A/N: *grins* hi people of the Universe! There are some dedications to the following people: thanks to .Allyyyyyy.x for favoring the story and thanks to Eftjyrwd for favoring the story and for following the story. Thanks guys! Anyways, so sorry for not updating in such a long time…erm…I've been busy reading some other fanfics…heh…so yeah…without further ado, I give the um *counts* 4th chapter of Into Another World! So, let's go!
Chapter 4:
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "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." she continued, her expression never changed.
"Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rulebreaking will lose house points."
I mentally snorted, flashing a quick look at the bookworm, Harry and Ron. They are well known for breaking rules…
"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 you are waiting."
Her eyes lingered for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on Ron's smudged nose. Harry nervously tried to flatten his hair.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," replied McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."
She left the chamber. Harry swallowed.
"How exactly do they sort us into houses?" I heard Harry asking Ron.
"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking."
"Of course, he was joking!" I hissed. "It's a reason why it's called a Sorting Ceremony! You get sorted from a hat. It will tell you what strengths you have, your personality and such. When it is sure what house, it will say it." I stated, rolling my eyes.
"And how do you know that?" Ron glared.
"I read."
Ron was about to open his mouth to speak but someone else beat to him first.
"So it's true then. What they're saying on the train…" a voice said, instantly gaining people's attention.
I groaned. Why him?
"Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."
There were murmurs and furious whispers as if they couldn't believe that the Boy-Who-Lived had come…
My eyes swiftly darted to the platinum blonde git—uh person—who stopped when he reached Harry who was looking at the ground before he lifted his head up to see the "newcomer".
"This is Crabbe and Goyle." he motioned to the two big boys who looked like they were his body guards. "And I'm Malfoy…Draco Malfoy."
A snicker came, causing Malfoy to round on the person.
"Think my name is funny do you?"
Oh yes, it's frightening hilarious.
"No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand me down robe. You must be a Weasley."
The red head glared at him.
"Oh butt off, Draco. And yes I do think your name is funny. Why, it's frighteningly hilarious." I drawled and that caused Malfoy to look at me.
"Well if it isn't Lost Girl. How did you manage to get up here?"
I glared. "For the last time Malfoy, I am not a Lost Girl!"
Malfoy howled with laughter. "Yeah sure but the way you walk, you might as well be called one."
My glare hardened. Why that little prick!
"You will soon find out that some Wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." he extended his hand and waited for the boy to shake it.
"I think I can tell who the wrong sorts are for myself, thanks." he said, coldly.
I smirked. "Sucker." I sniggered.
I didn't think that he was happy with the comment I made…since he well glared at me.
A sudden sharp tap was on his shoulder. He looked around to see the Professor who came back while also wearing an unamused look. He gave a glare to Harry and I one last time before Malfoy departed.
"We're ready for you."
Just as McGonagall walked, Harry asked me a question which in return, I was sort of hoping that he didn't.
"Lost Girl?"
I threw him an annoyed look. "Later, Harry."
He sulked.
We walked in a line before getting out of the chamber, back across the hall and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.
Oh my…it looked so much beautiful than in the movies! It was simply breath-taking! Same goes for Harry who had his mouth agape…
It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among the students, th ghosts shone misty silver. Mainly to avoid all the staring eyes, Harry looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars.
"Its bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History." Hermione and I both said at once. The two of us looked at each other before we gave a faint smile.
It was hard to believe that there was a ceiling there at all, and that the Great Hall didn't simply open on to the heavens.
Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty.
Harry noticed that everyone in the hall was now staring at the hat—except for me of course since I already knew how it works…
For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth—and the hat began to sing. I zoned out since I didn't really like this part…I thought it was a bit annoying.
After a few moments, the whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.
"So we've just got to try on the hat!" Ron whispered to Harry. I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll."
"Hey what about me?!" I whispered, glaring at him. "I was the one who told you how it works!"
He went silent.
Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she stated. "Abbott, Hannah!"
A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. There was a moment pause before—
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. Harry saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" exclaimed the hat again, and Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hannah.
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
The table second from the left clapped this time; several Ravenclaws stood up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them.
"Brocklehurst, Mandy" went to Ravenclaw too but "Brown, Lavendar" (I groaned since I remembered her from the sixth year. She was…annoying really) became the first new Gryffindor and the tale on the far left exploded with cheers; Harry could see Ron's twin brothers catcalling.
"Blustrode Millicent" then became a Slytherin.
"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Finningan, Seamus," the sandy-haired boy next to Harry in the line, sat on the stool for almost a whole minute before the hat declared him a Gryffindor.
I grinned, remembering the times when his stuff would often go wrong and would explode into his face.
"Granger, Hermione!"
Hermione almost ran to the stool and jammed the hat eagerly on her head.
"GRYFFINDOR!" bellowed the hat. Ron groaned.
"Oh come off it, Ron. She can't be that bad." I muttered.
Ron stared incredulously at me. "Can't be that bad? Are you mad?!"
When Neville Longbottom (I automatically gave him a sympathetic look—which of course he didn't know—since I remembered about his parents), the boy who kept losing his toad, was called, he fell over on his way to the stool. The hat took a long time to decide with Neville. When it finally shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" Neville ran off still wearing it, and had to jog back amid gales of laughter to give it to "MacDougal, Morag."
Malfoy swaggered forward when his name was called and got his wish at once: the hat had barely touched his head when it screamed, "Slytherin!"
"There wasn't a decent witch or wizard that didn't went to Slytherin." Ron stated, eyeing the new Snake.
There weren't many people left now. "Moon" "Nott" "Parkinson" then a pair of twin girls, "Patil and Patil" then "Perks, Sally-Anne"…I became quite nervous when my name was mentioned at all. What happens to me? Why wasn't I Sorted yet?
I then thought back when the trio and I had first introduced…my eyes widened…
"And you are…?"
"Alex P." I answered, instantly. Hey, if I'm in Harry Potter World, might as well pretend that I'm his long lost sister or something…or maybe some kind of a long lost relative…or something!
Oh no. I thought in panicked.
And then, at last—"Potter, Harry!"
I snapped myself back to reality as I watched Harry (who was nervous) going towards the stool as whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall.
"Potter, did she say?"
"The Harry Potter?"
The hat took a while, deciding what place to put Harry in. Though, I know exactly what the hat is talking about. Because of the Great Hall being so silent, you can actually hear Harry saying "not Slytherin. Not Slytherin". It felt like an twenty minutes had passed (but really it was five) before the hat had finally declared.
There was an intense pause before…
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table all stood up and clapped hard as they cheered immensely. Harry breathed out a sigh of relief then he took off the hat, gave it to McGonagall and off he walked towards the Lion table. The moment he reached there, many people started to shake hands with him.
I smiled fondly at the boy.
Nicely done, Harry. Nicely done. I thought until…
"Alex P."
I froze when McGonagall called out my name, making the Hall to be in silence once more. However, I shoot the Professor I look who had no expression whatsoever. All she did was looking at me. It wasn't until then that I felt someone nudging me to go forward; I realized that it was Ron.
"Go. Go on." Ron whispered, giving me a nudge since I couldn't move at all.
Wow…uh…you knew you would be nervous…heh…
Slowly, I climbed up the stairs before I sat down on the stool. The people had vanished before me since the hat had nearly covered my eyes.
Oh hello there!
The sudden voice made me to startle, making the Hat to chuckle.
Oh come now. There's no reason for you to be all jumpy. You should've known that I talk.
Yes but that was a little unexpected. I'm still nervous, you know.
I suppose so…now, let's see what's on your mind…ah…you're not from here, are you? No…you're from a different world…
I perked up when he mentioned that and the following sentence.
And I see that you have tons of questions.
Do you know? Can you tell me why I'm here and my purpose?
I could've sworn I felt the Hat frowning.
That is not in my place to do so. Now, it isn't the time to answer your questions. In due time, you will know what is your purpose here. And that's my final answer. If you don't mind, I would like to get on with the Sorting.
I opened and closed my mouth, several of times before I had finally shut my mouth.
Let's see here…you're very curious…you're also bright but not as bright as that Granger girl…
What's that supposed to mean!? I asked in thought, sharply. However, the stupid hat had ignored me.
Yes…you can definitely be cunning when you want to…which is basically always—
Hey!
I shot a very dark look at the Malfoy…who seemed to be lazily twirling his wand in his hand, wearing a bored expression.
Oh God…PLEASE don't send me to Slytherin…Anything but Slytherin…
Oh? No Slytherin, eh? You sound just like that Potter boy…
Oh will you get on with it?! I snapped, angrily.
The hat gave out an annoyed huff.
Very well then…
"Better be…" there was a pause, making the air to be intense.
And then the voice bellowed…
"GRYFFINDOR!"
I blinked back with surprise as I had almost fallen off my seat. I was for sure that I would've been placed in Slytherin.
Guess I proved to be wrong.
I quickly shot a look to Malfoy; he only scowled.
"Turpin, Lisa," became a Ravenclaw and then it was Ron's turn. He was pale green by now.
"Ha!" the hat's voice shouted, startling McGonagall and Ron the minute the hat was placed on his head. "I know just what to do with you…"
There was a moment pause.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry clapped the loudest while I clapped with the rest. Ron collapsed into the chair next to me.
"Well done, Ron, excellent," said another red-head who looked older.
I instantly recognized him—Percy Weasley.
"Zabini, Blaise," was made a Slytherin. Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away.
Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.
"Welcome," he said, "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! The first years please notice that the dark forest is strictly forbidden. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that the third floor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you," with that, Dumbledore said one last thing.
"Begin."
With a wave of his hands, food had magically appeared as if from nowhere. Many people gave out a gasp of 'wow!" and started to dig in the delicious feast.
There were many food such as roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and, for some strange reason, peppermint humbugs.
I grinned, happily taking everything that I like and started to munch on it until I heard a voice.
"That does look good," said a voice. Harry and I looked up from our food and saw a ghost in the ruff.
Harry blinked as he finally registered that he was a ghost…
"Can't you-?"
"I haven't eaten for nearly four hundred years," said the ghost. "I don't need to, of course, but one does miss it. I don't think I've introduced myself. Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington at your service. Resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower."
"I know who you are!" said Ron suddenly. "My brothers told me about you—you're nearly Headless Nick!"
"I would prefer you to call me Sir Nicholas de Mimsy—" the ghost began stiffly but the bushy haired girl (otherwise known as Hermione) interrupted.
"Nearly Headless? How can you be nearly headless?"
"Oh God Hermione…please don't…" I whispered, eyes wide as I know what was to come.
Sir Nicholas looked extremely miffed (not that I blame him), as if their little chat wasn't going at all the way he wanted.
"Like this," he said irritably. He seized his left ear and pulled it. His whole head swung off his neck and fell onto his shoulder as if it was on a hinge. Someone had obviously tried to behead him, but not done it properly. Looking pleased at the stunned looks on their faces, Nearly Headless Nick flipped his head back onto his neck.
When he showed that horrific sight, I wanted to throw up.
"So—new Gryffindors! I hope you're going to help us win the house championship this year! Gryffindors have never gone so long without winning. Slytherins have got the cup six years in a row! The Bloody Baron's becoming almost unbearable—he's the Slytherin ghost."
Harry and I looked over at the Slytherin table and saw a horrible ghost sitting there, with blank staring eyes, a gaunt face, and robes stained with silver blood. He was right next to Malfoy who, Harry and I was pleased to see, didn't look too pleased with the seating arrangements.
"How did he get covered in blood?" Seamus asked with great interest.
"I've never asked," said Nick delicately.
I frowned as I put on my thinking mode. I remembered reading somewhere—back in my world—about Baron…what was it? I believe it was because Baron killed either Rowena or someone else…
Damn it. My brain's not working…but I'm sure that Baron had killed someone!
When everyone had eaten as much as they could, the remains of the food faded from the plates, leaving them sparkling clean as before. A moment later the desserts appeared. Blocks of ice cream in every flavor you could think of, apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate éclairs (I've never really liked those) and jam doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, Jell-O, rice pudding—
As I helped myself to strawberries, the talk turned to their families.
"I'm half-and-half," said Seamus. "Me dad's a Muggle. Mom didn't tell him she was a witch 'til after they were married. Bit of a nasty shock for him."
The others laughed.
"What about you, Neville?" asked Ron.
My throat automatically felt dry when Ron asked him. Neville's parents…poor Neville. I felt the tears starting to brim at the corner of my eyes but I quickly blinked them away before anyone could see them.
"Are you okay?"
I turned to face Hermione who was studying me as if I was fascinating.
Well to tell you the truth…of course, I'm fascinating! Ahem…right…
"Er I…" I replied once I realized that everyone had their eyes on me. Neville must have done speaking. I glared at them. "Oh! Don't you know it's rude to stare at other people!?" I snapped.
And they automatically went back to their bidding.
The nerves of some people!
"Ouch!" exclaimed Harry, clapping a hand to his head.
"What is it?" I asked, absent-mindedly even though I already knew the answer; his scar was hurting him.
"N-nothing."
"Say, Percy. Who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?" asked Harry.
But of course the twins beat to him first.
"That's Professor Snape. He teaches Potions, but he doesn't want to—everyone knows he's after Quirrell's job." Fred said.
"Knows an awful lot about the Dark Arts, Snape. But blimey, he's horrible…someone really has got to be put a cheering charm on him." George said next.
And once again, I gave a thoughtful look. Immediately, Fred and George's eyes widened.
"Oh, you wouldn't-!"
"You would be the first!"
I grinned since they knew what I was thinking. "Oh wouldn't I?"
Poor Harry seemed so lost and confused; Ron was busy eating so he would be oblivious; Hermione was just being Hermione since she rolled her eyes, instantly knowing what I'm going to do.
"You would be expelled if you try it." Hermione hissed.
I scoffed. "Oh what's life without a few risks?!" I argued.
"Try what?" Harry asked.
"Nothing Harry!" Hermione and I both snapped at him; poor kid cowered back and resumed stuffing food in his mouth.
"And now since we are well-fed, let us sing the school song before we go to bed!" cried Dumbledore.
Harry noticed that the other teachers' smiles had become rather fixed; I grinned at their sudden expressions.
Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "And off we go!"
It was horrible really. Everyone was singing off tune as I covered my ears because of it. Finally what it seemed for hours, everybody finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march; I laughed at their antics.
Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest.
"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes as if he was crying. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
A/N: A-alright I have to end it here…whew! My hands are getting sore. I've got about 12 pages in total…I think I'm done for tonight. See you! Oh yeah: since I know you guys will probably be confused about Alex's constantly changing last names, there is a reason for that. And that reason will be revealed…probably either at the end of the third book or fourth…I shall have to wait and see…and that little flashback…erm, I'm gonna have to change it on the previous chapter when they had introduced…sooo yeahh…and of course, I don't own anything that is not mine. I only own what is mine. Toodles and R&R?
