The Sorting Ceremony

To everyone's displeasure, it did rain for a good five minutes before they reached the safety of the castle. It was much too cold a night, to be caught in the rain. Their very breaths came out as steamy little puffs.

Albus shivered looking back to his friends, "It's cold out here,"

"Why did we have to take the boats?" asked Nona shutting her eyes and puffing into her hands for warmth. Lori nodded in agreement.

The Four were absorbed in keeping themselves warm. They no longer excitedly stared off into the sea, looked at other students, chatted, nothing but keeping their eyes on that dock in view. That was their salvation.

"Hear me RAIN! I demand you stop, or perish under the power of Dorian!" hollered a bonehead from a few boats over.

The four turned to stare at the boy in irritation; however it quickly changed into awe. He was standing up on his boat, arms in the sky, and rocking his boat as he stomped. The boy then lifted his head up to the sky and roared, like a beast.

"Sit down," his boat mates grabbed him down laughing at his antics.

Lori found herself laughing as well. She turned to Severus, he was shocked speechless. "What a crazy!" he finally stated.

"I thought it was pretty funny," smiled Nona.

Severus scoffed, as the girls in front of him laughed. And by the time they were done, the boats had stopped at the dock. Hagrid rushed them out of their boats and inside to the main hall, where he had them all wait. The awe quickly wore off as they all began talking amongst each other in excited whispers. Lori was standing with her own self-made group when she heard a familiar snotty voice.

"Radcliff?" it snapped disgustedly.

"Daniel Radcliff," corrected the boy with thin golden blonde hair and ice blue eyes. He was lanky and sick looking. The boy was handsome yet he had a haunted look. Tired and worn he frowned at his attacker.

"I know you father! Is he still in the hospital?" laughed the cruel voice.

"Shut up!" snapped the boy sharply.

"Must be embarrassing!" laughed the kid loudly, "To be a part of that family!"

Daniel looked mixed in between hurt, rage, and shame. He was about to retort, but instead closed his mouth, not wanting to start anything, not when he felt he was there by pure luck.

"Tell me, how it happened again! He was in the forest and was attacked by a muggle! From there he became a wacko!" sniggered the platinum blonde boy.

It seemed the boy had caught everyone's attention. Yet no one moved to interfere.

"You going to go crazy too Radcliff?" asked the boy bitterly?

"Shut up!" yelled Lori pushing herself through the crowd and next to Daniel.

"Oh, not you again! I thought you were too poor to come?" snapped the boy.

Lori glared at him angrily then said, "Why don't you mind your business?"

"My dad works at the ministry, everyone's business is mine! Where's your dad work?" snarled the boy.

"huh, and I thought you knew everyone's business…" replied Lori coarsely.

The boy looked taken aback then hissed, "Who are you anyway?"

Lori pushed her hair back then answered, "None of your business!"

The blonde boy gave her one last glare then stormed off. Lori sighed angrily then turned to the boy she defended.

"Hello! I'm sorry about that! He's really a rat isn't he?" huffed Lori.

"Yeah, I just didn't want to waste a breath on him!" shuffled Daniel shyly.

"I guess you're right, but I reckon that wouldn't have stopped his filthy mouth!" chortled Lori.

"Well Thanks for standing up for me…" said Daniel waiting for her name.

"Lori, Lori Brooks! It was nothing," insisted Lori. Daniel nodded with a new gleam in his eye. She could tell he appreciated it.

"You want to meet my friends?" asked Lori.

Daniel hesitated then looked around him, he was alone. This girl was the only one that fought for him. He softly gazed over her. Her eyes were big and kind, yet he saw them just momentarily light up like an inferno. 'Sweet and Saucy' he decided.

"Sure!" he agreed with a smile.

Lori gave him a reassuring nod then, snatched his hand into hers and pulled him through the students to where Severus, Nona, and Albus stood chatting.

"Lori, you really should beware of that boy," said Nona as Lori approached, "He's Scorpio Malfoy,"

"I don't care who he is, he's a creep and that's all!" stomped Lori turning to see Daniel observing her friends. She blushed at her forgetfulness and introduced him "So this is Daniel Radcliff! And, he's really nice!"

Daniel blushed rosy red as his eyes drifted from the group and to the floor.

"I'm Albus," he sighed waving his hand a few times then dropping it to his side.

"Potter… Wow, your related to Harry Potter?" asked Daniel.

"Yeah," said Albus blushing kicking his feet out a little bit.

"That must be cool!" grinned Daniel. "I agree!" suggested Nona with a warm smile.

"It's normal though! It's not like he's a god or anything…" stammered Albus.

Lori glanced to Severus then said, "This is Severus Prince."

Severus looked over to her then the new boy. He gave a nod of acknowledgement then his eyes were back on Lori.

"I'm Nona Scamander, yes I'm related to Artemis Scamander," Informed Nona sweetly.

"Fascinating!" smirked Daniel.

"Why thank you," giggled Nona.

Lori looked proud of herself for finding yet another friend.

"So, are you a wizard?" asked Lori finally.

"Somewhat. I guess, I'll be one while I'm learning here!" stiffened Daniel.

"Well, I'm muggle born so this is all new to me," laughed Lori. Severus went straight. How was she going to not be made fun of if she went around saying that ALL the time?

"Lori, can I talk to you?" interrupted Severus pushing her out of the crowd to the back.

"What's the matter?" asked Lori worriedly.

"Nothing, it's just you shouldn't say that in front of people," explained Severus trying to not offend her.

"Say what?" asked Lori frowning.

"That your muggle born…" there was silence, "It's just some wizards might act differently towards you. Some may just be downright mean! I don't want to see you upset because of what they may say."

Lori looked down the few stairs they had walked up earlier then whispered, "Why? Why would they care?"

"Scorpio would. He'd use it against you!" frowned Severus.

"I don't care what he thinks or says! Neither should you! He's just a spoiled brat," barked Lori turning on her foot.

Severus grabbed her arm gently then said, "No listen… I don't care… but He'll make you miserable."

"He will have no effect over me! I don't care what he says!" scoffed Lori.

Severus let out a sigh then said, "Alright then… Don't say I didn't warn you!"

Lori and Severus then walked back to their little group. Lori was confident that Scorpio was just a small part of her schooling here. He wouldn't matter to her or her friends. However Severus had a different opinion, and couldn't help but worry for the girl next to him.

Little time had passed, before Professor Granger walked out to them from the long hall way. Although she looked strict in her march to the group, she gave a very softhearted smile and her eyes lit up at the group.

"First years, I would like to tell you what will happen in just a few minutes. You will enter the Great Hall and will walk to the very end where you will be sorted into your houses. There are four; Gryfindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slythrin. The house you will be sorted in, will be like family. Together you will earn points for good behavior, and LOOSE points for bad. In the end the house with the most will win House Cup. After being sorted we will have dinner, then precepts of each house will show you to the dormitories where you will live, breath, and sleep. Please, follow me!" reported Professor Granger.

With that the two big doors opened and in they went. Every first year's eyes lifted directly to the ceiling which looked just like the night sky. It appeared as if there were no ceiling, yet the rain rolled right off, leaving the hall dry and warm. Mouths dropped, and eyes widened as they took in the beauty of the Great Hall. Candles floated in the air lighting the hall up. Four long tables that stretched from one end to the other were seated to the older students, except the ends where the first years would go. Dangling from each table were banners of maroon, blue, yellow, and green. At the front of the room was where all of the teachers sat patiently waiting for the first years.

Lori looked around with wonder in her eyes. She turned and gleamed at Severus. "Wow it's even better than I thought!" she whispered evidently amazed.

"I told you, you'd love it!" sighed Severus.

"I know, and you were right!" tugged Lori.

"We'd better be in the same house!" said Lori going pale.

"I hope so," Said Severus ghostly.

They came to an abrupt stop in front of a stool where a black hat sat singing merrily. Professor Granger stood next to it with a list of names.

Lori glanced nervously at Severus then whispered, "My last name starts with a B, I'll be going first!"

"You'll be fine," encouraged Severus.

"I hope!" smiled Lori her throat going dry as Professor Granger unrolled the parchment and spoke the first name.

"Sonya Bates!" called Professor Granger.

Lori let out a sigh of relief. At least she wasn't first. She didn't care now when she would be called, as long as it wasn't first. As a few people were called, she knew she was coming close.

"Lori Brooks!" called Professor Granger, with a smile.

Lori bit her lip nervously, as her legs fumbled like a wreck. Severus gave her a little push on the small of her back. Lori was scooted forward and out of the crowd. She walked to the stool and gulped as the tattered hat was placed on her head.

She looked out at the first years not even looking at the older kids. Then she saw Scorpio with a sly twisted face. Then he began whispering to his two sluggish friends.

'Now what do we have here, my dear' spoke a little voice in her ear. 'You're smart, very smart. You have quite a few flaws, maybe Ravenclaw. You're very brave, I can tell by your very smell. You are a nice person, maybe too nice. Hmm. This is tricky, for I'm very picky' whispered the voice tingling.

Lori gulped wishing he's get it over with.

'Have a temper do we? Yes, you are very versatile. You'd do well in all houses, but where? Where?' questioned the hat.

'Anywhere?' thought Lori gripping the sides.

'Well if you don't care, and won't be a square. Maybe it best if you take a rest. Conquer your flaws, in Ravenclaw!' shouted the hat.

Lori took the hat off quickly and looked to the four tables.

A table with blue flags and raven mascots clapped and stood with applause. Lori smiled indignantly and headed for the table happy to be there. She sat herself next to a boy with a sharp angular face and black hair. Then she turned back to the hat to see who was next.

After a long line of people Lori's friends came to the hat.

"Nona Scamander!" called Ms. Granger, her eyes widening from remembering the authors of her favorite creatures book.

The hat sat on her friend's head for a while. Lori crossed her fingers hoping for her friend to be in Ravenclaw. "Ravenclaw!" announced the hat.

Nona smiled and ran to the table and planted herself next to Lori.

"Albus Potter!" smiled Ms. Granger.

A few boys from Grifindor cheered at his name. Lori looked over sure enough it was his brother and his friends. The hat sat on his head just like it had Lori's. Eventually the hat perked up and announced, "Ravenclaw!" Everyone cheered and gleamed at their new family member. Albus slid himself on the other side of Lori.

"Severus Prince!" called Ms. Granger solemnly.

Severus made his way to the hat and sat down flinching as the hat spoke to him. Lori bit her lip in earnest, her fingers tightened in a not. He had to be in her house. "Slythrin!"

"No!" cried Lori as the Slythrin table applauded.

"What's the matter?" asked Nona.

"We were hoping to be in the same house!" pleaded Lori watching as Severus gave her a sad look and then sat next to some boys.

"You and him good friends?" asked Albus.

"Yeah, since kids!" replied Lori sorely.

"You'll get to spend time with him still, he just won't be in our living quarters or in every class!" sighed Nona.

"I know," said Lori looking one last time at the Slythrin table.

In the end, Ravenclaw had nineteen new additions to the table. Albus, Lori, and Nona were the only three that knew each other prior. But there were others. No one was truly name acquainted yet either. All of them glanced at each other quickly, and then the awkwardness broke as the hall went silent and the Headmistress stood from her spot at the table.

"Welcome to Hogwarts First Years, and Welcome back students! It's always exciting to see the new students starting their journey, and my older students growing into accomplished wizards and witches. I hope this year is above all unforgettable. But for now, I think we are all very hungry, and so let's eat!" toasted Headmistress McGonagall. With that end note, the tables became cluttered with steaming and delicious food.

Lori's eyes bulged at the roast before her. "Is this real?" she asked overjoyed.

The boy next to her already had his plate full, and food in his mouth. Chomping heavily he mumbled, "Ow, yea it's real! It's real good!" Lori laughed at his statement as she began gathering the different dishes on her plate.

"Is it now?" asked Nona rolling her eyes at the hungry boy.

"Ow yea!" he chomped again, noticing them eyeing him, he wiped his hand on his robes and put it out, "Names Dorian Graybore, I'm a real beast at wizarding, ya know?"

Lori continued laughing, the boy was hilarious. He had longer dark brown hair, and the bluest pair of eyes she had ever seen. He had the same physique as Albus, except he was just a bit sharper and bonier. He had this reckless way about him, like he would strip down to undergarments and run around the hall any second. Even though, he seemed friendly enough and so the three chatted with him all dinner. He entertained them all evening with tales of how he would become a genie. It seemed like after dinner, the four had knew each other forever. And when they were dismissed they left together.

Authors Note:

Hey reader,

It's been a while I know. But I'm updating! So here's the next chapter, and hopefully I will have another one out tonight! Open for comments and/or suggestions! I Love you all! Peace.

Mischief Managed,

Darla Lady London