Chapter 3: The Sorting Hats New Song
A/N: So sorry this is so late, everyone! I've been arguing with myself this week, for reasons you'll see in the chapter, I had to revise on the pre-sorting rituals from the first HP book, and had to take the hat's song and Dumbledore's speech from the Order of the Pheonix, as well as altering Umbridges speech for the Starkid fans and mine's enjoyment. So here it is, the Sorting Hats New Song.
Oh, and sorry Arabella Riddle that I'm not sorting Harry as well. It just seemed like too much work... And, although I'm a Ravenclaw, too much work makes my eyes hurt and that isn't good...
Disclaimer: Because of the references in this chapter, I must point out I don't own Harry Potter or A Very Potter Musical/Sequel. I wish I did though...
By the time the train was chugging into Hogsmeade, Sophia and Ron were in a heated argument about oranges and tangerines.
"I swear Sophia there is NO difference between them! They both squirt me in the eye, they're both orange and they're both disgusting!" Ron told her.
"I like oranges." Harry said from the sidelines.
"Ron, oranges are bigger than tangerines! And they are different in peeling apparently." Sophia argued.
"No! They are the same!" Ron wailed.
"Different!"
"Same!"
"Different!"
"Same!"
"Different!"
"Same!"
"Different!"
"Same!"
"DIFFERENT!"
"Oh look we're here." Ginny said, trying to break up the argument.
"Yeah lets go." Draco nodded, pulling Sophia out of the compartment.
"SAME!" She yelled at Ron as she was dragged off the train. "Hey! I want to stay and argue!"
"Meh. It's your first year- you get to go back in the boat." Draco pointed out. "I'm handing you over to Hagrid like a good little keeper."
"Fi- Keeper?" Sophia scowled. "I don't need a keeper."
"Suure you don't." Draco laughed. "Hagrid! First year here."
"Hermione?" Hagrid wondered. "Oh, wait, yer bein' Sophia now, ain't yer."
"Yep. And I'm starting Hogwarts again, kind of. So I have to go into the boat." Sophia nodded. Draco wandered away, to the carriages probably. After Hagrid gathered around loads of other first years, all of them tiny, they were loaded into boats, four in each. Sophia sat in a boat with three tiny little things, so tiny they looked a bit like the Muggle version of faries... At least, they were little according to Sophia's size. They were probably very big compared to 7 or 8 year olds.
"Hi!" She said. "Excited for Hogwarts?" They all nodded slowly, sort of weary of her. "What? I am. Of course, I go there anyways, but I'm going to be resorted because I'm somebody different now."
"Y...You're that R...Riddle girl, right?" Stuttered one of the girls. She had wavy black hair, very very long, and that was the only thing that stood out.
"Right! And you are..."
"Mary." The girl muttered, looking down.
"Hannah." The girl next to her said.
"Kristina." The last girl said. She looked happy. "I'm a half-blood. I'm really hoping to get into Slytherin, because Slytherin sounds MEGA COOL! What do you think?"
"My boyfriends in Slytherin. As was my father. I'll even tell you a secret-" She leant in towards the girls. "I'm descended from Salazar Slytherin himself."
"No... Way!" Kristina laughed. "That must be so cool! Is it cool?"
"Yep." Nodded Sophia, "But it's kind of hard to keep up with my expectations. I think all those who know me expect me to go into Slytherin, but my brothers in Gryffindor, and I used to be in Gryffindor, so I don't know..."
"I'm sure you'll get into Slytherin." Kristina nodded comfortably.
"What about you two? What do you want to go in?" Sophia asked.
"Ravenclaw." Mary said smally. She seemed really shy.
"Oh yeah?" Sophia nodded, "One of my best friends is a Ravenclaw. Her name's Luna Lovegood. She seems crazy at the start, and, yeah, she is, but she's also a really good friend."
"I wanna be in Gryffindor- were the brave dwell at heart! Just like my mum!" Hannah grinned, "Is it fun in Gryffindor Sophia?"
"With Fred and George there, everything is fun." Sophia nodded. "It's like one, big, happy family. Oh, and most Gryffindors hate Slytherins. Some odd rivalry they have."
"Hm." Hannah nodded, like she was contemplating it. "My brothers in Hufflepuff."
"You have a brother? Who is he, I might know him."
"Charlie. Charlie Redstone?" The girl looked at Sophia.
"Yeah, I think I know him!" Nodded Sophia, "I've seen him around school a few times. He's in his third year, right?" Hannah nodded.
"He was at your play last year. He said it was really funny. Will you make more plays?"
"I might." Sophia nodded. "Do you lot like plays?"
"I do," Nodded Hannah. "Especially the funny ones."
"Me too," Nodded Kristina, "I like musicals!"
"Me three," Agreed May, "But I'm a bit shy when it comes to acting."
"Well maybe I can help cure you," Shrugged Sophia. "Hey, look, we're almost there!" True enough, the boats began to slow, and soon they had reached a pebbly shore. They each got out, climbed a set of stone steps, and Hagrid knocked on the oak entrance door. They swung open and everyone was herded inside. Professor McGonagal was there, and she led them into a small side-entrance hall, which was smaller than the last hall they had been in.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagal said sternly, "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 very important because while you are here, your house will be like your home. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend your free time in the house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has it's own noble history and has each produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points, while your rule-breaking will loose you house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most house points is awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you smarten up as much as you can while you are waiting." She eyed a young girl who had a smirk on her face and her tie's knot so big it could have been a state of America. "I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly. With that, the old, Scottish woman walked out, and there was a nervous chatter.
"What do you think the sorting will be like?"
"I heard it was some kind of test!"
"Is my hair flat?"
"I'm kind of scared!"
"Look at that girl! She can't be a first year, can she?"
"I heard she was Voldemort's daughter!"
"No way!"
"My brother said we have to defeat a troll!"
"Lord I hope not- I don't know any spells!"
"What if I'm not sorted into Slytherin? Daddy said he'd disown me if I don't get into Slytherin!"
"If I get Hufflepuff I think I'll leave."
"... What the Hell is a Hufflepuff?"
"Well it's a... It's a... It's a... I... I don't know!"
"Well, I think he shouldn't be a part of the new club." Everyone turned towards this new voice; it was older, more dignified, and had a slightly medival tinge to it. It short, it was Nearly Headless Nick. He was floating with the Bloody Baron, The Grey Lady, the Fat Friar, and Moaning Myrtle. Some children screamed at the sight of them. "Oh, hello!" Nick nodded to them all, then turned back to the rest of the ghosts. "It's just, he's not as mature or responsible as the rest of us."
"Are you saying I'm more responsible than Peeves?" Myrtle asked, blushing.
"Wow Myrtle came out of her toilet!" Sophia mused, then realised Myrtle could probably hear her. "Uh... I mean... Wow, Myrtle, so great to see you out of your toilet..." Myrtle burst out crying and fled the room.
"Still, can't we just give him a chance?" Frowned the Fat Friar.
"Last time we even tried giving him a chance he ended up crashing a chandelier on Filch's head." The Bloody Baron pointed out grimly.
"Yes. Without Filch to go through with punishments, the Weasley twins run amok..." The Grey Lady shuddered, "Worst month of my death."
"Well, I suppose, if you all agree..." The Fat Friar nodded. "I guess he'll just have to be not told about the new group we've made."
"Yes. Just outlining the first meeting- abandoned classroom on the fourth floor? On the first Tuesday of the term?" The ghosts each nodded in turn, and faded off in different directions, just as McGonagal returned.
"Now, form a line, and follow me." McGonagal ordered the first years and Sophia, "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin." They all nodded nervously, and followed McGonagal into the Great Hall. Even though the hall wasn't a new experience to Sophia, she couldn't help but gasp along with the first years. It was, truly, beautiful. The ceiling was velvety, dotted with twinkling, shining stars, and floating just below, a million candles, flickering and twitching in the slight breeze. Students of red, green, yellow and blue sat at four long tables, which were littered with golden goblets and plates. At the top of the hall was the final table, where sat every teacher, even Trewlaney, who rarely came down. There was Hagrid, taking up two seats instead of one, and Dumbledore, with his sparkling eyes and long white beard, and not forgetting the Potions Master, with his long coarse black hair, and unforgiving eyes. He was glaring at Harry, but that wasn't unusual. A day would hardly go by without Severus Snape glaring at Harry one time or more. Just infront of the table was a stool, which sat the Sorting Hat. The Sorting Hat watched with it's folded eyes the students it was about to Sort, sizing it up. For the first time, Sophia felt nervous. She wished her father was here, whispering who would go into what. What if she got into the wrong house? What if she got into Slytherin, and her best friends from Gryffindor wouldn't speak to her? Wait, what if she got into Gryffindor, and her boyfriend wouldn't speak to her? No, she told herself mentally, that won't happen. Draco loves you no matter what. They reached the end of the hall, now they stood infront of the hat. It twitched, and it's mouth near the brim opened, and he began to sing.
"In times of old when I was new,
And Hogwarts barely started,
The founders of our noble school,
Thought never to be parted:
United by a common goal,
They had a selfsame yearning,
To make the world's best magic school,
And pass along their learning.
'Together we will build and teach!'
The four good friends decided,
And never did they dream that they,
Might someday be divided,
For were there such good friends anywhere,
As Slytherin and Gryffindor?" She heard mutters from the said houses, and once again feared for the outcome of the sorting.
"Unless it was the second pair,
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?
So how could it have gone so wrong?
How could such friendships fail?
Why, I was there and so can tell,
The whole, sad, sorry tale.
Said Slytherin, 'We'll teach just those,
Whose ancestry is purest.'
Said Ravenclaw, 'We'll teach those whose,
Intelligence is surest.'
Said Gryffindor, 'We'll teach those,
With brave deeds to their name,'
Said Hufflepuff, 'I'll teach the lot,
And treat them just the same.'
These differences caused a little strife,
When they first came to light,
For each of the four founders had,
A house in which they might,
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin,
Took only pureblood wizards,
Of great cunning, just like him,
And only those of sharpest mind,
Were taught by Ravenclaw,
While the bravest and boldest,
Went to daring Gryffindor.
Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,
And taught them all she knew,
Thus the houses and their founders,
Retained their friendships firm and true.
So Hogwarts worked in harmony,
For several happy years,
But then discord crept among us,
Feeding on our faults and fears.
The houses that, like pillars four,
Had once held up our school,
Now turned upon each other, and,
Divided, sought to rule.
And for a while it seemed the school,
Must meet an early end,
What with duelling and with fighting,
And the clash of friend on friend,
And at last there came a morning,
When Slytherin departed,
And though the fighting then died out,
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four,
Where whittled down to three,
Have the houses been united,
As they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting Hat is here,
And you all know the score:
I sort you into houses,
Because this is what I'm for.
But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you,
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfil my duty,
And must quarter every year,
Still I wonder whether Sorting,
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger,
From external, deadly foes,
And we must unite inside her,
Or we'll crumble from within,
I have told you, I have warned you...
Let the Sorting now begin."
The Hat became motionless, and, after a pause, applause broke out. Sophia frowned. The Hat had went further this year, it had warned, it had backstoried, and as far as she could remember, he had never done that before. But now was not the time to dwell, for she had to focus on the Sorting.
"Abercrombie, Euan." A terrified boy Sophia recognised from the hall wandered up. It must be horrible to be first, she mused. The hat paused for a minute, before calling out,
"GRYFFINDOR!" Everyone clapped, and the boy stumbled forward to the table and sat down, looking like he wanted to sink through the floor. Ginny patted him on the back, and Sophia was glad of having such good friends. What would happen to their friendship if she did go into Slytherin? Would it fail, as Slytherin and Gryffindor's once had? Or would the division only make their friendships stronger? The latter, of course, was unlikely. Names crawled down, and Sophia smiled as Mary became the first Ravenclaw. Maybe she would become Ravenclaw? She certainly had the brains of a Ravenclaw. Plus, it would mean both of her sets of friends would still like her. The list went down to the F's, and Hannah became a Gryffindor. As Sophia looked over, her brother gave her a comforting grin, which she returned half-heartedly. Would he mind if she didn't make Gryffindor? He'd been inferring over the summer he'd love it if she came to Gryffindor, like him, and she had once been in... The Gs, and 'Garter, Kelly' became a Slytherin. Sophia gazed over at the said houses table, and Draco caught her gaze, mouthing 'Are you okay?'. She nodded, but it wasn't meaningful. Draco had been hers even when she was a Gryffindor, but what would it mean to her father, and her ancestor Salazar Slytherin if she went to the other side, namely, Gryffindor? Next, the Hs...
'Horner, Kristina,' McGonagal read out from the list, and Kristina walked forward, crossing her fingers and muttering 'Slytherin' as she walked. The hat hesitated for a moment, and then shouted,
'HUFFLEPUFF!' For a moment, Kristina sat there, shocked, and some people laughed at her expression. McGonagal sighed, took the hat off her and gave her a push towards the Hufflepuff table. The line around her grew thinner, until, finally
"Riddle, Sophia.' There were a couple of murmers, as you'd guess, considering what happened during the summer, and her brother gave her a thumbs up. Sophia sat down and the hat was placed ontop of her, and she heard once again the soft, calculating voice of the Sorting hat.
"Hmm… Where to put you… You have cunning, and Slytherin directly in your blood… You are smart, very clever, yes… And you are brave… Most of you seems to say either Gryffindor or Slytherin." She thought he was making a decision, but seconds later he spoke again in her ear, but not to her. "That, now that is risky- it makes no sense! I agree, she does have one factor, but it hardly counts against the odds! … Okay, yes, I know that… I agree it WOULD tie them together, but no, it wouldn't be smart- I refuse for you to tell me what to do, I refuse!…" Seconds later, he called out the fatefull words… "HUFFLEPUFF!" Almost robotically, Sophia got up, placed the hat back on the stool, and, as the hall clapped slowly, confused, she sat down at the badger's table. This was all so strange- sure, she was loyal to her friends, but surely she was more suited to Gryffindor, or Slytherin, or, heck, even Ravenclaw! The hat had been acting so weirdly, almost like it had been having a conversation she couldn't hear part of, even though there had been nobody near them. It seemed like it had been refusing to shout out the house that had been suggested by a muted voice, but, then, it had shouted it out. There seemed to be something strange going on. The sorting ended with 'Zeller, Rose' sitting down next to her. Dumbledore stood up, like he always did, to welcome others.
"To our newcomers," Dumbledore began, his eyes twinkling, "welcome! To our old hands- welcome back! There is a time for speech-making, but this is not it. Tuck in!" With applause, and slight chuckles, food appeared immediately in front of everyone, an assortment of vegetables, meats, Yorkshire puddings, and drinks. But Sophia couldn't eat any of it. She was still shocked over her sorting. How- How could she be in Hufflepuff? Every single Deatheater who had visited over the summer to try and beat her father at mini-golf (Looong story...) had said that there was no doubt that she would get into Slytherin... And Hufflepuff had so many bad memories for her...
"Hey, are you alright?" Asked a Hufflepuff that was her age, but Sophia didn't know his name for some reason. She nodded mutely. "I'm Gabriel Truman." He held his hand out, and she shook it. He had short, slightly curly brown hair, and it instantly reminded her of Justin. Tears threatened to fall- she still wasn't over the fact he'd died.
"Sophia." She nodded.
"Have some of the roast potatoes- they're lovely." Gabriel offered, scooping some on her plate. "It really wouldn't do not to eat." He put some chicken, and a few vegetables on her plate. Not wishing to be rude, Sophia ate a little bit. "Good girl... And, Kristina?" The young girl jumped. "Stop looking over at the Slytherin table wistfully- they're beginning to scowl at you." Kristina scowled. "If I know Slytherins, which I do because my sisters in there, food will be thrown at you in- DUCK!" He, Kristina, and Sophia all ducked at the same time as mashed potatoes went whooshing past their heads, instead hitting a seventh year Gryffindor in the back of her head. She turned around furiously.
"Who threw that at me?" She growled. Kristina, Sophia and Gabriel looked at each other.
"It was one of the Slytherins, we just ducked." Kristina said quickly.
"I am so going to get them." Hissed the girl, eyes like slits. When she turned back around, the three Hufflepuff's burst out laughing.
"Nice quick thinking Kristina." Sophia nodded. Kristina blushed, and Sophia thanked the Slytherin who threw the potatoe silently, for she was much more at ease now. The three talked about random things, Rose Zeller inputting a few comments here and there, for the rest of the meal, until Dumbledore stood up again, and the talking ceased.
"Well, now we're digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," Dumbledore began.
"I smell a too-long speech," Whispered Rose, and Kristina, Sophia and Gabriel had to try and snuffle their laughter.
"First years ought to know that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students- and a few of our older students ought to know by now, too." There was a bit of laughter at that, and Sophia looked over to Fred and George, who were nodding knowingly. "Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four-hundred-and-sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door."
"Good old Argie." Sniffled Gabriel, and the quartet laughed again.
"We have a change of staffing this year, everyone," Dumbledore continued.
"Don't we always..." Mused Sophia.
"We are very pleased to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher." There was a round of, admittedly pathetic applause, and Sophia rolled her eyes. "Tryouts for the Quidditch teams will take place on the-" Dumbledore broke off, at the sight of Professor Umbridge, who had stood up and was hitting her glass with a spoon like you see people do at wedding receptions when they want to make a speech.
"Ahem." Delores Umbridge coughed. She had a high voice, which kind of betrayed her body, which looked quite a bit like a mans, what with the musceles and everything.
"Told you I smelt extremely long speech." Rose smirked, and again, the four tried to hide their obvious laughter.
"Now, everyone, I know this is my first year back at Hogwarts, and I know that some of you might be- nervous, or judgemental, but, girls- and boys, I'm here, to make your time at Hogwarts, as brilliant as possible!" Sophia and Kristina rolled their eyes. "Because girls- and boys, I'm not just a teacher, I'm your protector, and I like to think of all of you as my daughters- and sons, and that makes me, your mama. I'm very loving, and a caring mama, I am. So all of us to- get along, there are just some simple rules that must be obeyed. Rule number one- no dating." There were grumbles all along the school at that. "Unless that persons cuute!" Odd looks glanced around the hall. "Rule number two- no alcohol... unless there's plenty to go around!" More odd glances. Was this woman crazy? "And rule number three- no parties..." 'Wait for it...' the whole hall seemed to be thinking. "Unless Umbridge is invited!" Nobody could help it anymore. They burst out laughing. They laughed, and they laughed, and they laughed, until a very unexpected thing happened. The room went black. The stars on the ceiling blinked out, the candles flames flickered out, and the room went pitch black.
"What's happening?"
"Sis, are you okay?"
"THE SQUIRRELS ARE ATTACKING!"
"What the hell Dean?"
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I'm afraid of the dark!"
"Don't worry, Ron, I'm your sister and I'll get you through this."
"Thanks Gi- what's that on my neck... SPIDER! SPIDER!"
"!"
"WHY FRED? GEORGE?" Then, almost as a Muggle light was switched back on, the Great Hall appeared as it had been just before. Except for one thing... Where the odd maleish Umbridge had been sitting, was a tall man, with black eyes, black hair, and a small black goatee on his chin. He was smiling darkly around the room.
"Good old Argie." Sniffled Gabriel, and Sophia frowned as the rest of them hid their laughter. Hadn't Gabriel just said that?
"We have a change of staffing this year, everyone," Dumbledore continued. And Sophia was sure Dumbledore had announced this... "We are very pleased to introduce Professor Carrathers, our new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher." And where was Umbridge...? As everyone clapped politely, Sophia turned to Gabriel.
"Where did Professor Umbridge go?" She asked him, and Gabriel frowned.
"Who?" He wondered, "I think maybe you had a bit much pumkin juice, Sophia."
"Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place..." Dumbledore continued, while Sophia tried to mull it over. The ghosts talking about a random group; The hat sorting her in Hufflepuff; and the odd disappearance of Umbridge; and the appearance of this sinister looking Carrathers... This was going to be one ODD year...
A/N: Again, I would like to say I'm sorry. Originally Hufflepuff wasn't even an option, and most of you DID say Slytherin... But from the moment I read Writer in The Valley's review, I thought, hey, yeah, that would be cool... And began arguing with myself whether to go with the flow or randomly make her a Hufflepuff. But, as the days crawled by, and I read Writer in The Valley's review off the non-chapter, about the barrels, I almost had myself going Slytherin. Then I read the Sorting Hat's song, and I finnaly created a plotline, with her in Hufflepuff. So, onto the questions:
1. Did you like the chapter?
2. What was your favourite part?
3. Do you recognise the chapter title? It's vaguely simple, but you'll still get a shoutout for answering correctly!
4. Who here liked Umbridges speech as much as I did?
5. Do you hate me for Sophia's housing?
6. Who was the Sorting Hat talking to when Sophia was being sorted?
7. Who is this Carrathers? And what happened to Umbridge?
8. Who understands the Kristina Horner bit? If not, look up 'Pottermore sorting' on Youtube- it's the italktosnakes one. She's a Slytherin so it's funny...
9. BIG CONTEST TIME! xxThe Big Readxx
As a heavy Harry Potter supporter, I'm always looking for brilliant stories. As of late, I can't FIND (OMG nice reference there Comix...) any good stories to read and I'm forced to read original romances over and over. So I'm setting up a contest, the kind of contest I don't normally see around .
I would like you all to find me a story, and link me to it.
Rules:
Must be to do with Harry Potter (Of course)
No crossovers (Apart from AVPM, or AVPS, but that's Harry Potter anyway, right?)
No slash. I'm not so good with slash.
Must be finished.
Doesn't have to be yours, can be somebody elses.
Tell me who wrote it and the title, so I may find it somewhere on Fanfiction.
Oh, and one last thing, no student/adults or anything... They kind of freak me out a little...
Best entry will get the best prize I can think of, a character in this story. Second place will get a shout out and virtual brownie. (Or, if they're on Pottermore, I'll buy them something potiony and send it to them!) Third place will get an one-shot (That doesn't sound quite right... A one-shot sounds better... -_-) Third place will get a one-shot I've been sitting on for a while.
Review, favourite, and send me stories please!
Comix
P.S.: Note to self: Add Comix to microsoft's spellcheck, otherwise the computer'll go crazy...