Sakura and the Hogwarts Adventure
by K'sta
Chapter Two
In Which the Sorting Hat Seeks Therapy
The Hogwarts Express came to a screechy halt in Hogmeade Station and the doors were opened by the head boy, head girl, and prefects and the students filed out.
"You're first years, right?" said Hermione. The five card captors nodded. "Than you go over there to Hagrid." She pointed to a rather tall man with black, shaggy hair and beard to match. "You'll take boats over to the castle and you'll be sorted into the Houses. Good luck." She walked off with Harry and Ron to a long row of horseless carriages.
Hagrid's voice boomed over the noise of the crowd. "Firs' years follow me!" he called. "Come along, now. We've got a journey ahead of us."
Sakura staggered forward, shaking slightly. A group of much younger looking kids followed them.
"Ah, you must be the special ones Dumbledore had sent fer," he said, beaming at the card captors.
Tomoyo looked at Eriol, who shrugged, uncertain of what Hagrid was talking about.
When what looked like all of the first years had gathered. Hagrid led them down the slopping walkway and to a lake where a dozen or so boats were waiting for them.
"Alrigh'," Hagrid said. "We're goin' ter boat our way up ter the castle where one o' yer teachers will be waiting. You'll be taken into the Great Hall fer sortin' and we'll celebrate with a grand ol' feast. Now, everyone in a boat - no more than four people per boat."
Tomoyo and Sakura clambered into a boat with Meiling and Syaoran. Eriol sat with three first year girls and was animatedly talking to them about what life in Japan was like. They seemed very fascinated in what he had to say and he was absolutely loving the attention.
The boats floated up to the enormous, magnificent castle. Sakura and Tomoyo (video camera in hand, though it wasn't working) looked up at the castle in awe. They had never seen anything like it. Meiling was still ranting to Syaoran about Draco Malfoy, hugging him tightly. Syaoran's eyes were shut, trying to block out as much of Meiling as possible.
When they reached an underground passage they all climbed out of their boats. Eriol rejoined his friends; still flagged by the three girls he had been talking to who were begging him to show them some of the Chinese magic that he knew.
"Alrigh' firs' years," said Hagrid. "Yer Professor McGonagall will be here shortly to sort you out." Hagrid wandered away, leaving the first years to talk excitedly.
"Oh, this is such a great place, Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo said. She looked down sadly at her camera. "If only I could have got it all on film. My camera doesn't work here." She sighed, but regained her happiness. She looked over at Eriol. "It looks as if he's right at home."
"Oh, Eriol, you have to show us some of your magic, please?" a first year begged, clinging to his arm.
"Silence, everyone," a severe voice said. A witch rounded the corner. This must be Professor McGonagall, Syaoran thought. "Welcome to your first year at Hogwarts. We are going to walk to the Great Hall and you shall be sorted into your houses. While you are here, your houses are like your family. You are to behave properly so that no one in your house must suffer. Your good conduct will earn you house points and your misconduct's will cost you points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points wins the house cup. Now, onto the Sorting."
"I wonder how we're going to be sorted, Syaoran," said Meiling, holding his hand tightly at they walked down the halls behind Sakura, Tomoyo, and Eriol.
Professor McGonagall pushed open a set of grand doors and the Great Hall came into view. The ceiling resembled the night sky - dark and cloudless with stars dotting it in various areas - and hundreds of candles were lit and were floating above the four house tables and the long staff table which resided at the front of the Hall.
The first years and card captors walked up the row of tables and stood in front of the staff table, facing their fellow students. Hermione smiled and waved at Sakura, who managed to smile back, though her nerves were causing her to shake slightly.
One of the wizards at the staff table stood up, his long, silver beard and hair falling past his waist. It was the great Professor Dumbledore. "Welcome, students," he said, calmly and kindly. "To another year at Hogwarts. I would like to remind you all, including the first years, that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students at all times. Also, more items have been added to Mr. Filch's list of thise forbidden at Hogwarts, which is posted on his office door for all to see. And with that, let the sorting begin."
Professor McGonagall brought a stool out along with an old, dirty and frayed hat, which she set upon the stool. From her robes she produced a long roll of parchment. It opened its mouth (a tear in the brim) and sang a short song.
You've come to Hogwarts
Now we'll see
Which Hogwarts house
In which you should be
Gryffindor picks the brave
Ravenclaw picks the wise
Slytherin picks the determined
Hufflepuff picks those with their own surprise
So sit down when you're called
And bravely try me on
Sorry I've gone so quickly
But I've delayed in writing this song!
The hall burst into applause. And McGonagall began calling the names of the first years.
"Absheir, Margo."
An extremely short girl with slick, brown hair squeaked and ran up to the stool, ramming the hat onto her head and waiting anxiously.
After a minute or so, the hat called out, "HUFFLEPUFF!" Margo sighed in relief and ran to the table and sat down beside a girl might have been her sister.
"Anton, Randall."
"SLYTHERIN!"
More and more names were called and Meiling and Sakura grew very restless. Finally, "Zimmerman, Andrew" was called and was sorted into the Ravenclaw house.
"Hey, he forgot us!" Syaoran hissed.
"I haven't forgotten about you, Mr. Li," said Professor Dumbledore, standing once more. "Now the reason why these five have yet to be sorted is because they are not to be placed in their first years. They are all of fifth year age and are to be put in that level. The only reason why they did not arrive with their fellow fifth years is because they are from another country and there was some turbulence in their lives that had to be dealt with beforehand."
Sakura blushed. He's talking about the Clow Cards, she thought.
"So, let them be sorted."
Professor McGonagall took out another scroll and began calling their names. "Daidouji, Tomoyo."
Tomoyo handed her camera to Sakura and walked, gracefully, to the stool. She put the hat on her head and waited.
"Oh you're very intelligent, alright," said a voice in her head, causing her to jump slightly. "You enjoy learning and you're very clever. I think I'll put you in .... RAVENCLAW!"
The Ravenclaw table burst into applause and Tomoyo retrieved her camera from Sakura, smiling and went to sit at her table.
"Hiiragizawa, Eriol."
Eriol sat on the stool and placed that hat on his head and waited patiently.
"Also ... RAVENCLAW!"
Eriol got up and walked over to sit by Tomoyo who smiled at him. "I hope Sakura is put in Ravenclaw, too!" she said to him, crossing her fingers.
"Kinomoto, Sakura."
"Hoe!" Sakura squeaked, walking up to the stool. She placed the hat on her head and waited.
"You're extremely brave for someone your age," the had said in her ear. Sakura became nervous and fidgeted with the sleeve of her robe. "And you already have powerful magic. You're smart, no doubt ... better be ... GRYFFINDOR!" Sakura sighed and smiled at Tomoyo before joining Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the other first years at the cheering Gryffindor table.
"Li, Meiling."
Meiling placed her hands on her hips and strutted, confidently up to the stool. She placed that hat on her head and waited. She could see Draco Malfoy starring longingly at her. She rolled her eyes, but they widened when the hat made its announcement.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"What?" Meiling cried, pulling the hat off of her head. "You've gotta be kidding me! You can't put me in Slytherin! What sick-o freak made this thing? If I knew I'd smack them so hard so they wouldn't get anymore bright ideas!"
"Meiling, please go to your table," said Professor McGonagall, trying to pry the hat of Meiling's hands.
"No!" she said. "I am not going to be in Slytherin - you can't make me!"
"Miss Li, please," Professor McGonagall snapped. She pulled the hat from Meiling's hands and set it back on the stool. It looked much more roughed up than it had before.
Meiling went dejectedly to the Slytherin table.
"THAT STUPID HAT BETTER PUT SYAORAN HERE, TOO!" she yelled, waving a fist threateningly at the hat and at Professor McGonagall.
"Li, Syaoran," McGonagall said, shakily, still fazed by Meiling's antics.
Syaoran walked up to the stool, not showing any emotions at all. He placed the hat on his head and sat there, listening to the hat rant about Meiling for a while before choosing his house. "GRYFFINDOR!"
"NO!" Meiling screamed, getting up and marching to the hat, grabbing it and pulling it viciously. "I'M GONNA RIP THAT BRIM FROM YOU AND SEE WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY AFTER THAT!"
"Miss Li!" Professor McGonagall yelled. "Do you want a detention? Go sit down, child!"
"I said no!" Meiling cried again. "Where Syaoran Li goes, I go!"
"Mr. Malfoy," the exasperated teacher said. "Come take her to her table and don't let her get back up until it's time to go to the dormitories.
"With pleasure, Professor," Malfoy said, grinning. The people around him sniggered and made catcalls as he grabbed Meiling by the waist and dragged her to the Slytherin table. She kicked and screamed and called for Syaoran who looked absolutely embarrassed.
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Please disregard what has just happened ... And let the feast begin!"
Large quanties of food magically appeared before the students who ate greedily through three dinner courses and a round of desert before retiring to their dormitories.
( Another chapter down! Thanks for the reviews you guys - I love you all! LoL )
