7

The Sorting Hat

When the door opened a black-haired witch was standing before their group in long emerald green robes. She had the presence of a strict woman who was not one to be crossed.

Hagrid called the woman Professor McGonagall as he informed her that he had the first years. She thanked him opening the door wider so the first years could see into the entrance hall. The stone walls, lit by torches, stretched so high there was no way to see the ceiling and Emily thought you could easily put a house or two from Privet Drive within it. Following Professor McGonagall, the students began to make their way into the castle. Emily had to stop for a moment and catch her breath, the magic in the castle hit her like a wall. She swore Hogwarts felt alive.

Draco looked back at her, "Em, are you ok?"

Taking a deep breath, she adjusted to the magic and felt it hum through her body. "Yeah sorry let's catch up."

They joined the back of the group of first years as Professor McGonagall showed them into a small, empty chamber off the hall. Draco and Emily squeezed through the crowded first years to stand by Blaise who had been separated from the pair. Everyone fell silent as Professor McGonagall started to speak.

"Welcome," Professor McGonagall began, "Soon I will be escorting you to the welcome feast. Before the feast begins you will take part in the sorting ceremony. The sorting will place you into one of four Houses Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin. All four Houses have produced witches and wizards who have gone on to do great things. While at Hogwarts you will find that your House will be where you spend a lot of your time. You will sleep with your Housemates in the dormitories and spend time in your House common room with your friends. Each year we award a House cup to the House who has earned the most points. If you do well you can earn points for your house but if you are caught breaking the rules you can lose points. We will begin shortly and I suggest you all take the time to check over your appearances as you will be standing in front of the other students."

Emily looked around and noticed the boy with the toad had his cloak fastened under his ear and Harry was pointing to where Ron still had a mark on his nose.

"I am going to see if they are ready to begin," Professor McGonagall informed their group. "Please be patient I will be right back."

As she walked out of the chamber Emily looked to Draco. "How exactly do they sort us into Houses?"

"It's a hat that you put on and it decides where you belong. They say it was charmed by the founders and imbued with some of their magic so that even when they were gone the students could be sorted to their standards. It should be nothing to worry about."Emily nodded and looked around trying to locate her brother who seemed to be paling at whatever Ron was telling him. She noticed the bushy haired girl who had gotten in the boat with her brother was muttering to herself, which seemed to be unnerving those close to her.

Noticing Harry appeared as if he was about to face his ultimate doom Emily was going to go see if he was alright when something happened that made everyone jump and several people even scream.

"Draco what …?" Emily gasped as she watched twenty ghosts come floating through the wall opposite her. They were white and not nearly as transparent as she had imagined. Gliding through the room they appeared to be having a disagreement about something. Emily noticed the one dressed like a monk seemed to be trying to convince the others to give someone another chance.

"You are too forgiving my dear Friar, Peeves has used all the chances he has earned. He makes all of us look poorly to the students. We don't want them to be afraid of us – and who are all of you?" The ghost asked seemingly just noticing the group of children in the room.

All the first years stared at the ghosts no one seemed able to answer the question.

"Our new first years!" offered the Friar jovially. "Are you about to be sorted?" People still seemed to be frozen but there were a few nodding heads in response. "I am sure you are all too excited to speak! I was in Hufflepuff wonderful House you know."

"We are ready," Professor McGonagall said entering the chamber. She looked to the ghost, "You may go to the hall now." The ghosts nodded to her and began to glide away through the wall behind the professor.

"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."

Emily got into line behind Blaise, with Draco behind her and they walked out of the chamber back across the entrance hall and through the double doors that led into the Great Hall. Emily was in awe as she stepped into the Great Hall. Thousands of candles floated above them bringing light into the vast room. There were four long tables that ran the length of the room filled with students, Emily assumed these must be the House tables. At the front of the hall was another long table going the width of the room where all the professors were sitting. The first years were put into a straight line facing the students sitting at the tables. The ghosts were now scattered along the room, some even sitting at the tables. Emily glanced up at the ceiling to see a night sky dotted with stars above her. She had read that it was charmed to look like the sky outside in Hogwarts: A History.

Professor McGonagall brought out a stool setting it in front of them with a pointed old hat on top. This must be the hat Draco was telling her would sort them. There seemed to be nothing special about the hat from what Emily could see and for a few moments everyone in the hall stared at the object while nothing happened. Then suddenly the hat began to move and began singing from a rip that formed a mouth by the brim. The song was short and spoke briefly of the qualities of each house before falling silent and the hall breaking out into applause. It appeared to give a slight bow before straightening itself up and becoming still once again.

Professor McGonagall unrolled a large parchment and moved to stand next to the stool. "When called please step forward and sit on the stool. I will place the hat on your head, so you can be sorted. Once your House has been announced please move to join their table."

The first named she called was 'Abbot, Hannah' who was a stout girl with pig tails in her hair, the girl was sorted into Hufflepuff House rather quickly after the hat was placed on her head.The table on the far left exploded into cheers leaving no doubt which table the girl should be joining. Professor McGonagall lifted the hat from her head and she walked slowly to join the rest of the Hufflepuffs. She was followed by Susan Bones who also went to Hufflepuff and then Terry Boot, who went to Ravenclaw and was shortly joined by Mandy Brocklehurst. Lavender Brown was the first person to be sorted into Gryffindor House. The table in between the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs exploded into cheers. Emily saw Fred and George catcalling at the girl as she made her way to take a seat with her new House.

Emily watched as Millicent Bulstrode became the first member of Slytherin House. Justin Finch-Fletchley went next and was sorted to Hufflepuff. It seemed that some people were taking longer than others to be sorted. Seamus Finnigan who had been standing next to Harry took a full minute before the hat declared him a Gryffindor and he ran off to join Lavender Brown. Hermione Granger was called next and Emily noticed she had been the girl who was in the boat with her brother. She was so eager she ran to the stool as fast as she could and practically tore the hat from Professor McGonagall's hands to get it on her head.

It didn't take long for the hat to declare her a Gryffindor. Emily heard a groan and looked over to see it had come from Ron Weasley who was still by her brother.Emily quirked an eyebrow at this, hadn't the girl shared a boat with him and her brother, why was he groaning?

Neville Longbottom was called forward and Emily recognized him as the boy who had the toad. He tripped on his way to the stool and nervously wringed his hands as the hat took its time deciding where to place him. He was declared a Gryffindor and was so excited he ran from the stool before Professor McGonagall could remove the hat. He turned a bright red as he had to take the hat back so Morag MacDougal could be sorted.

When Draco's name was called he smiled at Emily and confidently stepped forward to sit on the stool. The hat was barely on his head a second before he was declared the newest member of Slytherin House. He grinned at Emily as he went to sit with the Slytherins and she smiled back, she was happy for her friend. Emily watched as more names were called, Janet Moon, Theodore Nott, Pansy Parkinson, Padma and Parvati Patil and Sally-Anne Perks until finally... "Potter, Emily!"

Emily smiled and stepped forward walking casually to sit on the stool. Whispers had broken out through the hall as students leaned in to get a better look at her.

"Did she just say Potter?"

"Which one is her twin?"

"Where do you think she'll be?"

As the hat dropped over her eyes Emily saw people had even stood from their seats to get a better look at her.

"Hmm," she heard a small voice in her head say. "You are quite the challenge. You thirst for knowledge and your loyalty to those you find deserving is unwavering; you would do anything to keep your brother safe and happy. Your bravery is amazing for someone so young and your experiences seem to have made you quite cunning and resourceful."

"Do you know where you would like to be placed?"

Emily took a deep breath and thought, I have no preference.

"I can see you will be great, and I believe Slytherin will help you use all your talents to achieve that greatness!"

Then I trust you, put me in Slytherin.

"Okay then, you will be – SLYTHERIN!"

As the hat called out Slytherin, silence descended on the hall. Emily took the hat off and walked towards where Draco was sitting. Draco excited to see her be placed in Slytherin began to clap which startled the table and caused the rest of the Slytherins to recover from their astonishment and cheer for their new housemate. As she sat down she thanked Draco and noticed the rest of the hall was still staring at her even the teachers seemed shocked into silence.

When Professor McGonagall seemed to shake herself from her shock she called out – "Potter, Harry!"

This seemed to make everyone focus as the second Potter twin made his way to the stool. Harry was panicking inside, he had just watched as Emily was sorted into Slytherin. Hagrid and Ron had both told him that Slytherins were evil. How could Emily be in Slytherin, his sister never seemed evil to him. Would he be placed there too? He didn't want to be in Slytherin or lose Ron as a friend, he had never had a real friend before.

Harry sat on the stool unsteadily as the hat dropped over his eyes. Harry heard a voice in his ear, "Ahh the other Potter twin. You have a good mind but you are not as dedicated to your books as your sister I see. You want to prove yourself and a have a good dose of courage. There is much potential just like your sister. Shall I place you with her?"

Harry just kept repeating in his head, Not Slytherin, not Slytherin.

"Not Slytherin?" the voice repeated the young wizard's mantra. "But your sister is there and like her you could be great. Slytherin will help you…" But Harry cut the hat off, Not Slytherin.

"You are sure?"

Yes.

"This will be interesting - GRYFFINDOR!"

As the hall heard the hat call out Gryffindor, it erupted into the loudest cheers yet. Percy the Prefect stood to shake Harry's hand enthusiastically, while the Weasley twins were doing a little dance and chanting, "We got Potter! We got Potter!" Emily looked down at the table; her twin was not in the same House as her. They had never been apart before. What's more he didn't even look at her once.

Draco nudged her, "Hey don't worry about it. Look Blaise still has to be sorted, he looks a bit scared. Hopefully he joins us."She looked over to Blaise who did look to be nervous. Draco and Emily both smiled at him which seemed to help.

Taking a moment Emily then looked up at the High Table properly now. At the end near the Gryffindors sat Hagrid, who was giving Harry a thumbs up and there, in the center of the High Table was a man Emily recognized as Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore wore half-moon glasses and his eyes seemed to twinkle with joy. Emily noticed Professor Quirrell sat closer to the Slytherins and was trembling slightly with a shaky smile as he watched the first years be sorted. The man was wearing an odd looking purple turban that he hadn't worn the day they had met. Emily wondered if it was a custom he had picked up on his travels or a curious wizarding dress she had yet to hear about.

Emily turned her attention back to the few students who were left to be sorted. Dean Thomas went to Gryffindor while Lisa Turpin went to Ravenclaw. When Ron Weasley sat on the stool it took the hat mere seconds to call out Gryffindor. Emily watched as Harry clapped wildly and smiled at Ron as he took the spot next to him. Emily sighed and focused her attention on Blaise who was putting the hat on his head. A moment later he was walking towards Draco and Emily with a smile.

Looking down at the gold plate in front of her Emily realized just how hungry she was. All she had eaten that day had been candy, she was ready for dinner.

"I'm starving," she declared looking up at the boys. They both nodded in agreement.

Albus Dumbledore rose to stand and address the students as Professor McGonagall removed the stool and hat from the front of the room. He looked like he couldn't have been happier as he looked out at all the students before him ready to start a new school year.

He welcomed the students and offered a few words, 'Nitwit, blubber, oddment and tweak', causing people through the hall to applaud him as he sat back down.

Just then Emily felt a wave of magic and was distracted by the food appearing.She had never seen so much food in one place in her life. The Dursleys had never allowed the twins to each as much as they liked. They often spent at least one night a week going hungry and having to sneak out to get food from the kitchen after their aunt and uncle fell asleep.

She didn't even know where to start but she knew if she ate too much she would make herself sick, so she decided on a bit of lamb and roast potatoes. Emily looked around the table as she took her first bites and noticed there was a ghost sitting next to Theo. The boy did not seem too pleased with the seating arrangements.

"Is he covered in blood?" Emily asked examining the ghost closer.

Draco followed her line of vision, "Oh, I think so. That's Sir William, he is known as the Bloody Baron to most of the school. He's our House ghost."

"Oh, do all the Houses have a ghost?"

Draco nodded as he carefully cut his next bite, "I'm not sure on all their real names but I believe The Fat Friar is Hufflepuff's, The Grey Lady is Ravenclaw's and Nearly Headless Nick or Sir Nicholas is Gryffindor's ghost."

"Do they have a purpose?" Emily asked unsure why ghosts would be assigned to a House when there seemed to be far more than four currently floating through the hall.

Draco shrugged, "I don't know."

As they continued eating Draco introduced Emily to Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis who were sitting next to Blaise. They had all grown up together often visiting each others' homes and having sat through what was described to Emily as many a boring dinner party together. The group settled into chats about starting their classes and what they looked forward to most. Emily kept glancing over at her brother but he was so enthralled by the people around him she gave up. When everyone was finished with their dinner the plates cleared and shortly after the tables were laden with new plates filled with decadent desserts. Emily's favorite was a chocolate Swiss roll while Draco and Blaise seemed to be trying a little of everything.

It wasn't long before Emily was beginning to feel a bit tired. While people were still being distracted by their desserts Emily chose to take another look at the High Table, unable herself to take even one more bite. Professor McGonagall was conversing with Professor Dumbledore and Professor Quirrell was talking to a teacher who had black hair as well as a presence about him that Emily felt commanded respect. The black haired teacher looked over at her as if sensing her gaze and met her eyes – a pain shot through her scar and her hand moved to touch her shoulder. The black haired teacher gave her a quizzical look and turned his head away from the young witch.

"Are you all right?" asked Draco.

"I'm fine," Emily answered attempting to roll her shoulder a bit. It was odd though the pain had started at her scar it had seemed to travel into her chest and her head started to throb a bit. "Just a touch of a headache, the magic hums in this place and I'm not quite used to it." She figured it was as good of an answer as any, since for all she knew that could have been her problem, perhaps though she just needed some sleep. "Um, do you happen to know who that teacher is next to Professor Quirrell?"

"Oh, that's my godfather. He is our potions professor and Head of House. He's one of the few people with enough skill to brew the Wolfsbane potion and is well versed in many types of magic. I think you'll like him."

The hall fell silent when they noticed Dumbledore rise to his feet as everyone finished their desserts. "We just need to go over a few things before we head to bed for the night. The Forbidden Forest that is on the grounds is just that, forbidden. We would all do well to remember that." Dumbledore's gaze moved to where Fred and George could be seen snickering at the Gryffindor table.

"If you do not wish to lose points this year it would be wise to note magic is not to be used in the corridors. Madam Hooch would like everyone who is interested in playing for their House Quidditch team to contact her or your team captain. The trails will be held in two weeks and again see Madam Hooch or your House board for exact times and dates."

"This year the third floor corridor is off limits to all. It would have very dangerous consequences should you venture there so I strongly urge you not to." Dumbledore then clapped his hands and smiled as he announced he wished to sing the school song to end their feast. Emily watched as the teachers seemed to be faking looks of joy at the prospect when the Headmaster's gaze fell on them.

With a wave of his wand golden letters appeared above them for all the tables to see. Dumbledore told everyone to pick a tune they enjoyed and sing along which made for an interesting next few minutes. Because so many used different tunes people finished singing at different times. The Weasley twins were the very last to finish having picked the funeral march as their tune, earning a number of glares as people wished for them to hurry up and finish. Dumbledore clapped loudly as the twins finally sang the last note and then excused the students for the night.

The Slytherin first years followed a fifth year named Marcus to the dungeons. He led them to a solid expanse of wall, the only indicator that this was the correct entrance to the dorms were two stone snakes carved into the wall close by. Emily could feel the magic radiating at the center of the wall. She figured that was where the entrance truly hid.

"The password is Salazar. Remember that, it will change every few weeks" Marcus informed them as he put his hand on the wall and repeated the password. He quickly entered the opening that formed in the stone and led the group into the common room.

The Slytherin common room was a long underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling from which a few chandeliers that had a green glow to them were hanging. A fire was roaring under an elaborately carved stone mantelpiece to the left of them, and several Slytherins were silhouetted around it in high-backed leather chairs and sofas. On the opposite end of the room were a few tables for studying with green glowing lamps perched on them.

"Welcome to the House of Snakes. This is the Slytherin common room where you will spend most of your time when not in classes," Marcus begun and then pointed to a door behind him. "This door leads to the dorms, there is a hallway through here that has seven wings breaking off of it for each year. Boys are in the left wings and girls are in the right. You'll find your names will be on the door that has been designated for you. You'll also find here at Hogwarts that people tend to dislike our House. Support your fellow Slytherins. If you have problems with someone settle it here in the den. We must be unified outside of these walls. If you need anything, seek out a prefect and we will help you. Professor Snape is always available to us at any hour should you need him. We do live in the dungeons, if your room needs the temperature altered any of the fifth years and up are more than willing to help you. Enjoy your evening."

Marcus nodded to the first years in parting as he went to join his friends by the fire. Emily and Draco decided to sit by the fire as well for a while and talk before going to bed.

"I'm stuffed," Emily announced as she sat down on one of the various couches.

"Me too, I might have been a little overzealous."

"You think? You ate a little of everything,"

"Yeah and it was worth it," Draco said patting his stomach. "So how are you doing? You seemed a bit down when your brother was sorted into Gryffindor."

"I don't know how I feel about it really, we've never been apart much... but I am glad we are in the same House!"

"Me too. Want to play some exploding snap?" Emily nodded and Draco pulled his cards from his pocket. The pair played until they both began to start yawning.

"Let's go find our rooms," Draco said tucking away the deck of cards. Emily agreed standing up and followed Draco to the door that led to the dormitories. Draco opened the door for Emily with a bow. "After you."

"Such a gentleman, thank you," Emily curtsied to Draco and they both laughed as they found the first year hall together. Emily turned right to go to the girls' rooms while Draco turned left to get to all the boys'.

"Night!" they called to each other. Emily quickly found the door with her name on it and paused a moment to stare at the silver plaque. Never before had she had a room that belong to merely herself, it was a slightly overwhelming feeling. Taking a deep breath, she moved the latch and pressed the door forward to enter.

Her room held a four poster ebony bed with a green embroidered damask comforter across it. She noticed her new trunk was already sat at the end of her bed with a fur blanket folded on top, likely provided for how cold the dungeons could get. One wall had a matching desk and bookshelf while another wall held a wardrobe, all were done in the same ebony wood as her bed. Deciding to unpack her things now rather than wait until tomorrow Emily moved towards her trunk and started sorting through her belongings. Once everything was put away she slipped on her pajamas and crawled into bed. This was a new feeling to her, she had never slept alone before. She wondered how Harry was doing and if he was having troubles sleeping alone. She sighed, after tossing and turning a few times, she realized there was no way she was going to fall asleep so she went to her bookshelf and picked out a book before climbing back into bed.

Up on the seventh floor in the Gryffindor dorms Harry was sound asleep, though he was having a very odd dream. Professor Quirrell's turban snaked along the floor and wound its way up to his head. It kept telling him that he should join his sister in Slytherin. Tugging on the cloth he kept repeating that he wanted to be in Gryffindor. His sister stood watching as the turban tightened around his head asking him why he wouldn't join her. Finally, Emily raised her wand and pointed it at the turban. There was a bright flash of light and Harry woke gasping for breath and trembling. When he calmed down he fell back to sleep, unable to recall any of his strange dream when he awoke in the morning.