Platform 9¾, King's Cross Station, London
Mom & Dad both seems to be arguing which house I'll get sorted into as dad was from Hufflepuff and mom a Ravenclaw but guys seriously can't you be little emotional your son is leaving for school.
We are waiting outside the platform for Harry as he's not aware about the trick and moreover I promised Ginny to introduce only if she will introduce herself properly (Ron & me have a bet she'll be tongue tied or too flustered). Even Lovegoods are here to say my goodbye and they are now my official godparents after many requests from Xeno & Pandora dad seems to have agreed. I even made sure that all behave as Harry been raised by muggles has little to no knowledge about wizards let alone voldbaldnut.
In a few minute the green eyed boy appeared alone pushing the trolley with Hedwig sitting on the top. After a quick introduction (and yes our little spitfire got flustered and fumbled her name) we went into the red train of dreams.
After helping the boys put their luggage by levitating we helped ourselves into an empty compartment. Has to push Ced to go with the twins promising I'll not do anything stupid but just sleep in the bogie.
Leaving Harry and Ron to idle chatter I don't know when I have drifted into deep sleep.
Again I was back on the smoky blue sky near the red sandal wood tree and the boy was still sleeping but it seems there are less roots he's tangled in.
I know what to do this time I just need to feed a bit of my MP to the sleeping lil birdie boy. Again the thread formed and it seems I am lot more in control of output. After a bit over half of my MP emptied the boy opened his eyes.
A sweet smile formed meeting my eyes and went back to bloody sleeping again. This lazy brat I swear.
My sleep got disturbed by sudden sound of some bossy girl opening my eyes I found myself and the seat nearby covered with sweets and toffees and saw a girl with frizzy, untamable dark hair, and slight protruding teeth(though it looks cute on her) having some spell competition with Ron(mind it I have been training him from childhood).
"See I told you'll wake him." Ron chided and Harry looking towards me apologetically. Oh yes I told them not disturb me now I remember.
"Hi my name is Cadmus Diggory" and seeing her worried I guessed it might be Ron's showing off. Knowing her character she might be bothered for not prepared enough. Boy I don't know how to handle it.
"Hello my name is Hermione Granger and I am helping this boy Neville who lost his toad. And sorry to disturb you I am new to magic I just got little excited by looking this boy performing spells here.'' She replied little apologetically.
"Who gets a toad, they're out of fashion." I don't know why Ron bother to input his thoughts when carrying an animagus rat (though I kept a constant watch on it.)
"Oh don't bother we need to change into robes anyway so about this toad what's it called." I smiled assuring.
"Trevor" Hermione replied not sure understanding why I'm asking Toad's name.
"Accio Trevor" removing my wand from hostler I pictured the toad in my mind and it swiftly flew from outside lobby somewhere to my hand.
I gently patted him after instructing to not wander off I'll treat him some flakes and handed over to astound Hermione.
Ron looked proud god know why and before Harry & Hermione could break down I explained no need to bother this is summoning charm taught in fourth year I might be the only person who could use this among first and second years and didn't bother to explain animal tongue thing as they might have thought it as something gibberish I am murmuring (Ok Now I get how Luna feels, I should apologize to her if she really have Animal Tongue).
After Hermione went out with the toad to find Neville we changed into our robes.
'Did you hear about Gringotts? It's been all over the Daily Prophet, but I don't suppose you get that with the Muggles – someone tried to rob a high-security vault.'
Harry stared. 'Really? What happened to them?' '
Nothing, that's why it's such big news. They haven't been caught. My dad says it must've been a powerful Dark wizard to get round Gringotts, but they don't think they took anything, that's what's odd.
'Course, everyone gets scared when something like this happens in case You-Know-Who's behind it.'
With this we got out of the cabin to meet with Ced and the Twins but they will be travelling by Thestrals and first years need to go by boats to get grand view of Hogwarts at night.
Hermione shared the boat with us making four as instructed by Hagrid and we ventured forward in dark lake towards the castle I'll call home for next 7 years. We went through a huge cave where Hagrid warned everyone to lower their heads but I guess except Hagrid no one required to. After reaching shore near castle I helped Hermione out of boat and all went by the steep steps towards a huge gate. Neville thanked me profusely for finding his toad as it's a gift from his great uncle or something.
''Hello Cad'' Malfoy came to meet me. "You're Harry Potter then? Hi I'm Draco Malfoy"
Ron sniggered, his eleven-year-old maturity level finding the huffy attitude hilarious. But Draco misinterpreted Ron's amusement. "Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the blood traitor Weaslys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."
"Wow, that's oddly specific." I added. "By any chance are you stalking any Weaslys Draco?
Draco defended. "No off course not why would I? Its just that some wizarding families are much better than others. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. "
"But you understand Ron is my neighbor and being grown together with him makes him almost my brother of sort. So you may understand if we want to be all friend then better be civilized as heirs of oldest families and create examples for muggleborns.
Draco agreed reluctantly. "But-'' before he could add anything the door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face but I know how much she loved her students and specifically her Lions.
'The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall,' said Hagrid.
'Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here.' She pulled the door wide.
The stone walls were lit with flaming torches, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors. We followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Buzzing of hundreds of voices could be heard from a doorway to the right – the rest of the school must already be here – but Professor McGonagall showed the first-years into a small empty chamber off the hall.
'Welcome to Hogwarts,' said Professor McGonagall.
'The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a 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.
'The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your 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 honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. 'The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting.' Her eyes lingered for a moment on my perfectly fitted cloak, which was fastened in order to look like British aristocrat, and further my striking pale face with red eyes matching the robe collar. 'I shall return when we are ready for you,' said Professor McGonagall. 'Please wait quietly.' She left the chamber.
Harry swallowed. 'How exactly do they sort us into houses?' he asked Ron. 'Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking.' Harry's heart gave a horrible jolt. A test? In front of the whole school? But he didn't know any magic yet – what on earth would he have to do? He hadn't expected something like this the moment they arrived. He looked at me anxiously and asked hopefully "You do know how they sort us, don't you?
"No off course not, how can I know it might be anything like writing an entrance or getting sorted by old patched up hat? It's kept well hidden from children of wizard families as well." I can understand his dilemmas but can't ruin good surprise now can I!?
"Seriously Hat but I wouldn't mind entrance exam but wait do I know the course?" Hermione started reciting very fast about all the spells she'd learnt and wondering which one she'd need.
"Entrance Exam" Harry kept his eyes fixed on the door. Any second now, Professor McGonagall would come back and lead him to his doom. Several people behind us screamed then. 'What the –?' He gasped. So did the people around us.
About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to each other and hardly glancing at the first-years. They seemed to be arguing. What looked like a fat little monk was saying, 'Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance –' 'My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost – I say, what are you all doing here?' A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first-years.
I answered smilingly. 'New students. About to be sorted.' A few ghosts nodded smilingly.
'Move along now,' said a sharp voice. 'The Sorting Ceremony's about to start.' Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall. 'Now, form a line,' Professor McGonagall told the first-years, 'and follow me.'
As we walked out of the chamber, back across the hall and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles which were floating in mid-air over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the Hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting.
Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front us. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat 'The Sorting Hat'. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty.
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 folk 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 burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.
'So we've just got to try on the hat!' Ron whispered looking daggers at me.
"I'll kill you Cad, I was wrecking hell thinking about the entrance test." Harry add smiling weakly.
"Yes, trying on the hat was a lot better than having to do a spell." but knowing Hermione's character she did wish they could have tried at least some written test.
Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment. 'When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted,' she said.
'Abbott, Hannah!' A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moment's pause – 'HUFFLEPUFF!' shouted the hat. The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. Harry saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her. 'Bones, Susan!' 'HUFFLEPUFF!' shouted the hat again, and Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hannah. 'Boot, Terry!' 'RAVENCLAW!' The table second from the left clapped this time; several Ravenclaws stood up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them. 'Brocklehurst, Mandy' went to Ravenclaw too, but 'Brown, Lavender' became the first new Gryffindor and the table on the far left exploded with cheers; Harry could see Ron's twin brothers catcalling. 'Bulstrode, Millicent' then became a Slytherin.
Sometimes the hat shouted out the house at once, but at others it took a little while to decide.
'Granger, Hermione!' Hermione almost ran to the stool and jammed the hat eagerly on her head. 'GRYFFINDOR!' shouted the hat. Ron groaned. Seriously no doubt she's brave and needed in golden trio but if in Ravenclaw she might as well done some great things. But I guess because of her obsession to get friends she was chosen as Gryffindor who knows.
The hat took a long time to decide with Neville. When it finally shouted 'GRYFFINDOR', Neville ran off still wearing it, and had to jog back amid gales of laughter to give it to Professor McGonagall.
Malfoy swaggered forward when his name was called and got his wish at once: the hat had barely touched his head when it screamed, 'SLYTHERIN!' Malfoy went to join his friends nodding at me looking pleased with himself. There weren't many people left now. 'Moon' … 'Nott' … 'Parkinson' … then the pair of Indian girls, 'Patil Twins' and at last star of the evening – 'Potter, Harry!'
As Harry stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall. 'Potter, did she say?' 'The Harry Potter?'
GRYFFINDOR!' Harry heard the hat shout the last word to the whole Hall. He took off the hat and walked shakily towards the Gryffindor table. He was so relieved to have been chosen and not put in Slytherin, he hardly noticed that he was getting the loudest cheer yet.
Percy got up and shook his hand vigorously, while the Weasley twins yelled, 'We got Potter! We got Potter!' Harry sat down opposite the ghost in the ruff he'd seen earlier.
Now there were only three people left to be sorted. 'Turpin, Lisa' became a Ravenclaw and then it was Ron's turn. He was pale green by now. Harry crossed his fingers under the table and a second later the hat had shouted, 'GRYFFINDOR!' Harry clapped loudly with the rest as Ron collapsed into the chair next to him. 'Well done, Ron, excellent,' said Percy pompously across Harry.
"Diggory, Cadmus!"
I finally (why I was last though) walked over to the hat and placed it on my head. Whole hall was silent with wizard kids knowing me being genius and with recent exaggerated news in prophet on kidnap of Luna mostly flattering me as the young hero who fought with the vigilante to save the young girl (mostly to cover their involvement) but now that I think its not good news me getting linked with my undercover vigilante cover.
The Sorting Hat is one of the cleverest enchanted objects most witches and wizards will ever meet. It literally contains the intelligence of the four founders, can speak (through a rip near its brim) and is skilled at Legilimency, which enables it to look into the wearer's head and divine his or her capabilities or mood. It can even respond to the thoughts of the wearer.
"Hmmm," the Hat said. "Difficult. Very Difficult."
"Seriously is this your signature dialogue or what. "
The Hat chuckled, actually chuckled. "Oh please, do you really believe that?"
"So finally after waiting all these years you returned back. I almost gave up thinking you'll be never reborn."
"Ok hold on a moment. Who do you think I am again?"
"Who else other than $# #$#? The champion of Hogwarts. You know I was thinking the heritage was going to pass into oblivion.
"Wait Wait Wait. I couldn't actually hear my name."
"Oh it might be because you have not inherited the curse yet. Don't worry Hogwarts is here to guide you as always."
"So how do I get in touch with Hogwarts?"
"Don't worry everything will happen alright now that you are here. So should I put you back in your favorite Slytherin. Or you'll go in another House?" the Hat asked hopefully.
"I would go to any house, I really would, but I'd like to be with the trio. They are too immature right now to fight with dark wizards. Furthermore whatever I know about is revolves around them."
"Fine," the Hat gave an amused nod. "I suppose the vigilante memories of yours shows how incredibly reckless you are, might as well put you with the some other people who would do things recklessly as you to save random beings "GRYFFINDOR!"
Predictably with my young brilliant wizard born in a century rumors running around, Gryffindor House gave the loudest cheer yet, the twins banging the tables while Ced ran over to Gryffindor table hugging me.
Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away.
I spotted Quirrell, looking very peculiar in a large purple turban. Dumbledore had got to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there. 'Welcome!' he said. '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! 'Thank you!' He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered.
'Is he – a bit mad?' Harry asked uncertainly.
"Nitwit:" Ravenclaws think of those not selected for membership in their select group as "nitwits" or dummies.
"Blubber:" Gryffindors, sees the "other" as less physically bold or courageous, for which condition "blubber" a handy signifier.
"Oddment:" Slytherins think any witch or wizard born with insufficient purity, an insufficiency that makes them an oddment of less, even no value.
"Tweek:" Hufflepuff is the Hogwarts House for magical folk who were not smart, bold, or pure enough for the three Houses described above and also suggests that glory is something of a stranger to Hufflepuffs.
I explained them nonchalantly. 'He's a genius! Best wizard in the world! But he is a bit mad, yes. Potatoes, Harry?' Harry's mouth fell open. The dishes in front of him were now piled with food. He had never seen so many things he liked to eat on one table: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, chips, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup and, for some strange reason, mint humbugs. Harry piled his plate with a bit of everything except the humbugs and began to eat. It was all delicious.
'That does look good,' said the ghost in the ruff sadly, watching Harry cut up his steak. 'Can't you –?' 'I haven't eaten for nearly five hundred years,' said the ghost. 'I don't need to, of course, but one does miss it. I don't think I've introduced myself? Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington at your service. Resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower.'
'I know who you are Sir Nicholas and how were you unfairly executed by muggles.' I added before Ron could stupidly hurt his ghostly sentiments.
Everyone turned to me. "And how would you, a first year, know a thing like that?" Sir Nicholas demanded. I
"Professor Dumbledore explained in his notes on "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot" that Muggle executions of wizards such as yours Sir Nicholas were rarely successful, given that wizards could magically protect themselves and escape." Clarifying the doubts of kids around I added Sir Nicholas had his wand taken away, however, thus was unable to leave his dungeon cell.
Looking stunned Sir Nicholas, coughed and said, 'So – new Gryffindors! I hope you're going to help us win the House Championship this year? Gryffindor have never gone so long without winning. Slytherin have got the cup six years in a row! The Bloody Baron's becoming almost unbearable – he's the Slytherin ghost.'
Over at the Slytherin table a very pale, pearly-white and slightly transparent ghost sitting. He had wide, staring, black eyes and a gaunt face. He dressed in robes covered in silver bloodstains, and carried chains in a final act of penitence for having murdered Helena Ravenclaw.
'How did he get covered in blood?' asked Seamus with great interest. 'I've never asked,' said Nearly Headless Nick delicately.
Well I can't blabber my knowledge about Helena here as in no book of this world it is mentioned.
When everyone had eaten as much as they could, the remains of the food faded from the plates, leaving them sparkling clean as before.
The talk turned to their families. 'I'm half and half,' said Seamus. 'My dad's a Muggle. Mam didn't tell him she was a witch 'til after they were married. Bit of a nasty shock for him.' The others laughed.
But I wondered how Snape suffered because Eileen Prince situation didn't fare well as Finnigans.
'What about you, Neville?' said Ron. 'Well, my gran brought me up and she's a witch,' said Neville, 'but the family thought I was all Muggle for ages. My great-uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off my guard and force some magic out of me – he pushed me off the end of Blackpool pier once, I nearly drowned – but nothing happened until I was eight. Great-uncle Algie came round for tea and he was hanging me out of an upstairs window by the ankles when my great-auntie Enid offered him a meringue and he accidentally let go. But I bounced – all the way down the garden and into the road. They were all really pleased. Gran was crying, she was so happy. And you should have seen their faces when I got in here – they thought I might not be magic enough to come, you see. Great-uncle Algie was so pleased he bought me my toad.'
Poor boy these old coots kept attempting to kill him in order to try and force to do some magic and in return they give a toad to celebrate when he can finally.
I do hope they start straight away, there's so much to learn, I'm particularly interested in Transfiguration, you know, turning something into something else, of course, it's supposed to be very difficult –' Hermione trying to get info about lessons from Percy.
You'll be starting small, just matches into needles and that sort of thing –'. He replied.
I was starting to feel sleepy, looked up at the High Table again. Hagrid was drinking deeply from his goblet. Professor McGonagall was talking to Professor Dumbledore. Professor Quirrell, in his absurd turban, was talking Snape with his signature greasy black hair, a hooked nose and sallow skin.
'Ouch!' Harry clapped a hand to his head.
'What is it?' asked Percy.
'N-nothing. Who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?' he asked Percy.
'Oh, you know Quirrell already, do you? No wonder he's looking so nervous, that's Professor Snape. He teaches Potions, but he doesn't want to – everyone knows he's after Quirrell's job. Knows an awful lot about the Dark Arts, Snape.'
Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The Hall fell silent. 'Ahem – just a few more words now we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. 'First-years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well.' Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins. 'I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. 'Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. 'And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death.'
A few laughed. 'He's not serious?' Harry muttered to me.
'Must be. But is not it like asking a kid to not touch a fire?' smilingly I replied.
Harry said nothing, but eyed me with an oddly speculative look on his face.
'And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!' cried Dumbledore. Harry noticed that the other teachers' smiles had become rather fixed. Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick as if he was trying to get a fly off the end and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself snake-like into words. 'Everyone pick their favourite tune,' said Dumbledore, 'and off we go!'
And the school bellowed:
'Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, Teach us something please, Whether we be old and bald Or young with scabby knees, Our heads could do with filling With some interesting stuff, For now they're bare and full of air, Dead flies and bits of fluff, So teach us things worth knowing, Bring back what we've forgot, Just do your best, we'll do the rest, And learn until our brains all rot.' Everybody finished the song at different times.
At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand, and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest. 'Ah, music,' he said, wiping his eyes. 'A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!'
We followed Percy through the chattering crowds, out of the Great Hall and up the marble staircase. All of us climbed more staircases, yawning and dragging their feet, wondering how much further they had to go when they came to a sudden halt. A bundle of walking sticks was floating in mid-air ahead of them and as Percy took a step towards them they started throwing themselves at him. 'Peeves,' Percy whispered informing us 'A poltergeist.' He raised his voice, 'Peeves – show yourself.'
A loud, rude sound, like the air being let out of a balloon, answered. 'Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron?' There was a pop and a little man with wicked dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, floating cross-legged in the air, clutching the walking sticks. 'Oooooooh!' he said, with an evil cackle. 'Ickle firsties! What fun!' He swooped suddenly towards us dropping the walking sticks but before it could reach near us I have managed to silently cast an invisible shield reflecting the sticks.
Before he could react the sticks are already penetrating his semi translucent body. Nobody could understand what happened but it made Peeves running away, rattling coats of armour as he passed. 'You want to watch out for Peeves,' said Percy, as we set off again.
'Here we are.' At the very end of the corridor hung a portrait of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress. 'Password?' she said. 'Caput Draconis,' said Percy, and the portrait swung forward to reveal a round hole in the wall. Percy directed the girls through one door to their dormitory and the boys through another. We found our beds at last: Six four-posters hung with deep-red velvet curtains. Our trunks had already been brought up. Too tired to talk much, we pulled on our pyjamas and fell into bed.
New places were always a bit difficult for me to adjust. Our roommates were as per canon all male Gryffindors of first year: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnegan, and Dean Thomas. Curtains are down but judging from the snores I'm sure I'm the only one awake.
I came down from the stairs to the Gryffindor common room, a cozy, round room full of squashy armchairs. In one such armchairs a young girl is sleeping with her bushy hairs scattered and few books on next day lesson lying around.
Without disturbing her sleep I put a blanket around and sat in the couch near to the fireplace reading some random books from the bookshelves in hall. Getting into bed caused a good bit anxiety, while on the couch distracted by reading I don't know when I drifted into sleep.