"Longbottom, Neville!"
Professor McGongall's voice was loud and clear. It echoed of the walls of the Great Hall, making it seem a lot worse than when she called anyone else's name.
The students were laughing. One Slytherin boy had shouted out, "What kind of a name is Longbottom?"
Neville was red in the face.
Slowly, feeling the eyes of everyone in room piercing his body, Neville walked up to the front, his hands shaking. He tripped, falling slightly to the left, and went even redder. He could hear more laughs, which caused him to shake even more. If he didn't get in Gryffindor, boy, his Gran would kill him!
The shame of having a Grandson in another house!
Finally, he reached the front. He sat down silently on the stool, taking a deep breath, looking at all the students peering at him. The Slytherins were still laughing.
Professor McGonagall slipped the hat onto his head.
It fell right over his eyes, and he found himself staring into the darkness of the very patchy hat.
"Hm", he thought. "This seems better."
You don't like people looking at you, do you boy?
The voice made him jump. It was as if it was inside his head, yet it wasn't. He didn't think that, did he?
No you didn't think that.
Neville jumped again.
Hmm, let's see, let's see. You don't seem very confident, do you?
"Yes," Neville thought, "I am confident!"
Really? I don't see it, boy.
"I am," Neville thought again. "I am very confident and brave! Really, I am!"
You're afraid of what your Grandmother would think if you were placed anywhere but Gryffindor.
"No," Neville thought anxiously, "I just want to be like my Father."
Oh yes, your Father, I remember his sorting very well. Very brave and confident, a very easy decision.
"Oh, that's good," he thought. He was getting slightly uneasy.
So, where to put you? You're soft boy, afraid, nervous. Yet I see it. Potential courage, bravery, in the not so distant future.
"Really?" Neville thought, shocked.
Yes. Bravery I see. Yet you are loyal, kind. You wouldn't make a bad Hufflepuff.
"Please Gryffindor! Please!"
Gryffindor, eh? Gryffindor would help you find your bravery, I see that.
"Please!"
But you would do great in Hufflepuff! You have a mind for Herbology, and Professor Sprout would be most happy!
"Please!"
He didn't hear anymore inside. He knew what was coming. He was going to be sorted in Hufflepuff, he knew it. He was going to be disowned, left, his family were going to ha-
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The hat bellowed the last word to the whole hall. Filled with happiness and excitement, Neville jumped off, not knowing where he was going, the hat still on his head.
He was in Gryffindor.