Pre Chapter notes:

Chapter 2: The Sorting Hat

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Story:

Anna looked up at Hagrid's hulking form, and was instantly intimidated. However, after being introduced by Rose, she became more relaxed. It was something she had noticed about Rose in the short time they had known each other, it was easy to trust her.

She looked around the group of her soon to be classmates and realised that most of them seemed to share her first opinion of him. Most seemed to be reluctant to get too close to him and some were even seemed to be looking at him with frightened eyes.

The group followed Hagrid down a steep path and Anna started to wonder exactly where Hagrid was taking them, but before she could think to ask Rose about it, they came upon a clearing at the edge of a great black lake. There were many gasps as the children got their first look at Hogwarts.

As instructed by Hagrid, they divided into groups of four and boarded the small boats that were moored on the edge of the lake. Rose, Albus, Anna and Emily seceded that they should share a boat. Once they had all climbed in the boats slowly moved forwards towards the castle.

Though Emily was excited about going to Hogwarts, her excitement was tainted with a sense of dread as she approached her new school. Emily had trouble making friends. It wasn't that she didn't want friends; it was just that she didn't have her sisters open personality, she was shy and relied heavily on her sister to help her make friends. This was the reason she hadn't said anything on the train.

.

What if it was all a big mistake and I have to go home? She thought to herself, What if I get put in a different house, how will I make friends? What if the sorting hat tells me that I'm too shy to be a Hogwarts?

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," warned Rose, "there is a giant squid in this lake".

Emily was quickly snapped out of her thoughts and looked up. She had been absentmindedly trailing the hands in the water as the boat moved through the water. Emily didn't quite know if she was joking or not, but was unwilling to find out, so she kept her hands safely inside the boat for the remainder of the trip.

The boats stopped at an underground harbour beneath the school. They all stepped out of the boats and followed Hagrid up a small set of stairs.

The group stopped outside a set of large oak doors. The door opened and a stern faced witch stood before them.

"Oh, Professor McGonagall!" Hagrid said the confusion evident in his voice.

"Pomona is sick tonight, thank you Hagrid. I shall take things from here" said Professor McGonagall. "Please follow me."

Professor McGonagall led them through the castle doors into a large entrance hall and then into a smaller antechamber. It was there that she turned around and addressed her new students. "I am Professor McGonagall, headmistress of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. *The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting is a very special ceremony because, while you are here, your family will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your dormitory, and spend your free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has a noble history and each produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will loose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the house cup, a great honour. *Now form a single file and follow me.

The group obeyed their headmistress at once and followed her into the great hall. As they entered, many people looked at the small group. The Professor then brought out an old hat on a wooden stool. They waited for a few minutes and then suddenly a hole opened in the bottom of the hat and it began to say:

"The four founders had a woe,

For they each believed that some,

Deserved more the places at this school,

That something should be done.

So one plucked me off their head,

For he had a thought in mind,

And proposed a great idea,

That would last for all of time.

In me they put their knowledge,

and instilled all of their values.

They made me quite unique,

So I indeed could tell you:

In which house you belonged,

For your seven years to be,

They were not suited for this task,

So they left it all to me.

*You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.*

So pick me up and try me on,

For you will never find,

A hat like me in all the world,

Or one with greater mind."

End Chapter Notes:

Note: * indicate that it is a quote from Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone*

The reason why Hagrid is confused when seeing Professor McGonagall is that as Headmistress it would not be her job, I have used Professor Sprout in this case, but I suppose any teacher could have been given the job.

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