Disclaimer: Even tho I wish that I did, I do not own Harry Potter or any of his friends. I do however own Amanda Harland (That didn't sound good).
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As soon as Harry Potter crossed
the barrier to Platform 9 3/4, he saw a bright mass of red. He looked closer,
and saw that it was only the Weasley family, who had, evidently, arrived
just before him. "Oi! Harry!" one of the twins called. Harry grinned at
them and waved. Last year, just before leaving the Hogwarts Express, Harry
had given the troublemaking twins 1000 Galleons for their jokeshop and
to get their brother, Ron some new dressrobes.
"Hey Harry! Guess what!" another
redhead called, making his way over to him. "Fred and George got me some
new dress robes! No lace either!" "Really?" Harry hid a grin. "That was
nice of them." "Yeah, it's not like them to do something nice for me. I
reckon it was a bribe, though. I walked in on them making a new candy.
I don't know what it does yet, though. You had better not take any food
from them for a while." Ron grinned at Harry.
"I wouldn't have told mum
anyway, though," Ron said as they made their way to the train with their
luggage. "We're really going to need some laughs this year. Fred promised
me he'd try to get Malfoy to try a Canary Cream." Ron stopped as he struggled
to get his trunk up in a compartment. Harry helped him and soon they both
had their things in the compartment and were sitting comfortably talking
about finding a replacement Keeper for the Gryffindor Quidditch team when
they heard a sharp tap on their window.
Mrs. Weasley was standing
on the platform looking at them through the window. Ron opened it and said,
"Hello mum." "Have a good term, dear. And do promise you won't go looking
for trouble. Yes, yes, I know, It finds you first, but still, don't make
me worry more than I already am. Everyone is trying their hardest to make
this a safe and enjoyable term for everybody, but still... sending you
to school now... Dumbledore isn't going to close the school... So, both
of you, be careful."
The train started chugging.
"And be nice, Ron!" "Huh? To who?" Ron called back. "You'll see!" Mrs.
Weasley called, waving. "What's that supposed to mean? I'll see who I'm
supposed to be nice to? I think mum is finally going nutters."
"She's been that way for a
while, Ron," Fred said, opening the door. He sat across from them with
George. "Said the same thing to us," George added.
The door then opened and Hermione
cheerfully walked in, a Prefect badge glittering on her school robes. "Hello,
how was your summer?" she asked them, sitting down. "Hey Miss Prefect."
Ron grinned and Hermione blushed.
"Great, but Harry couldn't
come over. Mum said Dumbledore had his reasons. Why didn't I see you at
Diagon Alley? Did you go early this year to memorize all the books?" Hermione
blushed. "We actually went a little late this year. I only got to read
4 of my books. And I only memorized 1!" she added defensively. "Why...--
You didn't go to Bulgaria, did you?" "I'm not telling...." "But...!" "You'd
just make fun of me." "So you did!" "I didn't say that..." "You as good
as said it," Ron said, grumpily slouching in his seat.
"What do you have against
Viktor, anyway?" "Nothing." "Oh. Yeah, that's it... I want to know what
you have against him. Every time he pops up in our conversations, you get
all mad or you have to leave, or something equally stupid."
'Drop it, Hermione,' Harry
mouthed from behind Ron's back. Hermione sighed. "Never mind." She sat
down. "Do you know what I heard?" She said, changing the subject. "Some
people's parents were going to keep their kids home this year, because
of You-Know-Who... But Dumbledore made them come. My mom wasn't very keen
about letting me go, either, but there was no way I was going to miss a
whole term."
They were interrupted by the
door opening and the familiar witch came in, pushing a cart with many sweets
on it. Everyone got up and surrounded the cart. "Now, now. One at a time,
kids."
Time flew by, and soon every
one was changing into their school robes and putting the rest of their
candy away.
The five crowded to get out
when the train finally stopped. They joined everyone else, who was walking
to the castle because of the good weather.
Harry smiled as he entered
the familiar Entrance Hall with the wide sweeping staircase and the large
door that lead to the Great Hall. It was great to be back, especially after
spending the whole summer with the Dursleys.
They were shuffled into the
Great Hall, where they sat in the separate tables for the different houses;
Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff.
The Great Hall was surrounded
with chatting and laughter, until a strict looking witch (McGonagall) walked
in, followed by a long line of 11 year old kids, each looking terribly
frightened.
Professor McGonagall then
placed the torn old Sorting Hat on a stool in front of the First Years.
Several of them looked very confused and jumped when it broke into a song;
There once were four great wizards,
Perhaps the greatest known;
Slytherin, the choosiest of all,
Always liked them like his own.
Ravenclaw, the wisest one,
chose cleverness and sport.
While Hufflepuff, the kind old chap,
the workers were hers to sort.
And last, there is Gryffindor.
But certainly not the least.
His bravery and boldness,
made sure he was no beast.
These four brilliant wizards,
put me in charge,
For I ca see things the couldn't.
I can see your thoughts, even hidden far.
So, put me on that head of yours,
and we shall see,
which of the four you ar most like,
and place you there, bless me!!
Everyone clapped as the Sorting
Hat finished singing and bowed. "When I say your name, you will put the
hat on your head and sit on the stool. After it announces which house you
are to be in, go and sit at the appropriate table." And she began calling
names.
"Antigson, Abigail," "RAVENCLAW!"
"Appleberri, Tyler," "SLYTHERIN!"
"Brommat, Carson," "RAVENCLAW!"
"Brullup, Fern," "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Bumpler, Patricia," "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Carpenter, Sally," "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Cernly, Micheal," "SLYTHERIN!"
"Crabapple, Anya- Michelle,"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
After the last First Year in
the line had been sorted, Proffesor McGonagall cleared her throat and said,
"This year, we have also received an exchange student from Washington DC
Established School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the United States." There
was a buzz off talking. "Strange. Hogwarts usually doesn't get exchange
students..." Hermione said frowning in a thinking manner. McGonagall waited
for silence and continued, "She must also be sorted. May I introduce, Amanda
Harland."
The door that McGonagall and
the first years had gone through opened once again and a girl with blue
eyes, light brown curly hair in a high pony-tail and small oval glasses
walked out, smiling mischieviously. Everybody clapped, hoping she would
be in their House.
McGonagall spoke quietly to
Amanda for a moment and she nodded and sat down on the stool, putting the
hat on her head. It took a while and people watched her silently. Then,
the Hat burst out.... "GRYFFINDOR!!!!"