Chapter 2: The Sorting
The group of first years was ushered into a massive room, while an older woman in green robes spoke about houses and rules, before disappearing behind a pair of doors twice the height of a giant
"So it's true what they were saying on the train Ethan Potter has come to Hogwarts" a Platinum blonde boy drawls, that Harry recognises as a Malfoy. Malfoy moves regally towards the red headed Potter holding out his hand
"I believe an alliance between us could be a very powerful advantage to us both" He said
"Friends with a son of a death eater? No chance" Ethan scoffed "I already have my token loser friend thanks. I'm just kidding Neville" he said clapping the depressed looking boy on the back.
"We're ready for you now" The green-robed professor, McGonagall, said bustling through the doors. Leading the new students towards the front of the room, where a row of teachers sat. In front of the teacher's table sat a stool with a pile of antiquated leather. The new students' heads shot from direction to direction trying to glimpse everything they could; the endless starry sky, the mass of students sat in four rows each wearing one of the four house colours
Suddenly the leather started moving and a cheery song started but no one could really hear it over the whispers about the boy-who-lived that resounded throughout the hall, all the while Ethan stood proudly, head held high allowing everyone to look at the defeater of Voldemort. Suddenly the hat stopped mid-sentence
"Get on with it" he huffed to McGonagall, who looked startled and hastily grasped at a nearby Scroll
"Abbott, Hannah" "HUFFLEPUFF"
"Bones, Susan" "HUFFLEPUFF"
"Boot, Terry" "RAVENCLAW"
"Brocklehurst, Mandy" "RAVENCLAW"
"Brown, Lavender" "GRFFINDOR"
"Bullstrode, Milicent" "SLYTHERIN"
"Crabbe, Vincent" "SLYTHERIN"
"Corner, Michael" "RAVENCLAW"
"Finch-Fletchly, Justin" "HUFFLEPUFF
Finnigan, Seamus" "GRFFINDOR"
"Granger, Hermione" "GRYFFINDOR"
"Greengrass, Daphane" "SLYTHERIN"
"Goldstein, Anthony" "RAVENCLAW"
"Goyle, Gregory" "SLYTHERIN"
"Longbottom, Neville" "GRYFFINDOR"
"MacMillan, Ernie" "HUFFLEPUFF"
"Malfoy, Draco" "SLYTHERIN"
"Nott, Theodore" "SLYTHERIN"
"Parkinson, Pansy" "SLYTHERIN"
"Patil, Padma" "RAVENCLAW"
"Patil, Pavati" "GRFFINDOR"
The whole time the sorting was going on Harry realised that the Headmaster was staring at Ethan with a cold calculating look. Why would he be looking at the saviour that way?
"Potter, Ethan" Ethan slowly made his way to the stool relishing the attention that was on him. He sat on the stool with a smirk, the hat was placed on his head, and everyone held their breath in anticipation to find out what the hero's house will be. After three minutes of silence people started getting restless
'I won't go into Hufflepuff' Ethan demanded mentally
'No you won't. Although you are loyal you sometimes leave people behind' the hat replied 'What's that supposed to mean?' Ethan responded angrily
"GRYFFINDOR" the hat announced. Ethan leapt off the stool running to join the house of the brave
"Potter, Harry" McGonagall finally announced once the thunderous applause faded. Everyone's head's whipped up to look at the small ascending figure. Not a sound was made, the student body just stared at the Potter they didn't recognise or even know existed they stared as the hat was plopped on the shy boy's head. After a few minutes everyone realised Harry's sorting was going to take longer than his brother's. After ten minutes everyone was chatting amongst themselves, even the teachers were whispering. The first year was arguing with the hat, Harry was adamant that the hat did in fact have to sort him into one house 'Fine then since we need to place you in a house you can be a Gryffindor' the hat finally agreed
'Please, no I want to be away from Ethan. Anywhere except Gryffindor' Harry pleaded
'Sorry kid but one day you'll understand' the hat explained
"GRYFFINDOR" he announced loudly, startling the audience. Silence followed the fifteen minute wait as Harry Potter descends to the Gryffindor table. Just before he reaches the table everyone regains their senses when Ethan starts cheering, loudly, soon the entire room was cheering (some more than others *Cough* Slytherin *Cough*)
"Smith, Zacharias" "HUFFLEPUFF"
"Thomas, Dean" "GRYFFINDOR"
"Turpin, Lisa" "RAVENCLAW"
"Weasley, Ronald" "GRYFFINDOR"
"Zambini, Blaise" "SLYTHERIN"
Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there. Harry felt it was all a bit over the top.
"Welcome!" he said "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you"
Knowing he would not be able to keep too much down Harry only took a small selection of the simplest foods in the vast array of foods. While others such as Ron and Ethan filled their plates while boasting and regaling amazing feats they'd achieved to the adoring masses, stories that were a bit embellished but no one seemed to care.
"Percy who's the professor with the turban and the one in the black next to him" Harry asked motioning towards the area that caused his scar to burn
"The one with the turban is Quirrell, the defence against the dark arts professor. The other is Snape, the potions professor" Percy answered before getting distracted by something Ethan had said. Harry realised school was not going to be any different than Potter Manor. He sat alone ignored until Dumbledore finally stood up
"Ahem – just a few more words now we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First-years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well" his eyes went towards the Weasley twins "I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. Finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death. Now for the school song everybody pick a tune. One, two and three-"
And the school bellowed:
'Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us something worth knowing,
Bring us back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot'
Everybody finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march.
"Very good. Off you trot!" he said wiping a fake tear from his eyes
Harry did not pay Percy much attention as he followed the gaggle of first years to their common room; he didn't pay attention as the boys went to their room and started talking. They had all already forgotten about Harry Potter.