Jack, not Jackson

Chapter 28: The Hat's Decision.

Jack Frost POV:

I removed the hat gently. It was clear that McGonagall and Dumbledore weren't going to do so until it gave its decision. I alone knew it probably didn't hold the mental capacity to think of any of the houses names let alone assign me to one.

Hesitantly, the hat began to mutter to itself. The room stills to listen because it was a little quieter then normal. the murmurs grow as they realize something is different. Quickly, I brush the rim of the old hat to channel calm into it and it clears it's throat. (Voice? Does it have a throat?) and began to speak.

-
"If any here did fight,
as you have fought before.
Surely they would lose to you,
in any form of war.
-
If wisdom not intelligence,
is what this House brings forth.
surly it would choose you
as the bearer of its torch.
-
In every form you've seen it,
and used it for the best.
This warrior uses cunning
to aid him in his quests.
-
A sword. but shield also.
This warrior must protect.
When he vows his loyalty
He'll fight to his dying breath."

Utter quiet followed.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
They were all looking to Dumbledore. he didn't notice. He was busy looking at me.

There was something new in his eyes as he stepped forth once again. I knew what that look was, I'd seen it a few times before.
He was beginning to believe my name was real.

Gently and with a little bit too much emphasis, Dumbledore picked up the hat and spoke to it quietly. No one at the tables below could hear what he said but I could. This is what they said.

"Hat, you must make a decision."
The hat shut its eyes as if to ward him away and said.
"No, he doesn't belong in our houses. The houses might belong to him though."
Dumbledores fluffy-caterpillar- eyebrows practically head butted as they draw together in confusion. He couldn't comprehend what that meant without witnessing what the hat had in my memories. I'd probably given the poor thing P.T.S.D or something.

Dumbledore whispered,
"Then who will speak for him?" Slightly louder then he should have. It was just a whisper mind you, but the hall was so still you could have heard a pin drop. The students and teachers had heard him say that.

Suddenly the room was full of students asking what this meant and what would be done about it. Whether I'd be sorted by something else or if I'd be assigned a house. The hall was echoing with voiced concerns when a new voice rang out.

It was an old and worn voice. It sounded like the moor on an autumn night and a stream trickling along in summer. Like hoofbeats and birdsong and the shriek of a bird of prey. Like loneliness and never being alone all wrapped in a trench coat and turned into a single being.
It was the Forest.

"I will sponsor him."
It said, and there was silence again. No one knew what had spoken.  Dumbledore turned to the windows behind the stage, as that's where the voice had been strongest. The windows were slightly open to let in the last of the warmer airs. (not that they were warm anymore, I was here)

"Who speaks?"
Dumbledore says, keeping himself together pretty nicely for someone who's night just got very unexpected.

"I have had many names." The forest says hesitatingly. I hadn't even known it knew this much English.
"But you call me Forbidden. I am the Forest that watches you; year after year.  Through wars and battles and celebrations and fear. Through joy and innocence. I will sponsor Frost-Stick."

I groan internally as the rest of the gathered peoples react. Now was not the time for weird nicknames given to me by ancient beings made of earth and wood to come up. It didn't really fit into such serious ceremonies.

"They call me Jack Frost." I whisper in the language of the tree, thinking, if the Forest will use English for me, I will use the tree's language for it. Cue more gasps from the crowd (and madam Pomfrey) as I say it.

"Sorry BattleBorn. Forgive my error in forgetting to use your real name. I, will sponsor Jack Frost. He is not tame enough for your quaint houses."

I hold one finger up and mentally say, wait for it. as the Forest says my full name. I have already given up hope on these wizards being able to react with anything other then dramatic gasps.

I don't like when people do this to me. The gasp is just their first reaction, too often, their secondary reaction is disbelief, which can quickly turn into distrust. I know that well enough.

Everyone was looking to their almighty Headmaster for signs on how to react to this new situation but I'm pretty sure he had short circuited at this point.

Dumbledore was staring out the window with his wand slightly raised. He wasn't moving. I couldn't even tell if he had blinked since the Forbidden Forest had spoken.

I walked towards him and flicked my wrist at the window as I did, asking the wind to close it for me. This seemed to jumpstart his thoughts and he moved back into action.
"Right, Professor Frost, you may take your place on the end of the Professors table behind me and we'll begin the meal!"

Food magically teleported in from somewhere, probably the kitchens and slowly, the noise started to pick back up as the students took Dumbledores lead.

I saw many not-so-furtive glances from some of the students as they chatted over their dinner. I ignored them, except for the occasional eye contact and raised eyebrow to show them I had noticed.

Plenty of time for them to ask questions and be curious, it was the secretiveness that irritated me a bit. Secrets and stealthy actions where learned from adults or in times of war.