The first years crowded around the front of the great hall, admiring the famous Sorting Hat as the Deputy Head held it above a stool, reading from parchment in the other hand.
"When I call your name, please come to the front and the Sorting Hat will decide which house you should be in." She placed her deep blue glasses to rest on her nose and held the parchment so she could read it.
"Harold Forchester."
A boy with brown hair in a bowl cut came to the front of the great hall, looking around at all the magical wonders.
"Must be a muggleborn," Albus whispered to his uncle Percy's eldest daughter Molly, who giggled quietly.
The Sorting Hat fell upon the boy's head. "Hmm... I think you would do well in RAVENCLAW!"
Harold smiled and ran towards the blue table, where the members greeted him.
"Marley Coal."
A tall boy with dark blonde hair and bright blue eyes strode to the front.
"Good character here... Lots of courage... GRYFFINDOR!"
Marley grinned and walked casually to his fellow lions, who shook his hand and patted him on the back.
"Scorpius Malfoy."
Scorpius received many glares from the older students who had, of course, heard all about the Malfoys. He gulped, and sat down on the stool. No sooner had the hat touched his head, it screamed "SLYTHERIN!" He gave a smug grin and swept towards the Slytherin table.
"Albus Potter." Albus walked slowly to the front and looked at the Gryffindor table, where his brother nodded at him.
"Potter, eh? You're a lot like your father... Courage, desperate to prove yourself, desperate to follow your father... Hm?"
'Not Slytherin, please!' Albus thought, interrupting the Hat.
"You sure? It's a brilliant house; they can help you get what you want... No? Okay then. GRYFFINDOR!"
Albus heaved a huge sigh of relief and sat down next to his brother who gave him a congratulatory shake.
"Molly Weasley."
Albus and Rose's cousin came to the front. She had been named after her grandmother, and also looked particularly like her.
The Sorting Hat was silent for a few seconds, and then exclaimed "GRYFFINDOR!"
Molly beamed at her cousins at the table then ran and sat next to Bill's son, Louis, who was in his second year.
"Celeste Smith."
A girl with long fair hair and freckles made her way to the front.
"Loyalty... Kind... HUFFLEPUFF!"
She grinned and sat down.
"Rose Weasley."
Rose looked back at all her cousins in Gryffindor, and realised how much she felt she belonged there. She kept this in her head as she sat under the Sorting Hat.
"More Weasleys?" The Hat remarked. "Well this won't be hard. GRYFFINDOR!"
Rose opened her eyes and saw Albus grinning at her like a madman, clapping louder than any of the other Gryffindors. She glanced at Scorpius, who looked away awkwardly. She shrugged, and ran to join her house.