Chapter 9: Welcome To Hogwarts

"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor Solem." said the tall figure at the door briskly. "You will now proceed to the Sorting." She looked incredibly fierce and strict. One first year timidly raised her hand. "Yes?" asked Professor Solem.

"How do we get Sorted?" asked the girl softly.

"You'll find out soon enough." said Professor Solem. "Now come inside."

The huge wooden door opened into a long hallway. Professor Solem walked through the door at the end, and gestured that they should wait until she came to fetch them.

Wendi determinedly ignored Rose, Albus, and the twins. Instead, she stuck with Cara and Martin. While they were waiting, she chatted casually with Cara about music. Wendi had never really enjoyed music, but to Cara, it was obviously paramount. After what felt like hours, but was probably only a few minutes, the door at the end of the hallway opened.

The first-years awkwardly stumbled into the Great Hall. Wendi spotted four long tables, filled with students. Everyone's eyes were on them. Wendi tried hard to not do anything embarrassing, but often when you try to avoid embarrassment, it sneaks up on you. While Wendi was walking in the straggling line of first-years preparing to be Sorted, she tripped over the hem of her robes. She landed on the floor, blushing, and laughter echoed around the room. Wendi kept her eyes on her feet, not looking up until everyone went quiet. She looked at a ragged hat on a three-legged stool that was placed in front of them. Suddenly, it began to sing. Too many strange things were happening to Wendi for this to be too upsetting.

Are you ready to be Sorted

To where you ought to be?

It's very simple, really,

And it's all because of me.

I'll take a look inside your head

And see where you belong

Depends upon your attitude,

And where you are most strong.

Four people stood on this same spot

And thought about a school

They could create for students

Using learning as the tool.

Said Slytherin, "I'll take purebloods,

The cunning and the sly

The ones who know what it will take

To get you safely by."

Said Gryffindor, "Wherever brave

Doth dwell in student's heart,

In my House they surely

Will be an important part."

Said Ravenclaw, "I'll take the wise

The smart, hardworking brains

I'll make sure to root out wit

Wherever it remains.

And Hufflepuff the sweet and kind

Said she'd take the rest

And that she'd teach them in

Whatever they'd request.

The Great Hall erupted into applause. Wendi clapped along with everyone else, relieved. All they had to do was try on a hat? Easy.

"Anderson, Peter!" called Professor Solem, reading from a piece of yellowed parchment. A short blonde boy swaggered to the stool, obviously unafraid.

"RAVENCLAW!" called the Hat. One of the tables clapped as he joined them.

"Adams, Kendra!"

A short brown haired girl tripped over to the seat, practically in tears. Wendi was relieved she wasn't the only scared one.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" said the Hat.

Wendi noticed that for some people it took longer than others. One particularly tall boy sat down on the stool, and the Hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" as soon as it touched his head. However, it took nearly five minutes for the Hat to decide where to put Carter, Jessica, before it finally decided on Hufflepuff. When the Hat got to Collins, Cara, Wendi was getting impatient. She smiled at Cara, hoping her friend would get into the House she wanted. Sure enough, after a few moments' consideration,

"SLYTHERIN!"

Cara beamed at Wendi, gave her a thumbs up, and went to join the clapping table.

Wendi watched the different Houses' reactions to a new student. The Hufflepuffs stood up and welcomed the first-year to their Table with open arms. The Gryffindors clapped loudly, and patted the student on the back. The Ravenclaws stayed seated, and as soon as the student sat down, bent forward and began whispering to them. The Slytherins clapped, and a few gave halfhearted waves. Wendi noticed Cara talking happily with a Slytherin girl who was about fourteen or fifteen.

"Dursley, Wendi!"

Wendi took a deep breath, walked out in front of the crowd of people, and jammed the Sorting Hat on her head.

"Hmm." said a voice inside Wendi's head that made her jump. "Interesting. You definitely have potential for Gryffindor. But you'd do well in Slytherin, too."

"Please-" thought Wendi, "Not Gryffindor."

"Ah, and why not?" asked the Hat, "Because of other people? Well, if you're going to let them affect your life, better be...SLYTHERIN!"