Chapter 2
Sorting Madness and the Wrong House
Hogwarts towered into the sky as the boat propelled the first years towards the banks. Mia gripped the edges of the boat and prayed silently she'd make it to the other side alive. Water was not her friend. Another first year, a chubby girl with huge glasses, and a freckled face, rode along silently with her. As they landed on shore, Mia let out a large sigh of relief. She was careful to avoid the water as she disembarked the boat; the first years quickly found their way to where a lean man with a peachy face stood waving a lamp to get their attention. The petrified little first years all gathered round, the man smiled too radiantly. It kind of got on Mia's nerve that he could be so carefree.
"I am Professor Fulgor, welcome to Hogwarts, in a moment the doors will open and you'll be led to the great hall and sorted into your houses." Fulgor paused to clear his throat. "As we walk in, you'll see the house hourglasses, and uh… I have been told to explain something when we get inside."
The doors creaked open and warm light from the entrance hall fell onto the first years. Torches flickered in their brackets. Mia was excited to see them; if only she could go over to one without attracting attention. Professor Fulgor ushered them in and many of the students, curiosity peaked, looked for the house hourglasses. The four house hourglasses sat next to the door, the crest at the top representing each one. They were empty, except the one on the end filled with black sand.
Professor Fulgor cleared his throat again. "Right, apparently a couple of Slytherins picked a fight before they even got to school, so they are currently at negative house points… He he I didn't even know the hourglasses showed negative points. Now follow me!"
The first years were led into the great hall. Mia looked up at the magical night ceiling she'd heard so much about. I'm here. I'm really here! As they approached the front stage, Mia's joy turned to panic when she saw the beat up old hat sitting on a stool. Frantic, she looked around at the different tables wondering how she would be placed. Erike sat at the Slytherin table. When she made eye contact with him, he smiled and waved; too panicked to be polite Mia didn't wave back. Their group stopped at the front of the room. All eyes were on the first years, and Professor Mitchell, who stood next to the hat.
Mia didn't hear the announcements or the talking hat's spiel being preoccupied with her thoughts. Digging in her pocket, she pulled out what looked like a piece of green toffee, and held onto it for dear life. What house would she be placed in? Slytherin seemed like trouble so that was a no off the bat. Gryffindor would be their rival, right? She hoped she didn't get that house either. Ravenclaw was known for their smarts, but she wasn't very studious, that just left Hufflepuff. The house of hard work and values, she'd be lying constantly just to stay with them, but they seemed like a quiet house. Yeah, Hufflepuff sounds good.
"—ia... HESTIA MIA!" Mia jumped and realized her name was being called. Professor Mitchell was glaring daggers at her, frantic Mia stuffed the toffee in her mouth like a kid badly trying to hide the fact they were stealing from the cookie jar. In her haste she almost swallowed the toffee, but managed to keep it in her mouth. Quickly, she ran up to the sorting hat afraid she would get scolded for taking too long. There were a few laughs throughout the great hall at her blunder.
"Take off the hat," Professor Mitchell demanded.
Mia took a deep breath in, it was now or never. She pulled off her multicolored fisherman's hat, and waited for her secret to be revealed, but nothing happened. The toffee was working its magic. Mitchell placed the sorting hat on her head and a loud voice immediately rang inside Mia's mind.
"Now, what do we have—"
"Hufflepuff."
"Are you sure?"
"Hufflepuff!"
The hat shouted out "Hufflepuff" and their table clapped. As soon as Mitchell removed the sorting hat, she quickly shoved her own hat back on right as her toffee ran out, and made her way to the end of the Hufflepuff table. Mia sat down next to the chubby girl with glasses, who smiled pleasantly at her. Relieved, Mia watched the rest of the selection in peace. She'd made it in. Now she just needed to keep from being found out as long as she could. A few of the older students where whispering at their table, Mia was about to ask what was going on, when a loud explosion came from the Professors' table. Headmistress McGonagall toppled out of her seat, purple smoke emitting from her now shattered cup. The Hufflepuff table, minus the confused first years, roared with laughter.
"Connell!" Professor Mitchell screamed, a tall girl with long curly blond hair stood up, she was wearing the head house badge.
"Yes, Professor?"
"What is the meaning of this?" Mitchell jabbed a finger in the direction of the smoking cup.
"It didn't seem fair that only Slytherin started out with negative points, so we thought we'd start the school year off with a bang." Connell took an overly flourished bow, receiving more laughter.
Mitchell was so livid she couldn't even speak, her entire face turning the color of a beet. Mia sat stunned and looked over at the chubby girl next to her.
"What's going on? I thought Hufflepuff was the calmer house?" Mia whispered.
The girl's eyebrows went up. "It hasn't been that way for the last ten years. Or so my big brother told me. They're known as the prankster house now."
The color drain from Mia's face, she'd picked the wrong house.
This is my first time doing a HP fanfic. I hope you all like it. I would much appreciate it if you would leave a review. I'll do my best to post a chapter a week on this story, so look forward to more. Thanks!
