Author's Note: The starting of the story might be boring since there are a lot of familiar ground. I hope I will be able to change the adventures soon. Oh, and there is a chance I might turn Dumbledore Dark so sorry to all dumby fans. :) (no offense intended)

Parseltongue: Italic


Chapter 7: First Hogwarts Dinner

They were left at the castle door where a woman with a strict face and her hair in a bun was there to greet them. After thanking Hagrid, she beckoned the first years to follow her and they were lead through the castle.

The interior of the castle was really grand with the beautiful architecture left and right. The hallways were supported by dozens of pillars with grooves at the top while the walls were lined with torches. Most of the hallways contain suits of armour and beautiful paintings of the olden days.

They soon reach a set of big doors where voices could be heard from the other side, the other students must already be there. They were than let to a empty room near the set of doors where they were ask to wait.

The woman gave them a look and started her speech "First of all, I would like to welcome all of you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am Professor McGonagall, assistant headmistress of this school. The start of the term banquet will start soon but before that, each of you will be sorted into your respective houses where each and every student of your house will be like your family. There are four houses which are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin and Ravenclaw, each has produce outstanding witches and wizards and each with their own noble history. During the school year, good conduct will bring points to your house while any breaking of the rules will lose your house points." Looking pointedly at them, "I hope you will do your houses proud. We will begin the Sorting Ceremony now. Form a line please and follow me and do try to make yourself presentable."

Feeling a little queasy, Harry quickly tried to smooth his jet black hair which always seems to stick out everywhere. Following behind Ron who seems a little pale, the whole line of first years then followed Professor McGonagall quietly through the huge door they pass earlier.

The hall they step into was magnificent. On the ceiling were hundreds and hundreds of candles just floating in mid air and beyond that, they could even see the weather outside. At the front of the hall was a raise stage. On it was a long table filled with food and harry guessed that must be the teachers sitting neatly in a row. In the middle was a old man with a huge pure white beard and is that a … purple hat? Above him was a huge shield that has been split in a cross shape with each side with a griffin, raven, badger and serpent respectively.

In the middle of the hall were 8 long tables with a split in the middle of the hall. Every single student was looking at them.

When they reach the staircase of the stage, they stopped. In front of the old man, past the table, was a stool with a patch old hat.

Everyone was looking at it by then, as if waiting for something. Maybe a rabbit will pop put, though Harry.

Suddenly, a slit open at the seam of the hat while two round shapes of the material sank backwards into the cap and wonders of wonders, it started to talk

"Well, well well, what do we have here? It seems there are more newcomers so do come try me on. I will sort you proper, you might be in Gryffindor, where bravery set them apart. Hufflepuff maybe that is loyal, just and true. What about Ravenclaw? They are quick and witty and a learning mind or maybe Slytherin who plan for all their dreams? Come my darlings, let me see the true you." It gave a slight grin, before bowing to all four tables.

Professor McGonagall who was standing beside it now pulls a scroll from her dress and opens it.

"When I called your name, please put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Abbott, Hannah!"

A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out, pput on the hat and sat down. O moment's pause…"

"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.

The students on he left of the hall clapped loudly while the girl took of the hat and went towards the table where she sat down.

"Boot, Terry"

"RAVENCLAW!"

This time, the table second from the left gave a cheers as he promptly jogged there where a few of the older shook his hands.

A Lavendar Brown became the first Gryffindor where she was greeted by loud cheers and even catcalling from Ron's twin brothers. However, a Millicent Bulstrode was the 1st new Slytherin. To Harry's surprised, there was no cheer and scrams like the other tables. All she got were polite claps, like the students were controlling themselves.

On and on it went, the numbers of students dwindle as they got sorted. Malfoy got his wish as the hat shouted Slytherin before it even touched his head. Ron however was really relived when he was sorted into Gryffindor, where he was congratulated by his siblings upon his arrival.

"Potter, Harry!"

Immediately there was a hush before mutterings burst out, the students were a little shock and were busy pointing at him.

Feeling his stomach flipping in fear, Harry hesitantly climbed op and put the hat on his head. It was so large it blocked everything form view.

"Not bad, not bad." A voice rang in his head, startling him.

"Bravery is there? Oh yes. A nice thirst to prove yourself, loving, loyal and it seems you have the companion of a serpent. How Slytherin of you….."

Sensing Harry's surprised, "Of course I can feel him, surely you didn't think you can hide from me can you? Now, where to put you? It is either Gryffindor or Slytherin. Hm….."

"Please be Gryffindor, please be Gryffindor. Ron is there. " thought Harry.

"Gryffindor huh? Are you sure? You can do great in Slytherin too you know? No? Oh well. It seems for the first time, a snake has manage to make it to GRYFFINDOR!"

The last word was shouted and Harry quickly took off the hat and raced to the cheering table.

The twins were screaming in delight, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"

Once everyone had calm down, the last name had already been called. Blaise Zabini became the last Slytherin and Professor McGonagall took the stool and hat away.

At that, the old man in the middle stood up. "Once again, another school year begins. For the first years, I am Professor Albus Dumbledore your new headmaster and I hope you will grow to love Hogwarts. I would also like to dish out some rules before we dig in. First of all, the Forbidden Forest outside like its name is forbidden for students to enter. Furthermore, those who do not wish to die by being split apart will do wise to avoid a locked door on the third floor's corridor. That's all, dig in." With his eyes giving a twinkle, the headmaster sat down.

Food of all sorts started to appear on all the empty plates that have been set on the table. There was roast turkey, bacon and steak, fried fish and lots more. Harry couldn't believe his eyes, he took a little of everything and started to eat.

He was just halfway through a drumstick when a transparent head popped out from the middle of the roast potatoes.

"Hello there. Nice to meet you." The head said before dozens of transparent bodies flew in from all directions, from the walls to the ground, they popped out.

A man flew out and stood in front of the new first years who were staring at him in shock.

"Hello Nick." Called Ron's brother, Percy Weasley.

The ghost gave a nod and turn towards the first years. 'Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sir Nicholas, resident ghost of Gryffindor. It is a pleasure to meet you."

After exchanging formalities with them, he drifted off to talk with another ghost.


Soon, everyone was full. The headmaster gave a clapped and all the food vanish. 'It is getting late, I suggest everyone should go to bed. Classes will start at noon tomorrow. Good night, everyone."

At that, the students rose. Percy who was the prefect bade for the first years to follow him. They climbed seven staircase, and cross through a few corridors before stopping in front of a painting of a lady who asked for a password.

It was worm blood and the portrait swung backwards too reveals a corridor behind it. They were led into a room decorated in red and gold. There was even a fireplace and many chairs and sofas scattered around.

There were two staircases, one of each side of the room. One led to the boy's dormitory while the other led to the girl's dormitory.

Harry, Ron and the other 3 boys were led to a room with five beds and a huge window with a grand view of the Hogwarts ground. Their luggage was already there. By then, they were so tired all they could do was change into their pajamas and soon fell asleep.


whew! Who knew writing stories can be taxing?

Special thanks to edward ronald for helping me decide which house to put Harry in. :)

Hey, anyone want to be friends? E-mail me lah.

If you have questions to ask me but I never answered them when I post a new chapter, it means it must have slipped my mind or I could not find it. So it is best you asked me again. Sorry for any inconvenience.