A/N: Of course I don't own these characters! What were you thinking??? Hahaha...anyway...
A couple quick shoutouts-sophiethedevil, Liza, PaulaS-you are awesome!!!
Rain12-yes, I am completely aware of what you were talking about. And yes, in normal circumstances, she would not be able to see them, since she didn't witness the death. I can't explain it to you right now, since it would ruin the story, but I promise it will make sense in the end. Thanks for pointing it out though-I appreciate it!
Chapter 8: The Unusual Sorting
Hogwarts seemed to be in its usual state when all the students arrived. All the hustle and bustle surrounded the students as they took their seats at their respective House tables. While the scared-looking first years waited for their turn to wear the ragged hat, Ginny spotted something out-of-the-ordinary.
"You guys," she whispered, "who's that guy? The one kind of in the middle of the line, next to that girl with really long blond hair."
Harry craned his neck to see what Ginny was talking about. Indeed, there was a boy who looked to be about sixteen, standing among all of the eleven-year-old children. His hair was the same shade of blonde as the little girl who was standing next to him: sandy blonde, with some lighter blonde streaks, as if he had spent a lot of time in the sun. He was tall, about six foot three, and well built.
"No idea," said Harry. "Is he being sorted?"
"That's what it looks like," Hermione commented, "although I've never heard of anyone our age being sorted. I thought that was only done in first year."
Various names were called, and each frightened student walked to the stool to be placed in the appropriate house. Harry, Ron, and Ginny didn't pay much attention until, "McEwan, Bianca!" was called.
"Look! It's her!" Hermione hissed, poking Ron in the ribs.
"Ow!" Ron yelped, a bit loudly. A few people turned and stared at him.
The small girl standing to the mysterious boy strode, trembling, toward the stool. She took a seat, placing the hat on her head, which immediately disappeared as the hat fell over her eyes.
A few seconds passed…then, "GRYFFINDOR!"
All four of them applauded loudly, along with the rest of the Gryffindor table. Bianca removed the hat and took her seat, grinning widely, next to some other first years.
"Bet her brother'll be in Gryffindor, too, if he's being sorted," Ron said.
"He's next, if they're really brother and sister," Ginny said.
But "Moses, Jacob!" was called next, and the boy stayed in the line. In fact, he remained there until all the first years had been sorted. Whispering filled the Great Hall.
"-maybe he's a teacher-"
"-no way, stupid, he's too young-"
"-genius, maybe?"
"-pretty cute, isn't he?"
"hee-hee-hee-"
Dumbledore rose from his seat. A rush of silence quickly blanketed the students. He did not speak until everyone was quiet. Only then did he begin.
"Students, we have, in addition to the first years, another new student, who will be joining us this year. This is Hunter McEwan, who will begin lessons with the sixth-years. Hunter, please go to the stool and put on the Sorting Hat."
Hunter stepped forward and walked steadily to the Sorting Hat. He showed no sign of fear, except his hazel eyes flickered from student to student restlessly. He took his seat on the stool, placed the hat on his head, and closed his eyes, as if expecting an explosion.
The quiet filling he air began to buzz with soft chatter. The hat seemed to be taking its sweet time placing Hunter in the right house. Then, after what seemed to be an eternity, it shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"
The Slytherin table burst out in cheers, whistles, and catcalls. Draco Malfoy looked delighted at the prospect of another partner in crime. Hunter smiled, revealing a set of perfect white teeth, and took a seat next to Pansy Parkinson, whose pug like face was stretched in a stupid-looking grin. She looked as if she would faint with delight.
"Slytherin!" groaned Ron. He looked angry and amazed at the same time. "I can't believe it!"
"Yeah, it's really weird," mused Ginny, "his sister's in Gryffindor…it's like they're two opposite sides of the spectrum."
"Day and night," added Harry.
"Well, it is strange," said Hermione. "I mean, Parvati and Padma are in different houses, too, but at least theirs aren't…" Her voice trailed off.
"Total opposites?" finished Ron. "Yeah, I wonder if the Sorting Hat's ever been wrong before?"
Harry felt his stomach jump. Now he wasn't the only one who had wondered that before.
This sort of gossipy chatter filled the Great Hall as the students and staff ate their way through roast beef, pork, turkey, mashed potatoes, and what seemed to be thousands of additional delectable dishes. After they had eaten their fill, Dumbledore rose once again from the staff table to give his annual speech. The chatter subsided gradually.
"I greet you, students of Hogwarts, with both great joy and great foreboding. Joy fills me, because it is the beginning of another year of learning new things and recalling old magic which we may have forgotten." His blue eyes twinkled.
"However, this year will bring much sadness, grief, and terror to the world. Voldemort has been active for two years now," whispers filled the hall, "and the Ministry of Magic has wasted a year denying his return. Because of their foolishness, many lives, Muggle and wizard alike, have been lost.
"My words of wisdom to you all are this: Join forces with good. Build bonds with wizards that you trust and know will fight for what is right and true. Trust your close friends. Above all, do not deny the truth. Lies only destroy the world. One example of this destruction is visible in the Ministry of Magic's action-or lack thereof. It has crumbled from within. So far, all of its damage has been self-inflicted; Voldemort has not done anything devastating yet.
"My dear students, please show more respect for this school and student body. Don't let our school fall apart because of its distrust, for I would rather see the school destroyed by an outside force after fighting a brave battle than watch this establishment die from within." With that conclusion, Dumbledore resumed his seat. Professor McGonagall stood up.
"Prefects, please lead your house first years to their common rooms."
The students stood and began to go their separate ways to get to their dormitories, each wondering, to themselves and with others, what Dumbledore's dismal speech really meant.
A/N-Now, please don't worry, Hunter and Bianca aren't Mary Sue characters-they will have a connection later on. Review, por favor!!! Only 7 days till the movie! I had to go out and get tickets today...: )