Ginevra Weasley had been the baby all her life.

Of course, this certainly wasn't going to change that – she'd still be the youngest, she'd still have to hold her own against six older brothers, and unless Ron really screwed up, she'd be the last to take O.W.L.s and the last to graduate. But now – now she could join in the discussions about the worst professors, the hardest assignments, the trickiest corridors, the best Hogsmeade stores. And best of all, she was going to learn magic. Within the halls of Hogwarts, she could hex Ron to oblivion. And she, Ginny Molly Weasley, could finally really hold her own.

Except that there was this to go through. Sorting – possibly the worst time ever to have a name like Weasley, and also a horrible time to be the youngest daughter in a family of Gryffindors. Fred and George were probably kidding when they said she'd be disowned if she ended up in Slytherin – but maybe they weren't after all. Ginny straightened out her new robes – they'd had enough to spend this year to buy her fresh cloaks instead of Percy's old ones – and ran a finger nervously through her hair, a habit she hadn't discovered until earlier this afternoon.

"Quiet" bellowed Professor McGonagall, who, Ginny knew from stories, was terrifying and who could transform herself into a tiger that devoured students, as Fred had said. She didn't need to be told twice. So far, she hadn't made very many friends – there was one girl, Luna Lovebird or something like that, who seemed interesting. She wore radish earrings and talked about fascinating things Ginny had never even heard of. But she was higher up in the line. Ginny was third to last, right behind a boy named Matthew.

"Are you nervous?" the girl behind Ginny whispered into her ear. "I am. I don't even know what the Houses are."

Ginny looked back at her. She was tiny, even shorter than her, which was vertically encouraging. Her robes looked absolutely huge, as if they were eating her, but she beamed up at Ginny with violet-tinged eyes, her dark chocolate hair pooling around her shoulders.

"Well, there's Gryffindor, and then there's Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw and Slytherin." Ginny rolled her eyes after the last House. "I need to be in Gryffindor, all my family is –"

"Miss Weasley!" Professor McGonagall barked. "Unfortunately I can't take points from you yet. Quiet!"

When she turned back around, Ginny giggled nervously. "Yeah, I'm nervous."

They waited in silence for the next couple of minutes, until Professor McGonagall flung open the thick oak doors.

The Great Hall wasn't like Ginny had imagined it – it was so much better. The enchanted ceiling was spangled with stars and galaxies. Four long tables stretched across most of the gigantic room, with hundreds of students peering at the line of first years that huddled nervously together as they crept towards the torn, dilapidated old black hat that sat at a stool in front of the head table, where all the professors regarded them with varying expressions. Ginny found herself watching Dumbledore, whose kind eyes scanned all of the new students appreciatively and whose lips were turned into a welcoming, friendly smile.

Ginny scanned the Gryffindor table – there were Fred and George, sitting on either side of a girl she decided was Alicia Spinnet of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Percy was at the head of the table, his prefect's badge glinting spectacularly.

And then, without any warning, the brim of the hat split and it burst into song.

The founders four of Hogwarts School

United in their quest

To educate young wizards

In a school fit for the best

Were hindered only by one flaw

A choice where they were split

They asked themselves, "Which wizards

Should our noble school admit?"

Said Ravenclaw, "Surely only those

Who prove most intelligent

Those with wit and wisdom

To Hogwarts should be sent."

But Gryffindor, the noble man

Who's hand was firm and just

Thought loyalty and bravery

In students was a must.

Said Slytherin, "We'll take just those

From wizard families

Whose cunning and resourcefulness

Make prosperity increase."

For Hufflepuff, hard workers

Were prized above them all

Without toil and kindness

This noble school would fall.

They came to an agreement

Four Houses were created

And all throughout their lives

Their own students delegated

Gryffindor admitted those

Who's hearts were brave and true

Slytherin's students, just as he

Were cunning without rue.

Hufflepuff accepted those

Compassionate and ready

And Ravenclaws were always known

As intelligent and steady.

The Houses stood apart and strong

Until their Heads grew old

They asked themselves, "When we are gone

How will out school uphold?

Who will select those of each House

The students of this school

And sort them al accordingly

In the future, who will rule?"

'Twas Gryffindor who thought me up

A plan immense and wise

He charmed some brains into my folds

So in me, wisdom lies

There's nothing trapped inside you

That my knowledge cannot see

So come and try me on tonight

And trust your House to me

Yes, friends, do not be hesitant

For I am just and fair

I'll know where you truly belong

And swear I'll Sort you there

So I may be old and homely

But know beneath this grin

Are the founder's deepest wishes

Let the Sorting now begin!

Professor McGonagall extracted a long scroll from the sleeve of her emerald robe, unfurling it grandly with a flourish of her hand. She adjusted her spectacles and called out, "Abger, Samantha!"

A tall, thin girl with blond hair strode proudly up to the chair, sat down and adjusted her robes. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head, where it settled comfortably. Less than three seconds later, it proclaimed, "SLYTHERIN!"

Cheers went up from the table clad in green, and with a smug look on her face Samantha Abger rose to join them.

Ginny let her eyes wander, taking in the sights. Ghosts floated in and out of the tables – she spotted Nearly Headless Nick, his neck vibrating dangerously, and smiled. She didn't think he had noticed until he gave a little wave back.

"Creevey, Colin!" McGonagall called. A shot blonde boy scrambled up the stool – the hat fell over his face as he was Sorted. It took longer this time – after several seconds, the hat declared, "GRYFFINDOR!"

What followed was unexciting save for the butterflies building up in Ginny's stomach. "Davidson, Erica" was sorted into Ravenclaw and "Drian, Jacob" into Hufflepuff. Ginny stared at the huge scarlet and gold banner hanging behind the staff table, hoping, praying that she'd be put in Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart…

"Lovegood, Luna!" That was the radish girl, Ginny remembered, Lovegood. The hat took no time at all on her, declaring, "RAVENCLAW!" The small blonde girl looked dreamy as she ambled off towards the Ravenclaw table, where one of her new Housemates patted her on the back.

Through all of this, Dumbledore looked incredibly pleased. On either side of him, Professors Flitwick and Sprout applauded enthusiastically each time a student was sorted into their House. Professor Snape, however, regarded the process with a cold sneer that Ginny assumed was typical of him. Not Slytherin, please not Slytherin…

Ginny turned her attention back to the Sorting as "Smith, Alicia" was called. The hat thought for a moment while perched on her black hair. "SLYTHERIN!" it finally decided, and she skipped off to sit beside Radish Girl, who's name Ginny had now completely forgot.

"Snyder, Lee!" A girl with dirty blonde hair and a huge smile raced eagerly up to the stool. The hat didn't think long before shouting "HUFFLEPUFF!"

And finally, after "Watterson, Matthew" was sorted into Hufflepuff, McGonagall looked up and announced to the entire hall, "Weasley, Ginevra!"

A new rush of nervousness filled Ginny, but as she sat on the stool and looked out at the Great Hall, at the students, most of whom were appearing quite bored by now, she couldn't help excitement. How many thousands of students had done this before? McGonagall placed the wide-brimmed hat on her fiery red hair – it fit comfortably, allowing her to see the tables out of the bottom corner of her eyes. Instead, though, she closed them.

"Not a hard decision," whispered the hat. "Yes, you'd do well in GRYFFINDOR!"

Ginny heaved a sigh of relief as she sat beside George at the Gryffindor table. He thumped her on the back appreciatively and said, "Sure, you can stay in the family." She looked around for Ron and Harry, but they weren't there; Hermione, though, smiled at her from across the table. The other Gryffindors clapped and cheered as "Zappelini, Blair," was also sorted into Gryffindor, and then the Sorting was over and Professor McGonagall carried the chair and hat off the scene.

"Congratulations!" called Dumbledore, and the Great Hall silenced. "Now, let's eat!"