“I’m sorry, what?”

“I said Gryffindor, Black.”

“Oh…ok. Just checking.” Laying the hat back on the stool, I closed my eyes, relief coursing through me. No longer would I have to suffer them…

Unable to resist, I glanced over at my cousin seated with the Slytherins and I realized how furious my family was going to be. I was supposed to be in Slytherin; it’s my birthright, according to the family.

Still, all the Howlers in the world were worth it for the look on Bellatrix’s face when I tauntingly waggled my fingers at her in an unmistakably rude gesture.