart my whole life. So probably Hufflepuff or Slytherin will help me most?

I'll see what I can do, Mr. Auberon, the hat says.  Good day.

Thanks.

He takes the Hat off his head and slides off the stool for the next student.

Professor McGonagall will call a number of names in succession, and a number of eleven-year-olds will spend anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes under the hat before it pokes McGonagall to take it off.  It's not long before she gets to "Evans, Harriet.”

She steps up and sits under the Hat, a bit nervously.

The hat - chuckles, inside her mind, sort of affectionately.  Oh, you look like a Gryffindor to me.

But I'm not brave at all.

Aren't you? the hat says slyly.

I'm scared all the time. Of everything. I don't think that's bravery.

You and Godric would have a lot to talk about.  Miss Evans, you can't be brave if you're not scared.

That doesn't really sound right...

Bravery isn't the absence of fear, it's the finding of strength or determination within yourself to overcome that fear.  Often it feels less like being brave than like being backed into doing something you're scared of doing by, for example, your own conscience.

...Huh.

That sounds familiar. Or... An unwillingness to lay down and die.

Indeed, the hat says.

And... You think I'm that kind of brave?

The kind of brave people think of when they think of Gryffindor, you mean?  I think you're a kind of brave that Godric would have recognized and respected, and I think you're a kind of brave that Gryffindor house knows how to respect and nurture.  I think you're a kind of brave that can do more than its bearers often think.  And I think you could become almost any kind of brave you decided to try to.

Wow. That's a lot.

Being a Gryffindor sounds really terrifying. They'll know, probably, because people always know, how constantly, thoroughly scared she always is, of basic silly things.

But...

The Hat's talking like it's - like it's something important, noble.

A terrifying path - and one she kind of wants to walk, even if she's shaking the entire time.

I think... I'm okay trying it.

I hesitate to promise anyone a particular House before I've spoken to everyone, but I like you for Gryffindor very much.

She thinks. I'd be fine in Hufflepuff, too, if sorting ends up weird. I was assuming I'd end up there probably anyways...

Hufflepuff House has a great deal to commend it, the hat says, and I have no doubt you'd grow into a fine wizard there as well.

Okay.

I think we're all set, Miss Evans.

Thank you.

She takes the Hat off her head and hands it back to the professor before sliding off the stool.

The alphabet progresses inevitably toward Granger.

She runs for the hat's seat, full up of nerves and excitement both, and jams the hat on her head.