Chapter 4
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the first years followed Professor McGonagall to a large set of wooden doors where she instructed them to wait. She entered the room and closed the doors behind her.
Hermione turned to Harry and Ron, "How exactly are we sorted? There has to be some sort of process, do you guys know?"
Ron shrugged, "My brothers tried to convince me we had to wrestle a troll, but their only trying make me sound like an idiotic fool in front of the other first years, I'm sure."
Hermione turned to Harry, "Not a clue Brigid, Hogwarts, A History obviously avoided the actually method of sorting, though my own guess would be some sort of aptitude/personality test to decide where we best fit." (A/N: This would be my guess, I mean the houses are based on personality and characteristics so wouldn't it make sense that it would be some kind of test based on those?"
Before the three could muse on it any longer a snobbishly haughty voice rang behind them, "It appears that Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."
Turning Harry saw the boy who he had run into in the Robes shop, Draco Malfoy, he was exactly how he had been before, arrogant and superior, two things Harry hated. It reminded him way too much of his cousin Dudley and his stupid cronies who liked to beat him up. He seemed to be backed by two large boys who looked like their combined IQ might barely break double digits. Obviously they were meant only for muscle, strategy would not be their strong suit.
Noticing the ice nearly forming on his back Harry caught the cold appraising stare from Ron directed at Malfoy, "Malfoy, who are your two brick walls?"
Draco ignored the comment looking at Ron, "Red hair, hand-me-down robes, you must be a Weasley. My father has told me about you, to many children, not enough common sense."
When Draco turned back to Harry, and before Ron could hex him, which Harry knew Ron was about to do as his hand was twitching, ready to draw his wand in a moment, he stepped between the two giving them both a frigid look, "Have you ever met Burn before Malfoy?"
Draco shook his head and sneered, "I'm afraid I haven't had the displeasure."
Harry continued, "Well, you are relying upon information from someone else to dictate your actions, obviously you are not headed for Ravenclaw or Slytherin with an attitude like that. Either bite your tongue or turn and leave, I will not allow insults to myself or my companions, and trust me, you do not want the three of us angry. Even your two bodyguards really wouldn't be much help."
Turning Harry walked towards the front of the group; Hermione and Ron but stifling a smirk at the gobsmacked expression on Malfoy's face turned and followed, not really in the mood to hex someone quite yet, especially an overly stuffed prat of a boy.
The hall was overcrowded with nervous first year students, Hermione swore under her breath lightly when they were yet again jostled by another pair of prodding elbows, "Oh bloody hell, wait, I think I see a spot over there."
Manuevering through the large group Hermione moved her way towards the open space that had caught her eye, Harry and Ron were right on her heels, neither one doing especially well being constantly pushed by the sheer mass of people.
When the three reached the spot Ron's lips were a thin line, human touch was not a strong suit, and Harry's face was white, his various injuries having been opened by the harsh hands of his peers.
It was immediate why the spot was still empty, a silver ghost in regal clothing that looked like they had been splattered in blood occupied the area. Hermione leaned back and talked to the other two, "That's the bloody baron, the ghost of Slytherin, I read about him in Hogwarts, A History."
Ron kept moving, "Well a ghost is better then all these idiotic prats around us, at least he was an adult when he obviously died."
Harry and Hermione walked up to the ghost and Ron followed their lead, the two boys quickly dropped a bow, and Hermione a perfect curtsy. When the other two raised their eyebrows she smirked, eight years of bloody charm school had finally paid off. She was the first to speak, "Greetings Sir, perchance would it be possible for us to share this space with you?"
Harry took his cue from her and moved forward, "It would be a great pleasure to be able to consort with one such as yourself Sir."
Ron moved forward as well, "We have heard much about you Sir, the most regal ghost in the castle, as well as the most knowledgeable."
The Baron looked down at the three first years in front of them, "Do join me, it is not often I meet first years with such mannerisms, it is a pleasure to meet you.....?"
"Hermione Granger, Sir, but do call me Brigid"
"Ronald Weasley, Sir, it is an honor and I am known as Burn."
"I am Harry Potter, but please do refer to me as Bolt."
"Fine names, young ones, strong and with history, I do hope to see you in the noble house of Slytherin."
Hermione looked at the Baron with a questioning look on her face, "Sir, if I may inquire...?"
"What is your question child? Do speak up."
"Well, Sir, is it possible for a muggleborn such as myself to get sorted into Slytherin? I thought it was a house that stressed purity of blood."
"Excellent question, and very nearly correct, however blood can be overridden by power, if you are powerful and ambitious, blood has very little to do with it. There are usually not muggleborns who are full of this type of ambition, while purebloods are known for it. Not to mention that every pureblood family must start with a muggleborn somewhere."
The three adolescents continued to converse with the Baron in this way, he answered many of the questions that they could ask; and he insisted that if they have any trouble with Peeves to seek him out immediately.
After awhile the wooden doors reopened and Professor McGonagall looked shocked to see three first-year students hold a obviously in-depth conversation with what was reported to be the most intimidating ghost of Hogwarts.
Seeing the Professor reemerge the Baron gave each of them a nod and he received two bows and a curtsy in reply, "I will see you at the Sorting, we will talk again."
"Thank you Sir." This was said as a chorus by all three as they turned to face McGonagall, who after shaking the look off her face entered the room behind her; she gestured for all the first years to follow her, which they did hurriedly to get it over with."
Glancing up, gasps could be heard from the assembled group, it was as though there was no roof at all and the Great Hall simply stretched up into the heavens, stars could be seen twinkling down on them and floating candles lit every corner of the large room.
Hermione leaned back to her two companions, "The ceiling is enchanted.." "to look like the sky outside, we all read about it in Hogwarts a History Brigid." Ron had cut her off and he received a glare as Harry put up a blank expression to hide the low chuckle that wanted to come out.
They turned their attention back to McGonagall when she set down a four legged stool in front of the first years. On the stool was a very dirty, ragged, and patched pointed wizard's hat. Harry smirked, his aunt would have never even allowed it inside the house, even if it wasn't magical. He winced and hoped it would be over soon, after not eating for awhile and blood loss he was tired and in pain.
Suddenly a rip near the brim of the hat opened wide like a mouth and the hat began to sing:
"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 belong 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!"
After this the whole Great Hall burst into loud applause at the song; Ron leaned over to Harry, "A hat, all we do is try on a bloody hat." He shook his head as Professor McGonagall pulled out a long roll of parchment, "When I call your name you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."
Unrolling the parchment she called out the first name, "Abbott, Hannah!"
A chubby girl with pigtails tied up with pink ribbons ran up to the stage and sat on the stool slipping the hat on her head, after a moment it screamed across the hall "HUFFLEPUFF!" A table decked out in yellow cheered loudly as she ran to it. A ghost in a what looked like a monk's robe waved her to the table.
"Boot, Terry!" managed to become the first to make the hat shout out, "RAVENCLAW!"
"Brown, Lavender!" was the first new Gryffindor and the red and gold table erupted in screams. Harry could see Ron's two older twin brothers catcalling; he rolled his eyes at their immaturity, though it was slightly entertaining.
"Bulstrode, Millicent!" had the pleasure of being the first new Slytherin and she joined the silver and green table where the Bloody Baron was currently sitting.
It continued on until finally they heard, "Granger, Hermione!" Both Ron and Harry sent her on the way with a nod for good luck; Hermione walked regally to the stool and seated herself, carefully setting the hat on her head.
She was surprised, but didn't show it when she first heard the voice of the hat in her head, "Hmmmm, oh my, you are a difficult one. A muggleborn, yes I see, with quite a bit of power, oh and what desire! Desire for power. Might want to tell someone about your home, Professor Snape is always a good one for that."
Hermione interrupted the hat with a snort and sent back a comment in her mind, "I think not, and you will fail to mention this to any of the staff, or there will be a few more holes in you that need patching." All this was said in a cool voice that only managed to get her threat across better.
"No need to get your knickers in a twist now, I do not reveal what I see, well there is only one choice for you, I hope you are strong for you are going to... "SLYTHERIN" The hat screamed across the Great Hall.
Hermione took off the hat and walked across the nearly silent and stunned Great Hall, as she sat at the empty part of the table next to the Bloody Baron, he leaned over, "Well done, young Brigid, well done, I expected to see you here."
She nodded at him and sighing at the open hanging mouth's across the Great Hall pulled out Hogwarts, A History and spelled it back to normal size, picking up where she had left off.
Harry threw a smirk at Ron as he listened to the people get sorted, The hat barely touched Malfoy's head before it screamed, "SLYTHERIN".
Finally McGonagall got to his name, calling out, "Potter, Harry!"
Whispers could be heard throughout the different tables,
"Is it THE Harry Potter?"
"The one who defeated You-Know-Who?"
Whispers like this came from every corner of the hall as Harry made his way up to the stool. Slipping the hat over his head it quickly blocked out the rest of the hall as it fell over his eyes.
His eyebrows flew up as he heard the voice in his head, "Hmm, difficult, just like your friend, intelligence, yes, but definitely not a Ravenclaw; bravery for those who are worthy, loyal to only a few. Cunning and ambition most definitely, cunning was probably a necessity with a family like yours."
He stiffened as he heard his relative's mentioned he hissed in his mind at the hat, "They may be blood, but they are not my 'family' do not make that mistake."
If the hat had eyebrows Harry swore they would have flown upward at his comment, "I can see why Mr. Potter,going to refuse help like her I see, and with that you are most definitely a....... "SLYTHERIN"
Pulling off the hat he sighed as he saw an absolutely gobsmacked Great Hall. Standing up he placed the hat on the stool and walked over to the Slytherin table seating himself at the empty end next to Hermione.
Once he sat down the Hall exploded;
"THE boy-who lived in Slytherin?"
"Is he evil?"
"Maybe he is in league with Voldemort!"
On and on it went, as though the Wizarding world had just lost their hero. Harry looked at the head table to see what the reactions were. The Headmaster had a slight frown, but his eyes were twinkling annoyingly.
McGonagall's eyes were the size of dinner plates, and Hagrid saw him looking and smiled. At this Harry was pleasantly relieved, he had been worried that Hagrid would have not talked to him if he was sorted into Slytherin.
Perhaps the most interesting reaction was from a pale professor with long black hair at the end of the table, his hands were gripping his seat so hard his knuckles were turning white and his mouth had all but disappeared into a thin line.
Shaking his head Harry pulled out the Potion's book from his pocket, nodded at the Baron and Hermione and opened it to where he had left off.
Clearing her throat McGonagall threw glares across the Great Hall to get them to shut up so she could finish the Sorting, continuing down the list there were no more great surprises; Harry and Hermione kept one ear turned to her and when she called out "Weasley, Ron!" They looked up from their books to pay attention.
McGonagall's face softened almost unnoticeably as she called out the name, yet another Weasley for her house, she had already received the letter from Bill and Charlie about their littlest brother and she would be paying attention.
Already she could see the differences between himself and his brothers, the coldness of his eyes, the dark aura he seemed to possess. She watched as he walked up and dropped the hat over his eyes.
As Ron dropped the hat on he to heard the voice start to come in, "Another Weasley, hmmm, but you are a different one, changed recently haven't you? A strategist, most definitely; a need to stand out from your brothers, most understandable, oh and power, a want for power. Where to put you?"
When Ron heard the question he already had his answer ready, "Not Gryffindor" and because no one else could hear the next part of the statement was part pleading and part begging, "Please anywhere but Gryffindor, I....I can't survive there."
The hat responded in kind, "Never would have expected something like this from a Weasley, especially Percy! Ah well, I see you to are to refuse assistance, well then I can only send you to join your two friends in....... "SLYTHERIN"
Harry and Hermione looked at eachother with identical dark grins, looking over at Ron they saw he shared it and all three of them looked over at the Gryffindor Table where three redheads could be seen with blank wide eyed looks, a family of Gryffindors had just had a Slytherin thrown into the mix. The oldest glared at Ron, and when Ron saw it he had to quickly look away, there was only one person he was truly afraid of and he was sitting right at that table.
As he seated himself next to his two compatriots he rolled his eyes at the glares they were getting from the rest of the Slytherin table, "I don't think we are going to be the most popular students." This was said in a heavily sarcastic tone as he pulled the charms book from his robes.
He received the same, "Why in the hell would we care?" looks from his friends and with a shake of his head and nod at the Baron he turned to the book, Harry and Hermione mirroring him with their own motions. They completely ignored the rest of the sorting, not really caring.
Finally after "Zabini, Blaise!" became a Slytherin it was finally over; as Professor McGonagall rolled up the scroll and took the sorting hat away and the Headmaster stood up, the three marked their pages and turned to hear what he had to say.
His arms were open wide and his eyes were twinkling brightly, his face still showing some lines from all the unexpected surprises at the Sorting. "Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we again our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
As he sat back down everyone clapped and cheered, Harry glance at the his two friends and the Bloody Baron and commented dryly, "Well, they do say genius and insanity go hand in hand."
The Bloody Baron seemed to snort and looked slightly shocked he had done something like it, "Too true my boy, and the Headmaster is definitely known as both."
By the time they turned around the plates on the table were filled with every type of food imaginable, Harry was amazed, at his relatives he was lucky if he got the scraps and he had gotten used to not eating, it was actually one of the few things he seemed able to control.
He watched Hermione and Ron dish up, Hermione ate slowly and with polish, and Ron, though he ate a great amount, actually had manners and some amount of reverence for the food. Harry took a few bites and pushed it away turning to conversation so they wouldn't notice how little he ate.
He listened to the Bloody Baron make a comment, "The feast only gets more and more grand each year, it certainly is impressive." When he noticed Harry's attention he turned to him, "I certainly hope that this year we will win the cup again, I do so enjoy giving Sir Nick that good kick in the arse, we have after all won it for the past six years."
Harry covered a snort, "Who is Sir Nick?"
"Ah the insufferable Gryffindor ghost, all the students call him Nearly Headless Nick, 66 chops with a blunt ax, and all."
Harry nodded his head, "And who would you be Sir, I am sure we cannot go around referring to you as the Bloody Baron."
"Of course, I am Baron Alexander Lucian Renard VI."
Looking up at the head table harry caught the glare directed at him, Ron, and Hermione from the pale teacher who was sitting next to a quivering Professor Quirell who was wearing a ridiculous purple turban. It was a glare that said he wanted to rip them into little pieces and then stomp on them, it was not pleasant.
Just as his glance moved a jolt of pain went through his scar and he barely held back a wince, "Baron Alexander who is the professor with the long black hair sitting next to Professor Quirrell?"
The Baron's eyes moved to the head table, "That is Professor Severus Snape, he is the Potions Master as well as the head of Slytherin house, rather a moody man I daresay."
Harry clunked his head on the table once muttering under his breath, "We are so bloody screwed." He glanced at the head table again and yes indeed Snape looked like he wanted to slice him apart.
Suddenly the table was cleared and the dishes were again sparkling clean, Dumbledore stood up and got the attention of the room, "Ahem-just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have of term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that the third-floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
A few nervous laughs rang out across the hall, not one of the three made a sound, threats of death should always be taken seriously, and this one was uttered in no manner of jest. The three nodded at eachother understanding the silent communication.
Dumbledore continued on, "And now before go to bed, the school song! Everyone pick a tune and off we go!"
The words appeared in thin spiraling gold script in the air as everyone started to sing, at a different pace and tune, the words.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
The three first years watched Fred and George Weasley finish with a slow funeral march, they all looked at the Baron and shook their heads, they hadn't even bothered singing, there was no point to it.
Finally they ended and Dumbledore clapped loudly, "Wonderful! And now Prefects if you lead the first years to the dorms, and everyone else, off to bed with you!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood, "Goodbye Baron Alexander, we shall have to talk again, your knowledge is most impressive."
Ron and Harry nodded in agreement with Hermione's words as they both spoke the same words, "Goodnight Baron Alexander, it was a privilege to meet you."
The Baron nodded regally at the three, "As it was you, I would enjoy conversing with you more in-depth, and I will tell Peeves not to bother you, if he gives you any trouble come speak to me."
They nodded their thanks as they followed the 5th year Slytherin Prefect out the doors of the Great Hall.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the first years followed Professor McGonagall to a large set of wooden doors where she instructed them to wait. She entered the room and closed the doors behind her.
Hermione turned to Harry and Ron, "How exactly are we sorted? There has to be some sort of process, do you guys know?"
Ron shrugged, "My brothers tried to convince me we had to wrestle a troll, but their only trying make me sound like an idiotic fool in front of the other first years, I'm sure."
Hermione turned to Harry, "Not a clue Brigid, Hogwarts, A History obviously avoided the actually method of sorting, though my own guess would be some sort of aptitude/personality test to decide where we best fit." (A/N: This would be my guess, I mean the houses are based on personality and characteristics so wouldn't it make sense that it would be some kind of test based on those?"
Before the three could muse on it any longer a snobbishly haughty voice rang behind them, "It appears that Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."
Turning Harry saw the boy who he had run into in the Robes shop, Draco Malfoy, he was exactly how he had been before, arrogant and superior, two things Harry hated. It reminded him way too much of his cousin Dudley and his stupid cronies who liked to beat him up. He seemed to be backed by two large boys who looked like their combined IQ might barely break double digits. Obviously they were meant only for muscle, strategy would not be their strong suit.
Noticing the ice nearly forming on his back Harry caught the cold appraising stare from Ron directed at Malfoy, "Malfoy, who are your two brick walls?"
Draco ignored the comment looking at Ron, "Red hair, hand-me-down robes, you must be a Weasley. My father has told me about you, to many children, not enough common sense."
When Draco turned back to Harry, and before Ron could hex him, which Harry knew Ron was about to do as his hand was twitching, ready to draw his wand in a moment, he stepped between the two giving them both a frigid look, "Have you ever met Burn before Malfoy?"
Draco shook his head and sneered, "I'm afraid I haven't had the displeasure."
Harry continued, "Well, you are relying upon information from someone else to dictate your actions, obviously you are not headed for Ravenclaw or Slytherin with an attitude like that. Either bite your tongue or turn and leave, I will not allow insults to myself or my companions, and trust me, you do not want the three of us angry. Even your two bodyguards really wouldn't be much help."
Turning Harry walked towards the front of the group; Hermione and Ron but stifling a smirk at the gobsmacked expression on Malfoy's face turned and followed, not really in the mood to hex someone quite yet, especially an overly stuffed prat of a boy.
The hall was overcrowded with nervous first year students, Hermione swore under her breath lightly when they were yet again jostled by another pair of prodding elbows, "Oh bloody hell, wait, I think I see a spot over there."
Manuevering through the large group Hermione moved her way towards the open space that had caught her eye, Harry and Ron were right on her heels, neither one doing especially well being constantly pushed by the sheer mass of people.
When the three reached the spot Ron's lips were a thin line, human touch was not a strong suit, and Harry's face was white, his various injuries having been opened by the harsh hands of his peers.
It was immediate why the spot was still empty, a silver ghost in regal clothing that looked like they had been splattered in blood occupied the area. Hermione leaned back and talked to the other two, "That's the bloody baron, the ghost of Slytherin, I read about him in Hogwarts, A History."
Ron kept moving, "Well a ghost is better then all these idiotic prats around us, at least he was an adult when he obviously died."
Harry and Hermione walked up to the ghost and Ron followed their lead, the two boys quickly dropped a bow, and Hermione a perfect curtsy. When the other two raised their eyebrows she smirked, eight years of bloody charm school had finally paid off. She was the first to speak, "Greetings Sir, perchance would it be possible for us to share this space with you?"
Harry took his cue from her and moved forward, "It would be a great pleasure to be able to consort with one such as yourself Sir."
Ron moved forward as well, "We have heard much about you Sir, the most regal ghost in the castle, as well as the most knowledgeable."
The Baron looked down at the three first years in front of them, "Do join me, it is not often I meet first years with such mannerisms, it is a pleasure to meet you.....?"
"Hermione Granger, Sir, but do call me Brigid"
"Ronald Weasley, Sir, it is an honor and I am known as Burn."
"I am Harry Potter, but please do refer to me as Bolt."
"Fine names, young ones, strong and with history, I do hope to see you in the noble house of Slytherin."
Hermione looked at the Baron with a questioning look on her face, "Sir, if I may inquire...?"
"What is your question child? Do speak up."
"Well, Sir, is it possible for a muggleborn such as myself to get sorted into Slytherin? I thought it was a house that stressed purity of blood."
"Excellent question, and very nearly correct, however blood can be overridden by power, if you are powerful and ambitious, blood has very little to do with it. There are usually not muggleborns who are full of this type of ambition, while purebloods are known for it. Not to mention that every pureblood family must start with a muggleborn somewhere."
The three adolescents continued to converse with the Baron in this way, he answered many of the questions that they could ask; and he insisted that if they have any trouble with Peeves to seek him out immediately.
After awhile the wooden doors reopened and Professor McGonagall looked shocked to see three first-year students hold a obviously in-depth conversation with what was reported to be the most intimidating ghost of Hogwarts.
Seeing the Professor reemerge the Baron gave each of them a nod and he received two bows and a curtsy in reply, "I will see you at the Sorting, we will talk again."
"Thank you Sir." This was said as a chorus by all three as they turned to face McGonagall, who after shaking the look off her face entered the room behind her; she gestured for all the first years to follow her, which they did hurriedly to get it over with."
Glancing up, gasps could be heard from the assembled group, it was as though there was no roof at all and the Great Hall simply stretched up into the heavens, stars could be seen twinkling down on them and floating candles lit every corner of the large room.
Hermione leaned back to her two companions, "The ceiling is enchanted.." "to look like the sky outside, we all read about it in Hogwarts a History Brigid." Ron had cut her off and he received a glare as Harry put up a blank expression to hide the low chuckle that wanted to come out.
They turned their attention back to McGonagall when she set down a four legged stool in front of the first years. On the stool was a very dirty, ragged, and patched pointed wizard's hat. Harry smirked, his aunt would have never even allowed it inside the house, even if it wasn't magical. He winced and hoped it would be over soon, after not eating for awhile and blood loss he was tired and in pain.
Suddenly a rip near the brim of the hat opened wide like a mouth and the hat began to sing:
"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 belong 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!"
After this the whole Great Hall burst into loud applause at the song; Ron leaned over to Harry, "A hat, all we do is try on a bloody hat." He shook his head as Professor McGonagall pulled out a long roll of parchment, "When I call your name you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."
Unrolling the parchment she called out the first name, "Abbott, Hannah!"
A chubby girl with pigtails tied up with pink ribbons ran up to the stage and sat on the stool slipping the hat on her head, after a moment it screamed across the hall "HUFFLEPUFF!" A table decked out in yellow cheered loudly as she ran to it. A ghost in a what looked like a monk's robe waved her to the table.
"Boot, Terry!" managed to become the first to make the hat shout out, "RAVENCLAW!"
"Brown, Lavender!" was the first new Gryffindor and the red and gold table erupted in screams. Harry could see Ron's two older twin brothers catcalling; he rolled his eyes at their immaturity, though it was slightly entertaining.
"Bulstrode, Millicent!" had the pleasure of being the first new Slytherin and she joined the silver and green table where the Bloody Baron was currently sitting.
It continued on until finally they heard, "Granger, Hermione!" Both Ron and Harry sent her on the way with a nod for good luck; Hermione walked regally to the stool and seated herself, carefully setting the hat on her head.
She was surprised, but didn't show it when she first heard the voice of the hat in her head, "Hmmmm, oh my, you are a difficult one. A muggleborn, yes I see, with quite a bit of power, oh and what desire! Desire for power. Might want to tell someone about your home, Professor Snape is always a good one for that."
Hermione interrupted the hat with a snort and sent back a comment in her mind, "I think not, and you will fail to mention this to any of the staff, or there will be a few more holes in you that need patching." All this was said in a cool voice that only managed to get her threat across better.
"No need to get your knickers in a twist now, I do not reveal what I see, well there is only one choice for you, I hope you are strong for you are going to... "SLYTHERIN" The hat screamed across the Great Hall.
Hermione took off the hat and walked across the nearly silent and stunned Great Hall, as she sat at the empty part of the table next to the Bloody Baron, he leaned over, "Well done, young Brigid, well done, I expected to see you here."
She nodded at him and sighing at the open hanging mouth's across the Great Hall pulled out Hogwarts, A History and spelled it back to normal size, picking up where she had left off.
Harry threw a smirk at Ron as he listened to the people get sorted, The hat barely touched Malfoy's head before it screamed, "SLYTHERIN".
Finally McGonagall got to his name, calling out, "Potter, Harry!"
Whispers could be heard throughout the different tables,
"Is it THE Harry Potter?"
"The one who defeated You-Know-Who?"
Whispers like this came from every corner of the hall as Harry made his way up to the stool. Slipping the hat over his head it quickly blocked out the rest of the hall as it fell over his eyes.
His eyebrows flew up as he heard the voice in his head, "Hmm, difficult, just like your friend, intelligence, yes, but definitely not a Ravenclaw; bravery for those who are worthy, loyal to only a few. Cunning and ambition most definitely, cunning was probably a necessity with a family like yours."
He stiffened as he heard his relative's mentioned he hissed in his mind at the hat, "They may be blood, but they are not my 'family' do not make that mistake."
If the hat had eyebrows Harry swore they would have flown upward at his comment, "I can see why Mr. Potter,going to refuse help like her I see, and with that you are most definitely a....... "SLYTHERIN"
Pulling off the hat he sighed as he saw an absolutely gobsmacked Great Hall. Standing up he placed the hat on the stool and walked over to the Slytherin table seating himself at the empty end next to Hermione.
Once he sat down the Hall exploded;
"THE boy-who lived in Slytherin?"
"Is he evil?"
"Maybe he is in league with Voldemort!"
On and on it went, as though the Wizarding world had just lost their hero. Harry looked at the head table to see what the reactions were. The Headmaster had a slight frown, but his eyes were twinkling annoyingly.
McGonagall's eyes were the size of dinner plates, and Hagrid saw him looking and smiled. At this Harry was pleasantly relieved, he had been worried that Hagrid would have not talked to him if he was sorted into Slytherin.
Perhaps the most interesting reaction was from a pale professor with long black hair at the end of the table, his hands were gripping his seat so hard his knuckles were turning white and his mouth had all but disappeared into a thin line.
Shaking his head Harry pulled out the Potion's book from his pocket, nodded at the Baron and Hermione and opened it to where he had left off.
Clearing her throat McGonagall threw glares across the Great Hall to get them to shut up so she could finish the Sorting, continuing down the list there were no more great surprises; Harry and Hermione kept one ear turned to her and when she called out "Weasley, Ron!" They looked up from their books to pay attention.
McGonagall's face softened almost unnoticeably as she called out the name, yet another Weasley for her house, she had already received the letter from Bill and Charlie about their littlest brother and she would be paying attention.
Already she could see the differences between himself and his brothers, the coldness of his eyes, the dark aura he seemed to possess. She watched as he walked up and dropped the hat over his eyes.
As Ron dropped the hat on he to heard the voice start to come in, "Another Weasley, hmmm, but you are a different one, changed recently haven't you? A strategist, most definitely; a need to stand out from your brothers, most understandable, oh and power, a want for power. Where to put you?"
When Ron heard the question he already had his answer ready, "Not Gryffindor" and because no one else could hear the next part of the statement was part pleading and part begging, "Please anywhere but Gryffindor, I....I can't survive there."
The hat responded in kind, "Never would have expected something like this from a Weasley, especially Percy! Ah well, I see you to are to refuse assistance, well then I can only send you to join your two friends in....... "SLYTHERIN"
Harry and Hermione looked at eachother with identical dark grins, looking over at Ron they saw he shared it and all three of them looked over at the Gryffindor Table where three redheads could be seen with blank wide eyed looks, a family of Gryffindors had just had a Slytherin thrown into the mix. The oldest glared at Ron, and when Ron saw it he had to quickly look away, there was only one person he was truly afraid of and he was sitting right at that table.
As he seated himself next to his two compatriots he rolled his eyes at the glares they were getting from the rest of the Slytherin table, "I don't think we are going to be the most popular students." This was said in a heavily sarcastic tone as he pulled the charms book from his robes.
He received the same, "Why in the hell would we care?" looks from his friends and with a shake of his head and nod at the Baron he turned to the book, Harry and Hermione mirroring him with their own motions. They completely ignored the rest of the sorting, not really caring.
Finally after "Zabini, Blaise!" became a Slytherin it was finally over; as Professor McGonagall rolled up the scroll and took the sorting hat away and the Headmaster stood up, the three marked their pages and turned to hear what he had to say.
His arms were open wide and his eyes were twinkling brightly, his face still showing some lines from all the unexpected surprises at the Sorting. "Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we again our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
As he sat back down everyone clapped and cheered, Harry glance at the his two friends and the Bloody Baron and commented dryly, "Well, they do say genius and insanity go hand in hand."
The Bloody Baron seemed to snort and looked slightly shocked he had done something like it, "Too true my boy, and the Headmaster is definitely known as both."
By the time they turned around the plates on the table were filled with every type of food imaginable, Harry was amazed, at his relatives he was lucky if he got the scraps and he had gotten used to not eating, it was actually one of the few things he seemed able to control.
He watched Hermione and Ron dish up, Hermione ate slowly and with polish, and Ron, though he ate a great amount, actually had manners and some amount of reverence for the food. Harry took a few bites and pushed it away turning to conversation so they wouldn't notice how little he ate.
He listened to the Bloody Baron make a comment, "The feast only gets more and more grand each year, it certainly is impressive." When he noticed Harry's attention he turned to him, "I certainly hope that this year we will win the cup again, I do so enjoy giving Sir Nick that good kick in the arse, we have after all won it for the past six years."
Harry covered a snort, "Who is Sir Nick?"
"Ah the insufferable Gryffindor ghost, all the students call him Nearly Headless Nick, 66 chops with a blunt ax, and all."
Harry nodded his head, "And who would you be Sir, I am sure we cannot go around referring to you as the Bloody Baron."
"Of course, I am Baron Alexander Lucian Renard VI."
Looking up at the head table harry caught the glare directed at him, Ron, and Hermione from the pale teacher who was sitting next to a quivering Professor Quirell who was wearing a ridiculous purple turban. It was a glare that said he wanted to rip them into little pieces and then stomp on them, it was not pleasant.
Just as his glance moved a jolt of pain went through his scar and he barely held back a wince, "Baron Alexander who is the professor with the long black hair sitting next to Professor Quirrell?"
The Baron's eyes moved to the head table, "That is Professor Severus Snape, he is the Potions Master as well as the head of Slytherin house, rather a moody man I daresay."
Harry clunked his head on the table once muttering under his breath, "We are so bloody screwed." He glanced at the head table again and yes indeed Snape looked like he wanted to slice him apart.
Suddenly the table was cleared and the dishes were again sparkling clean, Dumbledore stood up and got the attention of the room, "Ahem-just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have of term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that the third-floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
A few nervous laughs rang out across the hall, not one of the three made a sound, threats of death should always be taken seriously, and this one was uttered in no manner of jest. The three nodded at eachother understanding the silent communication.
Dumbledore continued on, "And now before go to bed, the school song! Everyone pick a tune and off we go!"
The words appeared in thin spiraling gold script in the air as everyone started to sing, at a different pace and tune, the words.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
The three first years watched Fred and George Weasley finish with a slow funeral march, they all looked at the Baron and shook their heads, they hadn't even bothered singing, there was no point to it.
Finally they ended and Dumbledore clapped loudly, "Wonderful! And now Prefects if you lead the first years to the dorms, and everyone else, off to bed with you!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood, "Goodbye Baron Alexander, we shall have to talk again, your knowledge is most impressive."
Ron and Harry nodded in agreement with Hermione's words as they both spoke the same words, "Goodnight Baron Alexander, it was a privilege to meet you."
The Baron nodded regally at the three, "As it was you, I would enjoy conversing with you more in-depth, and I will tell Peeves not to bother you, if he gives you any trouble come speak to me."
They nodded their thanks as they followed the 5th year Slytherin Prefect out the doors of the Great Hall.