Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but I own Raychel, Holly and Tyler Garretson.
"I'm so sorry to interrupt you guys," said Raychel to the boys, who seemed to be swimming in Chocolate Frogs containers, most of which were empty, "But word is, that you're Harry Potter. I was wondering if that is true." Raychel said.
"Uh—Yeah, I am as a matter of fact." Harry responded sheepishly.
"I'm Ron Weasley." The red head interjected loudly.
"Hello Harry, Ron. My name is Raychel Garretson. Mind if I--er-- sit down for a bit?" she asked, not timidly so.
"Yeah, sure." Harry said politely.
"Are you guys nervous about the Sorting? I am sort of nervous." Raychel said, starting up a conversation.
" Yeah!" They said in unison.
"I just don't want to end up looking idiotic."
They boys chuckled and agreed. They went on to talk about other things, and they learned about each other. When it started to get darker Amy said good bye and she departed to go back to the compartment she was in.
She got back in to see that once again, Draco was in full conversation with Crabbe and Goyle. She walked in and Draco looked up, saw who it was and then went back to talking. The conversation seemed to have ended because he asked Raychel where she was.
"I saw Harry Potter." She said simply.
" Oh." And he left it at that, though it was obvious that he wanted to badmouth him in some way.
"Train stopped." Grunted Crabbe.
At the compartment of the door, Draco held it open for Raychel, upper class manners maybe, and then followed her to the exit of the train. That particular group dispersed, rather Raychel separated from them in the crowd.
"Firs' years this way!" called a towering, giant figure.
All first years followed him in the night, to the lake where dozens of boats bobbed gently in the water.
"No more'n five to a boat!" called the large figure who then introduced himself as Hagrid, the keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts.
Harry had gotten into the boat with Hagrid and Ron and another person. Malfoy, Goyle, and Crabbe had their own boat. Raychel was in a boat with Hermione, Neville, and two other girls.
The two boats started to move on their own accord. When the castle came into sight, there were many "Ooh's and aah's". It was a large brightly lit castle.
When the boats came to their destination, the first years all got out of the boats and Neville had found his toad, Trevor. They were led into a corridor outside of the Great Hall, and were introduced to a middle aged, stern looking witch.
"I am Professor McGonagall, head of the Gryffindor house and Transfiguration teacher. In just a few moments, when the older students get situated, you will all be sorted into houses. For the next seven years they will be like your "family". Any thing that you do worthy of merit will earn you points—any rule breaking will lose your house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points wins the House Cup! For you future Gryffindors, I hope you will uphold the honor." Professor McGonagall said tersely.
When she left, nervous chatter broke out. Many heads turned about nervously, and Raychel and Harry shot each other a quick grin, but that fleeting moment was interrupted by many pearly figures floating above seeming to be in their own conversation. One looked down and greeted the new students, and then many of the others did. Then, some random student called out, "They're ghosts, they are!" and more banter broke out again. This was hushed because after the ghosts left, Professor McGonagall came in and led them to the Great Hall.
Hundred of students were already situated at tables in the hall, and they looked with interest at the students filing in. A tiny little man came in with a stool that had a hat perched on it and placed in where all could see. Then, without warning it broke into a song. It sang about the different houses and the qualities that were characteristic of each house.
Draco still had the confident demeanor as earlier, and Crabbe and Goyle just looked blank. Harry and Ron were in conversation. Hermione was again speaking at fast speeds about different things about Hogwarts. Raychel however was having an interior panic attack. She didn't feel brave, clever, cunning, or hard working at this moment. She thought of her parents. What if she wasn't in one of the houses they were in? How would they react?
Professor McGonagall coughed and the first years all closed their mouths. "When I call your name, you are to come up, sit on the stool and put the hat on. It shall announce the house you belong in and you shall sit down at the table of your house." She announced.
"Abbot, Hannah" A blonde girl went forward, and she became a Hufflepuff.
More names were called. Crabbe it turned out was a Slytherin. Still more names called until—
"Garretson, Raychel!" Raychel made her way through the crowd of students. Along the way she passed Harry and Ron and they both wished her luck…for what she didn't really know. Good luck on not making a prat of yourself or something! Raychel thought.
She sat on the stool and placed the hat on her head.
"Hmm," the hat whispered in her ear. "You've got a mind you do, but where to put you? You have wit and you're a quick learner, but it just doesn't seem to fit you…I know." The Sorting Hat finally said. Then there was another pause, and then, "Slytherin!" it yelled.
Raychel's heart must have stopped for a second. She was in neither of the houses her parents were in! She took off the hat, and saw Draco Malfoy give her thumbs up. She walked to the Slytherin table and they clapped for her. Why? She thought. There were no familiar faces but that of Crabbe, so she sat across from him. He gave a grunt of approval and a yellow toothed smile. In her head she asked herself how her parents would react. The sorting went on.
Goyle next became a Slytherin and Hermione became a Gryffindor. Later on Draco became a Slytherin like he said he would. Raychel thought to herself how funny it would be if he became a Gryffindor. (Sounds like a fun fan fic:- ) Harry and Ron were sorted as Gryffindors.
Dumbledore got up to speak when the sorting was done. He greeted all students and announced the feast. There was so much food.
At the Gryffindor table Harry and Ron were deep in conversation with Ron's other brothers about the school.
Harry then asked Ron jokingly, "I didn't see that one coming. I never would have thought Malfoy was going to be in Slytherin."
Ron chuckled at this, but then said seriously, "My father told me that his father was in close with You-Know-Who."
They talked about this in wonderment for a few moments, and then Harry asked, "Did you see that girl Raychel going there? She said her parents were from Ravenclaw and Gryffindor"
"Strange, huh?" was Ron's response, "I guess you can't really judge people from family"
They ate heartily and talked about other things.
Meanwhile Draco was leading a conversation at the Slytherin table.
"Like I said," he announced a little loudly and with conceit, "my family has been in Slytherin forever. I knew I'd be here."
Raychel responded to it with, "I didn't know I'd end up here." You can hear the lack of positive emotion in her voice.
"Well what are you complaining about, it's an honor!" Draco cried indignantly, as if she had slapped him across the face.
"Well, it's just that my mother was a Ravenclaw and my father was a Gryffindor." She paused, then, "I don't want them to be disappointed about me not being in any of their houses."
Draco looked at her somewhat sympathetically then said, 'Don't worry so much, you're in the best house anyway." And then the conversation went on to other things.
Back at the Gryffindor table, Harry was scanning the Professors Table when he met eyes with a black haired man. The man stared back with what seemed to be loathing. Then all of a sudden, Harry's scar prickled. But that was for a quick moment. Then Harry asked Ron's brother Percy who the teacher was and found out it was the Potion's master, Professor Snape.
Dumbledore stood and conversations ceased. The Headmaster than cheerfully gave announcements about what can't be used or done in the corridors. He warned people to not venture off into the Forbidden Forest or to Corridor on the third floor. When he finished, students were to follow the prefects to their respective common rooms.
Gryffindors and Ravenclaws went up the stairs as Hufflepuffs and Slytherins went towards the dungeons.
Okay, this was another long one. I hope you enjoy, and please rate/review. I enjoy writing this, but please let me know what you think!