The Firetah

(part four)

Professor Dumbledore was anxious. He stood quietly, imposing as a monolith at Stonehenge, and waited for Professor McGonagall to set up the Sorting Hat and stool. What would the hat find in Anchoret's mind? Would she be able to impose her will on the thing? It was very important that she got in the right house. He prayed it wouldn't be Slytherin. With Anchoret's powers at their disposal....He shuddered inwardly at the thought. The intensity of her powers was yet to be tested. He hoped they would not be unleashed on a student. As these thoughts fluttered through his mind, he glanced sideways at the girl beside him. She was as still as ever, but her eyes were darting around the room, making assessments. She looked somewhat cruel in the candlelight, and quite impressive. What was going on in her mind?

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I was getting excited. After Dumbledore's little speech, Moody had taken his seat at the staff table, and a tall witch had stood up and gone into a little side room. She was now setting up the Sorting Hat. I had heard that the hat sang when the first years were Sorted, and I could see her whispering to the thing. Perhaps it didn't want to sing for me. Ah well, I probably wouldn't be too interested, anyway. She must be Professor McGonagall. Stern and wise. Yes. I knew her well, and I sensed a kindred spirit.

I looked around the room, as the Professor was still whispering heatedly with the hat. To my right, the Gryffindor table. Isn't that boy, Harry Potter, in this one? Yes, must be him with the glasses. He's looking at me with the strangest expression on his face. Suddenly a wave of emotion, so strong I can't tell what it is, flashes from his mind to mine. I waver slightly under the blow. I can't tell what he's sending out....it's like a whirl of colors. I turn away quickly to study the rest of his housemates. I can see the open curiosity on their faces. They look ready for anything, and eager, in the half-light.

Next to them, must be Ravenclaw. Well, well, they're studying me! I can almost see the wheels turning. They look as if all the world's knowledge stretches out carpet-like at their feet.

Next....Ah, Hufflepuff. They glance at me out of the corners of their eyes. I feel their discomfort, their uncertainty. They hate the unexpected. I can see, though, in the hardiness of their hearts and the lines of their shoulders that they are not weak.

The last table, Slytherin. I look at them curiously. So this is the infamous house of Dark magic. Of cunning and stealth. They stare at me openly, all flinty eyes and shifting shadows. I feel their confidence, their silky cruelty like a black fog sweeping towards me. They want my power. Perhaps I will share it with them.

I turn slightly to get a better view of their table. I wonder who that blond boy is. His hair is like silver to my gold, his soul like ice to my fire. He grins at me. Cocky, confident, like a caress. I give him the barest upturning of my lips.

Beside me, I hear the Headmaster say with another sweeping gesture, "And now for the Sorting!"