The Nerves are Another's Solo

The Great Hall was crashing with the sound of laughter, chatter and the overall sound of happy students. The candles floated gently, their flames casting a warm glow over the tables beneath. Far above them was the enchanted ceiling, cloudless and starry, almost black from the darkness.
A louder wave of talking suddenly spread itself up the length of the hall, an echo of excitement as the double doors at the end of the hall opened to a line of small, terrified First Years. Eyes wide, mouths open, heads switching from side to side.

Irina sat on the Gryffindor table, back straight and neck craning over the heads of her fellow Gryffindors. Her stomach was filled with snakes, coiling and uncoiling, twisting themselves into a knot before unrolling themselves to perform a dance.
She tried to ignore the feeling, thinking, 'Why am I the one freaking out here? It's my brother that's getting sorted.'

It surprised her just how jumpy she was feeling - her best friend, Mahlioz, had waved over at her from the other side of the room at the Slytherin table, emerald eyes sparkling. Irina had given a quick smile and wave back before turning back to her scanning of the room.
The same thing had happened at the Ravenclaw table when Simon gave her a cheery wink. She winked back but immedietely afterwards turned straight back to her search for Kay.

She finally found him, eyes darting up and down the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables, desperately trying to find his sisters. His face was pale and his eyes were wide, causing him to look like every other First Year.
Unlike both Idril and Irina, Caelestis (or Kay to his family) was kinda shy and awkward, able to hold a conversation very well when approached but preferring to sit by himself and read rather than to be with people. Irina sympathised with him but found it difficult to understand (she was probably one of the most extroverted people in the world). Idril was the one who could relate most to staying away from people though she was more confident.

Kay found Idril first and gave a relieved smile, a moderate amount of fear leaving as she gave him a thumbs up and mouthed, 'Love ya! You're gonna be fine.'
Kay gave a small thumbs up back before turning to the front of the hall, where the first child had now stepped up to the stool, knees trembling.

After what felt like hours to Irina, the Deputy Head shouted, "Shevel, Caelestis," and she watched as her brother walked slowly up the stairs, head high and face set. He sat on the bench and caught her eye before the hat fell on his head. She gave him a broad grin.

As he sat on the stool, she thought about where he'd end up. Her family had broken tradition from the usual 'in the same house' kind of thing. She was in the same house as her father whilst Idril was in Ravenclaw and her mother in Hufflepuff. Her brother had moments of courage but she doubted he would follow her, though it would be nice. He was incredibly smart and incredibly kind so she honestly had no idea where he would end up.
The seconds dragged slowly by, growing longer and longer as Kay continued to remain on the stool and the hat remained silent. Irina looked over nervously at her older sister who gave a not entirely reassuring smile.
Worry had truly started to settle in before the hat suddenly sat straight and yelled in a hoarse voice, "Hufflepuff!"

The Hufflepuff burst into raucous cheers, whilst the hall was intersperced with a few shocked whispers. It wasn't unheard of but for all sublinsg to be in different houses was slightly shocking. Kay continued to look pale and scared as he made his way over to the yellow table, smile slightl fized and eyes still darting to his sisters for reassurance.
They both smiled at him, sure that he would be happy and at home in the house of friendship.