Ickle Firsties
Chapter Three – New Gryffindors
The new first years scuffled into the great hall. In front of them was a shabby hat sitting on a stool. From what Professor McGonagall had told them in the preparation chamber, James knew that it was the Sorting Hat.
"What does it do?" asked a girl who had earlier been staring avidly at Sirius. Then, as though the Hat had heard her, its brim opened up like a mouth, and it began to sing.
What do you see when you look at me?
A normal hat, at first glance?
Well, I can tell you things that would make your small feet dance!
For I can see inside your head
There's nothing you can hide from me
I will know your darkest secrets, fears, and wonders
So try me on and see!
I'll place you where you belong
In this noble castle
One of Houses four
You'll feel more like yourself once done
Than ever before!
One House for each founder
One House for each whim
One House for each blunder
One House for each sin
Hufflepuff valued loyalty,
Joyfulness,
And hope
But she also valued equality
She'd teach even the dopes
Slytherin, however
Held different values at heart
Pure-blood
Cunning
Sneakiness
Were all piled on his cart
Gryffindor liked those similar to he
Who possessed true bravery
Nerve
And chivalry
Ravenclaw, however
Had yet another opinion
She liked those of intelligence,
Wit
And learning
But not of spirit grim
Between these four people
You're sure to find your place
To learn and talk and make friends
All at your own pace
So try me on!
There's no need to worry now
You're in my hands, young geniuses
To go where great destinies abound!
As the Sorting Hat finished its song, the Great Hall burst into applause. James couldn't exactly see why, as the song had some major lyrical flaws, but nevertheless, it was a hat.
Professor McGonagall then conjured a piece of parchment with her wand. It presumably held the names of all the first years. And the Sorting had begun.
The first person, a girl called Ginger Alumis, walked forward towards the stool that bore the Sorting Hat, every inch of her body shaking. She picked up the Hat, sat down, and put the Hat on her head.
There was a moment's silence, then-
"RAVENCLAW!" yelled the Hat.
"Well," said James, trying to keep his nervousness from showing. "That wasn't totally horrible. No explosions, or, you know, other things."
"Right," replied Sirius. "Can't be too bad. I mean, she's still alive." He was even more nervous than James, due to the fact that his last name started with a B.
"Apaydin, Christopher," said Professor McGonagall, and a tall boy with coffee blond hair walked over to the stool and placed the Hat on his head.
"Well, you won't be dead," said James, trying to make his friend feel better, as "Avellone, Michael" became the first Slytherin. "Humiliated, maybe, but not dead."
Sirius gulped and nodded, and after Alexander Bates was Sorted into Hufflepuff, Professor McGonagall said, "Black, Sirius," and Sirius walked uneasily up to the stool. The girl who had been staring at him earlier let out a very audible, dreamy sigh.
"Oh, shut up," muttered James under his breath. He crossed his fingers behind his back. Please let Sirius be in my House, please….
James saw Sirius frown. Please let him be in my House, please, please, please….
And then, a minute later, the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!", and Sirius became the first to sit at the table at the far left of the Great Hall.
He lived! Was James's initial thought as Sirius sat down. But then it dawned on him that it was much more boring to watch the Sorting without someone next to you, sharing your nervosa. Well, the boy next to him, who was round-faced and pink-skinned, seemed close to tears, and kept shuddering violently, but James found himself thinking that Sirius was much less of a wimp.
So, after Sirius got Sorted, James found his attention wandering, and only caught a few names of his year-mates ("Choubal, Delia", Sirius's admirer; "Derks, Riley", a boy with glasses that seemed to take up his entire face, even larger and rounder than James's own). He looked around the great hall, and spotted a congregation of ghosts- they must've been ghosts, from what Rob had told him, they looked like them. Every time a ghost was sorted into a House, a ghost would usually go over and congratulate them. Sirius got a pat on the back from one of them, and by the way he winced, James could tell that it wasn't a good feeling. The ceiling in the hall was also fascinating, because just before you heard a clap of thunder, you saw a bolt of lightning flash across it. At first, James surmised that the ceiling was made of glass or some other see-through material, but then he remembered the outside view of the castle, and if he was standing where he thought he was standing, there was a room above him, so that couldn't be right. He came to the conclusion that it was bewitched.
James turned his attention back to the Sorting, where the Sorting Hat was now Sorting Katie Leiser, who ended up in Ravenclaw. Next was a boy called Remus Lupin, who James immediately recognized as the fourth boy in his boat. He had light brown hair flecked with dark brown highlights, and very kind brown eyes, though now that he could see him in better daylight, James saw that there were bags and dark circles under them.
Next, there came Martin, Alexa ("SLYTHERIN!"), Kevin Noreg ("RAVENCLAW!"), and Alessandra Piatro ("HUFFLEPUFF!"). The next name apparently belonged to the shuddering boy next to James, for he got up and walked over to the stool to meet his fate. His name was something Petti-something… okay, James wasn't really listening, so he didn't know the name. Then it dawned on James. Petti-something?! He was probably next!
He ran a hand through his hair, which he tended to do both when he was nervous and showing off (which he did a lot). He wished that he had listened to Professor McGonagall and "freshened himself up" in the preparation chamber instead of talking with Sirius. Too late now. He wondered hurriedly how stupid he looked.
"GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the Hat, and Pet- oh, whatever-his-name-was sat down next to Remus Lupin. That baby? Gryffindor? James found himself wondering. Argh!! I'm next!
But, to James's great relief, he wasn't next. Jenna Pochtarev, he thought, should be made a saint. Even if she only prolongs the agony.
Jenna Pochtarev's Sorting went too quickly. And this time there was no one to prolong the agony.
"Potter, James!"
James took a deep breath. Okay, Potter. You can do it. It's a stupid hat. Even if it is in front of a thousand other kids. Think positive. You've been waiting for this your whole life.
Bearing this last thought in mind, he walked over to the stool, and gingerly sat down and placed the hat on his head. It was too large for him, and it slipped down over his eyes, but he closed them anyway. Looking at the crowd made him feel rather queasy.
So, said a small voice in James's ear. Had he not been totally immobilized by fear, he would have jumped about three feet. James Potter. It's been a long time- too long- yes, since I saw your brother. He was quite smart, a quality that you too seem to possess. Ravenclaw, perhaps?
I want to be with Sirius, thought James. I want to be in Gryffindor.
Hmm, Gryffindor, eh? Said the Hat. Well, yes, there is bravery in your heart. But there is also a cruel sense of humor there, a thirst for the despair of others…
No! James though desperately. I do not have a thirst for the despair of others… I want to be in Gryffindor, you filthy, stinking rag…
The Hat was laughing at him. He couldn't hear it, but he was sure that it was true. A sharp tongue and a hot head, as well, but you want to be with your friend… that's loyalty… ah, well… if you insist…
"GRYFFINDOR!" roared the Hat. Utterly relieved, James ripped the Hat off his head, and ran down to the table on the left and took a seat next to Sirius. The ghost who had patted Sirius on the back put a hand on James's shoulder, and he knew instantly why he had winced, it was a terrible cold drowning feeling. James dealt with this by turning around, forcing the ghost to take his hand of his shoulder, and saying "So you're the Gryffindor ghost- the one with a half a neck?"
"Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington," said the ghost.
"Oh, yeah! Rob told me- what is it? Nearly Headless Nick!" exclaimed James, and the first years and even some of the older students started laughing.
"I would much prefer if you'd call me by my proper name," retorted the ghost, bristling. "Or just Sir Nicholas would suffice-"
"Hey, Nick!" yelled one of the second years. "Show them your neck!"
"Yeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" chorused the first years.
"No, I would much rather not show them my- er- neck," said Nearly Headless Nick shortly.
"Awww, come on!"
Silently, and looking as though he'd rather do anything but, Nearly Headless Nick, undid his ruff, and his head fell limply to one side, revealing 7/8 of a stump.
"Eeeeewwwww!" squealed the girls. Nick redid his ruff, looking nothing short of disgruntled.
Sirius and James exchanged glances, and mouthed, "Cool," in unison.
They were so interested the ghost that they didn't notice that the Sorting ceremony had ended. A tall man with a long graying beard had stood up at a tall table at the head of the hall.
"If I could have a moment of your attention," he said, and his eyes glimmered behind their half-moon shields. "I'd like to welcome you all back to Hogwarts, both those returning and new faces. Before we begin our extravagant feast, I would like to extend a few notices, both to our older students and first-years."
James sat up and listened attentively. There was something about this man that you couldn't help but trust. Albus Dumbledore. Rob had spoken so highly of him.
"Our caretaker, Apollyon Pringle, would like to inform you all that Dungbombs have been banned from the dormitories and corridors. Also, all students would do well to note that the forest on the grounds is out of bounds to students." James exchanged a frown with Sirius; he had been looking forward to exploring it. "Students below sixth year are not allowed to check out books from the Restricted Section of the library without a signed note from a teacher. And now I have only two words left to say to you:
"Carpfaced drought." The golden serving plates on the table filled instantly with food. There was anything you could ever want after being excited, tired, cold, and nervous all in one. Needless to say, all the first years dug in.
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AN: So, didja like it?! Sorry it took me so long to get up… but thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter! You guys rock! And sorry I wasn't able to incorporate more of Remus and Peter in this chapter… there'll be more of them in next chapter, I promise! ^ - ^ But if you have to flame me, don't do it because of the Sorting Hat Song, okay? And (I got a review saying this) there's a reason why Dumbledore didn't tell the students about the Whomping Willow. Remember Davy Gudgeon??? Lol… most of what I put in here is for a reason… anyways, please review!!
--Juli