The hallways were lit as the steps were, with torches lining each side, people casting strange and yet somehow comforting shadows in their glowing light. "I'm so glad to be back," she whispered.
"Me too," came a sly voice from her left.
"Go away Roger," Kathrine's sharp voice echoed through the corridor as she pushed herself in between Roger and Victoria, separating them.
"You can't get rid of me, you know. I'll always be there."
"She said go away, you little twit." Albert had joined the conversation. "I suppose you still haven't managed to make any real friends, and so you've decided once again to torture us?"
"Oh, absolutely," he said with much sarcasm. "You are possibly the most entertaining three people on the planet. Especially you, little Vicky. Why so silent all the time? Have you nothing to say?"
"Not to scum like you," she spat. "Why don't you go join your non-existent friends from Slytherin?"
"Oh, somebody has an attitude problem. But I think I will join my friends. They are actually worth my time." Roger stopped, waiting for the other Slytherins as Kathrine, Albert, and Victoria continued on.
As the students filed into the Great Hall, there was an air of excitement such that everyone was caught up in the moment. It took quite some time, but soon everyone was settled at their house tables. There was one table for each of the houses: Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin, and one staff table. Conversation buzzed all around, and Victoria, Kathrine, and Albert caught up with their fellow Ravenclaw fifth years: Bernadette Roberts, Henrietta Carington, Serena McDaniel and James McDaniel (otherwise known as the McD Twins), Christopher Fontaine, Jonathon Pierce, and Andrew Black. All of them were quite close, having spent five long years together in classes. They talked about how they had spent their summers, mostly. The McD Twins' was by far the most interesting, since they had travelled around Europe with their father, who was a highly respected knight, and had been competing all season long. Andrew claimed to have had the most dull summer, simply sitting around the whole time with his family or reading.
Things quieted down when the new Headmaster stood up on his chair and pointed at four large spheres hanging above each table with his wand. Each sphere exploded, and colorful sparks shot out in all directions with a loud thuderclap-like noise, immediately catching the attention of all the students. "Good evening, students, and welcome to Hogwarts. I am your new Headmaster, Professor Clayrmonte." Professor Clayrmonte was a tall man, not stooped as Professor Johnson had been. He carried himself with pride, and radiated happiness and good energy. His smile lit up his entire face. Victoria was quite pleased with the new Headmaster.
"For those of you who have been here," he continued, "welcome back. For those of you who are first years, I am right there with you. As your new Headmaster, I will do my best in this school. I never attended Hogwarts, nor do I have any relations who work hereor have worked here in the past, which are two firsts. However, I will keep it short and simple, for the moment, since you are undoubtedly famished. Let the sorting begin!"
Professor Mixtem, the soft-spoken transfiguration teacher, walked out in front of all the students and placed a pointed wizard's hat on a short stool that had been placed earlier. The hat was tall and sleek, and the very darkest shade of black. The only signs of wear it showed were a few small wrinkles around the edges. Victoria smiled at the short male professor's handling of the hat. He was extremely careful with it, backing away from the stool with cautin and pulling out a long list of parchment. He then waited patiently for the hat to begin its song. A gap in between the brim and the rest of the hat opened, almost like a mouth, which the hat started to sing out of:
"Hello students, young and old,
listen to my story told,
of first years standing up in front,
their bodies feeling cold.
They enter into this old school,
thinking they're the fool,
worried about the test to come,
dreaming up some sort of duel.
But here I am, this test they face,
not such a complicated case,
this challenge so unusual,
it is my job to sort and place.
My mind is quite a bright one,
so have a little fun,
just place me on your little heads,
and soon it will be done.
I know exactly where to put you,
I know exactly what to do,
I've done this same thing every year,
so don't be feeling blue.
The houses here are different,
but don't be feeling bent,
I see the mind, I know the house,
the house for which you all are meant.
Gryffindor is for the brave,
Hufflepuff the loyal,
Ravenclaw for wise ones save
the Slytherins, the cause of toil.
Just place me on your head,
A simple task, you'll soon be fed.
My work comes but once a year,
and then I'm back in my own head."
