The long hall and the sea of faces vanished from sight as the edges of the ragged old hat fell down over my eyes. My beating heart sounded deafening in my ears. The stool felt stiff and uncomfortable beneath me.

'Hmm, an interesting mind, I see …' said a sudden voice in my ear.

I gave a slight jump and felt the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. It was like someone was leaning over my shoulder, with their lips brushing my ear. But that wasn't quite right … maybe the voice was inside my head?

'A keen mind coupled with sharp curiosity – that much is very clear …' continued the voice. With a jolt I realised it was the Sorting Hat itself. 'Mixed with an admirable amount of courage, and a sense of fair play … an interesting mind, indeed! So where shall I put you?'

I thought about the whispered rumours of the other students on the train. Those people from wizarding families who seemed to know everything already. They had scorned the house of Hufflepuff and lowered their voices in apprehension of Slytherin. I felt my nerves begin to rise once again.

'No need to be nervous, now,' said the hat reassuringly. 'You're in good hands with me – metaphorically speaking, of course.'

I gave a weak smile. Then I thought suddenly about the hundreds of other students around me – surely they couldn't hear this conversation, too?

'While I'm sure you would thrive in most situations, it seems clear to me that there is only one house for you,' said the hat with no small amount of certainty. It bellowed its last statement to the entire hall.

'RAVENCLAW!'