Chapter 4: The Sorting Hat
As we walked through the front doors Hagrid handed us of to Professor McGonagall. She brought us into an separate hall and she said, "Welcome to Hogwarts. 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 important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room."
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. 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 all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while your are waiting."
"I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."
As we waited for McGonagall to come back Hermione and I talked about what we would need. When Professor McGonagall said, "The Sorting Ceremony's about to begin. Now, form a line and follow me."
I was behind Hermione and we walked into the Great Hall. As we saw the ceiling Hermione said, "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."
As we stopped I saw a old, dirty hat that looked like it was something that belonged in my families old barn before we got another barn. The hat's rim opened and it began to sing:
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge 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 Gryffindor apart;
You might in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
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 us 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 thinking cap."
The hat then bowed to the four tables and Hermione and I said, "Well at least its simple. I hope we're in the house."
"Me to."
Professor McGonagall had a roll of parchment in her hand and said, "When I call your name, you will put on the sorting hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Abbott, Hannah!"
A girl with her blonde hair in pigtails went up and when the sorting hat on.
"Hufflepuff."
"Bones, Susan."
She joined Hannah in Hufflepuff.
"Boot, Terry."
Became a Ravenclaw. I had noticed that some people got sorted quicker then others and couldn't wait to see where I would be. Brocklehurst, Mandy also became a Ravenclaw.
Millicent Bulstrode went to Slytherin.
"Everson, Joyce."
I walked up and had the sorting hat put on my head.
The hat said, "Not bad. A brilliant mind but a drive to protect others. Especially your little sisters Lyndsey and Samantha. Your best friends Skylar and Ryanna. I know just what to do with you."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor's clapped and I walked over to the table and waited until Hermione was called up and was sorted into Gryffindor. She came over and sat down next to me.
As soon as everybody was sorted Professor Dumbledore said, "Welcome! 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."
As the feast began Hermione and I talked as we ate. When the dinner finished we had desert and then Dumbledore stood up.
"Just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few ld start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the 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 trails will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who doesn't not wish to die a very painful death."
We sang the school song and then walked up to the Gryffindor common room and Percy Weasley said to the portrait that said, "Password?"
"Caput Draconis."
Hermione and I walked to the dormitory and saw that our beds were nest to each other. Our luggage had been brought up and I had my guitar case and backpack. I grabbed my trunk from under my bed that said J.A.E
I put out my uniform for tomorrow and was grabbing the books and put them on my bed when Hermione said, "I'm so glad that we're in Gryffindor together."
"I know right? Your already my best friend."
We laughed as the other girls who we would be sharing the dorm with came in. Lavender Brown. Pavarti Patil, and Lucy Hill.
I put all of my stuff from my backpack into my beside table and then put my books are parchment into my backpack. I grabbed my pajamas and walked into the bathroom.
I got dressed into my poplin-drawstring lunge pants in green bird and white rib-knit tank top.
I walked out and put my robes into my trunk.
I grabbed a piece of parchment and ink. I loaded up my quill and wrote:
Dear Mum, Dad, Lyndsey, and Samantha
I've just arrived at Hogwarts and can't wait to start classes tomorrow. I've being sorted into GRYFFINDOR with Hermione. I love and miss you all already. Mum do you think you can send me a blanket form home because I forgot to pack one. Thanks for everything that you've done for me before I left for Hogwarts. Love you all thanks again. Tell Skylar and Ryanna that I miss them and that I'll see them during winter break. Well I have class so I'll write you again soon.
Love, Joy XOXO
Artemis then flew in and I tied the letter to her leg and sent it off with her.
I sat in my bed and grabbed my diary and pen from the train today and wrote:
Dear Diary,
Second entry today. Well I've arrived at Hogwarts and got sorted into Gryffindor. I miss everybody at home but this is my home now, I guess I'll get use to it in a while. I miss Lyndsey, Samantha, Mum, Dad, Skye, and Ryan already. But it's time for me to get to bed. Classes start bright and early tomorrow and I can't wait to show the teachers what I can do. I may be a muggleborn but I will show people that it doesn't matter about the bloodlines that you have but what matters is that you're a handworker and that everything is going to be fine. Sure this is different from anything that I've ever done before but this is who I am now. Well I can't wait to learn more about myself. I can't wait for tomorrow. Love you and all my friends and family. Goodnight diary.
Love, Joy XOXO
I turned off my light and put my diary in my beside table and then put my glasses on my table and went under my covers and then went to bed right away. And I couldn't be more excited for me new life in the wizarding world.
I only own Joyce ad her family and friends. Some of the passage are from the Sorcerer's Stone book. Chapter: The Sorting Hat.
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