This was it. The day that I, Mittens Mano, get sorted at Hogwarts! I've been waiting for this my entire life, I'm so super excited! My new friend Saint tells me I'd be a good Ravenclaw, but I'm not sure. We'll see what the Sorting Hat says!

A young shark stood near the back of the line, graceful arches of the night sky looming over her head. This shark had been accepted to the wizarding world-renowned school of Hogwarts. After the Second Wizarding War had come to an end and Lord Voldemort defeated once and for all, Hogwarts was to be rebuilt. Many students missed their opportunity to go to this school and had to settle for Durmstrang or Beubaxton. But she was just in time; the school had been repaired, all of the portraits set right in their original homes, and everything the way it was. A few heads in front of her, a ferret turned behind him and grinned at her, waving. She waved back. She had met this young ferret on the Hogwarts Express, both first years, and both to be sorted. She secretly hoped they were in the same house.

"Duke, Saint!"

McGonagall's harsh voice broke above them, calling Saint forward onto the stool. Onto his head she placed a raggedly looking cap, but as it touched the fur on his head, the brim ripped wide open and formed a mouth seemingly in deep thought. After a few seconds, it cried out the answer.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Hufflepuff table cheered for their new arrival, as he scampered off to join them, grinning and shaking hands of the prefects. She frowned slightly, but grinned again when he looked her way and smiled.
After a few more students, it was her turn.

"Mano, Hiwahiha!"

Suddenly, she felt her palms turn sweaty, as she approached the stool and sat down, feeling the Hat's fabric against her hair. A tiny voice started in her ear.

'Oooh, hmm..you're a tad bit difficult. Quite a bit of knowledge here, Ravenclaw would certainly help refine it, but I do see there is a lot of cunning and a certain ambition to prove yourself..I know just what to do with you...'
She bit her lower lip in anticipation.

"SLYTHERIN!"

The Slytherin table roared with applause as she scooted off towards them, a prefect patting her on the back. Glancing over at Saint, she saw a twinge of sadness in his eyes, but yet he smiled and gave her a thumbs up. She returned his smile.

"Remember that?"
"I do, love."

Years later, the ferret and the shark sat together, the ferret coming his clawed fingers through her hair.

"You were so upset when I was sorted into Slytherin," said Mittens, glancing up at him. Saint gave her a smile.

"Well I would be lying if I said I didn't want you in Hufflepuff with me."

"But their common room is so dirty! Not NEARLY as grand as the Slytherin one!"

"Well excuse me, pureblooded princess."

She grinned and playfully punched him on the chest. Saint gave a hearty laugh, before pulling her close and planting a kiss on her head.

"I still remember the first argument we had. All of the Hufflepuffs had told me that Slytherins were no-good, deceitful liars. But you proved them wrong."

"Well of course, not all snakes are bad. Just like not all Hufflepuffs are dunderheads."

"Well, I'm glad I ignored them. I got a wonderful Slytherin companion from it."
"And I got a honey badger."
"Rude."

Mittens giggled and cuddled up to him, nuzzling the underside of his chin.

"Oh, one more thing, love."
"Hm?"

She pulled out her wand, an 11 inch ebony wood with dragon heartstring, and whipped it once. From her wand burst a silvery ferret, who bounced around and gazed back expectantly at the two. Saint followed suit, and from his holly with phoenix feather wand burst a silver shark, whom gladly rushed forward to merge with Mittens' Patronus and danced into the nighttime sky.

"Happy anniversary, my love," whispered Mittens.

"Happy anniversary."

A 4 year anniversary gift done by <3

I love you so much, Will<3