AN: Chapter 2! No, I still don't own Harry Potter, and for the record, never will.
Verity's POV
The grandeur of Hogwarts is, even now, close to indescribable. The foyer was generously decorated with portraits, portraits with the habit of yelling their every thought at us first years. My face turned skyward, and I saw a chandelier the size of a medium flat. It cast ghostly shadows of students upon the walls, and the carpets seemed lush enough to line G0d's throne.
"May I please have your attention!" A sharp voice echoed through the room, a tone more than hinting that we didn't have an option.
I directed my eyes towards the sound, and was sorely disappointed. Perhaps I had been expecting a Morgan LaFey look-alike, and this lady was as far from that image as I felt possible. She wore rather plain (and that, my friend, defines an understatement) robes, had round spectacles, and an extremely tight bun. I couldn't believe how unpleasant she looked.
"My name is Minerva McGonagall. I am the head of Gryffindor house. Please follow me to be sorted." I felt certain that this woman was just another reason not to be in Gryffindor.
I could contemplate no further on the subject, as a sea of eleven and twelve year-olds surged through the doors into the Great Hall. The sorting had begun.
George's POV
Everyone else was staring at a ratty old hat on a stool, so I stared too. I knew what was coming, but still, a hat bursting into song could make anyone jump.
Your first lesson at Hogwarts
Comes as soon as you step through the door
I am obliged to tell you now
A true story of our founders four
Four greatly knowledged in our magic arts
Became friends, perhaps winning each other's hearts
Rowena Ravenclaw, wise and fair
Godric Gryffindor, strong and brave
Salazar Slytherin, to cross him no one dared
Helga Hufflepuff, the innocent she did save
They decided to join arms
Calling students from near and far
However trouble did arise
For most muggle-borns were quite alright
But by Slytherin they were despised
Leaving his friends he fled in the night
To sort the children is my duty
I was swept from a shelf quite sooty
And here I am.
That was definitely an odd song. Before long, names were being called, surnames first.
"Arden, Verity." McGonagall's shrill voice echoed throughout the hall, and I couldn't help but wonder if Verity would have her wish. She was certainly smart enough.
Verity sat down on the stool and gripped it tightly. The Sorting Hat was placed on her head, and she bit her lip. Suddenly, the hat's bream opened wide it bellowed, "Gryffindor!"
I could practically hear Verity's heart being dashed on a million sharp rocks.
Verity's POV
I couldn't believe it. I stood numbly and headed to the Gryffindor table. As soon as I sat down, I let my head fall into my arms. I didn't care who saw me cry. I had failed my mother. Before she died, I promised that eventually, in some lifetime when I would be able to attend Hogwarts, I would be in Ravenclaw.
Hearing myself think this, I stopped crying so abruptly that I had a hiccupping fit. My mother was either unknown to me or a muggle, depending on how you look at it. I had never made such a promise.
"Are you alright?" A redheaded third-year inquired of me.
"Huh? I'm fine. Are you by any chance related to Fred and George?" This boy had the same hair and freckles.
"Yes, I am, but the hair and freckles are the only similarity," he replied rather coolly.
"Thank goodness!" I exclaimed, and he laughed. The two of us got to talking, and I felt that we had rather a lot in common. His name was Percy, and he was the top of his class. He told me quite about what we would be learning, and I was rather excited to begin learning when two brainless gits sat down across from us.
"Hey Perce," said Fred, and then acknowledged me with a nod. "Was it just me, or could you two feel the Hat rummaging around in your brain?"
I looked up and glared at him, letting my eyes flicker meaningfully down to his right arm, then up to his eyes again. He seemed to understand, and subconsciously rubbed his arm, then winced.
"What's wrong with your arm, Fred?" Percy asked politely. Actually, I don't think that he's the sort of person who could have said it rudely.
"It doesn't concern you. But if you must know, I fell on it when the train made a rather sudden turn, that's all." Ha! So he was embarrassed to admit that I could better him in a fight, was he?
A man with long, silvery-gray hair and a matching beard stood up and cleared his throat. "To all of you newcomers, welcome to Hogwarts. To everyone else, welcome back. For those of you who don't know me, I am Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts. I hope that you all find your stay enjoyable. Goodnight." With that, the tables swept to the wall, and everyone filed out.
AN: I wrote the Sorting Hat's song! It didn't have time because it was courting the Scarf of Sexual Preferance (AVPM!!!). So, RnR!!!! hehe