Chapter 65
EPILOGUE
Harry shuffled nervously, eyes darting around the huge space. Beside him, Draco looked calm on the outside, but Harry could see the way his eyes were crinkled, the way his lips were tight at the corners, the way his hands were tucked into his pockets. He leaned to bump against Draco’s shoulder, and they gave each other nervous grins.
‘Malfoy, Draco!’
Draco’s breath hitched slightly, but he squared his shoulders and sauntered up to sit on the little stool. The Hat barely touched his head before shouting, ‘Slytherin!’
Draco practically skipped to the green and silver table, grinning widely as his new housemates applauded.
Several other students were sorted, before finally, ‘Riddle, Henry!’
Harry swallowed, scurrying up the steps and perching on the edge of the stool. The Sorting Hat dropped over his eyes, and he widened them in surprise when the Hat spoke to him.
‘Shepherd of Death, eh? Very interesting. Ah yes, most interesting indeed! What a life you have lead, young master Riddle! I believe I know the answer for you. Yes, better be – Hufflepuff!’
The black and gold table cheered loudly as Harry blushed, rushing off the stage and taking a seat at the end of his new House table.
He looked up just in time to hear, ‘Winston-Black, Charlotte!’ and watched with a grin as his squib cousin marched boldly up the steps and took a seat on the stool. The Hat didn’t take long to decide. ‘Gryffindor!’
Lottie grinned, giving Harry a thumbs up and running to her new table. She wiggled her way in between Monty Weasley, another squib, and Neville Longbottom, both of whom nudged at her shoulders proudly.
Once the Sorting had concluded, Headmistress McGonagall stood and held up her hands for silence.
‘Welcome, students, to another year at Hogwarts. To those of you joining us for the first time, we are thrilled to have you amongst us, and we hope to see you embody the standards of the school as you learn and grow here. The rules remain the same as last year – the Forbidden Forest remains strictly out of bounds,’ the Headmistress gave a warning glare to a pair of redheads that Harry assumed must be Monty’s cousins, ‘Wands are to be used in wand-based classes only, or under the strict instruction of a teacher. Any bullying or inappropriate behaviour or commentary on another student’s or staff member’s core orientation, magic-wielding ability, blood status, or appearance, will be dealt with promptly and without exception. Study groups are under the authority of the Prefects, any extra curricular groups must be endorsed by a staff member. Hogwarts is the leading magical education facility in Europe currently. Let us uphold the standard we have set, and let us all be a shining example of the strength of an inclusive community. Now, let us eat!’