Parts of this are word for word from the first book which I own a copy of but nothing more in case you thought I did.
But- no- in the end he should probably stick with his friends. After all every house would get the same education. The hat seems to nod.
"Well, if you're sure- better be GRYFFINDOR!" It shouts the last word for the rest of the hall to hear. Instantly the entire Gryffindor table lets out a roar. A ginger (Harry presumes that he's related to Ron) shakes his hand when he arrives at the table, pumping it up and down vigorously. The twins' cheer can be heard even over the din of the rest of their house.
Harry is seated opposite one of the ghosts from earlier- this one has a ruff. The ghost reaches for him and Harry quickly drags the naked man through it. The man flinches but does not wake up- from which Harry determines he's glad it wasn't him being touched by a ghost. The ghost looks around disturbed and perplexed. Its eyes meet Harry's and it retreats, pulling its hand back to its side.
Harry looks towards the long table at the front of the hall. His eyes are instantly drawn to the bearded man sitting at the center of the table on a large, gold chair. He thinks it's Dumbledore- at least he looks like the man on the back of his frog card. The man meets his gaze, curiosity twinkling in his eyes behind his half-moon glasses.
Briefly the Headmaster's eyes flicker to a point above Harry's head- the point Harry knows the naked man is floating in. He raises his eyebrows in silent question.
Harry turns away, knowing that the man will probably ask to meet with him and he can explain then better than through eyebrows in a room full of people.
He also recognises the turban man from their brief handshake. Ron is sorted into Gryffindor, much to his brother's approval, and Harry claps loudly for his friend as he slides into the seat next to him, grinning.
The last person is sorted and Professor McGonagall rolls up the scroll, taking the Sorting Hat away with it.
Dumbledore stands and beams at the students. He raises his arms, gesturing to the whole hall.
"Welcome! 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 sits down again to everyone's claps and cheers.
Harry laughs, Ron grinning beside him.
Food of every kind imaginable appears on platters going down the length of the table. Ron digs in like he hasn't eaten for years.
Harry stacks his plate with meat and vegetables (mom would not be impressed if she found out he hadn't been eating properly). The ghost attempts to speak to him again so Harry drags the naked man through it again.
Wisely it elects to talk to other, more willing, participants.
Harry glances over at the Slytherin table, his eyes instantly being caught by the ghost sitting there, staring forwards gaunt faced in robes covered with silver blood. Malfoy sits beside it, looking more than a little queasy.
When everyone has eaten their fill the dishes return to their original state. On the platters appear the puddings. Instantly Harry grabs himself a pie (Dean would be proud).
While they eat the talk turns to families.
"I'm half and half," Says a boy Harry thinks was called Sean. "Me 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 laugh and Ron asks Neville about his family.
"Well, my gran brought me up and she's a witch 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." Harry can't believe it.
"What?" Everyone else has already moved on.
"Huh?" The boy looks up.
"Your family treated you like that?" Neville seems confused at the question and nods.
"Well- yeah."
"They let you almost be killed multiple times just to see if you had magic?" The boy blushes, spooning a piece of cake into his mouth.
"Yeah- guess it took a while to kick in." Harry shakes his head.
"Your family can't treat you like that. They aren't your real family." Neville stares at Harry, confused.
"What do you mean? My gran is my-" Harry cuts him off, eyes blazing.
"A wise man once told me that family doesn't start with blood- and it doesn't end with it neither. Your family should never put your life in danger just to see if you had magic. You could have died." The boy sighs,
"Harry- things are different in the Wizarding world. Besides I'm not dead."
"It doesn't mean it's alright!" Neville merely sighs, ignoring the argument he knows he can't win. By this time Harry doesn't feel like eating any more pie.
Harry looks away angrily as people keep talking around him, somehow not seeing the cruelty of dangling children from windows. His gaze travels across the hall, stopping at the main table.
Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore are talking and the turban teacher seems to be trying to make conversation with a teacher with greasy black hair, a hooked nose and sallow skin.
The hook-nosed teacher looks straight into Harry's eyes. Harry smiles slightly and the man scowls, turning away. He doesn't look at Harry again.
The deserts disappear at last and Professor Dumbledore stands again. The hall falls 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." He seems to look at Ron's brothers as he says this, "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." Harry hears someone laugh.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" The Headmaster proclaims. The other teachers force themselves to smile.
Dumbledore flicks his wand and a long golden ribbon flows from it, rising above everyone and spelling out the words of the song.
"Everyone pick their favourite tune and off we go!"
And the school begins to sing.
Badly.
The last to finish are the Weasley twins, singing to an excessively slow funeral march. The Headmaster personally conducts their finishing lines, clapping loudly when they finally finish.
"Ah, music! A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!" Harry is about to follow the rest of the first-years when a hand closes over his shoulder.
"The Headmaster wishes to speak to you." Professor McGonagall smiles tight-lipped and directs him over to Dumbledore, "I will give you an introduction to Gryffindor when you return and I will then expect you to answer some of my own questions Mr. Potter." Harry nods dutifully.