Trembling with nerves Ginny walked side-by-side with Luna down to the boats. This was it; she was really here!
'No more than four to a boat,' shouted a tall, scary looking man. She knew from her brother's letters that this was Hagrid, a good, kind person. He still; looked scary though.
Ginny got into a boat with Luna, followed by a small blonde boy clutching a camera and a tiny girl ho looked to be no more than eight. The girl stayed silent but unfortunately the boy decided to chatter through what should have been a wondrous moment.
'—I was ever so happy when I got my letter and this is just so exciting! I can't wait! I've heard that there are ghosts and monsters and—'
Ginny tuned him out. She was not going in the same house as him.
'Everyone mind your heads,' shouted Hagrid.
Instantly Ginny ducked. The Irritating boy who had announced himself as Colin somewhere ion the midst of all his chatter, was suddenly silenced as he failed to hear Hagrid and hit his head on the low rock ceiling. Ginny rolled her eyes as the boy started blabbering again. Could nothing keep him quiet?
Getting out of the boats Ginny clung tightly to Luna, who seemed totally unfazed by the anticipation that was clearly building among the students. They trooped up the hill to a high door, before Hagrid knocked.
There was no doubting who the stern woman who opened the door was. Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor house and soon to be head of her own house.
Unless…had what Harry and Malfoy said been true? She couldn't be a Slytherin…could she?
Ginny found herself being herded along with the others students and after a brief stint in an ante-chamber they were entering the Great Hall. How would they be sorted? None of her family would say and Luna didn't know.
This was crazy!
McGonagall brang out an old hat and a stool. Ginny sagged with relief as she listened to its song. She only had to try on the hat! Thank Merlin!
McGonagall started with the A's and Ginny realised that since she was W she would have to wait until nearly the end. She wasn't sure how much more she could take. What if the hat refused to sort her and she became the first Weasley to be unable to go to Hogwarts. What if….?
'Creevey, Colin.'
The irritating boy with the camera scampered up to the front, before being promptly sorted into Gryffindor. Ginny groaned; she'd have to share a house with him? Just great. That was if she got into Gryffindor.
Of course she would. She had to.
'Lovegood, Luna!'
Ginny whispered good luck to her new friend as she glided over to the hat. After a long pause the hat sorted her into Ravenclaw. Ginny clapped enthusiastically. If she couldn't be a Gryffindor then maybe she could be a Ravenclaw.
More and more names until finally—
'Weasley, Ginevra!'
Taking a deep breath she made her way up to the hat, trying not to panic as the dark folds obscured her eyes.
Well, well, well, what have we here? Another Weasley…yet a different one. How interesting.
Gryffindor, please.
Ginny got the feeling the hat was laughing at her.
Gryffindor, my dear girl? Oh no, you may be a Weasley but you are no Gryffindor.
Ravenclaw then?
Maybe…maybe not.
There was a long pause before the hat shouted out its answer, the one word Ginny had been both dreading and hoping to hear.
'SLYTHERIN!'
