Daphne gave me a big hug and whispered, "You better be in Slytherin", as I got off the train. Pansy Parkinson gave me a friendly-ish smirk and the other girl gave a bright grin. Crabbe and Goyle ignored me completely, but Draco gave me a small nod. A big man towered over the crowd of students and called out, "FIRST YEARS THIS WAY! THAT'S RIGHT! BEST TER HURRY!" He herded is on boats and I was stuck with three boys that gave me the stink eye, but they shied away when I glared back. When we arrived at the doors, a stern lady strode up to us.
"I am Professor McGonagall. Welcome to Hogwarts. Once we enter the Great Hall, we will continue with the Sorting. This will place you into Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw. I am head of Gryffindor House. We will proceed with the feast, then you will go to your dormitories. Follow your Head Girl and Boy and the Prefects. You're accomplishments will earn House Points, while your rule breaking will take away House Points." She turned and magically opened the doors. There were four tables, each with hundreds of students. We started moving forward. Professor McGonagall opened a scroll and started reading names. "Once I call your name, sit down on this stool and the Sorting Hat will choose your house." After several "GRYFFINDOR" and "HUFFLEPUFF" and "SLYTHERIN" and "RAVENCLAW", "Astoria Greengrass." I walked steadily to the chair and the hat was placed on my head.
Please be Slytherin. Please be Slytherin.
"Slytherin huh? Funny, two years ago, I had one who didn't want Slytherin. I placed him in Gryffindor. Now you have a great mind. But you have a special ability to knock people down. That will lead you to SLYTHERIN!" There was a huge roar from the Slytherin table. I ran down and Daphne pulled me next to her and Pansy.
"YAY!" Daphne pulled me into a bear hug.
"Congrats. Slytherins are the best of the best." Pansy said. I smiled from ear to ear. I'm so glad I'm in Slytherin. Ravenclaw wouldn't have been bad though... My thoughts were interrupted by an excited whisper from across the table.
"Look, Granger and Potter aren't at the Gryffindor table. They could get into so much trouble." Draco has a smug look on his face. Pansy and Daphne immediately nodded vigorously in confirmation. I shrugged. The Sorting had finished and a man with a long beard stood up. "Look, here they come." Draco pointed to a girl with brown bushy hair, and a boy with a small scar on his forehead, who were sitting down at the Gryffindor table.
"Shhh." I hissed, which earned me a glare from Draco.
"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it is best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast.
"As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business. They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission.
"Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises, or even Invisibility Cloaks. It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the Prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors.
"On a happier note, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts this year." Scattered applause that mostly came from the non Slytherin tables rang out. I was among those who clapped quietly.
"As to our second appointment, we'll I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by nine other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on the teaching job along with his gamekeeping duties." A tremendous roar of clapping followed that, mostly from Gryffindor. I clapped a little, until Daphne slapped my hands, signaling me to stop.
"Well I think that's everything of importance. Let the feast begin!" Dumbledore finished off.
I didn't eat too much, I was way to excited. The three girls who I sat with on the train were talking about how exciting this year would be, and Draco was complaining about Hagrid being a teacher. There was a first year Slytherin girl sitting next to me that I started talking to. Her name was Merudla, she was a half-blood. After dessert, Dumbledore released us for bed, and me and Merudla walked together.