Resorted

The students stared at it. So did the teachers. For a moment, there was silence. Then a rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth, and the hat broke into song

``A thousand years or more ago,

When I was newly sewn,

There lived four wizards of renown,

Whose names are still well known:

Bold Gryffindoor, from wild moor,

Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,

Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,

Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.

They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,

They hatched a daring plan

To educate young sorcerers

Thus Hogwarts School began.

Now each of these four founders,

Formed their own house, for each

Did value different virtiues,

In the ones they had to teach.

By Gryffindoor, the bravest were

Prized far beyond the rest;

For Ravenclaw, the cleverest

Would always be the best;

For Hufflepuff, hard workers were

Most worthy of admission;

And power-hungry Slytherin

Loved those of great ambition.

While still alive they did devide

Their favourites from the throng,

Yet how to pick the worthy ones

When they were dead and gone?

'Twas Gryffindoor who found the way,

He whipped me off his head

The founders put some brains in me

So I could choose instead!

Now slip me snug about your ears,

I've never yet been wrong,

I'll have a look inside your mind to see where you belong! ``

The Great Hall broke into applause.

``It sung a different song with us`` Harry pointed out to Hermione and Ron who were sat either side of him. ``How come it's changed it? ``

``Well, it must have a pretty boring life, so it must spend all year coming up with a good song`` Said Ron. Then, straight after 'Ackerely, Stewart' had been sorted,

``Yeah. I guess that makes sense. `` Harry murmured, whilst watching Malcom Baddock being sorted into Slytherin. Hermione, who had been silent up till then asked

``I wonder who we'll get this year. `` But before Harry could answer, he hear an exited

``Hi Harry! `` In his ear. Collin Creevey, a third- year, who (to Harry's annoyance) practically worshipped him, was stood behind him, beaming. ``Harry guess what? My brother Dennis is starting this year! Do you reckon he'll make it into Gryffindoor? ``Then `` Dennis! Over here! Harry can you believe it? He's made it into Gryffindoor! `` Now Collin started introducing Harry to Dennis, so Harry started staring at the sorting hat (currently sorting 'McDonald, Natalie') so intensely that it should burst into flame.

Finally, after 'Whitby, Kevin' had been sorted into Hufflepuff, the hat went limp and Professor McGonagall prepared to pick it (and the 3 legged stool on which all the first-years had been sorted) up and put it to the side. But the hat, to everyone's surprise, sat up (Harry wasn't sure whether to call it sitting up) and demanded in a loud voice

``Place me down again, upon my dear stool, as the sorting has yet to be finished. `` Was anyone forgotten? Had anyone been left behind? How was it possible? Then the hat began again

`` I told you that I never sorted

A single student wrong.

But I dare say I take it back

For the impossible has happened.

A student has change where they should be,

So don't sound the dinner gong,

For some sorting there is to do.

So come forward Harry Potter,

That student is you. ``

Everyone gasped. Everyone stared. Nobody spoke.

Harry felt like a Dementor was breathing down his neck, forcing him to stay sat down. He disobeyed the Dementor and shuffled slowly towards the front. Everyone's eyes followed him. He stumbled several times, but managed to catch himself before he hit the floor. He had now reaches the front. He jammed the hat over his ears.

The voice spoke in his ear

``Yes… Hmmm… Very interesting… your bravery has been replaced by selfishness, your modesty by arrogance. I NOW DECLARE YOU SLYTHERIN!``