I wasn't very pleased with the last chapter…. I might change it… Not sure yet. But please enjoy chapter four of GrowingUp Magic!
Thanks to the Reviewers: YankeeSamson, 777angeloflove, justarandomNightWorldfan, blucross, deathnoteno1fan-codegeasslover, EllyElric, Littlekuriboh1fan
GrowingUp Magic
Sorting
-oOOo-
They found their way to a mountain of a man. He as at least six Yugis' tall! And about four of him wide. He looked down at the boys.
"You three firs' years?" They just nodded, unable to speak. "Well get in a boat behind me then. We'll cast off soon. I'm Hagrid, by the way." They nodded once more and got in a boat.
The little boats began moving all on their own once everyone was in. Marik leaned over the side to look in. The water was as black as the night sky, and cold to.
Marik shivered and wrapped his cloak tighter around himself.
"You cold, Marik?" Yugi asked.
"Yes I'm cold! I'm from Egypt, Remember? I'm not use to this!" Ryou laughed a little.
"It's not even that bad yet. Just wait till winter." Marik looked at the Albino in horror.
"You've got to be kidding!" He cried. But Ryou shook his head, much to Mariks distress.
The Egyptian soon forgot about the cold and stared in awe at the castle that had just come into view. Soft 'Ooooh' and 'Wow' could be heard from the other students.
Marik was the first of the three to get over the shock of seeing the castle. Although he had never seen a place quite that large, or grand, he had lived in the buried Pharaohs palace his whole life. So he soon just shrugged it off.
The boats soon came to a small cave in the side of the cliff that Hogwarts sat upon. The cave was more like a tunnel then anything and was quite short. The boats eventually hit the shallow edge and everyone climbed out and followed Hagrid up the short flight of stairs, right to a huge, oak door. Hagrid pounded on the door a few times and it opened instantly to reveal a tall, stern looking witch in emerald robes.
"Firs' years, Professor McGonagall."
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here." She opened the doors wide and everyone followed her inside.
Yugi gasped. The entrance hall was gigantic! He was sure the entire game shop would fit with plenty of room to spare.
Professor McGonagall turned to look at them once everyone was inside.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but first you must be sorted into your houses. The sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, you house will be like your family. You will have class with your housemates, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in you house common room. The four houses are: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has it's own history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points, and rule braking will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup. The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly, until then, wait here and don't wander off." She gave some students a stern look before entering through a door to the right.
"Yugi?" Marik asked. Trying to get the attention of the shorter boy. "Do you know anything about this 'Sorting'?" Yugi shook his head, and they both looked to Ryou.
The albino seemed surprised, but spoke up. "I do know a little, only about the houses though. Gryffindors are known for loyalty and bravery, Ravenclaws are know for being smart. Slytherins are crafty, and Hufflepuffs are the nice ones." Marik frowned.
"How do they determine this though? Couldn't you just end up picking any house you want?" Ryou shrugged.
"I hope we are in the same house. I don't like the thought of being separated from my friends." Yugi blushed as soon as he said this, not believing how cheesy that had to sound to the others.
Marik wrapped both arms around Yugi and Ryous neck. "Don't worry, little buddy. I'm sure it will work out!" Yugi nodded just as McGonagall returned.
"We are ready for you now. Please form a line and follow me." She led the students through the large doors on the right into a large dining hall. Four long tables of students and a fifth table, set up high with what looked like the professors filled the hall. Candles adorned the walls, giving the place a warm feeling. The new first years gaped at the ceiling. The night sky was clearly visible, as if there was no roof.
"Do you think they didn't put a roof on this place?" Marik asked. A bushy haired girl had obviously over heard and answered his question.
"No. It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."
McGonagall led them right down the middle of the hall just in front of the teachers table. There sat a stool where she placed a pointed hat that looked like it hadn't seen a dry-cleaner in decades. The first years gasped as a rip opened right at the brim and hat began to sing.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge by what you see,
I'll eat my self if you can find
A smarter hat then me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
You 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
Sat Gryffindor apart;
You may 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 get in a flap!
Your in safe hands though I have none
For I'm a Thinking Cap!" (1)
The entire hall burst into applause as the hat finished, and bowed to each of the tables.
Marik leaned over to Yugi and Ryou. "I don't like the idea of some hat looking into my head."
"Me either, but I don't think we have much of a choice… I just wish we didn't have to do this in front of everyone…" Yugi said just before McGonagall began calling names.
Ryou was the second person to be called. He looked a little frightened and wobbly walked to the stool and slipped the hat onto his head with his eyes clenched shut.
`Hmm. Well this is strange. You seen to have two minds here. Now who should I sort? One of you is shy, kinda, intelligent, and uncertain of yourself, a perfect candidate for Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw. The other is malevolent, cruel and calculating. Someone perfect for Slytherin. But what's this? You both have great courage and loyalty to those you hold dear. Better be` "GRYFFINDOR!" Ryou rushed from the stool and over to the far left table that had burst into applause. They might have been happy to have him, but Ryou was now terrified.
The bushy haired girl (They now knew as Hermione) was called after sometime and sorted in to Gryffindor. They were apparently going in alphabetical order by last name. Yugi was getting nervous. He had always been picked last for everything, because of his small size and clumsiness, no one wanted him on their team.
Marik was called next. He walked confidently to the hat and pulled it over his sandy hair. The hat took even longer for Marik then it did for Ryou.
`Oh my. Aren't you a strange character? You would do well in Slytherin with all of this pent-up anger and hatred. But you also seem to have a great love and devotion to your sister. You care for those who mean something to you.`
Marik was beginning to look angry. Instead of smirking his face was now contorted into a fierce scowl. When the hat finally called, "GRYFFINDOR!" He just 'hmphed' and went to sit by Ryou.
Yugi took this time to look around more, noticing that the Slytherins looked like a rough group. He prayed to any god that might be listening that he wasn't put with them. A few of them reminded him of bullies back home.
'I hope I get put in Gryffindor with Marik and Ryou, although Hufflepuff doesn't sound that bad…" He was quickly pulled from his thoughts at the sound of his name.
"Yugi Mouto?" Yugi realized they had already called him two other times.
He blushed as he rushed up. "Sorry." He mumbled to McGonagall. She just directed him to the Sorting Hat. He could hear almost everyone laughing at him now.
Yugi slumped onto the stool and pulled the hat over his wild hair. He almost fell over though, when a voiced sounded in his head.
`What's this? Another two minder, hmm?`
'What! Who is this? What's going on?' Yugi didn't get an answer to his question.
`Hmm. You seem to be the dominate one… but the door shows some use. It's locked tight though. I guess I'll have to sort just you.` Yugi realized it was the hat that was talking to him. Well he figured that made sense… kinda.
`Hmm. An innocent one you are. Kind, and compassionate. A good candidate for Hufflepuff. Oh, but you are smart two, maybe Ravenclaw…. But what's this? I see there is great courage hidden in your heart and strong loyalty to your friends. I better put you in` "GRYFFINDOR!" Relief washed through Yugi as he rushed to sit next to his friends, but he was worried about what the hat said, 'Two minds.' He wondered what that could mean. Yugi was pulled from his thoughts what Marik threw an arm around his shoulder.
"Well we were able to keep the gang together!" Yugi grinned, but Ryou gave a very weak smile. He looked ill, but Yugi didn't get a chance to ask him what was wrong before people were welcoming him to Gryffindor.
A red haired boy, Ronald Weasley, was sorted into Gryffindor and sat beside Hermione. The sorting ended with Blaise Zabini going to Slytherin.
Yugi looked up at the professors table when he noticed an old man getting to his feet.
'This must be the Headmaster, Dumbledore, that Ryou was telling Marik and me about on the train. Wow. He looks really old…" Yugi blushed as soon as he had thought that. Even though it had been only in his head, Yugis mother had raised him to respect his elders.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
Yugi was confused. Was he supposed to know what that meant? He turned to Ryou to ask, but was shocked to find the tables now filled with food. Everyone was filling their plates and chatting with their friends. Yugis stomach growled. He hadn't realized how hungry he was!
Yugi was filling his plate when some one tugged on his hair. He looked up to come face to face with a pair of identical red headed twins. "Umm… Can you please not pull on my hair?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry. We wanted to see if it was real." One said
"Can you tell us what spell you used to do this?" The other continued
"We are really curious." They said this at the same time.
Yugi was very much surprised. "I didn't use a spell. My hair is natural." They looked shocked.
"You serious!"
"Your hair is natural!"
"WICKED!"
Yugi really didn't know what to say to this. Luckily he didn't have to
"Leave him alone, you two." Yugi looked across the table. The red head across from, him was glaring at the twins. "Sorry about them." He said. "They are Fred and George, my brothers. I'm Ron Weasley, by the way."
Yugi shook his hand. "I'm Yugi. It's nice to meet you." Marik and Ryou had been watching the exchange between Yugi and the twins.
"How do you tell them apart?" Asked Marik.
Ron laughed a little. "You don't. You guess their name and hope you are right. Of course it doesn't help that they like switch their names on you." Marik laughed to.
"I'm Marik, and the quiet one beside me is Ryou."
"Those are some interesting names. Where do you come from? Oh! I'm Hermione Granger."
"I'm Egyptian, but Yugi here is Japanese. Not sure 'bout Ryou. Where do you come from?"
"Well, my father is British, my mom is Japanese. I was born in Japan, and moved here when I was six."
Hermione looked confused. "I understand why Ryou is here at Hogwarts, but Yugi, shouldn't you be going to the Imperial Magic Academy in Japan. And Marik go to the school in Egypt?"
Yugis jaw dropped. "My parents never told me there was a magic school in Japan!"
"They didn't? Are you muggle born? I am."
Yugi shook is head. "No. My mom and grandpa are squibs, so are most is most of that side of my family, but apparently my dads side of the family are all magical." Son everyone was sharing things about their family, except Marik.
"What is you family like, Marik?" Yugi asked. The Egyptian didn't say anything at first. "It's complicated." He mumbled and continued to eat.
Yugi was surprised by this, so far Marik hadn't missed a chance to either show off of tell everything he knew to anyone who would listen.
Yugi had been so preoccupied with listening to everyone that he hadn't noticed the ghosts appear all around him.
"Hello new Gryffindors! Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington. Resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower." Yugi looked up to see a head floating just above the table. He yelped and almost fell over. "Oh, sorry if I startled you." Said the ghost.
"I know who you are! You're Nearly Headless Nick!" Ron cried.
Marik was instantly intrigued. "Nearly Headless? How can you be nearly headless?" The ghost gave Marik a scowl.
"Like this." He grabbed his ear and pulled. His head swung off his neck and fell onto his shoulders.
"COOL!" Marik cried, but Ryou was looking paler then usual.
Marik was about to ask more questions, but Dumbledore was standing once again. The entire hall became quite.
"Just a few more word now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start of terms 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." Dumbledore looked at Fred and George before continuing. "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 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 does not wish to die a very painful death."
Marik laughed, but he was only one of a few.
"Now it is bedtime. Off you go!"
Everyone immediately stood and began to leave.
"First years! Gryffindor first years! Follow me, please!" A boy called. He must have been another brother of Ron's, his flaming red hair was hard to miss.
Yugi and Ryou followed the older boy, but Marik was nowhere to be found. Yugi had thought he had seen him wander off with the twins. He glanced at Ryou. The albino had been even more quite then usual ever since the sorting.
"Are you ok, Ryou?" The boy looked up, surprised.
"Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"Well ever since the sorting you've been really quite. I was just concerned."
Ryou was taken aback. Most people didn't notice him, or care enough to be concerned. Even his own father was never around. He wanted to tell Yugi what was bothering him, but he was scared. What would his new friend think if he told him the truth about the ring? Of course Ryou himself was still very much confused about the truth behind the ring.
"I'm ok, Yugi. Thank you for worrying about me. I promise I will tell you what is wrong as soon as I figure it out myself." Yugi nodded. He understood that it would do no good to pressure Ryou.
Percy Weasley lead the first years through many different corridors and up multiple stair cases. Yugi just knew he would never be able to find his way around, let alone to class! They soon stopped in front of a large portrait of a fat woman in pink. In Yugis opinion she looked about to fall asleep.
Marik surprised both Yugi and Ryou by sneaking up behind them. "Hey guys."
"Marik! Where in the world did you go?" Yugi asked.
Marik gave them a sly grin. " The twins were showing me around."
"You mean the two red heads that are enamored with my hair?"
The Egyptian frowned. "I don't know what 'enamored' means, but I think we're talking about the same people. So yes."
Yugi was about to explain what enamored meant when all three realized they were the only ones left in the hall.
The fat lady gave them a sleepy smile. "Better hurry up and go in. Don't want you to be left out here." They nodded and hurried inside, realizing how tied they were. The three boys quickly followed the other first year boys to the dormitory. They all fell asleep, with out even changing out of their clothes.
-oOOo-
(1) I didn't make up the sorting song. It's word for word from the first book.
I really hope my Yugioh characters aren't to OOC… But they ARE eleven, so I'm trying to make them more 'child-like' and before anyone asks, no, Mariku hasn't even been created yet. That is why the Sorting Hat didn't mention him when sorting Marik. And yes, I'm calling him Mariku, simply because 'Marik' and 'Malik' look to similar and I would confuse myself.
I am sorry to say that I had to write Harry out. I would have loved to have him in here, but there is just no room him. So yes, the plot from the books is going to change drastically, and I have already figured out what I'm going to do to fill all of the gaps. Sorry, again. Please don't kill me. _
Reviews are always welcome!
