Disclaimer: see first chapter
Hello loves. Yes, I said that this wouldn't be posted for a while but, all the lovely reviews. See reviews make me work faster. How about you leave em' get your chapter sooner. Honestly there's nothing nicer than waking up or coming home from school one day and seeing a whole pile of reviews for me to read. I really love this story and I'm glad you all like it too. Love ya'll!
As the light moved closer the face of the person carrying it was revealed. His name was Rubeus Hagrid though everyone just called him Hagrid. He was the groundskeeper at Hogwarts, although he often came round to the Potter's for dinner. To most the sight of the man would not be a calming one, as he was twice the hight of a normal man and at least five times as wide, but the knot that had been building in Harry's stomach lessened slightly to know that Hagrid would be around if he needed him.
Winking at Harry and Dudley, Hagrid led the first years down the trail to the lake and the little fleet of boat waiting by the waters edge.
"Four to a boat," called Hargid from the front where he had an entire boat to himself. Harry, Ron and Dudley ended up sharing a boat with the boy who lost his toad Neville. He was a round faced, bumbling boy who Harry recognized from his mum's parties.
"Everybody settled?" Hagrid called back. "Right then. Forward!" and the little fleet of boats begin to glide across the lake toward the castle.
The sight of the castle was magnificent to behold. The many turrets, walls and bridges were silhouetted black against the indigo sky. The many windows glowed brightly, lit the fires and torches within. The entire castle radiated magic.
"Heads down," shouted Hagrid as the boats moved beneath a curtain of ivy and into a sort of underground harbor. Once they all clambered out of the boats Hagrid led them up a set of stone steps and two huge oak front door. Raising a giant fist Hagrid knocked on the door three times.
The door was opened almost immediately by a severe looking woman with a tight bun. Dudley smiled. Professor McGonagall. He recognized her from all the times she had come over for dinner. Dudley liked Professor McGonagall, she had taught him how to control his magic, given him books and even told him stories about how terrible his uncles had been while they were at school. Dudley smiled even more broadly. He was going to like this Hogwarts life.
As the professor led them through the front doors and into this giant entrance hall everyone gasped. Even Dudley who thought he knew the place from his aunt and uncle stories. The entrance hall could have easily fit their entire house and garden quite comfortably inside. He looked around in amazement at the huge marble staircase, the two large doors from which talking laughter was emanating and the giant hourglasses that counted the house points. He assumed Professor McGonagall is going to lead them past the hourglasses and through those two doors into the great hall and was quite surprised when she turned and led them through a smaller door into a tiny room.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall began but Dudley didn't listen. He was too busy looking at the other students trying to see if he knew any of them. Nope, nope, nope there. Draco Malfoy he remembered Uncle James telling Harry and him to look out for that boy and how nasty his father was at school.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly." Dudley looked around wildly. Perhaps he should have listened to what McGonagall was saying.
"How exactly do they sort us into houses?." Harry asked Ron.
"Some sort of test I think. Fred said it hurts a lot but I think he was joking."
Dudley stomach gave a lurch. The sorting. His aunt and uncles never talked about that. How exactly did they sort them? Do the students need to know magic. No one was talking except that Hermione Granger who seemed to have memorized all her books and was babbling on about spells she knew.
"So it's true. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."
Dudley looked around. Draco Malfoy had apparently decided he was too good for the back of the crowd and was now standing at the head, right in front of Harry.
"My name is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. These are my… Friends Crabb and Goyle."
Ron snickered, Malfoy rounded on him.
"Think that's funny do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me that all Weasley's have redhaired freckles." He turned back to Harry. "If you haven't by now you'll soon find that some families are better than others Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He held out his hand to shake.
Harry looked very surprised at this introduction and very confused as to Malfoy was. Dudley leaned in close to his ear and whispered,
"Remember what your dad said about the Malfoy's?"
Harry's eyes widened in recognition then narrowed again as he looked at Malfoy with disgust.
"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks," Harry said, glaring at boy.
Malfoy looked taken aback for a moment before rearranging his face is a smug smirk once more. Shrugging he made his way back to the rear of the crowd, gesturing for his cronies to follow.
No sooner had Malfoy's sleek blond head disappeared in the sea of students did Prof. McGonagall open the door once more.
"It's time," she said and gestured for them to follow her into the Great Hall.
Dudley looked around the room as he entered. It was full of students all staring at the first years as they walked in. Following Prof. McGonagall down the aisle between the tables Dudley glanced up at the ceiling which his aunt said to have been bewitched to look like the sky outside. It was peppered with stars twinkling brightly. Behind him he heard Hermione babbling about facts she seemed to have read in a book.
Finally they stopped walking and lined up in front of the high table. Dudley noticed all the older students staring at a raggedy old hat sitting on a stool quite close by so he stared too. Quite suddenly a large 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 is 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,
Went well the brave at heart,
There 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 folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You are in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a thinking cap!"
The hat became still once more and the entire hall burst out in applause. Dudley sighed deeply, he just had to put on the hat. But what house would he be in? He was kind of brave, maybe Gryffindor. He didn't get good grades but he did like to read was that enough to make him Ravenclaw? Maybe Slytherin, he did always get what he wanted. No he would be a Gryffindor like his aunt and uncles.
"Dudley Dursley!" Prof. McGonagall called. Dudley took a deep breath and walked toward the hat. He sat down shakily on the little stool and McGonagall put the hat on his head. It was so big it covered his eyes. Staring at the black interior he heard a little voice in his head say,
"Muggleborn eh?"
It can talk, thought Dudley.
"Of course I can talk" said the hat, "Now let's get down to business shall we?"
Alright thought Dudley Where do you think I should go?
"Let's see, not bad mind, clever, Sneaky, rather cunning you know how to get what you want don't you my boy?"
I guess.
"There's bravery, yes. I see you're not afraid to stand up to people. And you're loyal, especially to your family. You'd do anything for your cousin, Harry."
Of course, we're cousins.
"But where to put you?" said the hat and became silent, evidently thinking hard
Dudley waited quietly so as not to disturb the hat's concentration. After about five minutes however he decided to say something.
Hello thought Dudley worried the hat had died
"Give me a minute boy," said the hat angrily
It's been five minutes thought Dudley.
"Alright alright," said the hat, "Well you're not smart enough for Ravenclaw and Slytherin doesn't fit either, so it will have to be..."
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat shouted aloud.
Oooh look at this nice long chapter I wrote for you. How about you make me happy by reviewing. How do you think everyone's going to react to Dudley house? How do you feel about it? Damn all of these feels and suspense. I'm getting excited and I'm the author. Lots of excitement coming in the next chapter. Read on you wonderful people.
Amy out
