Chapter 3: Sorting Things Out
Liana followed Professor McGonagall through a twist and turn of corridors until finally they reached the tall statue of a gargoyle. Pulling out her wand she tapped the statue twice. "Lemon Drops." The gargoyle began to spin around until there was a rather large opening in front of them. McGonagall turned around to face them. "In a moment you will be sorted into one of the four Houses: Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, or Slytherin. But before you go to the sorting ceremony, the Headmaster would like to have a few words with you all."
Looking around for the first time Liana realized that she wasn't alone. Two other girls and a boy stood in the torch lit hall as well. "Follow me," the professor said motioning for them to step inside the opening. Once the were all inside it began to spin around again before coming to a halt. Finding herself to be in the Headmaster's office, Liana looked curiously around the room. Photos of previous headmasters lined the walls, chattering to one another, while strange instruments littered the desk placed in the center of the room. One thing that caught her eye was the Phoenix perched near the desk. "I see you've met Fawkes," said a grandfatherly voice. Liana looked up to see an ancient looking man with a long white beard almost to the floor, and sparkling gray eyes covered with half moon spectacles. However cheerful the man appeared though, he had a tiresome look about him, as if he had spent many late nights awake.
Liana smiled, "He's beautiful."
"Now," the old wizard began; and everyone turned their full attention toward him. "I would like to start off by introducing myself as Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster here at Hogwarts." Eyes widened, Dumbledore was a name that had been more than just causally mentioned in the Daily Prophet. "I would also like to welcome you to Hogwarts and hope your stay will be very memorable. Though I must warn you to take caution. Even though you are new to this school it is important that we all work together, and put our differences aside. Again I cannot stress the danger this year will bring, but I wanted to make you aware before the semester begins." Dumbledore gave a momentary pause. What exactly was he getting at? Liana wondered. "The other students and their parents have already been informed, and sadly some had wished not to return this year. Because some of you have been living in other countries, as well as attending different magical academies, I thought it wise to let you decide after you have become more acquainted with the school. I will give you until the end of the week to decide." Finished hid proposal Albus Dumbledore sat down and began scanning over, what looked to Liana, important documents. McGonagall began to wave them out of the office, and soon they found themselves around a circular table at the center of the four house tables.
Looking over at the Ravenclaw table, Liana caught Connor's eye and he waved. Lina waved back and saw him mouth the words," Where were you?"
"Headmaster's office. Tell you about it later!" she mouthed back.
"He's a kinda cute," Liana jumped in her seat and turned around to see one other girls that had been in Dumbledore's office. "But don't worry," she grinned, "He's all yours." Liana was sure her face was starting to turn red. As if realizing the girl had embarrassed her she added, "By the way, I'm Rose Fallow." Rose Fallow had midnight black hair cut off at the shoulders, and an almost purplish eye color. Overall she was girl to catch more than one boy's eye.
"Liana Wood," she said, shaking Rose's hand. Rose got the attention of the other girl sitting next to her. "Liana, this is Morgan Diggory. We both went to the Salem Academy in the Americas. We didn't even now we went to the same school until we met on the train." Rose let out a small laugh.Diggory, the name sounded familiar.
Morgan seemed almost the complete opposite of Rose. Her blond hair was very wavy and came to about waist length. Her eyes were a dark misty color, that reminded Liana of how the sky looks before a storm. She couldn't understand why, but Morgan had a sort of morbid look to her. "Nice to meet you," Morgan said giving a small, sad smile.
The boy sitting next to Liana finally spoke up, "Well since we're all giving out introductions... I'm Timothy Smith, but just call me Tim. I'm from Romania, but I went to school in New Zealand." Tim had very dark hair and unnaturally pale skin that made him look rather sickly.
The talking died down instantly as Dumbledore appeared at the front of the hall. "Welcome and welcome back," he said spreading his arms out to address everyone. "Before the Sorting takes place I would like to announce that we have 4 new 6th year exchange students. This is Hogwarts first attempt in taking part in this program since the Tri-Wizard Tournament two years ago. I'm encouraging you all to help them with this transition. Thank you for listening, let the Sorting begin!"
Liana felt butterflies tying knots in her stomach, but she hoped she wasn't looking as nervous as she felt. Professor McGonagall glided into the Hall, carrying a stool and a beaten up old, wizard's hat. McGonagall sat the on the stool and all of a sudden it broke out into a song describing the four houses. Gryffindor was full of the courageous, Hufflepuff with loyal hearts, Ravenclaw for the quick witted, and Slytherin for those who wished power.
"All the houses must unite or fall
This is the warning I give to all
The final battle is coming you see
Prepare to stand and fight or flee."
Silence lingered in the air, and McGonagall glanced to Dumbledore who just nodded. "First we will begin with our new 6th year students." Unrolling a piece of parchment she called out, "Diggory, Morgan." Whispers erupted at the name and suddenly Liana recalled where she had heard it before. Cedric Diggory, the boy who had died during the Tri-Wizard Tournament the year after Oliver had left. They said Voldemort himself had killed him. No wonder Morgan had such a gloomy appearance.
The Sorting Hat was placed on her head. "RAVENCLAW!" Cheers and clapping erupted from the Ravenclaw table. Morgan reluctantly got up and sat down at the table.
"Fallow, Rose." Rose left the table giving Liana a mischievous grin. The hat barely touched her head before yelling. "GRYFFINDOR!" Again loud shouts and applause admitted from the Gryffindor table and Rose smiled happily while making her way to the red and gold table.
"Smith, Timothy." Tim rose from the table and went to go sit down on the stool. Liana started feeling uncomfortable being the only one left. The Sorting Hat took a little more time for Tim before shouting out, "SLYTHERIN!" And a cheer erupted from the table decorated lavishly with silver and green. The other tables booed loudly.
"And finally," the butterflies started moving faster... "Wood, Liana." Liana felt all eyes on her as she left the table and headed for the stool in front of the Great Hall. Placing the hat on her head, she wished anxiously for it to be over with. "Just not Slytherin," she thought furiously.
"Why not Slytherin?" Spoke a voice that wasn't hers. "You could be a great witch, a powerful witch one day, and Slytherin would help you on your way to greatness," it said trying to tempting her.
"NOT SLYTHERIN!" She screamed inside her head.
"What about Ravenclaw then? You've got some brains inside this head of yours." Liana looked over and saw Connor smiling at her.
"What about Gryffindor?" She asked almost regretfully.
"Well if you're sure than... GRYFFINDOR!"
Liana looked at Connor to see a frown pass over his face and she felt her heart sink. "I hope you're happy Oliver..." Liana mumbled under a fake smile, while walking over to sit at the Gryffindor table that was now cheering and clapping for her. Liana quickly took an empty seat next to Rose, who turned to give her another grin. "Well Liana, I have a feeling this school years gonna be different from any other." Liana nodded in agreement, brighting up a little bit.