Chapter Two: The Sorting Hat
A voice echoed through the train: "Arrived at Hogwarts! Leave your luggage behind, it will be brought in!"
James and Sirius stuffed their pockets with the last of the sweets that they could carry, and opened the door to exit. James exited smoothly, just walking out, but Sirius hid behind the door looking left and right as if someone was looking for him. James chuckled.
"Sirius, it's alright. They all left, we're like... the last ones on. Nobodies on the train except me, and you...-"
James started up, but was brushed past by a boy with dark hair who seemed to be carrying more than he could, ignoring James and not even apologizing. He frowned, gazing at the boy while he groped his pockets looking for his wand.
"Impedimenta!" Shouted Sirius as a white light flashed around them, blinding James for a split second. Regaining his vision, he saw that the boy who had been rude to him had slowed down and his books had fallen to the ground. He turned to Sirius, who gave him thumbs up.
He raced to get in front of the person to reveal a greasy looking boy who seemed angry that he was jinxed. He had a pale skin-tone and messy black hair that seemed to never have been brushed in ages. Their eyes met together, deadlocked. James was making a fist, while the boy tried to get released from the jinx.
"Hey, you three!" A voice that shouted out from the entrance of the Express, it was a small short man with a lamp hanging on a stick. "Get down here, you're going to miss the boat ride to HOGWARTS. Practicing magic, were you three? "Fillio!"
Instantly, the boy was released from the jinx, and brushed past James not even picking up his belongings. It was a pair of worn blue jeans and a very dirty shirt that had grass-stains and small traces of blood. The boy must've been in a scuffle and lost... or had fallen to the ground and miraculously won. Sirius came up from behind him, placing his arm around his neck.
"Forget it, mate. He's a git, we should start getting to the boat ride," said Sirius sympathetically, he knew James for a short time but already knew that he wanted to lunge at the greasy-faced punk and start pounding him.
"Right, right..."
Exiting the boat, they dashed to catch up with the man with the lamp, and entered a boat with two other people. One was a very pretty girl that James hadn't seen on the boat, she had scarlet red hair and pretty hazel eyes. She had a light skin-tone and a centered nose with a nice, chubby chin that added elegance to her beautiful face.
Entering the boat, he and Sirius sat in the front row, while the girl and another girl sat behind them.
"Alright, 'ere we go!" The man had shouted out, as the boats started sailing through the misty blue lake toward the castle.
"Sirius," whispered James into Black's ear. "Who's that girl behind us?"
"Not a clue, mate. Why, you see something in her?" Sirius had replied in a hush voice. "She is pretty, you know. Seen her once, along with that girl behind her. Amelia Bones, that one is, and she bothers me a hectic too much mate." Sitting next to the very pretty girl was the one Sirius was called Amelia. She had dark hair that was tied in a bun, with an extended hairline that made her forehead look a bit bigger than normal. She wore a scarlet witch's hat with moon-shaped glasses and had glossy-red lips that she always seemed to be licking every time Sirius looked over his shoulder to look at the girl next to him.
"Lily, don't do that!" Amelia had shouted when the girl who they found out that was named Lily had dunked her hand into the water. "The giant squid will rip your hand RIGHT off! My mum told me so!"
"Don't be silly, Amelia. My mum told me that that was just a myth, that Justice Bones was just a faker when he said his arm was getting tugged on when he dunked HIS hand into the water." Lily had said her voice very lady- like and to James' ears, dreamy. "Your uncle was probably passing on the fib."
"No! My uncle swore it almost ripped his arm RIGHT out of his socket! He needed to get muggle-medical attention and was given... a 'cast'!" Amelia protested, turning to face Lily who continued to place her hand into the water. "I swear, it will happen to you!"
"I believe my mum, I don't think it will tug my arm. I don't even think it notices us."
"Watch out, the boat just rocked! I think it's coming after you!"
"Don't be silly, the waves in this lake are just a bit rough, nothing to worry about."
"No, it's the squid!"
The ranting between Lily and Amelia had continued, making Sirius plug his fingers into his ears and James wanting to hex the hell out of Amelia so that she would be silenced and Lily would go on with whatever she felt like doing. Dunking her hand into the water, or just remain silent, he didn't care, there arguing was reaching it's limit.
"All off the boats, slowly now. Slowly." Shouted the man who James found out to be named 'Ogg'.
Sirius was the first to get out from the side, while James got out on the other side. His feet sank into the muddy sand, almost losing his balance. Lily, on the other hand, had lost her balance and feel toward James, keeping herself up by using his chest.
"Oof. Sorry, lost my balance there... Sorry," said Lily pushing herself up and walking away, her cheeks a cherry colored from embarrassment.
Ogg knocked hard against the entrance... The door swung open, a dark-haired woman that had her hair in a bun while dressed in a shimmering emerald cloak was standing there with a stern stare at each of the students. Many gulped, afraid of something that might happen, while others seemed happy to see this person. Sirius and James both knew that this person wasn't someone to cross.
"The first years, Professor McGonagall," said Ogg. "Thank you, Ogg. Come, follow me first years." She led them across a marble floor across to the stairs, James and Sirius stood side by side just in case they might get separated and lose each other, never seeing each other again in Hogwarts because it was so huge.
She had her back turned most of the walk, across the marble floor, up the stairs, and now in front of a large brown door. She, then, turned around to face the students once more.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. Mind you, the Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be like your home. The members of the house will be like your family. You'll have classes with your house, sleep in the house dormitory, and spend some free- time in the house common room."
She paused for a second, clearing her throat.
"The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has it's noble past and each has produced brilliant and outstanding witches and wizards. While you're at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will make you lose'em. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the House cup, one of the greatest honors...-"
A short, stubby boy let out awe, making all heads turn to him. He looked around, embarrassed, and cleared his throat.
"Anyhow, I hope each of you will be credited for whichever house becomes yours. The Sorting Ceremony will take lace in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
She snapped toward Sirius, who had been running his hand through his hair coolly, and James who had been trying to flatten his hair while trying to get a clear view of Lily.
"I shall return when we are ready for you first years..." Said Professor McGonagall. "Wait patiently till I return."
She left the chamber. Chat emitted once more.
"I hope I get Hufflepuff! My mum was in Hufflepuff!" James heard one boy say.
"Hufflepuff are for sissies, Slytherin is a REAL man's house!" He heard another boy say.
"Norvel Twonk, the man who saved the muggle baby, was placed in Ravenclaw. I want to be in Ravenclaw, now too!" A girl had said in her squeal like voice.
"Norvel Twonk!? I want to be in Ravenclaw, too!" Another girl said in her chirp-like voice.
The chatting of whom wants to be in what house continued until McGongall returned.
"Moving along," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Professor McGonagall had returned. "Form a line."
James got behind the stubby boy, with Sirius behind him, as they marched into the Great Hall. James never imagined such a strange and wonderful place, he never thought Hogwarts would look like this. It was lit brightly by thousands of candles that were floating, some in mid-air over four different sets of tables, which the rest of the students rested. They marched down the aisle toward the end of the Great Hall to see a stage-like area, a long wooden surfaced table with several teachers resting in the chairs. In the middle, was an old man in James opinion that had long silver beard that hung down to his knees, he had half-mooned glasses that resembled as if the person snapped Amelia glasses in half and wore them. This man, was none other than Dumbledore... Headmaster Dumbledore, or Professor Dumbledore.
In the front of the stage was a hat sitting on a stole, which seemed old and was patched up severely as if it was in a war of some kind with a sewing machine. Then the hat twitched, making James twitch. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth... and the hat began to sing:
"Another year at Hogwarts, Another was sorting day. Lucky for you, I am very true. I will lead you into different houses, Like Gryffindor or Hufflepuff! Or maybe Ravenclaw... Or wise Slytherin. I will lead you into different houses, And lead you well I will. Because I am the best hat you will ever find, And if you can find one better than me, I'll eat myself up clean. So put me on, Do not fright, For you are in safe hands, I am a Thinking Cap!
The whole hall applauded in approval, as Professor McGonagall walked up onto the stage next to the hat with a large parchment.
"When I call out your name, you will wear the hat and sit on the stool, where you will be sorted," she shouted out meekly and looked at the list of names. "Jennah Amberson!"
A brunette girl with a tanned skin-tone walked up from the abyss of children and sat in the stool, putting the hat on which fell down to her nose. Everyone laughed when she said out loud, "I can't see!"
"RAVENCLAW!" The hat shouted out loud,
Ravenclaw all applauded as Jennah Amberson took the hat off swiftly and skipped to Ravenclaw to sit down next to her fellow house friends.
"Justin Ankie?"
A polish boy with jet-black hair strudded up to the stool, placing the hat cautiously on his hat so that his hair wouldn't mess up.
"SLYTHERIN!" shouted the hat as Justin strudded once more toward the Slytherin table who were clapping and cheering.
"Sirius Black!" Shouted McGongall, James jerking his head to get a glimpse of Sirius. He winked at James, before heading up to the stairs and sitting on the stool with the hat on his head. "GRYFFINDOR!" He shrugged, taking the hat off and heading toward the table to see almost all the girls were cheering happily to see that they made it to his table.
"Amelia Bones!" "GRYFFINDOR!"
The middle table clapped this time; many Gryffindor members exploded into a loud cheer as Amelia blushed to get into her seat, embarrassed at all the attention she was receiving.
"Crackleshoft, Viktor" went to Hufflepuff, along with "Debro, Janice", and then "Evans, Lily" who made it to Gryffindor. Now, James was most anxious to make it to Gryffindor, Sirius and Lily were BOTH in Gryffindor.
"Finnigan" was sent to Gryffindor, "Gera" to Hufflepuff, "Han" to Ravenclaw and "Haboo" to Ravenclaw as well. "Kim" to Hufflepuff, "Lumina and Lupin" to Gryffindor, "Mundungus" to Hufflepuff, and "Occio" to Slytherin. "Pettigrew, Peter" was the easily pleased boy who was called after Dennis Occio and was placed in Gryffindor, though he sworn to have remembered that only the brave gets into Gryffindor. He was next.
"Potter, James!" McGonagall called out, as a nervous James took steps up the small flight of stairs and intot he stool, where the hat was put on him.
"Hrm... Ravenclaw, or Gryffindor," the hat said aloud, and James could see that Sirius was anxious to have James in his house.
"Gryffindor, man. I want Gryffindor," James said aloud, shaking the hat violently. "Gryffindor!"
"Ahh, Gryffindor? Well, you surely have the temper to get into Ravenclaw, are you sure? Well, then, GRYFFINDOR!"
James was so happy that he ran to the Gryffindor table that he left the hat on his head, flinging it like a friss-be across half the Hall so that it landed several steps away from McGonagall.
"Zeek, Zack" was the last to get sorted, and after, Professor Dumbledore stood up.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, new students who just got sorted I welcome you... and to the old students, I will explain that I am the new Headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore." He said, his voice mysterious and yet friendly. "To all first years, and to the old students, I have new news. Obviously, the Forbidden Forest is out of boundaries to all students, and the restricted area in the library will not be used by anyone unless permitted by me."
He cleared his throat.
"And Mr. Filch, our care-taker, has said that dung-flairers are illegal in the school grounds, along with wizz-bombs, time-stoppers, dung-candy, and extended finger-pokers... Which I find amusing... but still. He requested that they are banned, and I must take his request into consideration. They have left filth when I had been a Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, and I would like to ask you to meet Professor Justice Bones, the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, and the Divination teacher Professor Sprite Dreamiware, who prefers to be, called Madam Dreamiware. Now, let us begin the feast!"
In the air, thousands and thousands of different variation of food appeared from the air, appeasing everyone to chow down.
It was the best meal James had in weeks.
A voice echoed through the train: "Arrived at Hogwarts! Leave your luggage behind, it will be brought in!"
James and Sirius stuffed their pockets with the last of the sweets that they could carry, and opened the door to exit. James exited smoothly, just walking out, but Sirius hid behind the door looking left and right as if someone was looking for him. James chuckled.
"Sirius, it's alright. They all left, we're like... the last ones on. Nobodies on the train except me, and you...-"
James started up, but was brushed past by a boy with dark hair who seemed to be carrying more than he could, ignoring James and not even apologizing. He frowned, gazing at the boy while he groped his pockets looking for his wand.
"Impedimenta!" Shouted Sirius as a white light flashed around them, blinding James for a split second. Regaining his vision, he saw that the boy who had been rude to him had slowed down and his books had fallen to the ground. He turned to Sirius, who gave him thumbs up.
He raced to get in front of the person to reveal a greasy looking boy who seemed angry that he was jinxed. He had a pale skin-tone and messy black hair that seemed to never have been brushed in ages. Their eyes met together, deadlocked. James was making a fist, while the boy tried to get released from the jinx.
"Hey, you three!" A voice that shouted out from the entrance of the Express, it was a small short man with a lamp hanging on a stick. "Get down here, you're going to miss the boat ride to HOGWARTS. Practicing magic, were you three? "Fillio!"
Instantly, the boy was released from the jinx, and brushed past James not even picking up his belongings. It was a pair of worn blue jeans and a very dirty shirt that had grass-stains and small traces of blood. The boy must've been in a scuffle and lost... or had fallen to the ground and miraculously won. Sirius came up from behind him, placing his arm around his neck.
"Forget it, mate. He's a git, we should start getting to the boat ride," said Sirius sympathetically, he knew James for a short time but already knew that he wanted to lunge at the greasy-faced punk and start pounding him.
"Right, right..."
Exiting the boat, they dashed to catch up with the man with the lamp, and entered a boat with two other people. One was a very pretty girl that James hadn't seen on the boat, she had scarlet red hair and pretty hazel eyes. She had a light skin-tone and a centered nose with a nice, chubby chin that added elegance to her beautiful face.
Entering the boat, he and Sirius sat in the front row, while the girl and another girl sat behind them.
"Alright, 'ere we go!" The man had shouted out, as the boats started sailing through the misty blue lake toward the castle.
"Sirius," whispered James into Black's ear. "Who's that girl behind us?"
"Not a clue, mate. Why, you see something in her?" Sirius had replied in a hush voice. "She is pretty, you know. Seen her once, along with that girl behind her. Amelia Bones, that one is, and she bothers me a hectic too much mate." Sitting next to the very pretty girl was the one Sirius was called Amelia. She had dark hair that was tied in a bun, with an extended hairline that made her forehead look a bit bigger than normal. She wore a scarlet witch's hat with moon-shaped glasses and had glossy-red lips that she always seemed to be licking every time Sirius looked over his shoulder to look at the girl next to him.
"Lily, don't do that!" Amelia had shouted when the girl who they found out that was named Lily had dunked her hand into the water. "The giant squid will rip your hand RIGHT off! My mum told me so!"
"Don't be silly, Amelia. My mum told me that that was just a myth, that Justice Bones was just a faker when he said his arm was getting tugged on when he dunked HIS hand into the water." Lily had said her voice very lady- like and to James' ears, dreamy. "Your uncle was probably passing on the fib."
"No! My uncle swore it almost ripped his arm RIGHT out of his socket! He needed to get muggle-medical attention and was given... a 'cast'!" Amelia protested, turning to face Lily who continued to place her hand into the water. "I swear, it will happen to you!"
"I believe my mum, I don't think it will tug my arm. I don't even think it notices us."
"Watch out, the boat just rocked! I think it's coming after you!"
"Don't be silly, the waves in this lake are just a bit rough, nothing to worry about."
"No, it's the squid!"
The ranting between Lily and Amelia had continued, making Sirius plug his fingers into his ears and James wanting to hex the hell out of Amelia so that she would be silenced and Lily would go on with whatever she felt like doing. Dunking her hand into the water, or just remain silent, he didn't care, there arguing was reaching it's limit.
"All off the boats, slowly now. Slowly." Shouted the man who James found out to be named 'Ogg'.
Sirius was the first to get out from the side, while James got out on the other side. His feet sank into the muddy sand, almost losing his balance. Lily, on the other hand, had lost her balance and feel toward James, keeping herself up by using his chest.
"Oof. Sorry, lost my balance there... Sorry," said Lily pushing herself up and walking away, her cheeks a cherry colored from embarrassment.
Ogg knocked hard against the entrance... The door swung open, a dark-haired woman that had her hair in a bun while dressed in a shimmering emerald cloak was standing there with a stern stare at each of the students. Many gulped, afraid of something that might happen, while others seemed happy to see this person. Sirius and James both knew that this person wasn't someone to cross.
"The first years, Professor McGonagall," said Ogg. "Thank you, Ogg. Come, follow me first years." She led them across a marble floor across to the stairs, James and Sirius stood side by side just in case they might get separated and lose each other, never seeing each other again in Hogwarts because it was so huge.
She had her back turned most of the walk, across the marble floor, up the stairs, and now in front of a large brown door. She, then, turned around to face the students once more.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. Mind you, the Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be like your home. The members of the house will be like your family. You'll have classes with your house, sleep in the house dormitory, and spend some free- time in the house common room."
She paused for a second, clearing her throat.
"The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has it's noble past and each has produced brilliant and outstanding witches and wizards. While you're at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will make you lose'em. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the House cup, one of the greatest honors...-"
A short, stubby boy let out awe, making all heads turn to him. He looked around, embarrassed, and cleared his throat.
"Anyhow, I hope each of you will be credited for whichever house becomes yours. The Sorting Ceremony will take lace in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
She snapped toward Sirius, who had been running his hand through his hair coolly, and James who had been trying to flatten his hair while trying to get a clear view of Lily.
"I shall return when we are ready for you first years..." Said Professor McGonagall. "Wait patiently till I return."
She left the chamber. Chat emitted once more.
"I hope I get Hufflepuff! My mum was in Hufflepuff!" James heard one boy say.
"Hufflepuff are for sissies, Slytherin is a REAL man's house!" He heard another boy say.
"Norvel Twonk, the man who saved the muggle baby, was placed in Ravenclaw. I want to be in Ravenclaw, now too!" A girl had said in her squeal like voice.
"Norvel Twonk!? I want to be in Ravenclaw, too!" Another girl said in her chirp-like voice.
The chatting of whom wants to be in what house continued until McGongall returned.
"Moving along," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Professor McGonagall had returned. "Form a line."
James got behind the stubby boy, with Sirius behind him, as they marched into the Great Hall. James never imagined such a strange and wonderful place, he never thought Hogwarts would look like this. It was lit brightly by thousands of candles that were floating, some in mid-air over four different sets of tables, which the rest of the students rested. They marched down the aisle toward the end of the Great Hall to see a stage-like area, a long wooden surfaced table with several teachers resting in the chairs. In the middle, was an old man in James opinion that had long silver beard that hung down to his knees, he had half-mooned glasses that resembled as if the person snapped Amelia glasses in half and wore them. This man, was none other than Dumbledore... Headmaster Dumbledore, or Professor Dumbledore.
In the front of the stage was a hat sitting on a stole, which seemed old and was patched up severely as if it was in a war of some kind with a sewing machine. Then the hat twitched, making James twitch. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth... and the hat began to sing:
"Another year at Hogwarts, Another was sorting day. Lucky for you, I am very true. I will lead you into different houses, Like Gryffindor or Hufflepuff! Or maybe Ravenclaw... Or wise Slytherin. I will lead you into different houses, And lead you well I will. Because I am the best hat you will ever find, And if you can find one better than me, I'll eat myself up clean. So put me on, Do not fright, For you are in safe hands, I am a Thinking Cap!
The whole hall applauded in approval, as Professor McGonagall walked up onto the stage next to the hat with a large parchment.
"When I call out your name, you will wear the hat and sit on the stool, where you will be sorted," she shouted out meekly and looked at the list of names. "Jennah Amberson!"
A brunette girl with a tanned skin-tone walked up from the abyss of children and sat in the stool, putting the hat on which fell down to her nose. Everyone laughed when she said out loud, "I can't see!"
"RAVENCLAW!" The hat shouted out loud,
Ravenclaw all applauded as Jennah Amberson took the hat off swiftly and skipped to Ravenclaw to sit down next to her fellow house friends.
"Justin Ankie?"
A polish boy with jet-black hair strudded up to the stool, placing the hat cautiously on his hat so that his hair wouldn't mess up.
"SLYTHERIN!" shouted the hat as Justin strudded once more toward the Slytherin table who were clapping and cheering.
"Sirius Black!" Shouted McGongall, James jerking his head to get a glimpse of Sirius. He winked at James, before heading up to the stairs and sitting on the stool with the hat on his head. "GRYFFINDOR!" He shrugged, taking the hat off and heading toward the table to see almost all the girls were cheering happily to see that they made it to his table.
"Amelia Bones!" "GRYFFINDOR!"
The middle table clapped this time; many Gryffindor members exploded into a loud cheer as Amelia blushed to get into her seat, embarrassed at all the attention she was receiving.
"Crackleshoft, Viktor" went to Hufflepuff, along with "Debro, Janice", and then "Evans, Lily" who made it to Gryffindor. Now, James was most anxious to make it to Gryffindor, Sirius and Lily were BOTH in Gryffindor.
"Finnigan" was sent to Gryffindor, "Gera" to Hufflepuff, "Han" to Ravenclaw and "Haboo" to Ravenclaw as well. "Kim" to Hufflepuff, "Lumina and Lupin" to Gryffindor, "Mundungus" to Hufflepuff, and "Occio" to Slytherin. "Pettigrew, Peter" was the easily pleased boy who was called after Dennis Occio and was placed in Gryffindor, though he sworn to have remembered that only the brave gets into Gryffindor. He was next.
"Potter, James!" McGonagall called out, as a nervous James took steps up the small flight of stairs and intot he stool, where the hat was put on him.
"Hrm... Ravenclaw, or Gryffindor," the hat said aloud, and James could see that Sirius was anxious to have James in his house.
"Gryffindor, man. I want Gryffindor," James said aloud, shaking the hat violently. "Gryffindor!"
"Ahh, Gryffindor? Well, you surely have the temper to get into Ravenclaw, are you sure? Well, then, GRYFFINDOR!"
James was so happy that he ran to the Gryffindor table that he left the hat on his head, flinging it like a friss-be across half the Hall so that it landed several steps away from McGonagall.
"Zeek, Zack" was the last to get sorted, and after, Professor Dumbledore stood up.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, new students who just got sorted I welcome you... and to the old students, I will explain that I am the new Headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore." He said, his voice mysterious and yet friendly. "To all first years, and to the old students, I have new news. Obviously, the Forbidden Forest is out of boundaries to all students, and the restricted area in the library will not be used by anyone unless permitted by me."
He cleared his throat.
"And Mr. Filch, our care-taker, has said that dung-flairers are illegal in the school grounds, along with wizz-bombs, time-stoppers, dung-candy, and extended finger-pokers... Which I find amusing... but still. He requested that they are banned, and I must take his request into consideration. They have left filth when I had been a Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, and I would like to ask you to meet Professor Justice Bones, the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, and the Divination teacher Professor Sprite Dreamiware, who prefers to be, called Madam Dreamiware. Now, let us begin the feast!"
In the air, thousands and thousands of different variation of food appeared from the air, appeasing everyone to chow down.
It was the best meal James had in weeks.