Sorting Ceremony

As the four got off the train, Mora said goodbye, then went to Hagrid's side who was calling for the first years.

Hello, Mora. How have you been? Hagrid asked.

I have been fine. And how have you been since I last saw you?

Not bad. Been trying to get ready for my classes.

Mora smiled. She knew Hagrid was the one that taught Care of Magical Creatures. She also had just heard, from the three on the train, of his love of large and often dangerous animals. Yet, she was looking forward to his class more than all the others. She was an animal person and was excited to learn more about exotic creatures she would encounter.

At the other end of the station, Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood together talking about Mora.

I think she's a wonderful girl. I hope she gets sorted into Gryffindor, said Ron.

I agree, replied Harry.

Hermione said nothing. She was lost in thought.

What about you, Hermione? What do you think of Mora? asked Ron.

Huh? Oh, I think she's really nice. There's something about her. And she doesn't like Malfoy, so that's points in my book.

I've never seen anyone get to Malfoy like she did, Harry said.

The carriages for the upper level students pulled up.

But I wonder what Malfoy meant about what she was,' said Ron. Maybe she's hiding something.

What could it be, though? asked Harry. I don't think it could be something bad. She's too, something... I don't know what.

They looked at Hermione. She climbed in the carriage and said, I don't know. I just don't know.

Mora was now in a boat, sailing smoothly across the black lake and under Hogwarts castle. The dark and dreary-looking place was now where she lived, and she loved it already. She could feel the air of mystery that hung around the castle and couldn't wait to go inside and see all the things she had only read about.

Hagrid was in her boat and was holding the lamp up. He was telling her about all sorts of interesting facts about the tunnels they were going through, but she really wasn't listening to him. She was too amazed at how the whole place was constructed.

Soon enough, the boats came aground on some sand and all the students got out and walked up a flight of stone steps into the castle. Professor McGonnagal was standing at the top, waiting to tell them about the sorting ceremony.

While the professor talked, Mora paid little attention to her. Instead she looked at the great doors in front of her. The grand and elegant halls she had walked in Mahshi were starkly different from the stone and mortar walls that she was seeing here. Torches and candles lit the hall instead of intricately cut crystal chandeliers. But, still she felt these halls were just as wonderful as all the beauty she remembered from back home.

They are ready for you now, said Professor McGonnagal, just before the huge doors opened in front of the students.

The great hall came into full view and Mora was stunned. Being used to her rather Muggle existence, it was quite strange to see candles floating above the table and the bewitched ceiling that reflected the night sky. But she fell in love with it immediately.

As she walked past the rest of the students seated at the tables, she saw Hermione, Harry, and Ron sitting together at a table off to her right. They waved at her as she went up to the platform where a hat was sitting on a stool.

Mora was shocked when the hat began to sing. It was something about the four houses and why people get into certain ones, but she was too amazed by it to really listen.

When its song was done, Professor McGonnagal began reading names alphabetically from a roll of parchment. Mora was not called at the beginning, like she thought she would be with that last name of Airs. Instead, she was last since she was technically a fifth year student. She patienly waited for her name to be called.

Airs, Mora.

Mora walked up and gingerly sat on the stool. The hat was placed on her head. The hat began to whisper in her ear. Ah! A different type of student. Great potential. Hufflepuff, perhaps? No. Something's missing for that. And not a Ravenclaw, either. Slytherin would be good, but not for you. That leaves... Gryffindor! The hat screamed out the last word. Mora smiled and went to the Gryffindor table. Harry and Ron moved down to make a seat for her.

whispered Harry.

Thank you.

After dinner, Dumbledore stood and address all the students. Just the usual announcements before the school year begins. The Dark Forest is forbidden. Please remember that this year. He seemed to be making eye contact with some Gryffindor students. Also, as usual, Quidditch trials will take place during the second week of school. Watch for announcements in your common rooms for exact times.

For now, just go to bed and be ready to learn tomorrow. Dumbledore smiled at everyone and then motioned that they should be going to their dormitories.

Mora went with the other fifth years to the Gryffindor Tower while Harry, Ron, and Hermione explained to her about the castle. When they arrived in the girls' dormitory, Hermione suspected that there would be an extra bed in her room, which their was. Mora found Mahshi had been delivered to her bed. She let the falcon out, who flew around silently before landing on the dresser.

Mora got out a quill, ink, parchment, and her sealing kit from her trunk at the end of her bed to write a letter to her parents.

iDear Mother and Father,
I was so lonely while I was staying at the Leaky Cauldron. However, I met three very nice fifth year students on the train ride, into whose house I was sorted.
But I must get away from the joy I am feeling now and tell you some disturbing news I received. Voldemort is alive again. I have no reason to doubt my source, one of my new friends, because he was there for the . (Remember the child you heard about that brought down Voldemort fourteen years ago? His name is Harry Potter and he was the witness to the rebirth of the monster.)
I will contact you later, when I am not so tired, and elaborate upon this topic.
Till then, your daughter,
Mora/i

She folded the letter and melted the wax onto the opening of the folds. She pressed her family seal into the wax. When she removed it, she looked to see the mark was clear. Satisfied, she gave Mahshi the letter and whispered instructions to her. Mora opened the nearest window and let Mahshi fly out before closing the window again.

She then changed into a nightgown and crawled into bed saying, her goodnights to the other girls, then immediately falling asleep.