Chapter Five: The Sorting
"Firs' years this way! Exchange students too!" shouted Hagrid over the row of the students getting off the Hogwarts Express. "All righ' you three?"
"Great, Hagrid, just smashing," said Harry. "We're here to present to you two of the Americans."
"Is that so? Let's see 'em then."
Leo and Jazz came forward and smiled at the giant man, "How do you do?" said Jazz. "It's nice to meet you Hagrid. Harry has said so much about you. My name is Jazz Lawson."
"Nice to meet cha, Jazz. An' who's the other one?"
"What's up Hagrid?" Leo held out her hand, "I'm Leo Lawson, American extrordinare."
"I've got a feelin' you'll be a handful," smiled Hagrid. "Ok, then, I've got to get the firs' years on the boats. See you three a' the castle."
"See you, Hagrid!" waved the three as they went and got on the carriages that would take them to Hogwarts.
As they got off the carriages to enter the castle, Harry heard an all too familiar voice behind him.
"Have you seen those Americans? Ruddy stupid looking if you ask me. Not a bit of sense either, seeing as they were hanging out with Potter. Elba and Sid weren't too bad, as they did go to a respectable school, but the Lawson's, HA! What a joke! Probably don't even know how to hold a wand properly."
"Like you do, Malfoy," Harry turned to face his sworn enemy.
"Oh, standing up for the little Americans eh, Potter? Must always be the hero don't you? Mr. Good and Righteous. Makes me gag on breakfast, it does."
"Just go away before I rearrange your face," Ron stepped in. Malfoy's mental lackeys, Crabbe and Goyle, growled at him and flexed their fists.
"Tisk, tisk, Weasley, that threat is worthless. Just like your family."
Harry and Hermione had to hold Ron back as Malfoy and cronies walked away laughing. "Don't let him get to you, Ron. He's just a stupid little prat," said Hermione.
"Ok, ok, whatever," Ron muttered and shook them off of him. "Let's go inside. We're about to miss the Sorting."
*****
The trio sat down at the Gryffindor table just as Professor McGonagall was getting the Great Hall's attention. "Now, students, before we begin the Sorting, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."
"This year, we at Hogwarts have decided to begin an exchange program with the United States of America in which we receive students from there and they get the chance to learn in a new country. This, we believe, will strengthen our friendship with that country. I will appreciate if you'll make them feel right at home here at Hogwarts. Also, we have two new teachers in our midst. Both will be familiar to you I'm sure. Since our luck with Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers is not top notch, we had to get another one again. We decided that the best for the job is none other than Remus Lupin."
"Lupin!" exclaimed Harry. "Wicked!" Professor Lupin, who taught the same class two years prior, was the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher they had ever had. But when it came out that Lupin was a werewolf, he was forced into retirement.
"I knew some of you would be pleased," Dumbledore smiled at the Gryffindor table, which was cheering loudly. "And now for our second teacher. Sad to say, Madam Hooch has retired from her Quidditch coaching and flying teaching days due to her age. We did find someone qualified for the job, however, so let me introduce Professor Wood."
"Hey, that's Oliver!" said George as the room filled with applause. "I guess being on a reserve team wasn't enough for the old guy."
As the clapping died down, McGonagall placed a three-legged stool in front of the group of first years, and placed on it the old, ragged piece of cloth that was the Sorting Hat. The first years and the Americans stared at it, and soon the rip that served as its mouth broke into song.
Welcome to Hogwarts, First Years!
You're a lovely sight to see
But before you can sit down
You must go through me
Now I'm not a tough obstacle
But still I am needed
To be placed upon your heads
And see where you'll be seeded
Are you a Slytherin
With ambition on the mind?
Or are you a Gryffindor
None braver you will find
Or perhaps a Hufflepuff
If you're a worker, that's the one
Maybe you're a Ravenclaw
If it's with the wise you run
So come on down, sit on the stool
And place me on your head
And I'll see what Hogwarts
Has in store for you ahead!
Everyone clapped as the Hat finished with its ditty. Then McGonagall held out a piece of parchment and began reading off names.
"Abbot, Daniel."
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Atkins, Jennifer."
"RAVENCLAW!"
"I wonder if she's going to do the exchange students separately?" Hermione thought out loud as "Dirks, Jacob" became a Gryffindor.
"We'll find out in a second," said Harry. "If she skips Sid Gordon."
And McGonagall did, as "Gunder, Kathy" became a Ravenclaw.
"Ugh, now we have to wait 'till all the first years are done to see what house the Lawson's are in!" groaned George.
"Oh, hope Leo's a Gryffindor, eh, George?" asked Fred, eyebrow raised.
"Of course! Who wouldn't?" he said, nonchalantly.
As "Yeske, Nathan" became a Slytherin, the four Americans were looking a bit nervous. Before being Sorted, Dumbledore stood once again.
"Since this is a special Sorting, I will announce their names and their years. All right then, Sixth Year Sid Gordon."
He walked up to the Sorting Hat like he was the king of the world and before the hat was placed on his head it shouted "SLYTHERIN!"
"Sixth Year Leonor Tricia Lawson."
She walked up nervously to the hat. If she didn't make Gryffindor she would positively kill herself. Before the hat went on her head she saw George and Fred give her a thumbs up. She smiled as she heard the hat trying to figure her out.
"Oooo, a tough one you are. Extreme wisdom you have, a ton of courage too. Loyal to a fault, and yet ambitious as well. I could put you anywhere you know.now which one?"
"Gryffindor, for God's sake!" Leo whispered fiercely to the Hat.
"Well, if you're sure. GRYFFINDOR!"
Leo took the hat off her head and sighed heavily. That was a close one. As she sat down at the Gryffindor table, she gave George a high five and then watched as the last two were Sorted.
"Fifth Year Teresa Jasmine Lawson."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"And last but not least, Fifth Year Elba Wilder."
"SLYTHERIN!"
The clapping died down and soon the feast began. The magical golden plates impressed Leo and Jazz as food began just popping up all over the place. It was turning out to be one of the best beginning of term feast that Hogwarts had seen in awhile, as platters upon platters of roast chicken, turkey, smoked beef, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, and rice was followed by even more desserts.
"This is delicious!" exclaimed Leo.
"Exquisite if I do say so myself," said Hermione "It has been one of the best meals I've ever had."
Fred and George seemed to have been enjoying it as well since they were still stuffing their faces with pumpkin pastries.
"Would you like the rest of my pastry, Jazz?" asked Harry in a kind voice.
"No, thanks anyway," said Jazz in a groan, "I'm so full, I'm fit to burst!"
The feast ended shortly and the Americans, along with the first years, got their tour of the main hall and their dorms.
Jazz and Leo soon got situated and went to their own dormitories.
"Guess what?" said Hermione.
"What?" asked Jazz.
"We got our schedule on our beds and we have all of our classes together!"
"That's great!" said Jazz excited at the prospect of having a friend in her new classes.
"Ron and Harry are with us too, just so you know."
"Ooo, that even cooler!"
"So are you saying that Ron and Harry are cooler than me?" Hermione protested, pretending to be taken aback.
"No, wait! I didn't mean." Jazz stuttered, trying to dig herself out of the hole.
"I was just joking," laughed Hermione, pulling the bed sheets down on her four-poster bed. "Now, I saved you the bed beside me so we can gossip about things together. Hope you don't mind."
"No really, thanks a lot. I've got a feeling that this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship, " Jazz yawned, feeling grateful towards her.
They got into their pajamas, then into bed. They fell asleep almost instantly.
"Firs' years this way! Exchange students too!" shouted Hagrid over the row of the students getting off the Hogwarts Express. "All righ' you three?"
"Great, Hagrid, just smashing," said Harry. "We're here to present to you two of the Americans."
"Is that so? Let's see 'em then."
Leo and Jazz came forward and smiled at the giant man, "How do you do?" said Jazz. "It's nice to meet you Hagrid. Harry has said so much about you. My name is Jazz Lawson."
"Nice to meet cha, Jazz. An' who's the other one?"
"What's up Hagrid?" Leo held out her hand, "I'm Leo Lawson, American extrordinare."
"I've got a feelin' you'll be a handful," smiled Hagrid. "Ok, then, I've got to get the firs' years on the boats. See you three a' the castle."
"See you, Hagrid!" waved the three as they went and got on the carriages that would take them to Hogwarts.
As they got off the carriages to enter the castle, Harry heard an all too familiar voice behind him.
"Have you seen those Americans? Ruddy stupid looking if you ask me. Not a bit of sense either, seeing as they were hanging out with Potter. Elba and Sid weren't too bad, as they did go to a respectable school, but the Lawson's, HA! What a joke! Probably don't even know how to hold a wand properly."
"Like you do, Malfoy," Harry turned to face his sworn enemy.
"Oh, standing up for the little Americans eh, Potter? Must always be the hero don't you? Mr. Good and Righteous. Makes me gag on breakfast, it does."
"Just go away before I rearrange your face," Ron stepped in. Malfoy's mental lackeys, Crabbe and Goyle, growled at him and flexed their fists.
"Tisk, tisk, Weasley, that threat is worthless. Just like your family."
Harry and Hermione had to hold Ron back as Malfoy and cronies walked away laughing. "Don't let him get to you, Ron. He's just a stupid little prat," said Hermione.
"Ok, ok, whatever," Ron muttered and shook them off of him. "Let's go inside. We're about to miss the Sorting."
*****
The trio sat down at the Gryffindor table just as Professor McGonagall was getting the Great Hall's attention. "Now, students, before we begin the Sorting, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."
"This year, we at Hogwarts have decided to begin an exchange program with the United States of America in which we receive students from there and they get the chance to learn in a new country. This, we believe, will strengthen our friendship with that country. I will appreciate if you'll make them feel right at home here at Hogwarts. Also, we have two new teachers in our midst. Both will be familiar to you I'm sure. Since our luck with Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers is not top notch, we had to get another one again. We decided that the best for the job is none other than Remus Lupin."
"Lupin!" exclaimed Harry. "Wicked!" Professor Lupin, who taught the same class two years prior, was the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher they had ever had. But when it came out that Lupin was a werewolf, he was forced into retirement.
"I knew some of you would be pleased," Dumbledore smiled at the Gryffindor table, which was cheering loudly. "And now for our second teacher. Sad to say, Madam Hooch has retired from her Quidditch coaching and flying teaching days due to her age. We did find someone qualified for the job, however, so let me introduce Professor Wood."
"Hey, that's Oliver!" said George as the room filled with applause. "I guess being on a reserve team wasn't enough for the old guy."
As the clapping died down, McGonagall placed a three-legged stool in front of the group of first years, and placed on it the old, ragged piece of cloth that was the Sorting Hat. The first years and the Americans stared at it, and soon the rip that served as its mouth broke into song.
Welcome to Hogwarts, First Years!
You're a lovely sight to see
But before you can sit down
You must go through me
Now I'm not a tough obstacle
But still I am needed
To be placed upon your heads
And see where you'll be seeded
Are you a Slytherin
With ambition on the mind?
Or are you a Gryffindor
None braver you will find
Or perhaps a Hufflepuff
If you're a worker, that's the one
Maybe you're a Ravenclaw
If it's with the wise you run
So come on down, sit on the stool
And place me on your head
And I'll see what Hogwarts
Has in store for you ahead!
Everyone clapped as the Hat finished with its ditty. Then McGonagall held out a piece of parchment and began reading off names.
"Abbot, Daniel."
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Atkins, Jennifer."
"RAVENCLAW!"
"I wonder if she's going to do the exchange students separately?" Hermione thought out loud as "Dirks, Jacob" became a Gryffindor.
"We'll find out in a second," said Harry. "If she skips Sid Gordon."
And McGonagall did, as "Gunder, Kathy" became a Ravenclaw.
"Ugh, now we have to wait 'till all the first years are done to see what house the Lawson's are in!" groaned George.
"Oh, hope Leo's a Gryffindor, eh, George?" asked Fred, eyebrow raised.
"Of course! Who wouldn't?" he said, nonchalantly.
As "Yeske, Nathan" became a Slytherin, the four Americans were looking a bit nervous. Before being Sorted, Dumbledore stood once again.
"Since this is a special Sorting, I will announce their names and their years. All right then, Sixth Year Sid Gordon."
He walked up to the Sorting Hat like he was the king of the world and before the hat was placed on his head it shouted "SLYTHERIN!"
"Sixth Year Leonor Tricia Lawson."
She walked up nervously to the hat. If she didn't make Gryffindor she would positively kill herself. Before the hat went on her head she saw George and Fred give her a thumbs up. She smiled as she heard the hat trying to figure her out.
"Oooo, a tough one you are. Extreme wisdom you have, a ton of courage too. Loyal to a fault, and yet ambitious as well. I could put you anywhere you know.now which one?"
"Gryffindor, for God's sake!" Leo whispered fiercely to the Hat.
"Well, if you're sure. GRYFFINDOR!"
Leo took the hat off her head and sighed heavily. That was a close one. As she sat down at the Gryffindor table, she gave George a high five and then watched as the last two were Sorted.
"Fifth Year Teresa Jasmine Lawson."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"And last but not least, Fifth Year Elba Wilder."
"SLYTHERIN!"
The clapping died down and soon the feast began. The magical golden plates impressed Leo and Jazz as food began just popping up all over the place. It was turning out to be one of the best beginning of term feast that Hogwarts had seen in awhile, as platters upon platters of roast chicken, turkey, smoked beef, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, and rice was followed by even more desserts.
"This is delicious!" exclaimed Leo.
"Exquisite if I do say so myself," said Hermione "It has been one of the best meals I've ever had."
Fred and George seemed to have been enjoying it as well since they were still stuffing their faces with pumpkin pastries.
"Would you like the rest of my pastry, Jazz?" asked Harry in a kind voice.
"No, thanks anyway," said Jazz in a groan, "I'm so full, I'm fit to burst!"
The feast ended shortly and the Americans, along with the first years, got their tour of the main hall and their dorms.
Jazz and Leo soon got situated and went to their own dormitories.
"Guess what?" said Hermione.
"What?" asked Jazz.
"We got our schedule on our beds and we have all of our classes together!"
"That's great!" said Jazz excited at the prospect of having a friend in her new classes.
"Ron and Harry are with us too, just so you know."
"Ooo, that even cooler!"
"So are you saying that Ron and Harry are cooler than me?" Hermione protested, pretending to be taken aback.
"No, wait! I didn't mean." Jazz stuttered, trying to dig herself out of the hole.
"I was just joking," laughed Hermione, pulling the bed sheets down on her four-poster bed. "Now, I saved you the bed beside me so we can gossip about things together. Hope you don't mind."
"No really, thanks a lot. I've got a feeling that this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship, " Jazz yawned, feeling grateful towards her.
They got into their pajamas, then into bed. They fell asleep almost instantly.