Chapter 9: Hogwarts and The Sorting

Notes: Hello Lovelies and welcome to chapter 9 ^^ you are in for a real treat this time, it is a really long chapter a little shy of 3,500 words. Also thank you for all the views! I am in shock over 2,000 almost 3,000 views! I am sooo happy that you are liking the story! Thanks once again to my amazing Beta! I do hope you are starting to feel better! 3 On to the chapter!

"So Draco, what house are you looking to get in?" Harry asked, staring out the window into the inky blackness. They were still on the train, but had since changed into their robes as they approached the Hogwarts stop.

"Slytherin, of course, every Malfoy has always ended up in Slytherin." Draco said proudly, studying Harry, "What about you? Have you thought about what house you would like to go into?"

Of course Harry knew, thanks to Draco and Severus, about the basics of each house and what they represent. Hufflepuff valued hard work, dedication, patience, loyalty, and was seen as the nicest house out of them. Everyone seemed to get along with them, but they were always seen as scaredy cats and the common saying, "at least you're not a Hufflepuff" was created. Gryffindor valued a sense of courage, chivalry, and determination because of this, they were seen as hot headed. At the same time they always helped out anyone they could and with such dedication, never going against their word. Ravenclaw value intelligence, wit, wisdom, they always seemed to have to have a book in their hands at one point or another. They were seen as know-it-alls and where sometimes too bright for their own good. Then last, but not least, was the Slytherin house, it valued the traits of cunning, resourcefulness, and ambition, they would all ways help each other in the house to achieve whatever they wanted, but because of this, they were seen as a dark house not afraid to step on anyone that got in their way.

"Well I am not entirely sure, I don't think I am made out to be in Gryffindor, even though I have courage, I lack everything else, not enough voice to speak up against anyone. Hufflepuff is just not an option, there is no way I would ever be put in the house. Ravenclaw I can kind of see, I do value knowledge as much as them, but do not crave it to that extent. Then Slytherin I do have ambition, I do have wants and I strive to meet them, but I am not sure if I am cunning enough to be part of the house." Harry answered in honest, he had been thinking about the houses ever since he had learned about them, trying to place of where he would be, but never fully ever to see himself in any house.

Draco pondered what his friend told him, it seemed that Harry put a lot of thought into this. It could be possible that his friend would end up in Ravenclaw, but as Harry said he couldn't be put in Hufflepuff he has seen too much and gone through too much; at least the little parts of what he was told. Draco could also see his friend be put in Slytherin, but that was also a hope, he didn't want to be separated from his friend, already sharing an unseen bond between them, but the boy did have courage, which could not be ruled out along with the possibility of him going into Gryffindor.

"You do make a valid point Harry on your argument, I guess we can only wait," Draco said, eager to know what house his friend would be in.

The conversation was at a close when the door suddenly was thrown open and stepped in a girl with curly hair her robes on, and a boy behind her that was clearly upset about something.

"I am sorry to interrupt you guys, I was wondering if you have seen a toad, Neville has lost his." The girl said pointing to the boy, Neville.

"No we haven't, sorry," Harry replied, looking at the boy, he felt bad that the boy already have lost something before school even started.

The girl sighed and was about to turn around, but was half way out when her eyes widened. "I-I am sorry to be rude, but are you by chance Harry Potter?"

Neville's eyes widened in shock. "H-Harry P-Potter?"

Harry couldn't help the sigh that slipped past his lips, he was already tired at the attention that he was getting, and couldn't wait till it died down. "Yes, I am." He said curtly, "But please do not make a big deal out of it, I am Harry, just Harry."

Draco smirked, knowing that his friend was getting tired of all the attention, but he was wondering why Harry was getting tired of it. It if it was him he would enjoy every second of it, but then again he didn't grow up being a ghost, as Harry descried it.

The girl nodded her head, "Of course, but it is nice to meet you. I have read everything I can about you and defeating You-Know-Who. Ohh where are my manners? My name is Hermione Granger." The girl said smiling at Harry and Draco, "And this is Neville Longbottom, please if you do see a toad that doesn't seem to have an owner, give it to Neville or myself. Thank you." Before Harry or Draco could reply, Hermione and Neville turned and left their car.

"Well that girl is going to be put in Ravenclaw, that's for sure," Draco said and Harry nodded in agreement; their car descended back into quietness, but both boys felt comfortable with it.

The train came to stop on a platform and all the students filed out, the first years stopping every few steps staring in awe at everything, even at the most mundane things.

"Firs'- Years! Firs'- years over here!" Harry stared at the giant, he couldn't help but smile at him; even though he didn't talk to Hagrid that much when at Gringotts, he was a likeable person.

"Who is that," Draco mumbled to Harry, seeing that he already knew him.

"All I know is his name is Hagrid, I met him while I was at Gringotts."

"C'mon firs' years follow me!" Hagrid said, as he turned to a muddy narrow path. The first years tried to keep up with him, slipping and stumbling down the path, Harry and Draco clung to each other to make sure that neither of them fell into the mud. It led them to a deep inky black lake, the stars reflecting on the water, and every once in a while a ripple was heard; boats lined the shore, waiting for students to step in

"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts right over there." Hagrid said pointing out a huge castle sitting on top a mountain, as they grew closer to the shoreline.

"No more'n four to a boat." He bellowed as the first years clambered into a boat, keeping four in each. Draco and Harry got in one, along with Hermione and Neville. Hermione was talking the whole way about how excited she was, about the castle, and everything she read in Hogwarts: A History. Draco just looked at Harry and mouthed "Ravenclaw" as the girl just rambled on, Harry just snorted and shook his head.

They drew closer to the castle which was a hunting sight, even in the distance it was big, so the closer the got it appeared huge. The boats docked at the other shore line and there waiting was a single toad.

"Trevor!" Neville shouted, scrambling out of their boat and on to the shore line scooping up the toad in his hands smiling, "Thank merlin I found you Gran would have been so mad if I lost you." The boy said to his toad. Everyone stared at the boy holding the toad, Neville notice the stares and blushed crimson before retreating to the back of the group.

"Alright Firs' years follow me!" The giant said, leading them up to the castle, some first years gasping at the haunting sight. Straight to the entrance of the castle, its huge wooded oak door were a sight in themselves, holding centuries of secrets waiting to be revealed. They opened to reveal a tall black-haired witch with emerald eyes that almost matched Harry's own. Harry smiled at the familiar witch he meet a few weeks ago at Severus's house, and watching how the other first year withered underneath her scrutinizing gaze as she passed over each and every one of them.

"Thi' Firs' Years is Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said, introducing the witch to the first years.

Professor McGonagall turned her gaze to Hagrid, some first years releasing their breaths. "Thank you Hagrid I will take them from here."

The Giant took his cue and left the young small first years to take his seat in the Great hall, where the first years would arrive shortly.

She led the first years up many steps and in front of another set of double doors before stopping them. "First I want to welcome you all to Hogwarts. The start of the term banquet will being shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting is 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." McGonagall looked around at everyone before continuing. "The four house are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produce outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. 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 credit to whichever house becomes yours." Harry smiled at the older witch, impressed at everything she has said, he wondered just how many times she has given this speech of the years she has taught in Hogwarts.

"The Sorting Ceremony will be begin shortly, I suggest that you straighten yourselves up," She said glancing around at certain students, hoping that they would get the hint. She then turned and left them standing there in anticipation, waiting for the glorious moment they would learn their houses.

"Say Draco, how do they figure out what house you belong in?" That had been bugging Harry since figuring out that they would be sorted into house, just how did they do that? Would the professors look at you and decided what house you looked like you belong to or what?

Draco rolled his eyes, "I can't believe you know of the houses, but don't know how their sorted. According to mum and dad, as well as the book Hogwarts: A History that you should have read, there is a hat that will decided what house you go in." He explained to Harry, his friend blushing knowing that he really should read the book. Just when Harry was to retort to his friend's jab, shrieks from behind them caused them to turn around and look. About twenty ghosts suddenly started to stream in looking at the first years with great interest. They started to talk amongst themselves some talking to other students about the houses and hoping that they were in theirs. Harry smiled at the excitement that never seemed to dim in the wizarding world, when he was about to give up hope on everything this world came to him; it had introduced him to a new life and one that he looked with great excitement and eyes open wide at the sight of new adventures that await him.

McGonagall made an appearance once again, "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start. Please form a line and follow me."

Harry stood right behind Draco, excitement thrumming through his body, his eyes taking in as much as he could when the doors open to reveal the Great Hall. Harry could never imagine a place like this, it was such a grand place to be, that he almost never wanted to leave. The doors revealed a hall with four large tables filled with excited students looking at the first years with great interest, mumbles about what student belonged to what house. Harry looked up and saw candles floating on the ceiling as well as the night sky above, a gasp escaped is lips at the sight.

"It is bewitched to look like that, Harry, once again read Hogwarts: A History," Draco said, sensing the question upon his friend's lips when he heard the gasp behind him.

The first years all filed around the front of the head table where McGonagall placed a four legged stool down along with a rugged looking hat. Harry just stared at the hat, wondering how this was going to put them in the house they belong to. Just then the hat moved and a great rip near the brim of the hat appeared, and the hat began to sing:

Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,
Your 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
Set Gryffindors apart;

You might 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 folks use any means
To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!

The whole hall was quite till the end of the hats song, before applauding and cheering. It bowed to each of the tables as if it knew how great it was, before going still once again.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward when the hat stilled, holding a long rolled of parchment. "Now when I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted." She said before unrolling the large scroll and started to call names, "Abbott, Hannah!"

A girl made her way to the stool and sat down looking a little bit sick, and stiffened when the hat was placed on her head.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat shouted suddenly, and roars from the table was deafening. Many names where called, and many going to different houses.

Hermione surprised both Draco and Harry as she was placed in Gryffindor, along with Neville. They were happy for the two, and agreed silently that they would stay friends with them, along with the twins of course.

"Malfoy, Draco!" Harry smiled at his friend as he proudly made his way to the hat. It wasn't fully on his head before the hat shouted, "SLYTHERIN!" Malfoy smiled at Harry before taking a seat at his house table, shaking hands with a few of the older students as the welcomed him.

Name after name was called, various students to different house, finally, "Potter, Harry!" The great hall went silent at the name whisper broke out.

"Harry Potter?"

"The Harry Potter?"

"Where is he?"

Harry took a step forward to the stool, since he was the smallest, he was hardly seen till he took a seat. The hat was placed on his head and jerked to life. Harry was looking at everyone in hall, nervous at the gleaming eyes, a voice whispered in his head making him jump, this voice was nothing like Levi, and it was probing through his thoughts and memories.

"Hmmm," The voice whispered in his head, slipping deeper and deeper into his mind, "You're a difficult Mr. Potter, such an interesting mind you have. Yes, ahh you have plenty of courage, and a thirst to prove yourself, but also a thirst for knowledge I see, yes. Ahh what is this, a snake inside your mind very interesting; the question is where to put you." The hat whispered in his mind, thinking of the best house. "I believe this house will be the best for you pulling out all your potential you have hidden up here." The hat spoke one last time before the rip opened up and shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"

The hall was quiet staring in shock at the small boy who calls himself Harry Potter, some think that it was a joke and that he wasn't the real Harry Potter; others where in a state of shock and denial that the savior of the wizarding world was put in the dark house. The first house that was to recover was Slytherin, a few scowling at the sight of a half-blood in there house, others cheering. Harry just walked over and took a seat next to Draco, waiting for the sorting to be done.

Harry looked up at the head table and saw Severus giving him a small toast, and the Headmaster looking in shock, not believing in what he heard, it seemed. There was another teacher Harry did not know looking at him, sending shivers down his back at the darkness he seemed to have, when Harry made eye contact Harry's scar began to burn. He hid the pain the best he could, but of course a few wondering eyes noticed his grimace.

The rest of the sorting was done and the headmaster stood up, "Welcome! He started, "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" He said a twinkle in his eyes, "Thank you!"

Few people clapped other laughed, Harry wasn't sure to laugh or to be concerned for the headmaster. "Is he-a bit mad?" Harry mumbled to Draco, but a girl over heard them; she smiled down at the first years.

"He might seem mad, but he is a very intelligent man." The girl said, "Welcome Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy to the house of the snakes. I am your prefect Gemma Farley, and the other is Jake Flinton, please, if you have any problems come to us and we will try to help you as much as possible, but for now enjoy the feast," She smiled as both boys turned to the table, which had filled with food in the few moments they were distracted. Harry's eyes widened, never in his life has he ever seen so much food in one place; he dug in until he could eat no more. After dinner, the prefects lead them down to the dungeons where the Slytherin's dormitories are.

"First years, your chambers are over to there," Gemma said pointing to two doors, "Boys on the left, girls on the right. Please note that the password changes every fortnight and will appear on the notice board, please check that before you leave because you could be waiting for a long time before some lets you in. Please wait for the Head of House to come down and say a few words." Gemma said, sitting down on one of the leather sofas relaxing a little.

To Harry surprise Severus showed up, "Welcome to the house of Salazar Slytherin, I am professor Snape and I am your Head of House, as well as the potions teacher while you are here. I expect the up most behavior from my snakes, and do not expect any troubles, with that in mind I expect you to treat each other as family and to be willing to help each other out when needed. My door will be open if you should have any problems both inside and outside of school, but if you do not want to come to me please talk to your prefects. With that, I will let you settle in and expect to see you bright and early for breakfast in the morning."

With that, Snape turned and left the common room, his robe bellowing as he stalked away. The first years were a little terrified, with the exception of Draco and Harry already knowing what he was like. They all quickly made their way to the boy's dormitories. Their stuff was already set in front of their bed. Harry smiled when he saw Neit already curled up on his bed fast asleep. Harry quickly changed and joined her pulling her underneath the covers so he could cuddle her. Harry couldn't wait for the classes to start, and the expectations of making new friends high in his head as he drifted off to dream land.