The Firetah

(part five)

Well, here it is...the Sorting!

At the Headmaster's words, I turned and took the first step into my future. On my long, everlastingly long journey to the Hat, I looked once again at the blond boy at the Slytherin table. He looked intent, focused. As if he could get me into his House by sheer force of will. I smiled at the thought.

*******

Harry watched Anchoret walk serenely up to the stool. He grinned at the smile on her face. Then he followed her eyes and saw who she was looking at. His grin faded at once. He'd love to know what she was thinking....

*******

I sat down on the stool and placed the Hat neatly on my head. "Well, talk to me," I thought at it. A cool whisper, and then...."Well, well, Anchoret. This is quite a big occasion for you, isn't it?" I said nothing, and waited. A few seconds went by, and then the voice that came to me was no longer gentle. It said," Anchoret, don't think you can toy with me. I've been around long enough to know when someone is trying to manipulate me. Just relax and let me do the work."

This shocked me into utter silence. I melted, realizing for the first time that I didn't control the situation.

"Well, that's more like it, dearie!" The Hat trilled into my mind. "Now, let's see....Oh my, what a thirst for control you have! A mighty potential for deception and cunning, too. Hmm, so hard to tell....Perhaps Slytherin?"

I braced for the shout, but none came. I sat in quiet confusion for some moments until the hat spoke once more.

"What's this? Bravery, a great mountain of it. Oh my, a lost river of loyalty, a great sense of honor and morality....I see that these are the strongest in you, but so well hidden! I almost didn't find them. In this case, you ought to be perfect for GRYFFINDOR!"

This last word was shouted to the inhabitants of the Great Hall, and thus my fate was sealed. I stood up, dazed and wobbly, and not a little disappointed, and walked quietly to the Gryffindor table.

*******

Harry waited with bated breath along with his schoolmates as Anchoret was being Sorted. He cast an anxious glance at the Slytherin table, where Malfoy was looking very pale. He could see the longing on Draco's face, and it made him queasy. She wouldn't be Sorted into Slytherin. She wouldn't. This became his mantra as he watched her.

When finally, the blessed Hat had called out "GRYFFINDOR!" He almost collapsed with relief. It seemed to take an eternity for her to glide over to his table. When she did approach, she looked at the (mercifully) empty seat beside him and said, "May I sit down?" He gulped once and said "Sure."

A warm feeling came over him as she sat there during the feast. Laughing, talking with everyone. As if she had been there all the time. Hermione was even now talking animatedly with her about Transfiguration and such. He looked at the Slytherin table once again and saw that it looked gloomy and forlorn. He smiled coldly. To think that they wanted Anchoret for their own! He turned back to look at Ron, who grinned and winked. He was going to be all right. Now if only his voice would work....

*******

Dumbledore sat proudly, eyes bright. His sigh of relief was longer and louder than anyone else's, but it went unnoticed in the revelry that was this second Feast.