Chapter 6 ~ The Feast
It was five PM and all of the Gryffindors were sitting at the table, waiting for the other students to arrive. As the upper classmen poured in, Harry spotted Cho. Another girl that walked in also caught his eye. Suddenly, he gasped. It was the girl that he had bumped into on the train in London. His eyes followed her anxiously as she walked with Professor McGonagall. What house is she in, he wondered to himself. Suddenly, he was unsure about Cho's offer. Soon, the first years arrived, scared, but in complete awe, and made their way to the front of the Hall.
"Welcome all," Headmaster Dumbledore exclaimed and the entire Hall grew silent, "I would like to welcome back our old friends as well as welcoming in our new. The first newcomer that I would like to introduce is Anistasia Willow. She is a transfer from Beauxbaton and will be beginning her fifth year here. I trust that you all will make her feel welcome."
Anistasia blushed as applause rung out in the Great Hall for her. Once the clapping subsided, Dumbledore continued.
"Next, I would like to inform you that there is a slight change in Potions this year. Professor Snape has taken leave for most of this year. In his place will be Professor ----"
The headmaster's sentence was cut short as an owl flew into the window that the Owl Post enters from and straight into the south wall. Many kids gasped at it. Draco and some of the other Slytherins laughed loudly. Harry was wondering what the owl was doing in the Hall. His unspoken question was soon answered when the owl morphed into human form. There stood a woman with dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes wearing a long, black cloak.
"I am sorry! I am here! I apologize. I haven't gotten used to my wings yet," she explained nervously as she made her way up to the teachers' table, "Please, don't mind me, headmaster. Do continue."
"I would like to introduce to you all Professor Lauren Wall, Potions Master and head of Slytherin house," Dumbledore exclaimed.
Professor Wall looked somewhat surprised when we all applauded her with welcome. Draco looked none to pleased.
"Another Professor that I would like to welcome is the New Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Welcome, Professor Carol Jane Roberts."
Professor Roberts stood and took a bow.
"Last, but not least, I would like to invite back Oliver Wood, who will be Madam Hooch's assistant. I know that she will be needing one for the Quidditch Season this year, but I will be getting to that later.
"Now, to take care of some business. A reminder to all that the Dark Forest is off limits to anyone who doesn't want to be eaten, attacked, trampled on or caught in a web of some sort. I would also like to announce that, this year, we will have a Quidditch All Star team composed of the best players in the school. We will be competing against Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, and a school of magic in America called South Gravewitch. The competitions will start in the middle of February, which means that our Quidditch season will start earlier in order to allow us to gather statistics and create our best team. I will talk more to the Quidditch Team captains about that. Without any further a due, I would like to begin the sorting ceremony. Professor McGonagall, please bring out the Sorting Hat."
Professor McGonagall walked in from the right side of the Hall (the left if you are facing the professors' table) carrying a ragged, very old looking hat and placed it on a stool. As soon as she stepped away, the hat began to speak.
"Gather closer so you can hear,
"My poem to begin another year.
"There is a new group of kids who will try me on,
"I will tell them where to go; all said and done.
"There is one of four houses you will be sorted to,
"When I look into your head, it will give me a clue.
"Will you be sorted into Hufflepuff?
"The house of the talented, bold and the tough.
"Or, possibly, Ravenclaw,
"They are all careful and abide by the law.
"Then there is Slytherin,
"The most evil of kin,
"Their history is never spoken of, my friend.
"Of Gryffindor, what can I say?
"The rivals of Slytherin, from the beginning to this day.
"They are honest, faithful and true,
"It is an honor if they pick you.
"Now put me on and try your luck,
"And the name of your house, I will chuck."
The Sorting Hat closed its eyes and Professor McGonagall pulled out a long scroll. She began calling names to be sorted.
"Brittany Ali!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Jared Athens!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
This process went on for a while.
"Anistasia Willow!"
The fifth year student walked up boldly. An eerie silence fell upon the room as she sat on the stool and put the hat on. Everyone seemed to want her in their house. It was then that Harry made a decision.
"If she is put into Gryffindor," he said to himself, "then I will say no to Cho and try my luck with Anistasia."
After a moment, the Sorting Hat announced to everyone what house she was destined to be in.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The suspense broke and cheers rang out through the Hall. Anistasia slid off of the stool and walked over to the Gryffindor table. She was welcomed warmly.
"Anistasia," Ron called, "Over here!"
Hermione looked at him strangely as she walked over and sat.
"Hi," she said, "Are you a fifth year?"
"Yeah," Ron replied, "I am Ron Weasley and this is Hermione Granger and Harry Potter."
Anistasia nodded at Hermione and smiled at Harry.
"I saw you on a train in London earlier this summer," she said, "We bumped into each other."
Harry smiled. So she remembers, he thought.
"Yeah, um…sorry about that."
"Oh, don't worry about it," she replied, grinning, "I have nearly forgotten all about it. I am surprised that I failed to recognize you however. The famous Harry Potter."
Harry blushed and they laughed a short laugh as they watched as the last people were sorted. Then, Dumbledore stood and made one last announcement.
"Congratulations all sorties. I am sure that your house will make you feel welcome. Now, let the feast begin!"
Food filled the plates and everyone began eating. Harry couldn't touch a thing.
"Excuse me. I'll be back in a moment," Harry said and stood.
Hermione nodded and continued to talk to Anistasia. Ron, who knew what Harry was leaving for, patted him on the back.
"You are one lucky man, Harry, one lucky man."
Harry nodded, walked over to the Ravenclaw table and tapped Cho on the shoulder. She faced him and smiled. He smiled back. Cho stood up and the two of them walked into the Entrance Hall.
"Hi," was the best thing that Cho could think of to say.
Harry looked at the ground. His hands were in his pockets and, in his mind, he was still debating whether he wanted to say no or yes. He had liked Cho since his third year and had been dying to go out with her…but that was before he saw Anistasia. Did he truly believe in love at first sight? No, of course, he didn't…but he was going to go with it.
"Listen, Cho…I think you are a great person, but I – I feel that it is too early right now to begin a relationship with you. I am really sorry…"
Harry sighed and Cho nodded.
"Yes, I understand. Thank you for your honesty and thank you for comforting me in Cedric's loss."
Cho embraced Harry in a hug, smiled at him and then walked back into the Great Hall. Harry leaned against the castle wall and kicked at the ground.
"One lucky man," he asked himself, "Yeah, right. Was this the right decision? I hope to find out soon enough."
