Chapter 6: The Sorting Hat

Joshua continued looking out the window at the dark landscape still passing by the train. He didn't want to talk to anyone as he was still reeling from Caius' horrendous attitude towards Claudia and muggleborns in general. He'd, along with the others in the car, had changed into his Hogwarts robes. He, the Derells' and Claudia wore robes of black as they were still to be sorted into their Hogwarts houses. Melissa and Tiff wore their Ravenclaw robes and answered questions about the different houses that Joshua's friends posed.

"What do you have to do to be sorted into Gryffindor?" "You don't do anything," Melissa responded to Rowan's question, "but if you want to know the Gryffindor values, they are; bravery, chivalry and courage." "Those are basically all the same thing," Willow stated, "chivalry is just the courage to be brave." Melissa looked at Tiff and said, "Ravenclaw" "For sure," responded Tiff. Willow blushed.

"What are the houses?" Claudia kept rubbing her hands together and bouncing her leg. "Well", Melissa started, "There's four in total. Gryffindor, for the brave, Hufflepuff, for the kind, Ravenclaw for the intelligent-" "And the best" Tiff interjected, "And Slytherin, for the ambitious." "Or what they are more commonly known as, the pure blood fanatics. There are good people in Slytherin but they're few and far between."

"So, I'm guessing I should hope for any house but Slytherin?" Melissa thought for a moment, "This reminds me of a certain conversation I had not too long ago." She glanced at Joshua, who was still staring out the window, "You shouldn't be worried if you're put in Slytherin. If anything, Slytherin would be lucky to have you, and you'd be starting an era by being the first muggleborn in Slytherin ever!" "You'd be remembered for all eternity." Claudia thought for a moment. "Nah, I think Gryffindor is more me." Everyone laughed at Claudia's words when finally, they heard, "Pulling into Hogsmeade station! Prepare to disembark!"

The four young witches and wizards shared a boat that was making its way across the Black Lake. The large castle looming over them with its windows, illuminated by bright light, reflecting in the smooth, glass like surface of the water. Already Joshua was excited about the sorting ceremony. When they had gotten off the train Melissa and Tiff had broken away from the four of them to join the other students from second year and up to take the carriages to the castle. Joshua, Willow, Rowan and Claudia, along with the rest of the first years, were quickly gathered up by a very large man who had told them his name was Rubeus Hagrid, the groundskeeper of Hogwarts. He'd guided them from the train to the edge of the lake where the boats were waiting for them. Joshua and his friends loaded themselves into a boat and they were on their way.

The boats full of first years glided across the glassy surface of the lake silently. Looking up at the castle left the first years in awe of the magnificent marvel that was the school. Joshua's attention was drawn away from the castle when he suddenly felt a chill run up and down his spine. Joshua looked around, surrounded by nothing but water and his fellow first years in their own boats, he took a look over the edge of the boat and saw his reflection in the black water. He felt as though behind his reflection that something or rather, someone was staring back at him, his gaze was broken when his reflection became distorted by what must have been a fish or other aquatic creature of some kind swimming beneath the lakes surface. Joshua shook off his nerves and prepared himself for the upcoming task, his first at Hogwarts which would possibly determine his failure or success. The Sorting Ceremony.

After the boats had landed and stored in the Boathouse, Joshua and his year group made their ways up the long flight of stairs to the Great Hall courtyard. As they approached, the doors groaned open and before them stood a large, balding man whose moustache made his appearance akin to a walrus, his silk robes had a strong gleam of green which made him shine under the torchlight. The first years stopped in front of the old wizard and waited for him to speak. In a deep and wheezing tone he said, "Welcome to Hogwarts first years, I am Professor Horace Slughorn the Deputy Headmaster of this institution. Now, in a moment we will be entering the Great Hall where you will be sorted into your Hogwarts houses. While you are here you and your house may achieve great heights and victory during the seven short years that you will study here, or you will crash and suffer defeat in the most embarrassing ways, so therefore, you rise and fall together with your house, your brothers and sisters, your family. The four houses are Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff." The first years shifted at Professor Slughorn's words, rising and falling with your house seemed rather intense. "Prepare yourselves for your sorting ladies and gentlemen. Follow me."

Slughorn led the frightened first years as they set foot in the Great Hall for the very first time. Joshua and his friends were amazed by the entire scene before them. The ceiling stretched far above them and appeared to blend with the night sky. The floating candles that circled above their heads seemed to provide all the light in the hall. "Why isn't there a ceiling?" Joshua turned to Claudia to ease her anxiety, "Don't worry, there is a roof over our heads. The ceiling has just been enchanted to appear as the night sky directly above the Hall." Claudia's eyes widened in awe, "And the candles? How are they floating around and not dripping wax everywhere?" Willow answered, "Simple levitation and vanishing charms." Claudia's smile grew even wider, "This place is amazing!"

Professor Slughorn reached the front of the hall where a three-legged wooden stool with an old battered time worn pointed hat sitting atop it. Everything went still for a moment and to all the first years surprise the hat came alive and started to sing.

In times of old when I was new

And Hogwarts barely started

The Founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted:

United by a common goal,

They had the self-same yearning

To make the world's best magic school

And pass along their learning.

"Together we will build and teach!"

The Four good friends decided

And never did they dream that they

Might someday be divided,

For were there such friends anywhere

As Slytherin and Gryffindor?

Unless it was the second pair

Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?

So how could it have gone so wrong?

How could such friendships fail?

Why, I was there and so can tell

The whole sad, sorry tale.

Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those

Whose ancestry is purest."

Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose

Intelligence is surest."

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those

With brave deeds to their name,"

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,

And treat them just the same."

These differences caused little strife

When first they came to light,

For each of the four founders had

A House in which they might

Take only those they wanted, so,

For instance, Slytherin

Took only pure-blood wizards

Of great cunning, just like him,

And only those of sharpest mind

Were taught by Ravenclaw

While the bravest and the boldest

Went to daring Gryffindor,

Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,

And taught them all she knew,

Thus the Houses and their founders

Retained friendships firm and true.

So Hogwarts worked in harmony

For several happy years,

But the discord crept among us

Feeding on our faults and fears.

The Houses that, like pillars four,

Had once held up our school,

Now turned upon each other and,

Divided, sought to rule.

And for a while it seemed the school

Must meet an early end,

What with duelling and with fighting

And the clash of friend on friend

And at last there came a morning

When old Slytherin departed

And though the fighting then died out

He left us quite downhearted.

And never since the founders four

Were whittled down to three

Have the Houses been united

And they once were meant to be.

And now the Sorting Hat is here

And you all know the score:

I sort you into Houses

Because that is what I'm for,

But this year I'll go further,

Listen closely to my song:

Though condemned I am to split you

Still I worry that it's wrong,

Though I must fulfil my duty

And must quarter every year

Still I wonder whether sorting

May not bring the end I fear.

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble from within

I have told you, I have warned you..

Let the sorting now begin

The other students stood and applauded the hat, seeming to ignore the prophetic warning, after a few minutes of applause the Hall was quiet again. The green robed professor turned to the first years with a scroll in his hand and spoke. "Now, when I call your name please sit on the stool, I will then place the sorting hat upon your head and you will be sorted into your house. Abberon, Harland." A tall thin boy with blond hair approached the stool nervously, when the hat was lowered onto his head it came alive once again, "GRYFFINDOR!" the hat screamed. A table full of students wearing red robes burst into cheers, Harland sat down at his house's table with a look of relief on his face."

The sorting continued but Joshua wasn't paying attention. He was looking around the Hall, he gazed at the head table which held all of the professors. He spotted a very short man talking to someone much taller than him who wore brown robes and gloves that were caked in mud, next to them was a thin woman lightly sipping her drink and smiling whenever the two men shared a chuckle, Joshua also saw Hagrid taking large sips from a large glass and whispering to an old woman who sat in the centre of the table, her chair being the largest one made of gold.

The elderly woman watched the sorting with intensity, smiling broadly whenever a Gryffindor was announced and trying to hide a thin lipped sneer whenever a Slytherin was announced. Joshua was brought back to the present when he heard, "Claassen, Claudia" being called.

Joshua returned his attention to the sorting. He watched the brunette girl approach the stool cautiously. Her bangs brushing the top of her black framed glasses, knuckles white from clenching her hands into fists. Professor Slughorn lowered the hat on her head and it sprang to life. "How peculiar. A fear of unfamiliarity and yet an awe for it. A desire to prove yourself but somehow deterred by thought of failure." The whole hall was whispering at this. The houses talking amongst themselves speculating which house would end up with this peculiar first year. "Despite all of this", the hat continued, "I know just the place for you. SLYTHERIN!"

The Great Hall was silent. The only sound present was the crackling fires of the braziers. The ghostly pale face of Claudia was vacant. Joshua wanted to help her, but he didn't know how. Everyone was still until a tall girl with olive skin rose from the Slytherin table and fetched Claudia. She talked to Claudia softly as they sat at the table of green. With a cough Professor Slughorn cleared his throat and continued calling for names.

The following students were two more Slytherins, a Hufflepuff and three Gryffindors. Next up was Rowan Derells. When Slughorn called his name, Rowan was so excited that he tripped over his robes up the stairs. The action earned a chuckle from the students in the Hall, but Rowan took it on the chin and laughed at his clumsiness as well. Approaching the stool more slowly, Rowan grinned widely and almost pulled the hat onto his head, but it didn't even touch his head and the hat shouted; "RAVENCLAW!" Again, in excitement, Rowan stumbled down the stairs as he sat at the Ravenclaw table, met with some applause and the occasional murmur of confusion from the sea of blue robed students.

"Derells, Willow," Horace called. The quiet girl approached the chair with an aura of grace. Joshua only really took notice of her now, she looked almost exactly like her brother, however, there was something different about her that Joshua couldn't really identify. Fair skin, a gentle but soft tipped nose, heart shaped lips and high cheek bones. She's going to be beautiful when she's older. Joshua had started thinking when Willow had sat down, that was five minutes ago. The hat finally shouted "RAVENCLAW". The table of blue cheered at her approach and welcomed her.

The ceremony kept going, another Ravenclaw, another Hufflepuff and another Gryffindor. Finally, a name was called that flushed Joshua with rage. "Ferear, Caius". The pale boy strutted up to the stool as though he was its owner. Joshua even noticed the woman in the golden chair purse her lips together in disapproval. The hat was lowered onto the smirking boy's head and frowned. "Interesting… a shallow personality and a high opinion of oneself but yet something missing…" Caius' smirk faltered for a moment and he seemed to whisper to the hat, "Just get done with it you old rag!" The hat didn't appreciate being called such as it seemed that one side drooped very low and smacked the arrogant black-haired boy on the cheek. "Slytherin." The hat muttered. Caius sauntered over to the table where the students greeted him with a polite applause.

Joshua kept staring at the emerald table. He saw that Claudia and Caius were sitting across from one another and noticed that Caius would mutter something in her direction every few seconds. Joshua felt his face getting hot. "Hedley, Joshua!" Joshua turned toward the walrus like man and climbed the stairs. As he moved forward, he noticed that the hall had become rather quiet. The drone of the students' chatter dying down, making way to whispers such as; "Did Slughorn say Hedley?" "The Falcon has a little brother?" "Hope he's in Ravenclaw as well, maybe we'll be able to get a sibling team on the pitch." Joshua turned to face the hall of students and lowered himself onto the seat where a moment later he felt the hat lower onto his head.

Now. What do we have here? Oh! Another Hedley! I wonder what your future holds. Joshua heard the voice as though it was a whisper in his ear. Your sister has made an impact in such a short amount of time, do you possess the same drive that she does? "I just want to learn magic and understand as many things of the wizarding world possible." The hat seemed to grin; Well then, if that's the case then you shall be – Oh! What's this? "What?" Joshua asked worriedly. I see something very strange here… Something I haven't seen for many years… Something ancient… Something powerful… "What in the world are you talking about?" The hat was causing Joshua to worry, he couldn't understand what the Sorting Hat was talking about because he was so frightened. Ancient? Powerful? What does that mean? Joshua remained sitting there for a while, it felt like forever for him but eventually the Sorting Hat shouted.

"RAVENCLAW!"