The Sorting Hat
A voice echoed through the train: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."
Harry eyed Dudley who just nodded as his pet rat, which was sat on his lap, jumped into its cage. Harry felt Sthere curl up around his neck as the train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way toward the door and out onto a tiny, dark platform. Harry shivered in the cold night air. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and Harry heard a loud voice shout," Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"
Nevile whispered to Harry, Dudley, Hermoine, Bkue and Draco," That's Hagrid. He came over once after Mum and Dad where recovered."
"C'mon, follow me -- any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"
Slipping and stumbling, they followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that Harry thought there must be thick trees there. Nobody spoke much.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."
There was a loud "Oooooh!"
The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Harry whispered to Dudley," I am going to try and find more people. Stick with Nevile for now?"
Dudley nodded as Harry walked off and came across Susuesn Bones, Rose, and Theo Nott. He saw Draco stay with Bkue who went to sit with Gregory Crabbe and Vicent Goyle. Dudley, Hermoine and Nevile were joined by one of the people they had met on the train.
"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then -- FORWARD!"
And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.
"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; The only ones who didn't follow the order was Harry's boat, Nevile's boat and most of the other Old family heirs. The rest bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle until they reached a kind of underground harbour, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles. They clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, coming out at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle.
They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.
"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?"
Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door. Thedoorswungopenatonce.Atall, black-hairedwitchinemerald-green robesstoodthere. It was McGonagall. He smiled at her and she pierced her lips back with a slight nod. As Hagrid said," The firs' years, Professor McGonagall."
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
She pulled the door wide. Thestonewallswerelit withflamingtorchesliketheonesatGringotts, theceilingwastoo hightomakeout, andamagnificentmarblestaircasefacingthemledto theupperfloors.TheyfollowedProfessorMcGonagallacrosstheflaggedstonefloor.Harry couldhearthedroneofhundredsofvoicesfromadoorwaytotheright -therestoftheschoolmustalreadybehere — butProfessorMcGonagall showedthefirstyearsintoasmall, emptychamberoffthehall.They crowdedin, standingratherclosertogetherthantheywouldusuallyhave done, peeringaboutnervously.
"WelcometoHogwarts," saidProfessorMcGonagall, "Thestart-of-term banquetwillbeginshortly, butbeforeyoutakeyourseatsintheGreatHall, youwillbesortedintoyourhouses.TheSortingisavery importantceremonybecause, whileyouarehere, yourhousewillbe somethinglikeyourfamilywithinHogwarts.Youwillhaveclasseswith therestofyourhouse, sleepinyourhousedormitory, andspendfree timeinyourhousecommonroom.ThefourhousesarecalledGryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, andSlytherin.Eachhousehasitsownnoblehistoryandeachhasproduced outstandingwitchesandwizards.WhileyouareatHogwarts, your triumphswillearnyourhousepoints, whileanyrulebreakingwilllosehousepoints.Attheendoftheyear, thehousewiththemostpointsis awardedthehousecup, agreathonor.Ihopeeachofyouwillbeacredittowhicheverhousebecomesyours.TheSortingCeremonywilltakeplaceinafewminutesinfrontofthe restoftheschool.Isuggestyouallsmartenyourselvesupasmuchasyoucanwhileyouarewaiting."
Hereyeslingeredforamomenton Ronald Weasley's smudged nose as she said, "Ishallreturnwhenwearereadyforyou," saidProfessorMcGonagall.
"Pleasewait quietly."
He watched the ghost show up and talk to the other students but he said nothing. His Uncle had once banished Peeves on a dare from Severus and his Father. He smirked to himself as he folded his arms, spooking one of his peers next to him.
"Move along now," said a sharp voice, "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall.
"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."
Harry got into line behind a boy with sandy hair, with Nott behind him, and they walked out of the chamber, back across the hall, and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall. Itwas litbythousandsandthousandsofcandlesthatwerefloatinginmidair overfourlongtables, wheretherestofthestudentsweresitting.Thesetableswerelaidwithglitteringgoldenplatesandgoblets.Atthe topofthehallwasanotherlongtablewheretheteachersweresitting.ProfessorMcGonagallledthefirstyearsuphere sothattheycametoahaltinalinefacingtheotherstudents, withtheteachersbehindthem.Thehundredsoffacesstaringatthemlookedlikepalelanternsinthe flickeringcandlelight.Dottedhereandthereamongthestudents, the ghostsshonemistysilver.Mainlytoavoidallthestaringeyes, Harry lookedupwardandsawavelvetyblackceilingdottedwithstars.He heardHermionewhisper, "Itsbewitchedtolookliketheskyoutside.IreadaboutitinHogwarts, AHistory."
He nodded to her as one of the other girls hissed," Shut it."
He frowned. It was an interesting fact, and for some of the muggle-borns or even half-bloods, it would've occurred to them. Harry quickly looked down again as Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool, she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty. It reminded him of one of the artefacts that Uncle John had at home. If he remembered correctly, he said it was Merlin's hat or some other great Wixen's hat.
For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth — and the hat began to sing.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffis are true And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their ends.
So put me on!
Don't be afraid to branch out!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap"
Harry had to clap with the rest of the hall at that. He noticed that line about branching out slipped into the song. Must've had too many friendships ending because of the houses. Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said, "Abbott, Hannah!"
A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moments pause —
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat. The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. Harry saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat again, and Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hannah.
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!" The table second from the left clapped this time; several Ravenclaws stood up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them. "
"Brocklehurst, Mandy" went to Ravenclaw too, but "Brown, Lavender" became the first new Gryffindor, and the table on the far left exploded with cheers. "Bulstrode, Millicent" then became a Slytherin. "Bundeven, Simon" became a Ravenclaw.
She was at the C's now and Harry smiled as she Called out," Constintien-Chandler, Harry."
He walked up with all the pose of an heir of his standing and stared straight at Dumbledor before sitting on the stool.
"Hmm," saidasmallvoiceinhisear. "Difficult.Verydifficult.Plentyofcourage, Isee.Notabadmindeither.There'stalent, Amygoodness,yes — andanicethirsttoproveyourself, nowthat'sinteresting....SowhereshallIputyou?"
'You know where, already don't you,' He thought back to the Hat. The Hat hummed," Yes. The Same house as your Uncle. But are you sure. Once Minerva skips your name... well they will figure it out."
'Let them. There's nothing to be done now,' Harry replied as the Hat shouted," Slytherin!"
"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Sometimes, Harrynoticed, thehatshoutedoutthehouseatonce, butat others,ittookalittlewhiletodecide. "Finnigan, Seamus," satonthestoolforalmost awholeminutebeforethehatdeclaredhimaGryffindor.
"Griffens, Rose," McGonagall called out. Rose nodded to Harry and Dudley as she walked up to the stool and sat down primly. A minute passed before the hat called out," Slytherin!"
Harry clapped as she sat down next to him.
"Granger, Hermione!"Hermionealmostrantothestoolandjammedthehateagerlyonherhead.
"Ravenclaw!" shouted the hat. Daphne Greengrass went up then and joined Bulstrode in Slytherin. "Hyde, Jackson" was placed in Hufflepuff. When Nevile wascalled,hefelloveronhiswaytothestool. Thehattookalongtimetodecide withNeville. Whenitfinallyshouted, "Hufflepuff" Nevilleranoff then gave it togiveitto "MacDougal, Morag."
Draco was called soon after that and he swaggered forward when his name was called and got his wish at once: the hat had barely touched his head when it screamed, "SLYTHERIN!"
There weren't many people left now.
"Macnair, Bkue."
Bkue walked over and with barely a minute he was placed in Ravenclaw with Hermoine.
"Nott" "Parkinson" then a pair of twin girls, "Patil" and "Patil" then "Perks, Sally-Anne" and then, at last —" Pennyworth, Dudley."
Dudley smiled at Harry as he walked to the stool and sat down. The Hat hummed," Such Loyalty. And that sense of Justice and hardworking. Yes... Well, I suppose there are two houses. Which one best fits umm?"
'I did a lot of things just because they were the right thing to do. Not for the Glory or the Fame. But because someone had to or needed to and I was there, I think that qualifies for Hufflepuff don't you?' Dudley asked. The Hat hummed in agreement as it shouted," Hufflepuff."
Next should've been "Potter, Harry." But McGonagall went to Thomas, Dean, who joined the Gryffindors. Then Turpin, Lisa," became a Ravenclaw, and then it was the younger Weasley's turn. Harry could see him trying to find him. It took McGonagall three times to call his name before the ginger snapped to attention. The boy sat down and a second later the Hat called out," Gryffindor!"
"Zabini, Blaise," was made a Slytherin. Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away.
Harry looked at the high table thoughtfully as he nodded to Master Snape before he look at Dumbledor. His hair was the only thing that was the same brightness as the ghosts. He stood up and beamed at the students, his arms opened wide as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.
Harry shivered at the uncanny similarity he held to some of Vernon's friends, as Dumbledor spoke," Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!”
Draco and Rose eyed him as the food appeared taking his ques as they had discuses last week. He quickly muttered a whispered digonious charm as he channelled his magic through his talisman. Rose followed after him covering Draco and Greengrass's plates while she was at it. Her bronze clockwork dragon's eye glowed green as she shook her head.
Harry frowned as a small list appeared next to his plate and said," I am not quite hungry at the moment. To much excitement."
An upper-year nearby nodded at him and said," I am sure Heir Constantine. Welcome to Slytherin. I am Winslow Schott jr."
Harry nodded," Mr. Schott, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Heir Harry James Oliver Constantine-Chandler. And this is Heir Draco Malfoy and Heireist Rose Griffens-Emerys."
"We could go more at the moment, but I believe some things should be kept to our selves no?" Rose as she served up a piece of beef wellington to herself and grabbed an empty plate. She passed the empty plate over to Harry before instructing him," Lord Constantine ask us to stay on the healthy side or else. I believe a small surviving of vegetables would be suffentitn."
He nodded to her before turning towards the male perfect who was watching the whole thing and asked him," Is it alright if I ask you a question."
"Depends on what's the answer is worth."
"Brilliant, what's the house view of out-house friendships? Say, with a Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff?"
He smirked cruelly before replying," I'd ask the Twins that."
Two redheads at their table looked over to them before one spoke," Did someone..."
"Summon us?" the other finished.
But before Harry could ask them his question Dumbledore stood up and spoke, "Ahem — just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils unless they are accopined by a professor or staff member. I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors."
Some of the older Slytherins frowned at that as one of the twins whispered," No one but Filch will actually care."
Rose nodded but whispered back," Doesn't matter much then," before she turned back to the Headmaster.
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for
their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death," Dumbledore finished off as a few students laughed. Harry on the other hand frowned as he whispered," Why did he go and say that?"
"Why indeed. How much you want to bet that a Gryffendor is the first one to try and get to it?" Draco asked. Blaise shrugged before replying," 50 gallons it's the youngest Weasley."
The twins smiled and said," Double that if he stumbles apond it at least once tomorrow."
Rose smirked as she hummed," Triple it if Filch catches him."
Parkison sighed," And how do you expect to find this out?"
Rose smirked," I have my ways."
Parkison frowned but she was cut off by Dumbledore shouting," And now, bedtime. Off you trot!”