Chapter 108 - Stupid, Sirius! Ⅲ (2/2)

Regulus lets out a small sigh of relief as Letitia says, ”Is it true that different houses can now eat together?”

”It's always been that way, it's simply that no one had elected to do so before,” Rowan bluntly stated. ”However, that exception only applies during lunch. As both dinner and breakfast are required to be eaten at House tables.”

The four of them let out sighs of disappointment as Regulus adds, ”By the way, um, can I call you, Rowan?' Seeing Rowan nod her head in reply, Regulus continues, ”Sirius said, that you could accurately guess someone's house. Is that true?”

Rowan privately curses Sirius to the eighth pit of hell. Before collecting herself and saying, ”Mostly.”

”So, you're absolutely certain, I'll be in Slytherin?” Regulus asked.

”Positive,” Rowan deadpanned.

”Wait, what about me?” Letitia excitedly asked as she waved her hand in the air.

Narrowing her eyes, Rowan privately prays to anyone that is listening and uses all her skills of psychology and deduction at her disposal. ”Gryffindor,” Rowan finally said after a minute.

”I knew it!” Letitia explained. ”Mostly everyone in the family is a Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, but every now and then we get a Gryffindor or Slytherin. But I'm so glad it's me!” Regulus does not seem very impressed, but nevertheless he holds his tongue and congratulates Letitia as the other two boys did.

”What about me?” Dirk happily asked.

”Ravenclaw,” Rowan instantly said already knowing his house. Dirk makes a fist of delight, while Regulus nods in approval.

”And what about me?” Barty finally spoke up.

Rowan's stomach sinks even further. This was a tricky one. Theoretically, he was a Slytherin, but he also could have been a Hufflepuff. ”It could go either way,” Rowan finally admitted out loud.

”Huh?” The four of them said.

”Well, Barty, you're a rare individual who possesses multiple qualities of a house. As a Slytherin, you're ambitious, determined, clever, and resourceful. But you also possess the qualities of a Hufflepuff, dedication, hardworking, loyalty, and patience. In this case, I do believe it'll be up to you to decide, Barty Crouch,” Rowan plainly stated.

Barty furrows his brows and says, ”And which house do you suggest?”

”It's not my choice to make,” Rowan honestly said. ”The question is rather whom you wish to be, Barty? If it is the path to please your father than Slytherin will well serve those ambitions well. But should you wish to become your own man, Barty, then Hufflepuff is the place to be.”

Barty blinks in surprise at being given a chance. It was the first time. Barty is silent for a moment, before saying, ”Will the sorting hat take into account my choice.”

”It always does,” Rowan mused as she thought about a certain green-eyed boy who had that exact same conversation with the sorting hat.

Barty nods in satisfaction as Letitia jealously says, ”You're so lucky, Barty!” Causing Barty to sputter in confusion as she says, ”Not only do you fit in one house but two! No fair!”

Barty chokes and says, ”I don't think that's what it means, Letitia.”

Huffing Letitia puts her hands on her hips. ”Oh, then what does it mean, Barty? Because from my point of view, two founders think you're bloody brilliant. That's one more than all of us combined!”

Flushing with embarrassment Barty shakes his head as Letitia continues to mercilessly tease him. Seeing Regulus and Dirk intervening to save Barty, Rowan says, ”Well, I'll be leaving now, do have fun.”

”Wait!” Regulus said causing Rowan to glance back. ”Um, if I do get into Slytherin as you say and if I don't know anyone at the table, can I sit with you?”

”That'll be fine, I'll introduce you,” Rowan said, before putting her hand into her pocket. Tossing a pack of cards at Dirk, who easily catches them they all stare in surprise. ”For heaven's sake, have some fun, and stop worrying so much,” Rowan pointed at the pack of self-shuffling cards, before leaving the compartment.

The compartment door closes with a snap as Letitia says, ”I like her. She's like my older sister, a bit cold, but nice.” Bertie nods his head in agreement as he looks at his scratched hand that was now all healed up.

”Of course, she is,” Regulus proudly said. ”She's a Slytherin.”

Letitia and everyone else rolls their eyes as Dirk opens the card pack. The cards instantly burst out and shuffle themselves as Dirk asks, ”Well, what shall we play? Anyone know Goldfish?”

”Goldfish? Is that not some sort of muggle pet?” Regulus asked.

”Yes, but that's not the point,” Dirk exclaimed, before explaining the game. By the end of three matches, it became obvious that Regulus was either cheating or he was literally incredibly lucky. Either way, each of them lost a fair amount of money and items to Regulus Black.