Before I begin, let me make on thing perfectly clear. You can't get mad at me for doing anything that happened in the Harry Potter books. I'm trying really hard not to be Harry Potter repetitive but it's not that easy and some things you just got to except and move on. Oh, and I wrote the hat song myself, aren't you so proud of me? Alright! Somehow I managed to say that without giving away this chapter! Speaking of which...ON WITH THE FIC!
-
Hiei, Kurama, and Luna stepped down onto the crowed platform the train had stopped at.
"Firs' years!" a voice called, "Firs' years over here!" The three turned and stared in shock as the sight of an enormous man met their eyes. He was a giant to say the least! His height couldn't have been any less then nine feet, maybe ten!
"Firs' years!" he called once more. "All firs' years come on over here!" Luna, Hiei, and Kurama exchanged semi-nervous glances before joining the group forming around this giant.
"Is that all of you then?" the giant asked, looking them over. "Right then. I'm Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds here at Hogwarts. Now follow me, an' watch yer step!" Hagrid then proceeded to lead them on a path through the woods. Luna wasn't sure what had happened to the rest of the students, as far as she could tell, it was only first years following Hagrid.
"Now jus' round this last bend and yeh'll have yer firs' sight o' the castle!" Hagrid called. There was a loud, simultaneous gasp as the students all caught sight of it at once. It was enormous, bigger even then demon castles, forcing even Hiei to be impressed. It had more towers then you could count in a lifetime and seemed to inspire awe even in Hagrid.
"Go on down to the shore now. No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid instructed, leading the way towards the shore by the waters edge where some twenty boats were waiting. Hagrid got in one by himself while Luna, Hiei, and Kurama claimed a boat for their own.
"Everyone all snug an' secure?" Hagrid called. "Good. Now then, FORWARD!" The boats lurched forward, gliding smoothly over the water. As they came out of the woods and closer to the castle, they saw that they were moving over the surface of a massive lake. A few bubbles surfaced around the boats as they passed.
"They say a giant squid lives down there," Luna said, apparently loud enough for several people in neighboring boats to lean dangerously over the side. The opposite shore drew closer and soon they were all climbing out of the boats and following Hagrid up the stone steps to gather in front of the impressively large oak doors.
"Still got everyone we started with?" Hagrid asked, looking over the group on last time. "Right then, here comes the fun part." With that he raised his fist and knocked three times.
Almost immediately, the door opened to reveal an older witch dressed in black robes and wearing a black, pointed hat on her head.
"Thank you Hagrid, you may go now," she said. Her voice held a natural tone of authority.
"Right, Professor," Hagrid said, stepping aside and disappearing through some doors to the right. The witch turned on her heals and began walking, again with an air of authority. Naturally, the group followed. She lead them up a few sets of stairs and into an empty room. The room itself was nearly as big as the entrance hall had been.
"Good evening and welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. The start-of-term banquet will commence shortly, but you must be sorted into houses before you take your seats. Your houses will become your home while you are here at Hogwarts. There are four: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. While you are here, your accomplishments will earn house points, and your trouble-making will lose them. The house with the most points at the end of the year is awarded the house cup, a great honor. The Sorting Ceremony will take place in the Great Hall in a few minutes. Until then, I suggest you smarten yourselves up a little." Her speech given, Professor McGonagall turned and left.
"What was that? The teacher from the black lagoon?" Luna asked, laughing slightly at her own joke.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're...um...eccentric?" Kurama asked, also laughing slightly.
"In America, it's called being spastic, and yes, I am and I know it," Luna said matter-of-factly. Her smile, however, quickly disappeared and she screamed in surprise as several silver, slightly transparent beings walked through the wall.
"Oh, hello," one of them said, looking up.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" another cried, floating over the crowd. Now several other people were screaming.
"Hey, I know you. You're the Gryffindor ghost, Nearly Headless Nick!" a boy behind Hiei cried.
"How can you be 'nearly headless?'" Luna asked.
"Like this," Nick said, grabbing his ear and pulling. His head swung as if it was on a hinge, held on by one thin strip of flesh.
"I'm sorry I asked," Luna grumbled as Nick swung his head back on and floated away.
Suddenly, Professor McGonagall appeared before them once more.
"Come on, they're ready now. Form a line and follow me," she instructed. They obeyed and stared in wonder as the double doors before them opened, revealing the Great Hall. They stared in awe around them as Professor McGonagall lead them past the four long tables filled with students and had them stop before the one table holding what must have been the other professors. Candles floated in the air above the five tables and at first glance, it appeared that there was no ceiling. It looked exactly like the night sky they had seen from the boats.
"The ceiling is bewitched to look like the sky outside. It'll be cool when it snows," Luna whispered.
Professor McGonagall, who had stopped in front of the group, now set a stool before them and placed a tattered hat on it. They stared expectantly at the hat and nearly jumped when a rip in the brim opened like a mouth and the hat began to...well...sing.
"I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat,
And I have sat here long.
And now you too must sit here now,
And listen to my song. A hat like me, you've never seen,
Nor likely to again.
I find the house that is right For all you young women and young men.
Perhaps you belong to Gryffindor,
With those who's bravery has no end in sight.
With those who's hearts are pure,
And who don't cringe at a bump in the night.
Or maybe you're a Ravenclaw And love to learn without complain.
You gather knowledge from everywhere,
Saying school is not a chore, but a gain.
Then there's gentle Hufflepuff,
Who don't moan at a little hard work. They're willing to do anything,
Even walk from here to New York.
Then there's always Slytherin house,
For those that are cunning of mind. They can solve any riddle,
And are quick for a solution to find.
So step right up and pull me down,
Right over your face.
So I can find your perfect home And put you in your proper place."
With that, the hat fell silent once more. Luna, Hiei, and Kurama stared blankly at it.
"It can talk," Hiei whispered weakly.
"It can sing," Kurama corrected.
"It could go on Broadway," Luna added.
"When I call your name, sit on the stool and put on the hat," Professor McGonagall declared, unrolling a sheet of parchment. "Aaron, David," she called. David Aaron timidly approached the stool and placed the hat on his head, the brim slipping down to his neck.
"RAVENCLAW!" the hat yelled. David removed the hat and ran to the now cheering Ravenclaw table.
"Oh no," Luna moaned.
"What?" Kurama asked as Laura Abbott was declared a Hufflepuff.
"Alphabetical order," Luna explained, dreading having to be sorted before either of her friends.
John Arnold was the first Slytherin, and Steven Benate joined Laura at the Hufflepuff table.
"Double oh no," Luna muttered.
"What now?" Hiei asked in annoyance.
"She's going to call me Prudence, I know it!" Luna hissed. "I HATE being called that!"
"Campbell, Prudence," Professor McGonagall suddenly called.
Luna cringed as she walked forward. "I knew it!"
She stepped up to the chair, trying desperately not to look nervous. She place the hat on her head and it slipped down to her noes.
"Well, well," the hat's voice sounded just behind her left ear. "It's been a long time since I sorted on of you."
"I know," Luna whispered under her breath, half sighing as she did so. She knew only too well how many werewolves even got a magical education if they were bitten in their youth like her.
"Hmm...Hmm... Tough, very tough. You have many traits that would be good for each of the houses. Where to put you? Where to put you?" the hat was quiet for a moment. "Oh, I know. GRYFFINDOR!" The hat must have screamed the last word out loud because when Luna removed the hat, the Gryffindor table was cheering, eager to accept their first new member. Luna happily set the hat down and took a seat at the table. She received several pats on the back, a sure sign that Jake hadn't managed to tell EVERYONE her secret.
Tyler Cooley was the next Gryffindor, and then the professor called "Darsel, Jacob."
Jake casually waked up to the stool, the hat barely even touching his head before it declared "SLYTHERIN!" The Slytherin table cheered and Luna muttered "Of course," under her breath.
Tim Dunnum became a Ravenclaw, and Erica Founder was made another Slytherin. Casi Honders was the next Gryffindor and Aaron Gunner became a Hufflepuff.
"Jaganshi, Hiei," Professor McGonagall finally called.
Hiei stepped up to the stool and placed the hat on his head, the cloth swallowing his head completely.
"A demon!" the hat's voice chimed. "Well then, this is quite a group this year, isn't it?"
"Just get on with it!" Hiei growled.
"Now, now. No need to get testy. Let's see...Hmm... You are quite cunning yes, but also have many hidden traits, traits that you have never allowed to blossom. Hmm... Yes, I believe you would do best in GRYFFINDOR!"
Hiei gladly removed the hat and joined the Gryffindor table. Luna was beaming at him as he took a seat across from her, but he ignored her as always.
Tim Kever became a Slytherin and so did Kara Lavender.
"Minamino, Shuichi," Professor McGonagall called.
Kurama stepped up to the stool and allowed the hat to drop over his eyes.
"Another one! My, this is an interesting group indeed," the hat exclaimed. "Lets see... You are quiet intelligent, and cunning as well, and brave, oh yes, very brave. Where should you go? Hmm..."
"If it makes any difference," Kurama whispered under his breath, "I believe Luna would benefit if I were with her in Gryffindor. And I do have to keep an eye on Hiei..."
"Luna?" the hat asked. "Oh, yes! The werewolf. I suppose she does deserve to keep the few friends she has. And the demon does need supervision. Alright then, GRYFFINDOR!"
Kurama smiled and removed the hat, joining the Gryffindor table. Luna was beside herself with joy and Kurama couldn't be sure, but he thought he saw the shadow of a smile spread across Hiei's face.
-
Hiei, Kurama, and Luna stepped down onto the crowed platform the train had stopped at.
"Firs' years!" a voice called, "Firs' years over here!" The three turned and stared in shock as the sight of an enormous man met their eyes. He was a giant to say the least! His height couldn't have been any less then nine feet, maybe ten!
"Firs' years!" he called once more. "All firs' years come on over here!" Luna, Hiei, and Kurama exchanged semi-nervous glances before joining the group forming around this giant.
"Is that all of you then?" the giant asked, looking them over. "Right then. I'm Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds here at Hogwarts. Now follow me, an' watch yer step!" Hagrid then proceeded to lead them on a path through the woods. Luna wasn't sure what had happened to the rest of the students, as far as she could tell, it was only first years following Hagrid.
"Now jus' round this last bend and yeh'll have yer firs' sight o' the castle!" Hagrid called. There was a loud, simultaneous gasp as the students all caught sight of it at once. It was enormous, bigger even then demon castles, forcing even Hiei to be impressed. It had more towers then you could count in a lifetime and seemed to inspire awe even in Hagrid.
"Go on down to the shore now. No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid instructed, leading the way towards the shore by the waters edge where some twenty boats were waiting. Hagrid got in one by himself while Luna, Hiei, and Kurama claimed a boat for their own.
"Everyone all snug an' secure?" Hagrid called. "Good. Now then, FORWARD!" The boats lurched forward, gliding smoothly over the water. As they came out of the woods and closer to the castle, they saw that they were moving over the surface of a massive lake. A few bubbles surfaced around the boats as they passed.
"They say a giant squid lives down there," Luna said, apparently loud enough for several people in neighboring boats to lean dangerously over the side. The opposite shore drew closer and soon they were all climbing out of the boats and following Hagrid up the stone steps to gather in front of the impressively large oak doors.
"Still got everyone we started with?" Hagrid asked, looking over the group on last time. "Right then, here comes the fun part." With that he raised his fist and knocked three times.
Almost immediately, the door opened to reveal an older witch dressed in black robes and wearing a black, pointed hat on her head.
"Thank you Hagrid, you may go now," she said. Her voice held a natural tone of authority.
"Right, Professor," Hagrid said, stepping aside and disappearing through some doors to the right. The witch turned on her heals and began walking, again with an air of authority. Naturally, the group followed. She lead them up a few sets of stairs and into an empty room. The room itself was nearly as big as the entrance hall had been.
"Good evening and welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. The start-of-term banquet will commence shortly, but you must be sorted into houses before you take your seats. Your houses will become your home while you are here at Hogwarts. There are four: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. While you are here, your accomplishments will earn house points, and your trouble-making will lose them. The house with the most points at the end of the year is awarded the house cup, a great honor. The Sorting Ceremony will take place in the Great Hall in a few minutes. Until then, I suggest you smarten yourselves up a little." Her speech given, Professor McGonagall turned and left.
"What was that? The teacher from the black lagoon?" Luna asked, laughing slightly at her own joke.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're...um...eccentric?" Kurama asked, also laughing slightly.
"In America, it's called being spastic, and yes, I am and I know it," Luna said matter-of-factly. Her smile, however, quickly disappeared and she screamed in surprise as several silver, slightly transparent beings walked through the wall.
"Oh, hello," one of them said, looking up.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" another cried, floating over the crowd. Now several other people were screaming.
"Hey, I know you. You're the Gryffindor ghost, Nearly Headless Nick!" a boy behind Hiei cried.
"How can you be 'nearly headless?'" Luna asked.
"Like this," Nick said, grabbing his ear and pulling. His head swung as if it was on a hinge, held on by one thin strip of flesh.
"I'm sorry I asked," Luna grumbled as Nick swung his head back on and floated away.
Suddenly, Professor McGonagall appeared before them once more.
"Come on, they're ready now. Form a line and follow me," she instructed. They obeyed and stared in wonder as the double doors before them opened, revealing the Great Hall. They stared in awe around them as Professor McGonagall lead them past the four long tables filled with students and had them stop before the one table holding what must have been the other professors. Candles floated in the air above the five tables and at first glance, it appeared that there was no ceiling. It looked exactly like the night sky they had seen from the boats.
"The ceiling is bewitched to look like the sky outside. It'll be cool when it snows," Luna whispered.
Professor McGonagall, who had stopped in front of the group, now set a stool before them and placed a tattered hat on it. They stared expectantly at the hat and nearly jumped when a rip in the brim opened like a mouth and the hat began to...well...sing.
"I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat,
And I have sat here long.
And now you too must sit here now,
And listen to my song. A hat like me, you've never seen,
Nor likely to again.
I find the house that is right For all you young women and young men.
Perhaps you belong to Gryffindor,
With those who's bravery has no end in sight.
With those who's hearts are pure,
And who don't cringe at a bump in the night.
Or maybe you're a Ravenclaw And love to learn without complain.
You gather knowledge from everywhere,
Saying school is not a chore, but a gain.
Then there's gentle Hufflepuff,
Who don't moan at a little hard work. They're willing to do anything,
Even walk from here to New York.
Then there's always Slytherin house,
For those that are cunning of mind. They can solve any riddle,
And are quick for a solution to find.
So step right up and pull me down,
Right over your face.
So I can find your perfect home And put you in your proper place."
With that, the hat fell silent once more. Luna, Hiei, and Kurama stared blankly at it.
"It can talk," Hiei whispered weakly.
"It can sing," Kurama corrected.
"It could go on Broadway," Luna added.
"When I call your name, sit on the stool and put on the hat," Professor McGonagall declared, unrolling a sheet of parchment. "Aaron, David," she called. David Aaron timidly approached the stool and placed the hat on his head, the brim slipping down to his neck.
"RAVENCLAW!" the hat yelled. David removed the hat and ran to the now cheering Ravenclaw table.
"Oh no," Luna moaned.
"What?" Kurama asked as Laura Abbott was declared a Hufflepuff.
"Alphabetical order," Luna explained, dreading having to be sorted before either of her friends.
John Arnold was the first Slytherin, and Steven Benate joined Laura at the Hufflepuff table.
"Double oh no," Luna muttered.
"What now?" Hiei asked in annoyance.
"She's going to call me Prudence, I know it!" Luna hissed. "I HATE being called that!"
"Campbell, Prudence," Professor McGonagall suddenly called.
Luna cringed as she walked forward. "I knew it!"
She stepped up to the chair, trying desperately not to look nervous. She place the hat on her head and it slipped down to her noes.
"Well, well," the hat's voice sounded just behind her left ear. "It's been a long time since I sorted on of you."
"I know," Luna whispered under her breath, half sighing as she did so. She knew only too well how many werewolves even got a magical education if they were bitten in their youth like her.
"Hmm...Hmm... Tough, very tough. You have many traits that would be good for each of the houses. Where to put you? Where to put you?" the hat was quiet for a moment. "Oh, I know. GRYFFINDOR!" The hat must have screamed the last word out loud because when Luna removed the hat, the Gryffindor table was cheering, eager to accept their first new member. Luna happily set the hat down and took a seat at the table. She received several pats on the back, a sure sign that Jake hadn't managed to tell EVERYONE her secret.
Tyler Cooley was the next Gryffindor, and then the professor called "Darsel, Jacob."
Jake casually waked up to the stool, the hat barely even touching his head before it declared "SLYTHERIN!" The Slytherin table cheered and Luna muttered "Of course," under her breath.
Tim Dunnum became a Ravenclaw, and Erica Founder was made another Slytherin. Casi Honders was the next Gryffindor and Aaron Gunner became a Hufflepuff.
"Jaganshi, Hiei," Professor McGonagall finally called.
Hiei stepped up to the stool and placed the hat on his head, the cloth swallowing his head completely.
"A demon!" the hat's voice chimed. "Well then, this is quite a group this year, isn't it?"
"Just get on with it!" Hiei growled.
"Now, now. No need to get testy. Let's see...Hmm... You are quite cunning yes, but also have many hidden traits, traits that you have never allowed to blossom. Hmm... Yes, I believe you would do best in GRYFFINDOR!"
Hiei gladly removed the hat and joined the Gryffindor table. Luna was beaming at him as he took a seat across from her, but he ignored her as always.
Tim Kever became a Slytherin and so did Kara Lavender.
"Minamino, Shuichi," Professor McGonagall called.
Kurama stepped up to the stool and allowed the hat to drop over his eyes.
"Another one! My, this is an interesting group indeed," the hat exclaimed. "Lets see... You are quiet intelligent, and cunning as well, and brave, oh yes, very brave. Where should you go? Hmm..."
"If it makes any difference," Kurama whispered under his breath, "I believe Luna would benefit if I were with her in Gryffindor. And I do have to keep an eye on Hiei..."
"Luna?" the hat asked. "Oh, yes! The werewolf. I suppose she does deserve to keep the few friends she has. And the demon does need supervision. Alright then, GRYFFINDOR!"
Kurama smiled and removed the hat, joining the Gryffindor table. Luna was beside herself with joy and Kurama couldn't be sure, but he thought he saw the shadow of a smile spread across Hiei's face.