The Great Hall looked just like his sisters had told him. Magnificent, majestic,magical, marvellous and many more words that started with M.
"The ceiling is bewitched to imitate the sky"
Cedric jumped. He turned around to see a boy standing behind him. He was slightly shorter than Cedric. He wore frameless rectangular glasses that momentarily hid his eyes in the light of the flickering torches. A pair of leaf green eyes twinkled behind them. His thick raven hair was neatly combed to the side, perfectly dry. Which was funny considering the weather outside. Cedric himself was soaked to the skin.
Before Cedric could say hello, however, the roll call began and everyone fell silent.
"Aglenn, Amy"
A girl with golden locks hurried to sit on the stool, where an ancient, patched hat was kept.
Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on the girl's head, which instantly slipped down her eyes, to the very tip of her nose.
"Hufflepuff!", the Hat cried.
The girl ran to the table that was applauding the loudest with a huge grin plastered on her face.
"Brown, Jerelyn"
Cedric's attention wandered around the hall. The ghosts were funny. There was one with it's head barely attached to it's shoulder. And a fat one. And a beautiful one. And a scary one too.
There were plates on the House table. All empty. Some of the senior students were throwing repetetive glances at their ones. They were probably hungry. Now that he thought about it, he felt hungry. His stomach growled in affirmation.
"Hopkins, Steven", the teacher called out.
Steve, who was standing right in front of Cedric in the line, silently walked to the stool and sat down. The Hat was placed on his head. He looked ridiculous but he was calm and collected. Neither of which Cedric felt like at the moment.
There was a pause. Steve sat there, straight as a needle, with the Hat on top. The Hat didn't move, nor did Steve.
Please let Steve be in the same house as me.
But you haven't been sorted yet, said a tiny voice inside his head. Cedric ignored it and crossed his fingers.
What's wrong with the Hat?
Just as the thought entered his mind, the brim of the Hat widened. It yelled out it's decision
"Slytherin!"
Steve got up and walked to the green and silver table shakily. Cedric lost sight of him when some of the older students let him sit on an occupied seat between them. Some of them were talking to him, it seemed.
Was he going to be placed in Slytherin too? What if he wasn't? How would they talk then? WOuld they? What if he was placed in a rival house? What if Steve's housemates didn't let him hang out with Cedric?
"Summers, Michael"
The boy behind Cedric, who had informed him about the ceiling of the Hall, walked ahead. He looked like the silent type too. But his excitement was evident from his wide grin. The Hat had hardly touched his head when it screamed-
"Ravenclaw!"
Well, that wasn't surprising in the least.
Michael walked proudly to the table of blue and bronze and took his seat beside Jerelyn Brown, a lost looking girl with a boy cut. She didn't glance at him once as he sat down. Instead, she was busy staring at something on the floor near the teachers table. Cedric followed her eyes but saw nothing there.
"Trevino, Cedric"
Cedric jerked his head.
Was it his chance already?
Yes, you nitwit, replied the voice, nastily.
He walked quickly to the stool, stumbling only once, and sat down at the edge. Surprisingly, he realised that he had a huge grin plastered on his face, for some reason.
The Hat was placed on his head. It slid down and covered his eyes, threatening to do the same to his nose.
Strange way to think of a hat.
Cedric nearly slipped down the stool. The Hat was talking to him!
Yes. I am. Took you long enough to figure out. How were you expecting me to sort you? Make you do stunts or something?
Silently seething at his parents for not telling him about the Sorting Ceremony before hand ("It's a surprise tradition, Ced!", they had said), he cursed under his breath
My, my. Kids these days! Aren't you a tad bit young to be using that sort of language, laddie?
As if he cared. Why wasn't the wretched thing sorting him already?
The Hat sighed. Or at least it sounded like it sighed. Can't a hat enjoy it's job? Why is everyone in such a hurry? I am sorting you, boy. I am. I just thought I'd gossip a bit....
No, Cedric thought furiously, I want to be sorted. I am hungry. I don't want to gossip. I'm not a girl!
Don't let girls catch you saying that, kid. They are ruthless. Not at all like they used to be. Don't want to talk? Very well. Do what you wish....Gryffindor!
The Sorting Hat announced the last word to the Hall. The red and gold hall erupted with cheers. Slowly, Cedric got up, handed the Hat back to the Professor and walked to his House table. A lanky boy, fifteen or sixteen years old, held out his hand to shake. They were all talking loudly. Someone was patting his back. Somebody said something to him.
His brain was taking it's own sweet time to digest the news.
I am in Gryffindor.
Yes, the voice said drily
The House of courageous and the brave.
Yes, the voice provided
I am in Gryffindor!
Yes! For heaven's sake, you have thought that twice already!, it chided
A grin spread across his face. Pushing his golden hair away from his eyes, he shook hands with the lanky boy.
"I am Cedric", he announced to all those who would hear,"Cedric Adelard Trevino."
And I am a Gryffindor!