When they arrived at Hogwarts, Ginny felt her worries about the boys fade and her
own come roaring back. What if she didn't get into Gryffindor, like the rest of her family?
What if she couldn't do any of the magic? Was Snape really as bad as Ron said? Could
Filch find any trouble in the whole castle? Would she miss her mom and dad terribly?
An enormous man, looking like a giant, rounded up all the first years, herded them
down a path that was pitch dark, and gathered them into boats to cross the black lake that
stood in the way of getting to Hogwarts. Ginny gasped at the site of the enormous castle,
proud and tall, with so many towers and turrets that she felt faint with worry she'd never
find her way around.
"Ron's sister, I reckon?" the huge man, asked, a smile hidden underneath a wild
beard. Ginny felt small, very small, and scared as she nodded. She figured, by his size,
must be the game keeper that her brother talked about, Hagrid.
Hagrid laughed. The sound was loud and booming, but somehow it made him
seem less scary and more friendly. "I could tell by yer red 'air." Ginny self-conciously
touched the wild mane that quickly identified her as a Weasley. She'd never liked being
sorted into a category already just by her hair. Depending on who they knew, wizards and
witches thought she was either extremely smart and dedicated, or troublesome and funny.
Considering she didn't feel like either Percy or the twins, she hoped that some one would
recognize her as Ginny Weasley and not one of her brothers.
"...and Harry Potter is a second year...." Ginny felt her head jerk away from Hagrid
at the mention of her crush. She saw a first year with mousy brown hair who was shorter
then she was talking animatedly about Harry. She looked away, hoping that he didn't
suspect she liked him by her attention to his words. It turned out that he was too busy
informing the others of Harry's greatness to notice how she'd jerked at the mention of him.
They felt a sudden jerk and Ginny looked to see that they'd reached a landing for
the boats. She and the other first years eagerly scrambled out of them and Hagrid counted
everybody to make sure they were there. Ginny's mind flicked briefly to Ron and Harry's
disappearance from Hogwarts students, but her thoughts returned to Hagrid as he
knocked three times on the castle door.
Ginny took a step back at the sight of the witch in the door and crunched on some
poor first year's foot. Everything about the witch was severe; her hair, her eyes under her
glasses, the way she stood and glared. The whole group was silent, as if sensing that this
witch was very strict, which she was. Her name came to Ginny in a flash, the only one
who could possibly fill her presence; Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor and
teacher of Transfiguration.
Hagrid introduced the group as first years and left them with the teacher. The
professor scrutinized the group under a hawk's eye, and gave a slight smile. "Welcome to
Hogwarts, students."
The first years folled her as she fairly marched down the hallways, finding the way
to go very fast. Ginny made sure to keep her feet to herself and not trod on anybody
again. Professor McGonagall was going on about how Hogwarts worked, with the
students being Sorted into one of the four houses (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and
Hufflepuff), earning and losing points in a House Cup competition, and that the start-of-
terms feast would begin after everyone was Sorted. Ginny shivered involuntarily at the
mention of Sorting. She still worried about not getting into Gryffindor, since everyone in
her family, including her parents, had been in that house.
"I hope I'm in Gryffindor. Harry Potter's in that house. It has to be a good one if
Harry's in it..." the mousy-haired boy whispered to anyone listening. Ginny felt a blush
coming to her cheeks and hoped no one noticed. That was another reason she wanted to
be in Gryffindor.
They entered the dining hall, a huge hall where the ceiling was enchanted to look
like the outdoor sky. The stars sparkled brightly and candles lit the tables. Students were
seated at four tables, one for each house, with teachers sitting at a head table, and all
watched as the first years nervously filed in. On a stool sat the weathered, frayed Sorting
Hat, waiting to be put on. Out of the deep silence that was surprising for such a great
group, the Hat suddenly sang out:
At last the first years have arrived
Nervous, excited, happy
Curious, eager, hopeful
Wondering what to make of me
Maybe I'm a little shabby
Maybe a little worn
But if you put me on your head
You'll find the reason I was born
I'll look inside your small heads
Pondering where to sort you
I'll know just where you belong here
Put you where you cannot argue
If you're brave, bold, and courageous,
Perhaps in Gryffindor you'll be.
If you're loyal, willing to do right,
Hufflepuff's standard fits you snugly.
Ravenclaw is a house for those with brains,
The ones there must be wise.
Last with sly Slytherin comes cunning,
Where the tricky and shrewd will rise.
You'll soon join the other students
With the study and fun enjoyed here
I think you'll like what you get
You'll enjoy your first year.
The whole hall clapped as the Hat finished its song. Ginny saw her hands go together,
adding to the din, but she didn't hear anything as her thoughts raced in her ears. The
students waited as Professor McGonagall read the first name off a scroll she held.
