A/N: Disclaimer; I don't own Harry Potter.
The four boys came to Hogwarts in the one boat, all confident that they would be in the same house, Gryffindor. Four girls had travelled to the enchanted castle together, eager to learn about magic. All confident that they were finally somewhere they belong.
They were herded like sheep to the doors and led inside the entrance hall. They were given an introduction speech from an aging woman, with her black hair pulled back into a tight bun behind her head. She was wearing emerald green robes that brought out her strictness.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," She started, "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
"The sorting ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting.
"I shall return when we are ready for you, Please wait quietly."
The four boys were grinning, some a bit happier that others, at the end of the professors speech. The four girls were huddled nervously together, whispering furiously to each other.
Some ghosts floated past, but those that noticed didn't seem too worried, many made comments to their friends as the ghosts starting to talk to some of the first years.
"Move along now," McGonagall's sharp voice instructed the ghosts, "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start. Now form a line and follow me." She then pushed open a large set of doors and started to walk up the aisle between two of the longest tables you've ever seen. The next two longest tables were next to them, with the same distance between them.
Everyone was quiet and looking. The first years, at the room, with floating candles and the starry sky. The older students at the new arrivals.
The first years all bunched up at the end of the tables and looked to see an old three legged stood, on it was a battered old hat that had seen better centuries.
It sat there for a moment then a seam tore, and opened. Then a voice filled the hall, singing, that could only have come from the hat. Everyone sat, transfixed, listening to the words of its song
Together in this life
We stand side by side.
Stronger together
Weaker apart
Make new friendships
But keep the old.
As they will help you
Later in life
Along your journey.
With friends from your house
Where ever you belong.
Is it Gryffindor?
Where brave of heart dwell
Maybe Hufflepuff?
Where they are loyal and just
Or yet in Ravenclaw
Where those of knowledge grow
Or Slytherin?
Where cunning Folk plan.
So put me on
Let's have a look
To see where your loyalties
Really lie.
The whole school broke into applause, though a lot of first years were still too shocked to do anything rather than stare.
Professor McGonagall walked to the front of stage again with a long scroll in her hands. She then addressed the first years.
"When I call your name, come up here. I will place the sorting hat on your head; it will then decide what house you belong in. Then you can go and join your house group.
"Alder, Bayonette." One of the girls from the tight group of four was called up. The hat sat on her head for a minute before calling out, "RAVENCLAW!" in a loud booming voice.
A few more names were called before, "Black, Sirius." A kid from the cluster of boys bounded up. He had black bouncy hair but seemed a little nervous. Those nerves disappeared when that hat called out, "GRYFFINDOR!" barley pausing to take the hat off he ran to the table of his new house.
"Evans, Lily" was the next person you should take notice of; she was also sorted into, "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Hawk, Citrus." was another girl into Gryffindor.
"Lupin, Remus." was the second boy in Gryffindor.
"Petergriew, Peter." was the one who surprised everybody. "SLYRTHERIN" The cry rang out around the hall; no one clapped him on his way to his new house table. The pudgy boy with the watery blue eyes made his way to the table covered in green.
But no one was surprised when, "Potter, James." made it to Gryffindor.
"Rowan, Scarlett," was the next girl into Gryffindor.
Lily's childhood friend, "Snape, Severus." was a Slytherin.
And "Tilly, Peach" was the last person who you should take notice of. She became a part of the large family of Gryffindors.