Disclaimer : Only the plot and some characters belong to me, otherwise, it's all Rowling's.
All the students followed McGonagall, in the middle of four tables which, as they understood it, represented the four houses. Yet, not a single student seemed to be interested in them, as they looked rather curious about something, clearly unusual, occuring in the back of the room. When they finally stopped, in front of the teachers' table, Felicia looked back to see what was happening... Four giants sandglasses with the colours of the houses had started to shine with a light more and more dazzling. With a glance, the young girl understood that even the teachers and the director were surprised to see that happening. Almost every ghost were also astonished, with the exception of one young woman whose beauty subsided in death, and who was watching with a certain apprehension, looking like she was remembering a remote past.
Suddenly, as the light had gotten to its paroxysm, it all came back to normal... until something appeared, as if it was taking roots in the sandglasses. All the teachers had put themselves between the thing and the students, wand in their hands, as a protection in case of an attack. But none of their attacks could have hurt what came out of it... It was a ghost ! The ghost of a lady in her fourties, clearly from a long passed time, judging with her clothes, but with a wild beauty no one could ever doubt of.
« Oh, please, put down those wands ! Godric didn't tell me I would be welcomed so familiarly.
- Godric ? What do you mean ? And who are you ? Asked Dumbledore, an old wizard, with a white beard so long it covered his feet, who was the director of the school and had came closer to the ghost.
- Yes, yes, Godric Gryffindor ! It was to help him that I accepted to be put into those sandglasses...
- Explain yourself !
- Which year is it ? Asked the spirit, who absolutely didn't care about Dumbledore's questions.
- 1984. Are you finally going to give me an explanation ?
- 1984 ! I've been locked in there for more than a millenium, give me some time !
- By Merlin's beard, I order you to explain your whereabouts in this castle !
- Merlin ? Who's that ?
- Doesn't matter.
- Oh, how stubborn and rude you are ! Fine, fine, there it is ! My name is Elyon Hufflepuff, I'm the daughter of Helga Hufflepuff, one of the founders of this school, which clearly still exists... Anyway, I died of a very rare disease, which I'd rather not talk about it. Before I died, my godfather, Godric, asked me to stay here, as a ghost, in one of those sandglasses he had created.
- Why ?
- Because he knew that one day, someone would come here, and he asked me to give a message to that one persone.
- And who is it ?
- How could I know ?
- In this case, what's the message ?
- The blood of the four in one, Hogwarts will depend. He'll rise and the castle will change. The blood of the four in one, Hogwarts will be born again.
- What does it mean ?
- Isn'it clear ? Someone's the heir of the four founders and has to do something. I can't tell you more, because I don't know anything else.
- How can I be sure that you're telling us the truth ?
- You can't. But you should. »
Then, despite everything Dumbledore kept asking her, Elyon didn't answer anymore. Then, everybody put back their attention on the Repartition, without really being attentive, Elyon's words still present in everyone's mind. The first years felt the anguich coming back, as it momentarily left hem. They all wondered how they would be divided, fearing the worst. McGonagall was putting a stool in front of them, on which she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed andextremely dirty. Everyone in the hall was now staring at the hat. For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth, and the hat began to sing:
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
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 Hufflepuffis 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 folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again. The first years suddenly felt relieved they just had to wear the hat. But it was so impressive, and they had to do it in front of everyone that courage deserted all of them. Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.
« When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted » she said. « Abigail, Emma ! »
A young girl Felicia hadn't noticed went ahead, slightly pale. She sat on the stool, the hat now covering her eyes.
« HUFFLEPUFF ! Shouted the hat.
One of the table on the right started to clap loudly, and Emma went to sit there, with a huge smile. Her new housemates made her feel at ease.
Students went, one after the other. Sean was the first to be sent to Gryffindor, creating a real tsunami in one of the tables in the center. Later on, Craig was sent to Slytherin, without even having the hat completely on his head. Numerous students were then sent in the different houses. Then, it was her turn.
« Noctua, Félicia ! »
While she walked, the young girl could hear the discrete whispers, on every table. Everyone was expecting her to join the Slytherin, knowing her father's opinion. It was that table she saw in last, before the hat fell on her eyes, with Craig's smile, who kept her a place.
« Ohhh, how interesting ! Said a small voice in her ear. A difficult choice to male ! I see many qualities ! Where can I put you... Not to Slytherin, clearly, your qualities might disappear... Let's see... You probably would be bored with the Hufflepuff, though you definitely share their valors... We just have two choices left... Ah, I know ! You will go to GRYFFINDOR ! »
Félicia heard the hat shout the last word to the whole hall, but she couldn't believe it ! Her ? In Gryffindor ?! Apparently, no one else was expecting her to go for this house, since no Gryffindor nor any other house reacted, at first. Then Sean began to applaud and calling her, starting off a new wave of applause, not as strong as the one which welcomed him earlier, but warming her heart nonetheless. When she arrived, all those who were close shook her hand, pleased to see that she wasn't following her father's feet.
Soon after, there was only two people left.
« Tonks, Nymphadora ! Called McGonagall. »
The young girl was sent to Hufflepuff. She clearly was a metamorphmagus, as Félicia noticed her hair passed from brown before wearing the hat, to a vivid pink once she was sent to her new house.
The last one was called Charli Weasley, whose name was reinforced by the red of his hair, element recognizable of the Weasley family. He's been sent in Gryffindor, where his older brother, Bill, was already.
Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.
« Welcome, he said. Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you! »
He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered.
At Gryffindor's table, Felicia was in a full conversation with two other new girls, also Gryffindor. They were called Amelia Bell and Stacey Maderts. Both of them had one parent muggle and the other from the magic world.
« Do you know that Slytherin that keeps watching you ? Amelia suddenly asked to Felicia, who turned to see Craig.
- Yeah, unfortunately... This is my cousin, Craig Flint. I guess he's not happy that I'm not in Slytherin with him. He'll get over it.
- You're really unlucky to have him in your family. In the train, he kept bullying Weasley, the one in our year... But his brother intervened.
- By the way, do you have any brother or sister ? Félicia asked, wishing to change the conversation.
- Yep, got a little sister, Katie, Amelia said.
- What about you, Stacey.
- Three little brothers, triplets. But they're only six months old ! »
Once everyone was full, Dumbledore stood up, waiting for silence.
« Ahern, just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well. I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song! Cried Dumbledore. »
Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.
« Everyone pick their favorite tune, said Dumbledore, and off we go! »
And the school bellowed:
« Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot. »
Everybody finished the song at different times. Everyone started to applaud, Dumbledore being one of the loudest.
Finally, first years followed their prefects out of the Hall, to their dormitory. They went through a long way, and finally arrived in front of the portrait of a fat lady, who asked them a password. Once the prefect gave it, the painting turned, letting appear a whole, in which they went. The Gryffindor's Common room was round, comfortable and welcoming.
Then, first years chose their beds. Felicia ended up with the two girls she spoke with at dinner. The three of them undid their trunks and, exhausted by their day, crashed on their beds, without putting on their pajamas.