"The houses are Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Your house will be like your home while you are here. Your achievements will earn you points and your misdeeds lose you points from your house" said Professor Longbottom.
Albus shivered, he caught Professor Longbottom's eye and grinned receiving one back. Alice Longbottom was in Gryffindor in James' year and Frank would be starting at Hogwarts next year. They were family friends because Albus' parents had known Professor Longbottom and his wife Hannah at school.
Albus looked around. Rose stood next to him bristling with excitement; she was a ravenclaw for sure. Next to her was Roxy looking apprehensive as she watched some boys discussing which was the best house. She would probably be a Gryffindor like her brother.
"Now everyone follow me" spoke Professor Longbottom
As everyone rushed forward he got squashed between Rose and a short girl with glasses he didn't know. When he stepped into the great hall his breath was taken away. He knew it was grand but he hadn't been expecting this! Four long wooden tables stretched all the way up the hall, each cramed with students chattering away. At the end of the hall was the staff table with all the professors and headmistress McGonagall. Burning candles hung freely under a sparkling star lit sky.
Albus was not the only one staring; there were shocked gasps from other first years as they were led towards the professor's table. All the other students were craning their knecks to get a look at the new students. The sorting hat perched on a rickety stool and suddenly it burst into song about the houses. Obviously it sung this song every year because most students had turned back to their conversations. When it ended everyone hushed.
"When I call your name you will come up and I will place this hat in your head"
"Amelia Bones"
A shy but pretty girl walked up and sat down, shaking. After a few moments the hat shouted "Hufflepuff"
She smiled looking relieved and went to sit down with her new housemates. This went on for a while until:
"Scorpius Malfoy"
The hall went so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone knew him. Son of the death eater Draco Malfoy. He cautiously walked up and had the hat placed on his head. After a minute the hat proclaimed,
"Slytherin"
Scorpius went to his table looking a bit downcast. Before Albus knew it Professor Longbottom was calling his name.
"Albus Potter"
Everyone was staring at him as he made his way up the stool. He saw a glimpse of his brother James next to his cousin Fred before the hat covered his eyes.
'WELL WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE, ANOTHER POTTER?'
'Um yes' thought Albus hoping this would be over soon.
'I SHALL TAKE AS LONG AS I NEED TO SORT YOU MR POTTER.
HMMMM.
AN INTERESTING MIND YOU HAVE, YES VERY INTERESTING.'
'...'
'I SEE YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE WITH YOUR FAMILY. YOU ARE VERY LOYAL, A HUFFLEPUFF TRAIT. BUT I DON'T THINK THAT HOUSE IS FOR YOU, NOR IS GRYFFINDOR FOR THAT MATTER.'
'Really?'
'REALLY.
YOU WOULD DO WELL IN RAVENCLAW WITH A SMART MIND LIKE YOURS OR IN SLYTHERIN WITH YOU AMBITION AND A THIRST TO PROVE YOURSELF. DO YOU HAVE A PREFERENCE?'
'Well I am named after a Slytherin, Dad said he was the bravest man he ever knew.'
'THAT'S RIGHT, IT SEEMS YOU HAVE MADE YOUR DECISION.
GOOD LUCK IN SLYTHERIN."
The last word was shouted to the hall. For a few seconds there was a stunned silence then the Slytherins broke into applause, along with the Hufflepuffs and some other students. As Albus made his way to the green table he glanced at his brother who looked shocked but have him a smirk and turned away. He sat down next to Scorpius to watch Rose and Roxy being sorted. As he predicted Rose was put in Ravenclaw and Roxy in Gryffindor, which surprised no one.
As he started to eat the great feast before him he thought.
'Being a Slytherin, maybe it's not so bad.'