CHPT 4

        As we walked through the huge set of doors that led to the Dining Hall and I saw how many other kids there were . Thousands of them , I felt a sudden connection to my fellow first years , who were all grouped around me looking just as nervous as I suddenly felt .

As we were directed to the table designated for first years I got a good look around .

Criminy !  I thought to myself  Look at it . It's so big !  

And it was , and very beautiful to . The walls were covered with windows and the ceiling above matched the night sky outside of  the windows . The room had a warm cozy glow from the thousands of floating candles that were hovering above every table .

I leaned over to Scarlet and whispered " Wow ! Isn't it the most wonderful  thing you've ever seen ? "

She turned and looked at me with excitement written all over her face

" Yes !!! It is SO  awesome ! " 

As we were talking an old man sitting at the head table stood . He was dressed in a robe of midnight blue with silver and gold stars and moons glinting on it in the candlelight . Much better than my old moldy cheese robe !  I thought savagely , wishing I could just be rid of that thing and burn it .

Anyway , the old man stood up ,and smiling across the dining Hall at every student he started talking .

The whole room went dead silent .

" Good evening everyone! His voice boomed,  " And welcome to Hogwarts First Years ! "

Everyone in the room started cheering . I could have swore I heard a few

All right Dumbie's scattered around in there  somewhere

Wow , they have a lot of respect for him !  I thought sarcastically .

He had long white hair and a long beard to match . His tiny gold spectacles glinted as he turned his head to look in the general direction that the All right Dumbie had come from . I could have swore he was trying mot to smile .

He cleared his throat ,and everyone went quiet again

        " My name is Albus Dumbledore ,and I am your headmaster. Now , I'm sure all of you are as hungry as I am , so , Minerva , if you would be so kind , as to bring forward the Sorting Hat ."

He glanced a tall , thin, austere looking teacher , who nodded and picked up this old shabby black hat that was pointed at the top.

As Dumbledore took his seat , the woman stood up and placed the hat on a stool that was standing at the front of the room .

She stepped back and the Sorting Hat began to do the thing that I least ecxpected it to do . It sang ! I don't remember the words , but it was the oddest thing….

As the last notes faded away , It began to call out names .

"Timothy Pillscreek! " It cried out and a rather shy looking boy stepped forward .

He climbed onto the stool, put the hat on and sat there. After about fifteen seconds The hat called out: 

"HufflePuff !"

Timothy climbed down and went to join his new table . I noticed he sat on the farthest seat he could away from everyone else .

Poor boy  I thought . He must be pretty shy !

It went on like this for about fifteen minutes .

"Criminy ! When is it going to be my turn !  I thought . I felt like I was about to fall asleep . Just as this thought left my mind , it was my turn .

"Zipphora Brookes !" I called

" I got up and walked to the front

I hope I don't trip , o please don't let me trip … or even worse , what if I'm in Slytherin ? That would be So bad !  I thought panicingly .

I finally made it to the front (without tripping !) And sat down , placing the Hat firmly on my head .

"Hello Zipphora .How are you this fine evening ?" The Hat said in my ear

"Ummm…. Ok I guess " I replied slowly " Err… and you ?"

        This is weird .  I thought I'm sitting here having a conversation with a hat ! Criminy , I feel dumb now…..

"Oh, I'm not just any hat. I was magically created by the founders of this great school . I remember sorting your parents in fact " It said a matter  of factly " They were very nice people you know . Such a tragic story , yes indeed……"

I felt like I had been hit over the head with a hammer .

"You knew my parents ? " 

"Yes I did . Now , lets see …. What house should you be in ?" Was all it said

" But..wha-t when did they…how-w" I stammered .

Oh my gosh , I think I'm going to pass out…  I thought

" What house do think you should be in child ? " It asked me . I had a feeling that either it was ignoring my question , or it wasn't as smart as I thought .

"Uhh.. I don't know , Gryfindor I guess, now answer me . " Told it . I had finally gained my senses  back and the shock was quickly beginning to be replaced with a growing curiosity . And impatience .

"Are you sure ? You seem like you could also fit into Slytherin maybe . "It said

"Answer m-"

"Then again you have the many characteristics of a Gryfindor.."

" Ans-"

It cut me off again .

" Yes , that makes sense . I put your brother in Gryfindor , but I did also think that he would do good in Slytherin .."

"MY WHA-"

"But he's been doing good in Gryfindor . Yes, I think Gryfindor will do nicely…"

"YES! BUT WHAT ABOUT MY BR-"

"Gryfindor it is then !"

The Hat called out my house and went perfectly silent  .I couldn't get it to say anything else , so I gave up and took it off .

I walked to my table , completely oblivious to anything . I was in such shock .

Wow…. My parents went here……I didn't know I had a brother …I wonder who he is …….I wonder who my parents were…..I wonder.. 

So many thoughts were rolling around in my head … I couldn't sort them out .

I sat down at my table and waited for the ceremony to end .