Rose grabbed her trunk and headed over to the cluster of other first-years. "Hey, what's going on?" she asked Albus when she noticed that everyone looked as though they were searching for something.
But he didn't have time to answer because a booming voice suddenly said, "First-years follow me please. 'urry up. We haven't got all night." Many of the children oohed, ahed, and stared up at the giant, but Rose and Albus looked up and smiled. "Hello Hagrid." They said in unison. "Hello Rosie! Albus!" although Hagrid's beard was much more white than black now, he was still the friendly giant/gamekeeper/teacher/friend that the Potter's and Weasly's knew and loved.
"Well, unless you want to sit with that Malfoy kid the whole way to the castle, I suggest you go ahead and pick a boat." Rose and Albus started to leave, but turned around when they heard a snide voice talking to Hagrid. "Were you, or were you not just talking poorly about me?" a boy with a pointed face and slicked back, greasy, blond hair asked rudely. Hagrid frowned; that's when Rose stepped in. "He wasn't Malfoy. I was." Scorpio looked disgusted. "Look who we have here. Let's see; red hair, freckles, you must be a Weasly. My father's told me all about you." Malfoy sneered. "Good. Then you'll know that your father is a coward. Or did he not tell you how my family had to rescue him from a room that was on fire?" Rose bragged. Scorpio looked shocked. "How dare you!" have yelled, but before he could continue he was interrupted by Hagrid. "Well, I hate to cut this conversation short, but if we don't get a move on 'ole Flitwick's going to be in a right foul mood." Rose scowled one last time at Malfoy, then clutched Albus' arm and dragged him off to the enchanted boats.
When they finally arrived at the castle, Professor Flitwick was tapping his toe impatiently. "Ah! Here we are! Finally! Now that we're all here, I suggest we begin. Now, once you pass through these doors you will have entered the world of witchcraft and wizardry. You will learn spells galore, potions, remedies, and even how to ride a broomstick. I know most of you have been anticipating this moment your whole lives, so I won't delay any longer. But first there are a few things I'll cover before we enter the Great Hall.
First of all, you will congregate in the middle of the Hall, then I will call you up in alphabetical order. You will come forward when your name is called, and be sorted into your house. After you have been sorted you will go sit with the rest of your house. Any questions? No? Then I believe they're ready for us in there."
Everyone was chatting nervously as they crowded through the large oak doors.
"Ow! Don't pinch my arm so tight!" Albus exclaimed. Rose looked down. She hadn't realized that she was still clinging to Albus' arm. "Oh! Sorry Al!" she apologized, immediately letting go. "Yeah, yeah." He mumbled as he examined the little red marks Rose's nails had made on his forearm.
After a long list of names, a familiar one was called. Lola Longbottom marched up to the tiny three-legged stool and sat down delicately. The sorting hat fell far below her eyes, but she sat perfectly still like a statue. "Hmmmm... Yes... You are very courageous. You're obviously brave, but also very clever. Then again you're quite the oddball aren't you?" the sorting hat chuckled. "Hmmmm... What to do with you?" Lola sat silently while the sorting hat pondered over where to put her. Suddenly it shouted, "Gryffindor!" the Gryffindor table erupted in applause.
"Scorpio Malfoy." Flitwick called. Malfoy sauntered up to the sorting hat and sat down with a broad grin on his face. When the musty old hat fell onto his head, it immediately started grumbling. "Another Malfoy eh? Well I suppose you'll be in..." it paused mid-sentence. "My word! You're not suited at all for Slytherin!" Scorpio's smile quickly vanished. "Oh no! I'd say you're a... a Gryffindor!" Malfoy looked faint. No one cheered, or even smiled as Malfoy walked over to his house table. All you could hear was the clip-clop; Clip-clop of his shoes hitting the marble floor.
After the initial shock, Flitwick cleared his throat and called the next name. "Albus Potter!" Albus stepped forward and swallowed hard. "Another Potter. Well I know exactly where to put you. Gryffindor!" the sorting hat's voice rang through the hall. Everyone, with the exception of Slytherins, exploded in loud applause.
After a long list of names were called, Professor Flitwick said, "Rose Weasly." At first she didn't hear because the last round of cheers was still ringing in her ears, then she saw that everyone was staring at her. All the color drained from her face and she suddenly felt queasy. Somehow she managed to make her way to the front of the room. She perched on the very edge of the stool and closed her eyes. "Ah. Another Weasly. I haven't seen one of you in a while. No matter. No matter. Well you're very outgoing yes, not afraid to stand up to the world. You have a bit a of a temper, which is defiantly a Slytherin trait-" Rose gasped. "No! Please not Slytherin!" she whispered urgently. "Not Slytherin eh? If I remember correctly that's exactly what your dear old Uncle Harry said. Well, as you wish. But mind you this may be the worst mistake you'll ever make. You could do great in Slytherin. Well... If you're sure... Better be... Gryffindor!" Rose was so ecstatic that she leapt off the stool and started for the Gryffindor table with the hat still on her head.
They sat and watched the last few people be sorted, then they began the feast. But throughout the marvelous dinner, Rose couldn't help but noticing that Malfoy hardly touched his food, and scowled whenever someone tried to talk to him. Rose sighed. "If he doesn't get over himself I'll simply die." She thought to herself as she grabbed another slice of turkey, and started a lengthy conversation with Lola about Trolls.