The light in Tom's eyes brightened as he got into the small rowboat on the lake. The whole place was more magical than anything he had ever imagined. Sure, he had read Hogwarts, a History about three times from cover to cover each time, but he didn't ever dream of it like this. The sheer size of it was amazing besides the aura it had. Tom could literally feel all the mysteries that encased the castle. He couldn't wait to start uncovering them.
"Beautiful, isn't it? The elders of my family always regaled the younger ones with tales of this place," Aine whispered to Tom. Tom just nodded, still entranced by the whole scene.
The witch who led the first years to the boats tied hers the dock. "All of ye'll wait here. Head of Gryffindor house will be here to escort ye in," she said in a craggy voice.
The first years grouped on the shore, unsure of what was to come.
"Here 'e comes," the witch said as a wizard walked out of the castle.
"Professor Plank, what a delight to see you. The first years, I presume?" he asked, indicating the group of children. He had long auburn hair and a beard that went down to his chest. He had gold semicircle glasses that were perched on a crooked nose. Bright blue eyes glinted playfully as his gaze swept from one child to the next.
Tom felt a shiver when those sapphire eyes stopped on him. The playfulness disappeared and was replaced with unease in the wizard's eyes. Tom couldn't look him straight in the eyes so he looked down at his own feet.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," the wizard said. "I am Professor Dumbledore. If you'll follow me, everyone is waiting." He turned and started to walk briskly towards the monster of a castle. The first years practically had to run to keep up with him. They entered through the large doors and were met with hundreds of eyes belonging to the older students.
"Here we go to get sorted," Aine explained excitedly. She kept a running commentary for Tom's benefit.
"Stop," Professor Dumbledore said once the first years were in front. "I have here beside me the Sorting Hat of Hogwarts. After its song is sung I shall call you up by name to put the Hat on. It will then tell us all your house."
And with that, a rip formed on the Hat, as though it were a mouth, and it started to sing.
.
'Oh, I might be old,
And really rather ratty,
But I'm the Sorting Hat,
Though you might think me batty.
(Not that that really matters.)
.
.
I'm here to put you,
In the place where you belong,
Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff,
This is how I begin my song.
(Dearie me, I forgot Gryffindor.)
.
.
Slytherin was one resourceful chap,
He thought he was above the rules,
Really cunning and secretive,
That was how he wanted to run this school.
(By not letting muggle-borns in.)
.
.
But fair lady Hufflepuff said
"No, no! This should be for all!
All who have the gift!
And for any who answer the call!"
(She meant any that had magic.)
.
.
For she was just and loyal.
Never afraid of mindless work,
Bubbly and gay was always the case,
She never saw the shadow that lurked.
(And the shadow's name was Slytherin.)
.
.
Duchess Ravenclaw had a quick wit,
She saw things for what they could be,
So learned and studious,
She wanted her pupils to be.
(Though sometimes they didn't meet her expectations.)
.
.
And how could one not mention,
Brave and chivalrous Gryffindor?
Always one to defend the weak,
And always talking and acting in candor.
(That might get him killed one day.)
.
.
These are the houses that,
You are going into,
Your choice will be in these houses,
How will you act? What will you do?
(How you answer them is up to you.)
.
.
Just remember, Hogwarts,
Danger is not too far away,
For one is sorted who will be great,
Though the one does not look it, today.
(And this is not at all what it seems.)
.
.
Oh, I might be old,
And really rather ratty,
But I'm the Sorting Hat,
Though you might think me batty.
(Not that that really matters.)
.
.
I'm here to put you,
In the place where you belong,
Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff,
This is how I end my song.
(Dearie me, I forgot Gryffindor, again.)
.
Everyone stood up and clapped for the Hat once it was finished.
"Yes, yes. Thank you, dear Sorting Hat, for that entertaining song. Now, let us get on with it. Andrews, William!"
The Sorting had just begun.
(A/N: Amethyst, thank you for reviewing. Here it is, the next part. Ummm…updating might be a little slow for this one I'm afraid. Sorry.)