Chapter 4
The train had by now arrived at Hogwarts and all of the students had left the train. Hagrid, the half giant Groundskeeper had given the three students (Harry, Ron, and Hermione) a brief greeting and had set about his task of separating the first years from the crowd. He would be sending the first years on the boat ride across the lake, it was something that every first year had to do, sort of like a tradition. While they traveled by boat, the other students traveled by horseless carriage to the castle. The three had managed to catch a carriage all together, well along with a few other students whom they weren't too familiar with.
The ride to the castle wasn't so long, so soon they disembarked from the carriages and started up the stairs to the castle. At the door, Professor Flitwick was standing about; the tiny teacher struggled to speak above the crowd. "Head to the Great Hall please! The Sorting Ceremony will begin soon! Hurry! Hurry!"
The students filed into the castle heading through the stone corridors that were lit with torches. They traveled in a mass towards the Great Hall, students of each house heading off to their respective tables to await the induction of the newest Hogwarts students. The Great Hall's ceiling showed misty clouds silently moving across a black sky that was dotted with bright stars. Candles floated above the tables, giving the immense hall a warm glow. In the front of the Hall was the table where the faculty was seated, minus Hagrid and Professor McGonogal, who were still helping with the First Years. Professor Flitwick was hurrying up the aisle to find his seat amongst the faculty, nodding out greetings to familiar students as he passed by.
Soon after the students settled and Professor McGonogal began leading in the First Years to the front of the room. The Sorting Hat was already seated on its familiar stool in front of the faculty. The rumpled hat looked no worse than it had it previous years; well it was just a bit dustier. When the First years had grouped up, looking very much like frightened sheep, the Hat began to move. It shifted and appeared to have taken on features, a mouth, eyes and even a dent of a nose. The First Years watched it in shock, but it made a few back up when the Sorting Hat started its song.
"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find,
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat,
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head,
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you,
Where you ought to be.
You might be in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry,
Set Gryffindors apart.
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil.
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind.
Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means,
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (Though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
When the Sorting Hat finished its song, the Hall burst into loud applause. The First Years looked around a bit confused, but followed suite. Professor McGonogal started foreword and began the list of names.
"Abbot, Michael" The Professor called out, and a small boy with mousey brown hair started foreward, nervously sitting on the stool and jumping a bit when the hat was placed over his head. After a few moments the hat called out its decision.
"RAVENCLAW!"
And so began the long list of new students to be sorted, though this year the newcomers were less in number than in previous years. Professor McGonogal read down the list, calling out each student and letting the Hat have its way with sorting. So far, there had been 6 new Gryffindors, 7 new Ravenclaws, 5 new Hufflepuffs and 4 new Slytherins. Hermione had been keeping track the whole time.
"Kallister , Tina." Professor McGonogal continued.
"I'm betting she's a Hufflepuff." Ron said with a grin, "Wanna bet?"
"Alright, one cauldron cake on that she's a Ravenclaw." Harry said.
The two awaited in silence to see who owed whom a sweet, but found themselves both incorrect when the hat called out.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Dead bet, oh well, we'll try the next one." Ron said with a shrug.
"Marx, Casey." Professor McGonogal called out and the boys began their betting.
Finally the Professor had gotten through to almost the end of the list, calling out the last name, "Wilkenson, Tristan." And the Hat sent a new student to Hufflepuff. After she finished, Professor McGonogal rolled up her parchment and set about removing the hat and stool.
"Thank you Professor McGonogal." Said Headmaster Dumbledore as he stood. The man was tall in height, with long silver hair and a very long silver beard. He had half moon shaped spectacles that sat on a very crooked nose, his eyes gleamed bright blue and danced merrily, despite his age. "I would like to welcome all of you back to Hogwarts. Especially welcoming our newest additions." He paused while the students at the tables clapped. Dumbledore laughed and held a hand up to shush the students after a bit, "Now on to a bit of an announcement or two before we can indulge in our delicious feast. As usual the Dark Forest is off limits. But, this year we have a new announcement. Hogwarts will be holding a competition, for all those involved in the Dueling Club who are in years 5 through 7. If you are not a member now, consider joining up, the competition should prove to be very exciting. Now I will not dwell on the subject, let us feast and celebrate the beginning of another year!" Dumbledore lifted up his glass and suddenly the tables were full of food. He sat down beaming as the students gladly dug into their meals.
The train had by now arrived at Hogwarts and all of the students had left the train. Hagrid, the half giant Groundskeeper had given the three students (Harry, Ron, and Hermione) a brief greeting and had set about his task of separating the first years from the crowd. He would be sending the first years on the boat ride across the lake, it was something that every first year had to do, sort of like a tradition. While they traveled by boat, the other students traveled by horseless carriage to the castle. The three had managed to catch a carriage all together, well along with a few other students whom they weren't too familiar with.
The ride to the castle wasn't so long, so soon they disembarked from the carriages and started up the stairs to the castle. At the door, Professor Flitwick was standing about; the tiny teacher struggled to speak above the crowd. "Head to the Great Hall please! The Sorting Ceremony will begin soon! Hurry! Hurry!"
The students filed into the castle heading through the stone corridors that were lit with torches. They traveled in a mass towards the Great Hall, students of each house heading off to their respective tables to await the induction of the newest Hogwarts students. The Great Hall's ceiling showed misty clouds silently moving across a black sky that was dotted with bright stars. Candles floated above the tables, giving the immense hall a warm glow. In the front of the Hall was the table where the faculty was seated, minus Hagrid and Professor McGonogal, who were still helping with the First Years. Professor Flitwick was hurrying up the aisle to find his seat amongst the faculty, nodding out greetings to familiar students as he passed by.
Soon after the students settled and Professor McGonogal began leading in the First Years to the front of the room. The Sorting Hat was already seated on its familiar stool in front of the faculty. The rumpled hat looked no worse than it had it previous years; well it was just a bit dustier. When the First years had grouped up, looking very much like frightened sheep, the Hat began to move. It shifted and appeared to have taken on features, a mouth, eyes and even a dent of a nose. The First Years watched it in shock, but it made a few back up when the Sorting Hat started its song.
"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find,
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat,
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head,
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you,
Where you ought to be.
You might be in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry,
Set Gryffindors apart.
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil.
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind.
Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means,
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (Though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
When the Sorting Hat finished its song, the Hall burst into loud applause. The First Years looked around a bit confused, but followed suite. Professor McGonogal started foreword and began the list of names.
"Abbot, Michael" The Professor called out, and a small boy with mousey brown hair started foreward, nervously sitting on the stool and jumping a bit when the hat was placed over his head. After a few moments the hat called out its decision.
"RAVENCLAW!"
And so began the long list of new students to be sorted, though this year the newcomers were less in number than in previous years. Professor McGonogal read down the list, calling out each student and letting the Hat have its way with sorting. So far, there had been 6 new Gryffindors, 7 new Ravenclaws, 5 new Hufflepuffs and 4 new Slytherins. Hermione had been keeping track the whole time.
"Kallister , Tina." Professor McGonogal continued.
"I'm betting she's a Hufflepuff." Ron said with a grin, "Wanna bet?"
"Alright, one cauldron cake on that she's a Ravenclaw." Harry said.
The two awaited in silence to see who owed whom a sweet, but found themselves both incorrect when the hat called out.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Dead bet, oh well, we'll try the next one." Ron said with a shrug.
"Marx, Casey." Professor McGonogal called out and the boys began their betting.
Finally the Professor had gotten through to almost the end of the list, calling out the last name, "Wilkenson, Tristan." And the Hat sent a new student to Hufflepuff. After she finished, Professor McGonogal rolled up her parchment and set about removing the hat and stool.
"Thank you Professor McGonogal." Said Headmaster Dumbledore as he stood. The man was tall in height, with long silver hair and a very long silver beard. He had half moon shaped spectacles that sat on a very crooked nose, his eyes gleamed bright blue and danced merrily, despite his age. "I would like to welcome all of you back to Hogwarts. Especially welcoming our newest additions." He paused while the students at the tables clapped. Dumbledore laughed and held a hand up to shush the students after a bit, "Now on to a bit of an announcement or two before we can indulge in our delicious feast. As usual the Dark Forest is off limits. But, this year we have a new announcement. Hogwarts will be holding a competition, for all those involved in the Dueling Club who are in years 5 through 7. If you are not a member now, consider joining up, the competition should prove to be very exciting. Now I will not dwell on the subject, let us feast and celebrate the beginning of another year!" Dumbledore lifted up his glass and suddenly the tables were full of food. He sat down beaming as the students gladly dug into their meals.