Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone
Chapter Three - The Sorting Hat
"What if it was a mistake?" she asked.
"What if what was a mistake?"
Jenavive stared at the window of the Hogwarts Express with Cedric right be her side. "Me," she continued. "Being here … what if I make a fool of myself?"
Cedric smiled his warm smiled and put his arm around Jenavive squeezing her tight with his brotherly love. "You won't make a fool of yourself Jenavive. Headmaster Dumbledore knows it, I know it, all you need to do is believe." Jenavive sighed and fiddled with her first year tie. She had never felt so claustrophobic in her life with a skirt, stockings, button-up shirt, vest, cloak, and tie. She was so use to just a thin nightdress that she almost felt as if she was wearing too much.
"What if I'm not a Hufflepuff?"
"Then you'll make new friends this year; but don't you worry, Jena, I'll always be there for you whenever you need me." The whistle blew and the train began to slow down. There were butterflies in her stomach as Cedric helped her up and reassuringly put his arms on her shoulders. "You'll be fine, Jenavive, you're a fighter. You belong here at Hogwarts." Jenavive took a deep breath in and held it for a moment before letting it out slowly, nodding.
Cedric and Jenavive made their way onto the Platform where a huge man the size of a small giant was calling out to the first years. Once again, giving her a big smile, Cedric gave Jenavive one last hug and turned her around to send her on her way to the giant where all the other first years gathered. Jenavive stood towards the back of the first years next to two boys who were much bigger than her. In fact, most of the first years were bigger than Jenavive, both in height and in weight … it made her feel very small.
Suddenly they were moving, towards a black lake of glass. There were at least a dozen little boats with lanterns all ready to take them across the lake. Jenavive got into a boat with a girl who had really bushy hair and buck teeth and a nervous looking redhead with a round face. Jenavive sat quietly for a few minutes and then the boats began to move. The trip took them nearly ten minutes before the view of the castle came into their sight. It was the most beautiful thing Jenavive had ever seen in her life. It was enormous, all lit up and brighter than the night sky.
The boats led them to a small cave with a winding staircase where a tiny little man with snow white hair waited for them. "This way first years," he squeaked, "follow me to the Great Hall." And just like that, all of the first years got out of their boats and followed the tiny man up the staircase into the castle. At the top of the staircase was a gray woman with a stern face and a green robe with matching hat. The tiny man nodded to the woman and scurried into the Great Hall without saying a word leaving them with her.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," her shrill voice sounded with authority. "In a moment, you will step foot through these doors and you will be sorted into your house: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Good things will earn you points … any rule breaking and you will lose points. Wait here." Swiftly she turned and walked through the doors of the Great Hall leaving them to stand aimlessly lost on the great staircase.
"So it's true then. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts," a blonde boy took the place at the top of the staircase and turned to face a boy with messy black hair and glasses. Jenavive stood a few students behind him and watched confused as he continued. "This is Crabbe, and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." A lanky redheaded boy snorted and tried to hide his grin, but everyone heard him. "Think my name is funny do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley. You'll soon find out that there are some wizarding families that are better than others; I can help you there." The blonde held out a hand of friendship to the messy haired boy and grinned. There was a long pause.
"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself thanks," he replied refusing the hand. The stern lady in the green robe showed up just in time to sharply tap the blonde on the back of the shoulder signaling him to go back into his place.
"We're ready for you."
Two by two the soon-to-be students filed into the Great Hall. There were four long tables occupied by the students of Hogwarts all wearing their own house colours. Floating candles illuminated the room and at the end, another long table with all the Professors; at the center was Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, then man Jenavive had met only once when he convinced the Diggory's to protect her as one of their own. Jenavive could've sworn he saw him wink at her. "When I call your name, you will come up here, I will place the Sorting Hat on your head and you will be Sorted." She started alphabetically making her way down the parchment paper. Just before Jenavive was the bushy haired girl that she shared a boat with. Her name was Hermione Granger and she was sorted into Gryffindor House. "Gregorovitch, Jenavive." Jenavive's heart fluttered with anxiety. She searched desperately for Cedric's face in the sea of Hufflepuffs; there he was with his reassuring smile once again and somehow Jenavive found the courage to walk up the steps and sit on the stool. The Sorting Hat was then placed on her head. It started speaking to her.
"Curious very curious … one family with great ties to Slytherin, the other to Hufflepuff; and yet neither house would really bring out the witch in you, no. I think, oh no yes I know, your place belongs in GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted and a roar of applause erupted from the gold and garnet table as Jenavive hopped off the stool and made her way towards the Gryffindor House table. She turned her head and saw Cedric waving and smiling at her, giving her the thumbs up. Guess this was the year she was going to have to make new friends.
