I said it'd be up by tonight, so here it is!
Thanks to gusf123 and Mi Fanfic Worlds for adding me this to favorites or story alerts. Also, thanks to Lollipops101 for reviewing.
Disclaimer: I don't own J.K. Rowling's work. Thanks...Goodnight!
(Oh. PS: I wrote the Sorting Hat's song too, so let me know what you think.)
Annabelle walked down the corridor of the packed locomotive and let out a soft breath. Who would want to sit with her? She didn't know anyone. Glancing in each compartment as she walked by, she saw a few friendly faces, but the compartment that finally caught her eye held three young witches. They looked to be about her age and she recognized the red-head to be Ginerva, so she opened the door and smiled, "Do you mind if I sit with you three?"
The bushy-haired brunette, who she remembered to be Miss Granger, grinned back up at her and gestured to the seat beside her. "Please do. I'm Hermione Granger. This is Luna Lovegood," Hermione pointed to an oddly dressed blonde. She seemed even stranger than most witches and wizards Annabelle had met so far. Now gesturing toward the red-head, "This is Ginny Weasley."
Annabelle sat down next to the brunette after putting her trunk above her seat and across from Ginny and smiled, glancing between each of the three witches. "I'm Annabelle Wyte. This is my, uh, first year going to Hogwarts."
Luna smiled and spoke in a bubbly, yet vacant voice. "It's my first year, too." Pausing, the blonde's dreamy eyes met Annabelle's forest green ones. "You seem confused. Perhaps your head is filled with Wrackspurts."
Hermione and Ginny both glanced toward the blonde, their eyebrows raised. Ginny was the one to finally voice the unspoken question. "Luna, what exactly are Wrackspurts?"
"Do you read The Quibbler? If not, then you wouldn't know that they're invisible and they float in through your ears and make your mind all fuzzy." Letting her sentence slowly drift to a whisper, Luna gazed out the window, letting her hair drape over her butterbeer cork necklace.
With the other three witches still getting over shock from Luna's odd statements, silence filled the compartment for a few minutes. Eventually, Ginny spoke up. "I'm a first year, too. I'm the last of seven kids to pass through Hogwarts. Mom says that I'll end up in Gryffindor, just like all my brothers, her and dad. Everyone in my family has always been a Gryffindor." The ginger's brown eyes sparkled with hope as she denied her fear of ending up in a different house. Surely, even she would end up in Gryffindor.
"Ginny, I'm sure you'll end up in Gryffindor with Harry, Ron, and I. You seem much braver than Ron, anyway. Plus, he can be so rude, and you're polite. Gryffindor may be the best house, but the other houses aren't that bad either. I mean, I was almost sorted into Ravenclaw, but apparently the sorting hat saw something that no one else did." The brunette drifted off into a thought for a moment before smiling. "I didn't even see what it saw."
Again, the compartment fell into silence and Annabelle stood up to pull her book out of her trunk. Noticing that the younger blonde was having trouble, Hermione smiled and summoned the book. "Accio Annabelle's book." The book soared past Annabelle's hand and landed with a soft 'thud' in Hermione's hand. Closing her trunk, Annabelle turned toward the brunette and smiled sheepishly. "Thanks. I would have eventually gotten the trunk down, but I appreciate the help."
Hermione handed her the book with a shrug. "It wasn't a problem. Plus, you'll learn how to do that soon enough, and if you have trouble, let me know." Turning back to her own book, the brunette left the first year alone to read.
Annabelle quickly became absorbed in her book and soon night had fallen upon them, which meant they were nearing the castle. Professor McGonagall had warned her of this signal and she quickly stood up to grab her robes. They were more easily accessible than her book had been, so she grabbed them the first try.
Glancing around the compartment, she found that Ginny and Luna were quietly conversing on their side of the compartment, while Hermione was still transfixed with her book. Clearing her throat quietly, Annabelle decided to speak. "I imagine we'll be arriving soon, so I'm going to go change into my robes." Opening the compartment door, she headed toward the bathrooms and slipped out of her muggle clothes. Pulling her uniform shirt on her arms, she quickly buttoned it up, but kept on her black slacks. She then clasped her robes over her shoulders and made her way back to the compartment.
All three other girls took turns heading to the bathroom to change into their robes. Hermione's was the only outfit that was different, as she had a Gryffindor tie and vest. Soon enough though, they were pulling into Hogsmeade station and everyone was leaving the train.
A large man with a scruffy beard called for the first years. "Firs' ye'rs foll'r me! This way firs' ye'rs!" Slowly, all the first year students found their way to the half giant and gathered around. "I'm Rubeus Hagrid, and I'll be ye'r escort up to ther castle. Foll'r me!" With this, he began walking straight toward a lake where a number of little boats waited for the students. They all began to board boats and both Ginny and Luna ended up in the same boat as Annabelle. The three were also accompanied by a boy named Colin Creevey, and another boy named Richard Orkinson. The five sat in awe as they crossed the lake toward a magnificent and stunning castle. Annabelle believed that the pictures simply didn't do it justice.
Finally, their journey ended and they walked toward the school. One in the entrance hall, they quickly made their way toward the Great Hall. Here, the sorting would take place, quickly followed by the start of term feast. They were met outside the great hall by none other than Professor McGonagall, herself.
Once all the students had arrived, the elder witch began her speech. "Welcome to Hogwarts. The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats, you will be sorted into your four houses. The Sorting ceremony is extremely important because your house will be like your family. You will eat at your house table, have classes with your house, and share a common area to study and relax. The four houses are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Each house has produced many great witches and wizards and has a noble history to speak for. Your triumphs will win your house points, while any rule breaking will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points wins The House Cup. This is a great honor, and I hope you will all contribute to whichever house chooses you." She paused and gave the children a small smile before continuing. "The sorting will begin momentarily. I recommend you prepare yourself, as the sorting takes place in front of the whole school. I will return for you when we're ready."
At this, the elder witch turned away and walked back into the great hall, leaving behind a mass of nervous, yet excited children. Annabelle's hands began to perspire and she wanted to rid herself of this nervous energy. She was terrified. What if none of the houses wanted her? Not even Hufflepuff!
Soon, Annabelle's thoughts were interrupted as the regal witch returned. Standing in front of the crowd of young minds, Minerva clapped her hands once. "We are ready for you. Follow me." Not giving them a chance to worry any longer, she quickly turned around and marched into the great hall with a string of eleven-year-olds behind her. She stopped at the edge of a raised platform and spun around. "Please file in through here." She gestured in front of her as she laid a hand lightly upon the back of the sorting ceremony stool. An old, battered hat already sat on top of the stool and seemed to awaken as she moved closer to it.
Minerva looked to her husband, who was now standing with his hands raised in front of him, demanding silence, she smiled. He did his job so well. Now, he opened his mouth to speak, "I have a few welcoming words to say before the sorting begins. They are: Nimwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" Now, the elder man sat down and gestured for his wife to continue, however the Sorting Hat then opened its mouth and began to sing.
The time of fear is coming
Without an easy out
But band together as a school
And not just as a house
Though it's my job to split you up
I hope you heed my word
The ones who came before you
Could have lived in great accord
Though Hufflepuff was loyal
And sweet and patient too
Her justice couldn't beat the void
That soon made itself true
Though Gryffindor gave all his will
And daring nerve in too
He just couldn't beat the abyss
His courage did not come through
As wise and clever and brainy
As sure old Raveclaw be
Her wit and teaching couldn't fix
The rift parting one from three
For Slytherin claimed only those
With purest bloodlines true.
And his glory meant the most
Not teaching young minds, like you
But now it's time to sort you out
And find just where you fit
Perhaps you'll be a Hufflepuff
Where justice beats out wit
Or you may be in Ravenclaw
Whose minds prevail as first
Or maybe chivalrous Gryffindor
Is where your heart does lurk
And some will be in Slytherin
Where cunning matters most
So place me on your little head
And listen to me close
I will choose where you belong
And my word counts as law
So let the sorting now begin
And I will sort you all.
The Sorting Hat finished its song and Minerva looked to her youngest students. "When I call your name, you will come sit on the bar stool and place the hat on your head. The hat will sort you into your four houses. Let us being with Thomas Bernard."
A tall, brunette boy walked toward the chair and sat down on the stool, giving his Slytherin, older sister a wink. He doubted that he'd be in Slytherin, but it helped to keep a cool front, or so she said. The Sorting Hat gave a few contemplative sounds before opening its mouth and shouting, "RAVENCLAW!"
The boy ran off to sit with his new house and McGonagall called up the next student, Collin Creevey, as soon as the applause died down. Creevey, a short haired brunette, made his way up to the stool and grabbed his camera before taking a picture of the hat. After performing this task, he sat down and Minerva set the hat on his head. The hat took very little time in determining that he'd be in, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Annabelle's fears began to consume her and she bit her lower lip hard enough to make it bleed. She stopped listening to the sorting, but looked up in time to see a petite brunette make her way up to the stool. Her name had been Astoria Greengrass, or that's what Annabelle thought she had heard. The hat took a few moments to contemplate before yelling out, "SLYTHERIN!"
The green and silver table erupted in cheers, but one voice could be heard above all the rest. "That's my Storia! Yea!" The girl bore striking resemblance to the younger girl and Annabelle gathered it was her sister.
Again, Annabelle let her mind drift off until she heard a name she recognized. Luna Lovegood made her way up to the sorting hat and sat down. No sooner had the hat touched her head than it shouted out, "RAVENCLAW!"
Again, the applause had to die down before Minerva could sort the next student, and when she did, she called Richard Orkinson who soon became a Hufflepuff. Annabelle was really beginning to hate her last name as the students in the front of the room dwindled down. Finally, there were two students left, both with last names beginning with a "W."
"Ginny Weasley." The red-head slowly made her way up to the hat and squeezed her eyes shut. The hat laughed cheerfully and spoke aloud. "Another Weasley! There's no place to go, but GRYFFINDOR!" The applause that erupted were monumental and Annabelle looked back to see multiple red-head standing up, applauding to their heart's content.
Now Minerva looked at her young charge and called out her name, watching closely as the blonde gingerly sat down on the stool and grimaced as the hat settled over her ears.
Annabelle copied Ginny's actions and squeezed her eyes shut as an eerie voice erupted in her head. "I can see all your thoughts. There's nothing you can hide from me, and I see your fears, but where to put you? Definitely not a Slytherin, though you're certainly cunning enough. Hufflepuff would love to have you, but perhaps one of the others is a better fit, even if you have the loyalty to make it. Your mind is perhaps the ripest I've seen this year and Ravenclaw would serve you well, but there's something else there too. You want to prove yourself. Your heart is brave and pure even though it's been tainted by darkness. This speaks of more courage than I've seen in years, young one. This means there's no house I can put you in, but, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Annabelle sat in stunned silence for a moment as cheers erupted and Minerva took the hat off of her head. Slowly, she walked to her new house table and smiled at Ginny. She was officially a Gryffindor, and couldn't stop beaming. She barely heard Albus as he reminded everyone that the Forbidden Forest was strictly off limits and didn't register anything until food begun to appear in front of her. Eating and talking along with Ginny, time flew quickly.
Annabelle hadn't looked up to the house table even once and Minerva was growing disappointed. She wanted to congratulate her student on being chosen for Gryffindor. Her hand clenched around her fork and she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself when she felt a hand gently cover her own. As she looked up, Minerva met the twinkling blue eyes of her husband and smiled.
"She's alright, dear. You'll have time to talk to her later. She has your class, after all." With this reassuring gesture and the night fading fast, Albus stood up and sent his students off to their dorms.
Annabelle shot up out of her seat and caught sight of a red-headed boy, presumably a Weasley, calling for the first year's attention. He wore a badge with a "P" on it and claimed to be important. He was since he'd be leading the first years up to their dorms, but he still seemed slightly annoying.
The first years followed him up to their common room on the seventh floor and listened closely as he spoke the password, "Thestral wings." After entering the common room, he directed the boys to their dorms and gave instructions on how to get to the girls' dorm.
There were only four girls in their year that had been sorted into Gryffindor and when they arrived in their room, they found there were only four beds. Hermione had told them there would probably be five. From left to right, the girls were Matilda, Bethany, Ginny, and then Annabelle. Their trunks sat at the end of their beds, and Annabelle's belongings were all enlarged again. Sylvanna was already curled up in bed asleep, so Annabelle quickly pulled the drapes around her bed and changed out of her robes and into her pajamas. Returning a 'goodnight' to Ginny, Annabelle closed her eyes and fell asleep to Sylvanna's purring.
