Chapter 4 - The Sorting
The great door opened, and young witch was standing there, looking very severe. She was wearing a maroon cloak and hat, and she had small square spectacles. Her hair was drawn back into a tight bun. She looked like someone you should take seriously. He didn't think he'd like to be on the wrong side or her.
"Thank you Mr. Ogg, I'll take them from here." She said, sharply. She led them into a small room. "My name is Professor McGonagall. You will soon be invited to join the start of term banquet, but first you will need to be sorted into your houses. At Hogwarts, your House will be like your family, you will eat with them, sleep with them, spend your time in the common room with them, your successes will earn points for your house and your failures will lose them. In a minute the ceremony will begin. In the meantime, I advise you to take some time to, erm, tidy yourselves up a little." James looked around at the others, they were all looking very nervous. He saw her glance fall on his untidy hair and on the chocolate that had remained around Peter's mouth. "Do you know what we have to do?" He asked Sirius. He shrugged, "I did hear we had to wrestle a troll, but I think that's a bit of a scare story." He looked quite scared. James tried to smooth his hair down, but he gave up, his hair was simply a messy black mop on top of his head and James seriously doubted that it'd ever change. He'd asked his parents what he'd be expected to do several times, but all they did was to smile mysteriously and tell him that he'd find out when it was his turn. He didn't have very long to worry about the ceremony, however, as Professor McGonagall returned pretty quickly to take them into the great hall.
There was a gasp of amazement as the first years looked around the hall. It was really quite amazing. There were four long tables full of students and another table at the front of the hall with the teachers sat at it. The ceiling had been enchanted to look like the sky outside, he'd read about it in Hogwarts, a history. It was foggy tonight; the stars were barely visible through the mist. He looked forward, following everyone's gaze to a small, four-legged stool and sat atop was a battered old wizards hat. James gawped at it, what were they supposed to do? He racked his brains, but nothing he'd read had given him even the slightest clue of what he was about to have to do. A vague feeling of panic was just beginning to wash over him until all of a sudden, the brim opened like a huge mouth and the hat started singing
I'm the Hogwarts sorting hat, I hope you'll like my song? Slip me on your head I know where you belong About a thousand years ago When Hogwarts School began The founders picked their favourites But now they're dead and gone.
It was Gryffindor who found the way
He put some brains in me So I could tell you where to go Just try me, and you'll see Maybe you'll be in Gryffindor, With others just like you If you're chivalrous and brave You belong there too Perhaps you are a Ravenclaw Wise and glad to learn If your mind is ready Your place there you will earn. Maybe Hufflepuff will be your place Where they are loyal and fair If you don't mind a bit of work You'll make your home there. Finally there's Slytherin, For those of great ambition If you're cunning and sly You'll soon find your position You're safe with me I won't bite I can tell you now Where you'll sleep tonight!
The hat bowed to all the tables in turn as the hall erupted into thunderous applause. So, they just had to try on the hat. 'That's not so bad as all that' thought James. Still, he'd prefer to be away from all those prying eyes. Sirius was looking relieved too, though Peter looked faintly sick and Remus also looked nervous, they, like James felt a bit weird about the rather large audience.
"Anderson, Iris." She was the first; she stumbled forward nervously and sat on the stool. She put the hat on her head and it fell down over her eyes. She waited for a few second and the hat shouted HUFFLEPUFF. Sirius was next. He sauntered down to the hat, trying to look carefree, and failing James noticed. A few seconds later, the hat shouted GRYFFINDOR. The Gryffindor table started applauding loudly. James was starting to get lost in his own thoughts when Professor McGonagall's voice pulled him out of his reverie, "Evans, Lily." James glanced at her, he gave her an encouraging grin, she looked absolutely terrified. She sat on the stool, and the hat called GRYFFINDOR. There was a very strange feeling in the pit of his stomach when he realised that they would probably be in the same house. He couldn't figure out why he'd felt like that and he didn't have time to think about it, because as soon as he started to think it was Peter's turn "Pettigrew, Peter." He wandered down, looking as though he was about to faint. He put the hat on his head and waited. It was by far the longest yet, but finally it shouted GRYFFINDOR. James tried very hard to stifle the moan that was threatening to escape from his throat. He had thought he might be able to escape Peter, but obviously there was no chance of that now. Peter, looking very relieved sat down at the Gryffindor table. He saw that Remus was there too, he must have missed him being sorted while he was thinking about Lily.
It was his turn. He barely heard his name being called as he walked towards the hat. He felt the eyes in the hall bearing down on him as he put the hat on his head, it slipped down over his eyes, just like it had with everyone else. He heard a little voice inside his head, "My my, what have we got here" the voice said "Lots of talent, certainly, a good brain, but Ravenclaw won't do. Loyal too, but I don't think Hufflepuff would work either. Very brave, certainly, oh, if you only knew how brave you could be. Very well, it's got to be GRYFFINDOR." It shouted out the last word for everyone to hear. With weak knees and a spinning head, James walked over to the Gryffindor table and sank into seat next to Sirius Black and waited until the last people were sorted.
Finally, when 'Young, Michael' had been sorted, Professor McGonagall picked up the hat and stool and took them out of the hall.
"Ahem, if I may have everybody's attention?" Professor Dumbledore had stood up at the staff table. The room fell quiet. Everyone liked and respected Dumbledore. "I have a few notices to give. First, I would like to make quite clear that the forbidden forest is just as it's name suggests, forbidden, as is the village of Hogsmeade to those below 3rd year. If you'd like to try out for the house Quidditch teams, then information will be posted onto your house notice boards in due time. I believe that is all, let the feast begin." He beamed down at his students as the golden plates and jugs in front of them suddenly filled themselves. There were all sorts of food, potatoes, meat, and vegetables and for some very strange reason, liquorice laces. James helped himself to everything he could reach and started to eat, now hat his nerves had gone, he was suddenly starving! For a while he listened rather than join in, preferring to eat the large selection of food in front of him. He soon warmed to Sirius, as he heard him talk about all the practical jokes he used to play at primary school. James wondered that he was ever allowed out of the house, if he'd done all those things he'd have been permanently grounded. Remus was very quiet; he didn't seem to want to talk much about his childhood (it didn't really matter because it seemed Sirius could talk enough for everyone). Peter sat and watched as James and Sirius started to laugh and joke. When everyone had eaten enough, the food disappeared and Dumbledore stood up again. "Well now you've all eaten your fill, I'd like to welcome the new defence against the dark arts teacher, Rheia Sabio." A rather tall and Spanish looking woman stood up and smiled as she heard the applause (and the wolf whistles from a few of the older students).
Finally, led by a gangly sort of 5th year with flaming red hair, Arthur Weasley, round more and more corridors, up several staircases and demonstrating which steps to jump until they reached a portrait of a rather fat woman in a pink frilly dress. "Password?" She called, shrilly. "Chocolate Frog", said Arthur, he was obviously a prefect. The portrait swung open to reveal a round, comfortable room with lots of squashy chairs and a large roaring fire. Arthur directed the girls to their dormitories and led the boys to theirs. James found himself in another circular room with four, large four-poster beds. He, Sirius, Remus and Peter sank gratefully into bed, each choosing the one with their trunk at the end. James wanted to talk more, and he turned to ask Sirius what he'd made of the food but he found his eyes closing involuntarily and before he knew it, he was fast asleep.
The great door opened, and young witch was standing there, looking very severe. She was wearing a maroon cloak and hat, and she had small square spectacles. Her hair was drawn back into a tight bun. She looked like someone you should take seriously. He didn't think he'd like to be on the wrong side or her.
"Thank you Mr. Ogg, I'll take them from here." She said, sharply. She led them into a small room. "My name is Professor McGonagall. You will soon be invited to join the start of term banquet, but first you will need to be sorted into your houses. At Hogwarts, your House will be like your family, you will eat with them, sleep with them, spend your time in the common room with them, your successes will earn points for your house and your failures will lose them. In a minute the ceremony will begin. In the meantime, I advise you to take some time to, erm, tidy yourselves up a little." James looked around at the others, they were all looking very nervous. He saw her glance fall on his untidy hair and on the chocolate that had remained around Peter's mouth. "Do you know what we have to do?" He asked Sirius. He shrugged, "I did hear we had to wrestle a troll, but I think that's a bit of a scare story." He looked quite scared. James tried to smooth his hair down, but he gave up, his hair was simply a messy black mop on top of his head and James seriously doubted that it'd ever change. He'd asked his parents what he'd be expected to do several times, but all they did was to smile mysteriously and tell him that he'd find out when it was his turn. He didn't have very long to worry about the ceremony, however, as Professor McGonagall returned pretty quickly to take them into the great hall.
There was a gasp of amazement as the first years looked around the hall. It was really quite amazing. There were four long tables full of students and another table at the front of the hall with the teachers sat at it. The ceiling had been enchanted to look like the sky outside, he'd read about it in Hogwarts, a history. It was foggy tonight; the stars were barely visible through the mist. He looked forward, following everyone's gaze to a small, four-legged stool and sat atop was a battered old wizards hat. James gawped at it, what were they supposed to do? He racked his brains, but nothing he'd read had given him even the slightest clue of what he was about to have to do. A vague feeling of panic was just beginning to wash over him until all of a sudden, the brim opened like a huge mouth and the hat started singing
I'm the Hogwarts sorting hat, I hope you'll like my song? Slip me on your head I know where you belong About a thousand years ago When Hogwarts School began The founders picked their favourites But now they're dead and gone.
It was Gryffindor who found the way
He put some brains in me So I could tell you where to go Just try me, and you'll see Maybe you'll be in Gryffindor, With others just like you If you're chivalrous and brave You belong there too Perhaps you are a Ravenclaw Wise and glad to learn If your mind is ready Your place there you will earn. Maybe Hufflepuff will be your place Where they are loyal and fair If you don't mind a bit of work You'll make your home there. Finally there's Slytherin, For those of great ambition If you're cunning and sly You'll soon find your position You're safe with me I won't bite I can tell you now Where you'll sleep tonight!
The hat bowed to all the tables in turn as the hall erupted into thunderous applause. So, they just had to try on the hat. 'That's not so bad as all that' thought James. Still, he'd prefer to be away from all those prying eyes. Sirius was looking relieved too, though Peter looked faintly sick and Remus also looked nervous, they, like James felt a bit weird about the rather large audience.
"Anderson, Iris." She was the first; she stumbled forward nervously and sat on the stool. She put the hat on her head and it fell down over her eyes. She waited for a few second and the hat shouted HUFFLEPUFF. Sirius was next. He sauntered down to the hat, trying to look carefree, and failing James noticed. A few seconds later, the hat shouted GRYFFINDOR. The Gryffindor table started applauding loudly. James was starting to get lost in his own thoughts when Professor McGonagall's voice pulled him out of his reverie, "Evans, Lily." James glanced at her, he gave her an encouraging grin, she looked absolutely terrified. She sat on the stool, and the hat called GRYFFINDOR. There was a very strange feeling in the pit of his stomach when he realised that they would probably be in the same house. He couldn't figure out why he'd felt like that and he didn't have time to think about it, because as soon as he started to think it was Peter's turn "Pettigrew, Peter." He wandered down, looking as though he was about to faint. He put the hat on his head and waited. It was by far the longest yet, but finally it shouted GRYFFINDOR. James tried very hard to stifle the moan that was threatening to escape from his throat. He had thought he might be able to escape Peter, but obviously there was no chance of that now. Peter, looking very relieved sat down at the Gryffindor table. He saw that Remus was there too, he must have missed him being sorted while he was thinking about Lily.
It was his turn. He barely heard his name being called as he walked towards the hat. He felt the eyes in the hall bearing down on him as he put the hat on his head, it slipped down over his eyes, just like it had with everyone else. He heard a little voice inside his head, "My my, what have we got here" the voice said "Lots of talent, certainly, a good brain, but Ravenclaw won't do. Loyal too, but I don't think Hufflepuff would work either. Very brave, certainly, oh, if you only knew how brave you could be. Very well, it's got to be GRYFFINDOR." It shouted out the last word for everyone to hear. With weak knees and a spinning head, James walked over to the Gryffindor table and sank into seat next to Sirius Black and waited until the last people were sorted.
Finally, when 'Young, Michael' had been sorted, Professor McGonagall picked up the hat and stool and took them out of the hall.
"Ahem, if I may have everybody's attention?" Professor Dumbledore had stood up at the staff table. The room fell quiet. Everyone liked and respected Dumbledore. "I have a few notices to give. First, I would like to make quite clear that the forbidden forest is just as it's name suggests, forbidden, as is the village of Hogsmeade to those below 3rd year. If you'd like to try out for the house Quidditch teams, then information will be posted onto your house notice boards in due time. I believe that is all, let the feast begin." He beamed down at his students as the golden plates and jugs in front of them suddenly filled themselves. There were all sorts of food, potatoes, meat, and vegetables and for some very strange reason, liquorice laces. James helped himself to everything he could reach and started to eat, now hat his nerves had gone, he was suddenly starving! For a while he listened rather than join in, preferring to eat the large selection of food in front of him. He soon warmed to Sirius, as he heard him talk about all the practical jokes he used to play at primary school. James wondered that he was ever allowed out of the house, if he'd done all those things he'd have been permanently grounded. Remus was very quiet; he didn't seem to want to talk much about his childhood (it didn't really matter because it seemed Sirius could talk enough for everyone). Peter sat and watched as James and Sirius started to laugh and joke. When everyone had eaten enough, the food disappeared and Dumbledore stood up again. "Well now you've all eaten your fill, I'd like to welcome the new defence against the dark arts teacher, Rheia Sabio." A rather tall and Spanish looking woman stood up and smiled as she heard the applause (and the wolf whistles from a few of the older students).
Finally, led by a gangly sort of 5th year with flaming red hair, Arthur Weasley, round more and more corridors, up several staircases and demonstrating which steps to jump until they reached a portrait of a rather fat woman in a pink frilly dress. "Password?" She called, shrilly. "Chocolate Frog", said Arthur, he was obviously a prefect. The portrait swung open to reveal a round, comfortable room with lots of squashy chairs and a large roaring fire. Arthur directed the girls to their dormitories and led the boys to theirs. James found himself in another circular room with four, large four-poster beds. He, Sirius, Remus and Peter sank gratefully into bed, each choosing the one with their trunk at the end. James wanted to talk more, and he turned to ask Sirius what he'd made of the food but he found his eyes closing involuntarily and before he knew it, he was fast asleep.