I'll be in Slytherin. I just know it. I'm perfect for that House, anyway. I'm witty and good at potions. Or at least, I'm sure I will be. Why wouldn't I be? It's not like it will be hard. Just mixing a few ingredients, that's all.

Wow, this hall is so beautiful. I wonder what spell that used to get the candles to float like that. And the ceiling! It doesn't even look like there is one. Is there? There must be.

Woah! Is that a ghost? Andsilver blood? I'll bet that's the Bloody Baron that I read about in dad's old book. He's been around for a long time. Oh, and he'll be my House ghost! I'm so excited, I can hardly wait! I wonder who my Housemates will be. Hopefully not her. She looks stuck up. She's not even pretty, and honestly how many times does she need to mention that she's a Pureblood? I am too, but I'm not about to throw it in people's faces.

So that's the Headmaster, then. His beard is really long. I wonder if he brushes it. Or maybe there's a spell for it! I wish my parents used magic more, then I might know some spells ahead of time.

Wait, we go up one at a time? Mum and dad didn't say that. I have to be Sorted in front of everyone? Well, I mean, what am I worried about? I'm going to be in Slytherin. Slytherin's are fearless. Or at least they seem to be. Mum and dad are. I am. I think.

This is taking such a long time. I wish I could just go up already.

Finally, it only took forever. Okay, I'm ready. Tell me I'm in Slytherin! Wow, this hat stinks. It's probably centuries old.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

What? No! WhyhowI don't understand! This is a mistake! I can't bea Hufflepuff..?

Why did this happen to me? I'm brave! I'm smart! I could have been in any of the other Houses! Why the stupid one? Hufflepuff's are boring, stupid, needy people. I'm none of those things. This is so unfair. I should be in Slytherin

"Welcome to Hufflepuff!"

Stupid HufflepuffUrgh, get off me. I don't need a hugI need you to disappear

"We're glad to have you in the House! You're going to have a blast!"

"Right…"

They're wrong. This is the worst thing in the world. I have to spend the next seven years of my life in the reject House. Maybe I can request a change. Maybe if I prove to the Professor's that I was Sorted wrong, they'll let me switch! Has that ever happened? I'm sure it has. But I didn't hear of anything like it in dad's book

No, this was definitely a mistake. I'm meant to be somewhere else.

"So you're Jackson, eh?"

Well duh, isn't that what the tall witch said?

"Yeah."

Maybe if I don't make eye contact he won't talk to me anymore. I just want to be left alone. This is so unfair

"I'm Erick. This is all exciting. I come from a muggle home. All this is new to me."

Well congratulations, Erick. Noteveryone here has the privilege of being stupid enough to be happy just to be a wizard.

That was mean. I shouldn't have thought that.

"Sorry…"

"For what?"

"Nothing. Never mind."

"Welcome all of you. With the new additions to the Houses, may the feast begin!"

He sure has a loud voice. He looks so old. I wonder exactly how old he is. Maybe like 300. Is that even possible? Probably for a wizardCould I get that old?

"That's Dumbledore, the Headmaster. I met some really nice people in Diagon Alley that told me all about Hogwarts. He's supposed to be really powerful and wise, and even kind of funny. I hope I'll get to talk with him some time."

He talks so much. What am I supposed to say? I've been in a wizard home all my life, so I really can't relate.

Finally something to shut this kid up. He really can stuff his face, can't he? Is that a Treacle Tart? And the gravyIt all smells so delicious, where do I even start? Okay bread, potatoes, Treacle Tart, oh maybe an apple. And pork. So much pork.

This is the best food I've ever had! I can't believe something could taste so good. Okay, maybe mum's Apple Pie, but nothing else. I wonder if we eat like this every night! I'll probably get so fat by the end of the year. Oh well, I don't care. It's so good, it's worth it.

"So Jackson, what class are you looking forward to the most?"

Why is this older student talking to me? Isn't he supposed to be at the other end of the table? It looks like a lot of the sixth and seventh years are sitting with us first years.And wellI hadn't really thought about it.

"Potions probably."

"Yeah, Potions is a good one. Just look out for Professor Snape. He might give you a hard time, but he's really not as bad as all the Gryffindors think."

Right now I'm really wishing I could be a Gryffindor. Or Slytherin. Just not a Hufflepuff.

"My name is Maverick, and this is Avery, one of the House Prefects. If you want to get into some trouble, answer to me. If you get caught getting into trouble, answer to him."

Well he's not nearly as annoying as Erick. But he's older, so that could be why. I wonder how he got through so many years as a Hufflepuff. Maybe some people just don't care. I just don't want to be known for 'loyalty' or whatever. bravery, cunningand wisdom are so much better.

"I'll keep that in mind."

I'm so stuffed. I want to keep eating but I don't think I could swallow one more bite. How is Erick stilleating? And he's not even fat! We're the same size. He must have a good metabolism.

"I can't wait to see our common room. I'm sure it's decorated with our House colors. Yellow and black!"

Here he goes again. No one cares about the House colors. They're horrible colors anyway. I don't look good in yellow, no one does. We'll all look like bees for Quidditch matches. Yellow and black.. Hmph