Chapter 4
The Sorting
A message ta everyone
Well, you might wanna read this whole chapter again cause I fixed it up. I changed the sorting song too cause I accidentally wrote that hufflepuffs colours are brown and yellow when they're not…. BUT I did get the other house colours right.!!! Gryffindor is maroon not red and Ravenclaw has white not bronze…. So thankz Terra for ur review but some of what u said were wrong…
And if u want when you leave a review please leave ur email… I would be glad to email u when ive finished my next chapter!!!!
PLEASE REVIEW !!!
Harry found that the train ride to Hogwarts was quite uneventful for once. For the first time, Malfoy didn't bother stopping by Harry's compartment with his start-of-the-term mockery. No dementors were present to scare the living daylights out of anyone, and no new professors were seen. The only difference was that a professor occupied every carriage and trolls guarded every exit. Harry feared that the only reason for this extra security was because of Harry's last encounter with Lord Voldermort. He still had countless nightmares and everyday the nightmares haunted his mind. And each time, Harry had woken up drenched in cold sweat and his scar burning his forehead.
Ron and Harry had met up with Hermione at King's Cross Station, just before the train left. They had nearly missed the train too as they had trouble getting to the station. Mr. Weasley had forgotten the floo power, and had dashed off to buy some. Harry, who didn't like floo powder at all, suggested that they find some other way to get there, or even better still, walk. Ron thought it was a bad idea, and said that it would be faster to get to the station by floo powder. After some argument, Harry rather uncertainly agreed, there were only 5 minutes until the train left. Mr Weasley came back with just a few minutes to spare, and Ron, Harry, Fred, George, and Ginny, arrived just in time to board the train.
"It's about time you got here!" Hermione glared at them angrily as they arrived panting with their school things hastily thrown onto their trolleys. They quickly jumped onto the train as it started moving.
"You could have missed the train! And you know what happened last time… Does a flying car ring a bell?"
As usual, Ron and Harry ignored Hermione as she lectured them. She continued giving them a small lecture about being punctual as they searched the carriage for an empty compartment. Ginny and the twins had found an empty compartment at the end of the train, and Ron, Harry, and Hermione settled in the one next to it. Once everything was in order, Hermione said she was determined to study all the books before school started. She had three books out during the train ride, but these were left quite untouched as the three of them discussed the new rules that Hogwarts had set.
"It's bloody stupid," Ron complained, "It's like they're locking us up in cages, they are!"
"Well," Hermione began, "It's for your own good you know, with you-know-who running around, who knows what might happen?"
"They could at least lighten up a little…," Ron argued.
Hermione bit her lip.
"Come on, a 7 o'clock curfew? We aren't kids you know."
Harry decided to change the subject. He wasn't keen on an argument so early into the train ride. He mentioned the black ball, and a whole new topic started. Hermione immediately seized the chance.
"You didn't touch it, did you?" Hermione asked with her eyes wide.
"Err…" Harry didn't know what to say, there was no hiding from Hermione.
"I knew it!" Hermione exclaimed, obviously enraged, "You didn't owl Professor Dumbledore either did you?"
Harry looked at Ron and exchanged looks.
Hermione went on without waiting for Harry's answer. She wasn't usually this angry.
"This is outrageous… Seriously Harry, who knows where that thing might have come from?"
"You mean… you don't think it's from him, do you?" Ron asked, his eyes going larger and larger.
Hermione said nothing, and looked away. A moment passed.
"It's not from Voldermort," Harry said suddenly, breaking the silence.
"What?" Ron said staring at Harry. He went pale as Harry said Voldermort, "How can you be so sure?"
"He could have just killed me, instead of giving me this ball…" Harry replied casually. But he wasn't entirely sure and he wasn't as casual as he sounded.
Hermione looked thoughtful.
"That's true…"
"Plus, what was he supposed to do... blow me up with the ball?"
Harry's last remark broke the tension and the seriousness of the conversation. Ron laughed, but Hermione looked doubtful. She glared at Harry as though to say, "How could you joke about such a thing?"
"Oh but… Just be careful Harry!" Hermione said finally.
The fat witch with the trolley came then, and the three said no more about the black ball.
Harry loaded up with stacks of Cauldron Cakes and Pumpkin Pastries. He had missed biting into these terribly during the holidays with the Dursley's. Ron bought a whole lot of Chocolate frogs and started eating them right away. He was quite determined to find the cards that he had not collected.
As they filled up with the cakes and sweets, Hermione abruptly stood up, quite forgetting the cakes she had in her lap. Crumbs flew everywhere.
"Oh, I nearly forgot!"
She opened her bag and pulled out two small packages. She hastily unwrapped them and held them out to Ron and Harry.
"I got these for you two when I was in Flourish and Botts."
Harry felt that Hermione probably got them books, but it was a case of some sort. Ron looked at them suspiciously.
"I think you'll find these very useful, especially with our OWL's this year."
Harry took the case that Hermione was holding out. He then opened the case which was leathery and brown. He whistled softly in approval as he saw what the case contained.
"It's a self inking quill," Hermione explained, "You'll get things done much faster now."
Ron picked the quill up in amazement.
The quills were much larger than the usual ones that were used to, but they were also lighter. Harry's quill was black with silver specks, and Ron's was black with gold specks. Hermione had also got herself one; hers was black with white specks. Ron took out a crumpled piece of parchment and started to experiment with it. He thanked Hermione three times without noticing that he did so. Harry grinned and thanked Hermione once. "Thanks a bunch Hermione!"
Ron suddenly looked up from what he was doing, as though he had just remembered something. He carefully closed the case.
"Hey, did you hear about that girl, uh, Mereline, I think…" Ron started to say.
Hermione suddenly sat up straight.
"Yes! I did! I read it in the Daily Prophet."
Harry looked at both of them blankly. He had no idea what they were talking about.
"Honestly, don't you read?" Hermione huffed.
"I don't get the Daily Prophet…" Harry said simply. How could he, with the muggles he lived with!!
"Oh…" Hermione said, quite forgetting about Harry's relatives.
"Well, anyway, this Mereline girl, she was a squib," Hermione continued, "You know, a non magic person born into a magical family…"
"I know what they are!" Ron grumbled. He scowled at Hermione and tuned out. She ignored him.
"Well, it turned out that she wasn't! She showed late signs of magic just last week," Hermione said, "This had never happened before…"
"What hasn't happened?" Harry asked a little confused.
"Well, no one has ever actually gone to school late and the weird thing is, is that she has really great powers…"
"Yeah!" Ron said, jumping back into the conversation. His looked excited, "She's a Tristone isn't she?"
Harry looked at him blankly for the second time. Harry felt kind of stupid but it wasn't his fault he didn't know. But then again Hermione had only become magical when she was 11, like Harry, and she knew everything.
"A Tristone is a witch or wizard with an ability to read minds and are sometimes able to move things with their mind," Hermione explained sounding like a dictionary. She seemed to know everything, she even knew more than most witches and wizards in their older years.
"They're supposed to be really rare gifts too…" Ron added unwrapping another chocolate frog.
"Wow..."
Suddenly the whole train lurched. Ron nearly fell over his robes. They had changed into the robes earlier before. Hermione steadied herself by grasping onto Harry's arm. Harry felt as though his blood was going to stop circulating.
"I think we're nearly there," Harry gasped in pain. He looked out the train window as he shook off Hermione's firm grasp. He was right; he could see the station in the distance. It was starting to get dark.
A few good ten minutes later, the train slowed down. The sky was now dark and breezy winds blew onto their faces as they left their carriage to join the others. First years were easily spotted by the looks on their faces, and the fear in their eyes. They were quickly whisked away by a towering Hagrid. The train began to empty. Ron, Harry and Hermione quickly stuffed the remains of their sweets and cakes into their pockets and followed everyone off the train. Ginny, the twins, Neville, and Seamus greeted the three, and together they headed off towards Hogwarts. Hagrid waved them off. "I've got something' ta tell ya!" Hagrid said before boarding a rocky boat. He winked at Harry. "An' don't do anythin' tricky ya hear me?" Harry wondered what Hagrid meant.
***
The Great Hall was even more spectacular than ever. Dumbledore must have decided to give the hall a new makeover. When Harry walked in there for the first time, he was shocked and deeply amazed at the Hall's new appearance. Harry looked over at Dumbledore who caught Harry's gaze and winked. Harry couldn't help but notice that Dumbledore was looking more old and frail than usual. Dumbledore didn't even have that twinkle in his eye any more.
The enchanted ceiling was even more enchanting than ever, it showed a clear night sky with bright twinkling stars. Whatever they did to make it even more spectacular, Harry didn't know. The floating candles had been replaced with dazzling chandeliers that twirled around slowly. They twinkled brightly against the lights. Everyone awed at them as they entered.
Dark velvet drapes covered the hall's walls and each table had their mascot beautifully carved in it. Harry didn't know that the Great Hall could be even more 'great'.
Stopping for a moment, Harry seated himself at a table with a Gryffindor lion carved in it. Hermione sat beside him and Ron sat in front. Hermione started to stare at the chandeliers again. Harry, however, started to run his fingers along the edges of the lion.
"Doesn't it look great?" Ron awed as he gaped over it.
Harry could only nod in agreement. They sat there silently as they observed the scene around them. Everyone was either busy talking or busy gazing admirably at the hall.
Suddenly, the Great Hall's doors swung open with a loud bang. Professor McGonagall came through, closely followed by nervous looking first years. They looked around the hall in great astonishment. The hall went silent and everyone's eyes were watching the first years enter the magnificent room.
"They look awfully nervous," Ginny whispered.
"You were like that too you know," Fred said.
Ginny went red.
Neville and Seamus started to whisper amongst themselves and started pointing at a tall girl who was tailing the first years.
Harry looked over to where they were pointing at. He realized that the girl stood out far from the rest. She was a pretty girl with straight black hair that fell just underneath her shoulders. She was bony and looked a little clumsy. Her eyes were a dull blue. But she looked a lot older than all the other first years, she seemed more mature somehow, and her towering height above the first years suggested that she at least 15. Harry thought that she couldn't be; all first years were 11.
Professor McGonagall led the new students up to the front of the hall where all the teachers were seated. She told them to wait around the front table as she pulled out a three legged stool with a patchy ragged hat on it. The first years stared at the hat fearfully, thinking that it was some horrible test. Everyone else stared at it too. The first years were beginning to look a bit worried. The hat began to twitch. The first years gasped. At last the hat opened its brim and began its song,
"Here come forth another year,
A thousand years hath passed,
The magic in me is fading,
This year will be my last."
I am the Hogwart's Sorting Hat,
Although I'm frayed and old,
I will sit here and read your thoughts,
Until every fate is told."
"Brave Gryffindor stands high and tall,
Masked in maroon and gold,
Gryffindor's like to be their best,
For many of them are bold.
Ravenclaw's tend to be witty,
In glorious white and blue,
For they are known for being wise,
They are very clever too.
Hufflepuff's are always loyal,
In colours of yellow and black,
You will find the friendly here,
Kindness they never lack.
The Slytherin's are most cunning,
Their colours are silver and green,
For they are known to be ambitious,
They're nothing you've ever seen."
"So, place me on your little head,
And find which one you are,
So, which one of these four houses,
Is most like you by far?
Another will come in place,
Of the hat you know so well,
It will then sort instead of me,
So I bid you all farewell."
Loud applause erupted from the students. Many of the professors smiled tearfully. Even Snape had a tiny little glint in his eye. Harry saw Hermione wipe away a tear. So the hat is going to retire at the end of the ceremony, Harry thought, then what is going to replace it?
The hat bowed to the four applauding tables and went silent once again. As soon as the applause died down, Professor McGonagall stepped up to the platform.
"When I call out your names, please be seated at this stool. I'll put the Sorting Hat on you and it will sort you into your houses. Then, if you may, join your fellow students at you house's table."
Professor McGonagall unrolled a long piece of parchment.
"Adrensle, Mereline."
The whole hall suddenly became a loud mummer. Many gasped, and others looked frightened. All heads were bent in conversation and every person had their eyes open in surprise. Many stood up to see who she was.
"It's her!" Ron whispered, "It's that girl!"
Hermione gasped as she slowly realized what the commotion was all about. Harry looked on in amazement.
The tall girl gulped and started to make her way towards the hat. Harry realized that she must be Mereline. Mereline wove her way through the first years and looked up at the hat nervously. Professor McGonagall patiently waited for Mereline to sit down.
Harry could see that she was shaking as she sat down onto the stool. It wobbled dangerously. The hat was placed onto her head, and it covered her eyes immediately.
"I hope she's in Gryffindor," Ron said dreamily not to anyone in particular. Harry grinned and nudged Hermione, who glared back at him.
A few seconds passed, and Mereline looked as though she was going to faint. There was a tense silence in the air. Everyone wanted to know which house she was going to be in. "Slytherin!" the hat bellowed.
A loud cheer was heard from the Slytherin table. Harry groaned. The hall stormed with applause and disappointment. It's a shame, Harry thought, that she had to be stuck with losers like them. Harry saw Malfoy smile gleefully at him out of the corner of his eye. Harry wanted ever so desperately to wipe that smile off Malfoy's face. The Slytherin's stood up to welcome their new member.
Mereline started to stand up to join her table, but the hat wasn't finished. It started to twitch. It opened its brim and bellowed out something that brought Slytherin's celebrations to a stand still.
"Gryffindor!" The hat cried. The Sorting Hat fell silent and did not move again.
The Sorting
A message ta everyone
Well, you might wanna read this whole chapter again cause I fixed it up. I changed the sorting song too cause I accidentally wrote that hufflepuffs colours are brown and yellow when they're not…. BUT I did get the other house colours right.!!! Gryffindor is maroon not red and Ravenclaw has white not bronze…. So thankz Terra for ur review but some of what u said were wrong…
And if u want when you leave a review please leave ur email… I would be glad to email u when ive finished my next chapter!!!!
PLEASE REVIEW !!!
Harry found that the train ride to Hogwarts was quite uneventful for once. For the first time, Malfoy didn't bother stopping by Harry's compartment with his start-of-the-term mockery. No dementors were present to scare the living daylights out of anyone, and no new professors were seen. The only difference was that a professor occupied every carriage and trolls guarded every exit. Harry feared that the only reason for this extra security was because of Harry's last encounter with Lord Voldermort. He still had countless nightmares and everyday the nightmares haunted his mind. And each time, Harry had woken up drenched in cold sweat and his scar burning his forehead.
Ron and Harry had met up with Hermione at King's Cross Station, just before the train left. They had nearly missed the train too as they had trouble getting to the station. Mr. Weasley had forgotten the floo power, and had dashed off to buy some. Harry, who didn't like floo powder at all, suggested that they find some other way to get there, or even better still, walk. Ron thought it was a bad idea, and said that it would be faster to get to the station by floo powder. After some argument, Harry rather uncertainly agreed, there were only 5 minutes until the train left. Mr Weasley came back with just a few minutes to spare, and Ron, Harry, Fred, George, and Ginny, arrived just in time to board the train.
"It's about time you got here!" Hermione glared at them angrily as they arrived panting with their school things hastily thrown onto their trolleys. They quickly jumped onto the train as it started moving.
"You could have missed the train! And you know what happened last time… Does a flying car ring a bell?"
As usual, Ron and Harry ignored Hermione as she lectured them. She continued giving them a small lecture about being punctual as they searched the carriage for an empty compartment. Ginny and the twins had found an empty compartment at the end of the train, and Ron, Harry, and Hermione settled in the one next to it. Once everything was in order, Hermione said she was determined to study all the books before school started. She had three books out during the train ride, but these were left quite untouched as the three of them discussed the new rules that Hogwarts had set.
"It's bloody stupid," Ron complained, "It's like they're locking us up in cages, they are!"
"Well," Hermione began, "It's for your own good you know, with you-know-who running around, who knows what might happen?"
"They could at least lighten up a little…," Ron argued.
Hermione bit her lip.
"Come on, a 7 o'clock curfew? We aren't kids you know."
Harry decided to change the subject. He wasn't keen on an argument so early into the train ride. He mentioned the black ball, and a whole new topic started. Hermione immediately seized the chance.
"You didn't touch it, did you?" Hermione asked with her eyes wide.
"Err…" Harry didn't know what to say, there was no hiding from Hermione.
"I knew it!" Hermione exclaimed, obviously enraged, "You didn't owl Professor Dumbledore either did you?"
Harry looked at Ron and exchanged looks.
Hermione went on without waiting for Harry's answer. She wasn't usually this angry.
"This is outrageous… Seriously Harry, who knows where that thing might have come from?"
"You mean… you don't think it's from him, do you?" Ron asked, his eyes going larger and larger.
Hermione said nothing, and looked away. A moment passed.
"It's not from Voldermort," Harry said suddenly, breaking the silence.
"What?" Ron said staring at Harry. He went pale as Harry said Voldermort, "How can you be so sure?"
"He could have just killed me, instead of giving me this ball…" Harry replied casually. But he wasn't entirely sure and he wasn't as casual as he sounded.
Hermione looked thoughtful.
"That's true…"
"Plus, what was he supposed to do... blow me up with the ball?"
Harry's last remark broke the tension and the seriousness of the conversation. Ron laughed, but Hermione looked doubtful. She glared at Harry as though to say, "How could you joke about such a thing?"
"Oh but… Just be careful Harry!" Hermione said finally.
The fat witch with the trolley came then, and the three said no more about the black ball.
Harry loaded up with stacks of Cauldron Cakes and Pumpkin Pastries. He had missed biting into these terribly during the holidays with the Dursley's. Ron bought a whole lot of Chocolate frogs and started eating them right away. He was quite determined to find the cards that he had not collected.
As they filled up with the cakes and sweets, Hermione abruptly stood up, quite forgetting the cakes she had in her lap. Crumbs flew everywhere.
"Oh, I nearly forgot!"
She opened her bag and pulled out two small packages. She hastily unwrapped them and held them out to Ron and Harry.
"I got these for you two when I was in Flourish and Botts."
Harry felt that Hermione probably got them books, but it was a case of some sort. Ron looked at them suspiciously.
"I think you'll find these very useful, especially with our OWL's this year."
Harry took the case that Hermione was holding out. He then opened the case which was leathery and brown. He whistled softly in approval as he saw what the case contained.
"It's a self inking quill," Hermione explained, "You'll get things done much faster now."
Ron picked the quill up in amazement.
The quills were much larger than the usual ones that were used to, but they were also lighter. Harry's quill was black with silver specks, and Ron's was black with gold specks. Hermione had also got herself one; hers was black with white specks. Ron took out a crumpled piece of parchment and started to experiment with it. He thanked Hermione three times without noticing that he did so. Harry grinned and thanked Hermione once. "Thanks a bunch Hermione!"
Ron suddenly looked up from what he was doing, as though he had just remembered something. He carefully closed the case.
"Hey, did you hear about that girl, uh, Mereline, I think…" Ron started to say.
Hermione suddenly sat up straight.
"Yes! I did! I read it in the Daily Prophet."
Harry looked at both of them blankly. He had no idea what they were talking about.
"Honestly, don't you read?" Hermione huffed.
"I don't get the Daily Prophet…" Harry said simply. How could he, with the muggles he lived with!!
"Oh…" Hermione said, quite forgetting about Harry's relatives.
"Well, anyway, this Mereline girl, she was a squib," Hermione continued, "You know, a non magic person born into a magical family…"
"I know what they are!" Ron grumbled. He scowled at Hermione and tuned out. She ignored him.
"Well, it turned out that she wasn't! She showed late signs of magic just last week," Hermione said, "This had never happened before…"
"What hasn't happened?" Harry asked a little confused.
"Well, no one has ever actually gone to school late and the weird thing is, is that she has really great powers…"
"Yeah!" Ron said, jumping back into the conversation. His looked excited, "She's a Tristone isn't she?"
Harry looked at him blankly for the second time. Harry felt kind of stupid but it wasn't his fault he didn't know. But then again Hermione had only become magical when she was 11, like Harry, and she knew everything.
"A Tristone is a witch or wizard with an ability to read minds and are sometimes able to move things with their mind," Hermione explained sounding like a dictionary. She seemed to know everything, she even knew more than most witches and wizards in their older years.
"They're supposed to be really rare gifts too…" Ron added unwrapping another chocolate frog.
"Wow..."
Suddenly the whole train lurched. Ron nearly fell over his robes. They had changed into the robes earlier before. Hermione steadied herself by grasping onto Harry's arm. Harry felt as though his blood was going to stop circulating.
"I think we're nearly there," Harry gasped in pain. He looked out the train window as he shook off Hermione's firm grasp. He was right; he could see the station in the distance. It was starting to get dark.
A few good ten minutes later, the train slowed down. The sky was now dark and breezy winds blew onto their faces as they left their carriage to join the others. First years were easily spotted by the looks on their faces, and the fear in their eyes. They were quickly whisked away by a towering Hagrid. The train began to empty. Ron, Harry and Hermione quickly stuffed the remains of their sweets and cakes into their pockets and followed everyone off the train. Ginny, the twins, Neville, and Seamus greeted the three, and together they headed off towards Hogwarts. Hagrid waved them off. "I've got something' ta tell ya!" Hagrid said before boarding a rocky boat. He winked at Harry. "An' don't do anythin' tricky ya hear me?" Harry wondered what Hagrid meant.
***
The Great Hall was even more spectacular than ever. Dumbledore must have decided to give the hall a new makeover. When Harry walked in there for the first time, he was shocked and deeply amazed at the Hall's new appearance. Harry looked over at Dumbledore who caught Harry's gaze and winked. Harry couldn't help but notice that Dumbledore was looking more old and frail than usual. Dumbledore didn't even have that twinkle in his eye any more.
The enchanted ceiling was even more enchanting than ever, it showed a clear night sky with bright twinkling stars. Whatever they did to make it even more spectacular, Harry didn't know. The floating candles had been replaced with dazzling chandeliers that twirled around slowly. They twinkled brightly against the lights. Everyone awed at them as they entered.
Dark velvet drapes covered the hall's walls and each table had their mascot beautifully carved in it. Harry didn't know that the Great Hall could be even more 'great'.
Stopping for a moment, Harry seated himself at a table with a Gryffindor lion carved in it. Hermione sat beside him and Ron sat in front. Hermione started to stare at the chandeliers again. Harry, however, started to run his fingers along the edges of the lion.
"Doesn't it look great?" Ron awed as he gaped over it.
Harry could only nod in agreement. They sat there silently as they observed the scene around them. Everyone was either busy talking or busy gazing admirably at the hall.
Suddenly, the Great Hall's doors swung open with a loud bang. Professor McGonagall came through, closely followed by nervous looking first years. They looked around the hall in great astonishment. The hall went silent and everyone's eyes were watching the first years enter the magnificent room.
"They look awfully nervous," Ginny whispered.
"You were like that too you know," Fred said.
Ginny went red.
Neville and Seamus started to whisper amongst themselves and started pointing at a tall girl who was tailing the first years.
Harry looked over to where they were pointing at. He realized that the girl stood out far from the rest. She was a pretty girl with straight black hair that fell just underneath her shoulders. She was bony and looked a little clumsy. Her eyes were a dull blue. But she looked a lot older than all the other first years, she seemed more mature somehow, and her towering height above the first years suggested that she at least 15. Harry thought that she couldn't be; all first years were 11.
Professor McGonagall led the new students up to the front of the hall where all the teachers were seated. She told them to wait around the front table as she pulled out a three legged stool with a patchy ragged hat on it. The first years stared at the hat fearfully, thinking that it was some horrible test. Everyone else stared at it too. The first years were beginning to look a bit worried. The hat began to twitch. The first years gasped. At last the hat opened its brim and began its song,
"Here come forth another year,
A thousand years hath passed,
The magic in me is fading,
This year will be my last."
I am the Hogwart's Sorting Hat,
Although I'm frayed and old,
I will sit here and read your thoughts,
Until every fate is told."
"Brave Gryffindor stands high and tall,
Masked in maroon and gold,
Gryffindor's like to be their best,
For many of them are bold.
Ravenclaw's tend to be witty,
In glorious white and blue,
For they are known for being wise,
They are very clever too.
Hufflepuff's are always loyal,
In colours of yellow and black,
You will find the friendly here,
Kindness they never lack.
The Slytherin's are most cunning,
Their colours are silver and green,
For they are known to be ambitious,
They're nothing you've ever seen."
"So, place me on your little head,
And find which one you are,
So, which one of these four houses,
Is most like you by far?
Another will come in place,
Of the hat you know so well,
It will then sort instead of me,
So I bid you all farewell."
Loud applause erupted from the students. Many of the professors smiled tearfully. Even Snape had a tiny little glint in his eye. Harry saw Hermione wipe away a tear. So the hat is going to retire at the end of the ceremony, Harry thought, then what is going to replace it?
The hat bowed to the four applauding tables and went silent once again. As soon as the applause died down, Professor McGonagall stepped up to the platform.
"When I call out your names, please be seated at this stool. I'll put the Sorting Hat on you and it will sort you into your houses. Then, if you may, join your fellow students at you house's table."
Professor McGonagall unrolled a long piece of parchment.
"Adrensle, Mereline."
The whole hall suddenly became a loud mummer. Many gasped, and others looked frightened. All heads were bent in conversation and every person had their eyes open in surprise. Many stood up to see who she was.
"It's her!" Ron whispered, "It's that girl!"
Hermione gasped as she slowly realized what the commotion was all about. Harry looked on in amazement.
The tall girl gulped and started to make her way towards the hat. Harry realized that she must be Mereline. Mereline wove her way through the first years and looked up at the hat nervously. Professor McGonagall patiently waited for Mereline to sit down.
Harry could see that she was shaking as she sat down onto the stool. It wobbled dangerously. The hat was placed onto her head, and it covered her eyes immediately.
"I hope she's in Gryffindor," Ron said dreamily not to anyone in particular. Harry grinned and nudged Hermione, who glared back at him.
A few seconds passed, and Mereline looked as though she was going to faint. There was a tense silence in the air. Everyone wanted to know which house she was going to be in. "Slytherin!" the hat bellowed.
A loud cheer was heard from the Slytherin table. Harry groaned. The hall stormed with applause and disappointment. It's a shame, Harry thought, that she had to be stuck with losers like them. Harry saw Malfoy smile gleefully at him out of the corner of his eye. Harry wanted ever so desperately to wipe that smile off Malfoy's face. The Slytherin's stood up to welcome their new member.
Mereline started to stand up to join her table, but the hat wasn't finished. It started to twitch. It opened its brim and bellowed out something that brought Slytherin's celebrations to a stand still.
"Gryffindor!" The hat cried. The Sorting Hat fell silent and did not move again.