Hey, Hey loyal readers welcome to my first update of 2011 right here for your enjoyment on 01/01/11 by GMT

Before I begin I don't own Harry Potter or Naruto, on with the show

Chapter VI

The Sorting

When The Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeed Station everybody was in a small rush to disembark from the train. Once off Naruto, Hermione and Neville stood waiting when suddenly they heard "First Years over here!" This was shouted by a man who Naruto thought was the tallest Person he had ever seen, and Naruto had met Ibiki once. The man who shouted had long shaggy black hair and a bushy black beard that covered most of his face. He was wearing a long coat that looked to have many pockets. In his hand was a lantern.

Naruto who was still stood with Hermione and Neville could just make out Ron's amazed reaction to the man's height. "All right follow me." The said man once all the First Years had gathered near him.

Naruto seeing Harry talk to the man decided to ask about him later, even though Naruto could guess who he was from his mother's descriptions of her time in Hogwarts. After a short walk the group of First Years came to a small dock that had several small boats moored up to it.

"Right three to a boat. And you will all get a look at Hogwarts soon enough." Said the man as the group of First years each climbed into a boat while the man due to his size, went and sat in a boat by himself. Naruto found a boat and was sat with both Hermione and Neville. As the boats slowly moved away from the docks the large man's own boat out in front leading the way. Everyone was practically holding their breaths while waiting to get their first view of Hogwarts. As the small fleet of boats came from around a bend Naruto, Hermione and Neville's eyes widened as did every other first year's eyes. Before them stood the grand castle that was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry all lit up and looking exactly as Kushina had described to Naruto and his sister so many times at night when they were younger. Naruto just knew that next year when Kairi started she would love this view as much as he did.

Eventually the boats beached themselves on the shore of the shore line close to the castle and the tall man spoke after getting out of his own boat. "Right, everyone out of ya boats and follows me." The man said. Hearing the man Naruto leapt from his boat and then helped Hermione and then helped Neville out of the boat.

=N/H=

The large man led the group of First Years into the castle and up to a flight of stairs where Professor McGonagall stood waiting for them. "Here ya are Professor all nice and safe." The large man said proudly.

"Thank you Hagrid that will be all. First Years wait here for a moment please." McGonagall said with authority in her voice, as she and the man Naruto now knew was the Hagrid from his mother's stories entered the Great Hall leaving the first years on their own for a short time.

As the First Years began to talk amongst themselves a boy with bleach blonde hair spoke up. "So it's true what everyone was saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." That one sentence got everyone's that didn't already know to listen intently. The Blonde strode forwards with an air of arrogance and stood before Harry then extended his hand in greeting. "I'm Draco Malfoy." The boy now identified as Draco said.

This got a snicker from Ron and Draco tuned and faced Ron with an angry glare. "Think my names funny do you! No need to ask who you are. Red hair and a hand me down robe clearly a Weasley." Draco said his voice laced with venom. "You know Potter some Wizarding families are better than others, you don't want to be hanging around with the wrong sort." Before Harry could reply to Draco's remark everyone present heard another voice call out. "At least the Weasley family aren't a bunch of inbred Squibs!"

Draco immediately spun round to face Naruto who had just insulted him and his whole family. "Watch what you say about my family, we are one of the purest around" Draco said his voice full of anger at Naruto for the insult. "Who are you anyway? Some muggle born who thinks they know how the Wizarding world works?"

Naruto stepped forwards and glared straight into Draco's eyes before answering. "Naruto Uzumaki. And if I remember my genealogy right, my family is older than yours. Now walk away." Naruto said in a cold voice and many were surprised when Draco actually took a step back from Naruto and swallowed hard. He knew from his own father that the Malfoy name held a lot of weight in the Wizarding community. But when compared to the Uzumaki name that weight was next to nothing.

It wasn't long after the small confrontation had ended and Draco had retreated to stand back in-between two kids Naruto immediately dubbed the Meat Heads did McGonagall where the First Years were still waiting on the steps. "First Years follow me please. And remember the school house you are to be sorted into will be like your family for the year while you are here." McGonagall explained in a crisp voice and then led the group into the Great Hall.

Entering the Great Hall all of the first years were impressed by the halls grandness and the enchanted celling that Naruto and Hermione explained to those around them that was enchanted to look like the night sky.

The group of First years walked between the four long house tables. At the far end of the hall was a slightly raised platform where several adults sat and Naruto guessed they were the school faculty. Amongst them Naruto saw Anko happily chatting to a diminutive figure in a suit and glasses.

As they reached the head of the hall Naruto and the other first years saw a stool upon this stool sat a battered looking old pointed hat. Suddenly the hat flexed its brim and 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 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 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!"

As the hat finished singing it seemingly took a bow and was given applause by the other students and a few of the First Years. "Now when I call your name please step forwards and you will be sorted into your school house." McGonagall explained and began to call names alphabetically from the list in her hands. Naruto for the most part ignored most of the names until he heard the names of those he knew Hermione and Neville were placed in Gryffindor House a peculiar girl he had met briefly on the train while searching for Trevor called Luna was placed in Ravenclaw. Naruto had nearly laughed out loud when Draco had his turn as the hat had tried to avoid being placed on the blonde's head and called out Slytherin almost immediately. "Harry Potter!" called McGonagall and the whole hall became deathly silent as Harry went and sat on the stool and had the hat placed on his head. From where he stood Naruto could see that the hat was seemingly stumped on where Harry should be placed and Naruto could see Harry whispering something before "GRYFFOINDOR!" proclaimed the hat and the Gryffindor table irrupted in to cheers as Harry went and took a seat.

Several more names were called before Naruto went and took his place on the stool and had the hat placed on his head the hat seemed stumped as well as Naruto could be placed in one of three Houses those houses being Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor.

Can you hear me? Naruto thought having an idea.

I can child what is it you want to ask? Thought the hat back

I would like to go into Gryffindor I have friends there and would like to stay amongst them. Naruto answered.

Hmm very well. Responded the Hat as it proclaimed "GRYFFINDOR!" once again and Naruto moved and sat next to Hermione who was sat opposite Harry, and Hermione gave Naruto a friendly hug at being in the same House as her. As the last few names were called Ron came over and joined the table sitting next to Harry.

Once the last few First Years had been sorted and had taken their seats the elderly man who was sat in the middle of the faculty table stood and moves to the phoenix shaped podium and began to speak. "Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin the start of year feast, I would like to say a few words. And here they are, Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" said the man who Naruto knew as Dumbledore from his mother's descriptions clapped his hands causing the tables to be filled with various foods and jugs of various drinks.

Harry looked at a student Ron had said was his older brother Percy "Is he… a bit mad?" Harry asked referring to Dumbledore's opening words.

"Mad? He's a genius best wizard in the world but is he a bit mad, yes" admitted Percy with a slight shrug.

Across from him Naruto grinned at Percy's words and looked up to the Faculty Table and said "I like him already." Naruto then reached for a chicken wing when suddenly he found his arm sticking out of a ghost's head.

"If you would be so kind as to remove your arm from my head it would be most appreciated." Said the ghost in a cheerful but at the same time irritated tone.

"Oh of course I'm sorry about that." Naruto said while scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

"It's perfectly alright young man. It's happened often enough that I don't really mind anymore it's just a damned in convince when I have to look up a student's arm" The ghost explained as he floated the rest of the way through the table and Naruto saw that he was wearing old fashioned Elizabethan style clothing.

Naruto looked at the ghost before another memory clicked into place. "You're Sir Nicolas the Gryffindor house ghost. Aren't you?" Naruto asked

"Why yes I am how do you know of me young man?" the Ghost asked kindly

"I'm Naruto sir and my mother Kushina Uzumaki spoke highly of you." Naruto answered.

"Shina's son, well then welcome to Hogwarts master Uzumaki and congratulations on getting in to Gryffindor House" said Nick as he was about to float away when Ron spoke up.

"I thought you were called Nearly Headless Nick?"

Nick turned quite sharply for a ghost and looked at Ron. "I prefer Sir Nicolas if you don't mind." Nick said sharply who then noticed Hermione staring at curiosity. "Yes young lady?" Nick asked politely.

"I'm sorry sir Nicolas, but how can you be nearly headless?" Hermione asked trying to get her head round the strange nickname as it was obvious to her that Nick's head was still firmly attached to his neck.

"Like this" Nick said simply then pulled his head back to reveal that it was only held on by a small strip of skin. "Now good evening young Gryffindors I shall see you around the castle from time to time." Nick said with a smile and then floated off to more than likely talk to some of the other ghosts that were floating about the hall.

=N/H=

Once everyone was finished with desert Dumbledore once again approached the podium. "Now that our bellies are full, and new friendships are being forged while old ones are strengthened. I have a few announcements to make. First Mr Filch would like me to remind all students that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students. Second the Third Floor corridor on the left hand side is out of bounds to everyone who do not wish to meet, a most unpleasant end. Now I wish you all a present night." Dumbledore announced.

With the Feast now over the Hall slowly emptied as the First Years began to follow their Prefect to their individual Houses.

=N/H=

The group of First Year Gryffindors followed Percy their House Prefect up several flights of stairs, Percy warning the young Gryffindors about the stairs liking to move. Eventually the new Gryffindors came to a portrait of a fat lady when they were close enough the lady in the picture. Spoke not really surprising the first years as they had been greeted by several portraits as they ascended the various stairs to get to the entrance to their common room.

"Password?" the Fat Lady asked politely.

"Kabort Draconus," exclaimed Percy.

The Fat Lady nodded before swinging inwards and Percy led the Gryffindors into the common room. When the First Years entered they all smiled at the sight of the Common room. The room it's self was decorated with in a rich red with gold. In one corner of the room was a grand fireplace that was warm and inviting, before the fireplace were some deep red and comfy looking sofas.

"Well I think you Fist Year's should get off to bed you have a long first day tomorrow." Percy Explained.

With those words the group of first years bid each other good night and moved up to the first years Dormitories. When Naruto got to the rooms he found himself sharing with Harry, Ron, Neville and some guy called Seamus Finnigan. Naruto quickly found his bed that he saw Midnight had picked out for him as she was currently asleep at the foot of the bed. Naruto quickly got into bed and drew the bed curtains and changed into his pyjamas before slipping under the covers and laying his head down to sleep looking forwards to the next day when his lessons would begin.

Well that's chappy 4 done until next time. Oh and currently in this fic Naruto doesn't have his whisker marks he will be getting them at a later time.