Yet again I do not own any of these characters, places, etc they are all the property of J. K. Rowling
Quick note: I want to thank everyone who reviewed- it makes me so happy!
about this chapter I know it seems to echo the first chapter of HP & Sorcerer's Stone- but there it a reason for that which hopefully will become clearer as the plot unfolds… hopefully… Oh ya, and the house traits are kind of weird I know…
I hate Midterms… Chemistry tomorrow… then band (easy) than I'm ALL DONE!!! (Had to do some venting…)
Knife Through My Heart Chapter II: Sorting and SeparationWhen I caught my first glimpse of Hogwarts I thought I had been brought to the wrong place- it was enormous! My family had lived in a fairly large house, but this- this easily surpassed even the vastest of all homes my eyes had ever laid sight on! It seemed as though where ever I looked there was more of the castle to be seen.
Judging by the expressions of my future classmates I was not the only one feeling this way- every single pair of eyes was glued to the castle.
"First Years! First Years! Come 'ere! All of ya! Come on now! Follow me! First Years!" I looked up to see the largest man I had ever seen in my life calling for me to follow him. I looked over at Illusturis and we both started to follow him, slowly being followed by the other first years. "You excited for your first year here at Hogwarts?" The large man asked Illusturis and me. Illusturis, being the strong self-confident person I had found him to be, jumped right in by telling this stranger about his hopes and expectations for the upcoming school year.
I just stood there being my typical, antisocial self. Unable to get up the nerve to say anything. Right then I made a personal resolution to not let my fears get in the way of making new friends and for the first time in my life being happy.
As we made our way into the castle we were greeted by a homely atmosphere, which kept our nerves at ease. At least until the rumors about having to battle a werewolf and dragon to be placed into your correct house surfaced.
"No way- I can't be forced to battle Flobberworm- let alone a werewolf or dragon!" I choked out to Illusturis.
"I thought you said you were a pureblood?" Illusturis inquired.
"Yes, I did- why?" I countered defensively, worried about where this was going.
"I'm amazed your parents didn't tell you about-" he remarked, but I never got to hear what he was about to say to calm my nerves because a tall man with long graying hair and a beard and half moon spectacles came to the top of the stairs. What was most remarkable to me was not the length of his hair or choice in glasses, but his style of dress- it was a purple cloak- not a deep purple almost black cloak, but a bright purple cloak! Never in my life had I ever seen anything like it. Well at least on a figure of importance. My family was very strict about keeping to tradition and culture, etc.
Surely this was not a teacher! Maybe some older student playing a prank on us- trying to make us laugh before we took our last breaths of air during the dreaded sorting ceremony. "I am Deputy Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and it is my greatest pleasure to welcome you to your first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In a few moments time I shall ask that you all follow me through these elaborately decorated doors to take part in the sorting ceremony, in which each and everyone of you will be placed in one of the four houses: Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, or Slytherin. Contrary to what the older students have been telling you on the train; you do not, I repeat do not have to battle a giant, a dragon, a snake, a werewolf, or my personal favorite, me. Now if you could please follow me through these doors the sorting ceremony is about to begin."
The doors swung open and exposed four enormous tables and the rest of the school. I held my breath and prepared for my fate.
"When you hear your name called I want you to come up here, sit down on this stool, and put on the sorting hat which will tell you were you ought to be."
"I told you you would be fine." Illusturis whispered to me.
Professor Dumbledore place a very tattered hat onto the stool and in an instant it burst out into a song:
"I've been around for years and years;
Ask anyone with knowledge.
They will tell you I know all;
And though I don't believe in bragging,
I feel that that is true as true
And therefore becomes the truth.
So when you put me on your head
Nothing can you hide
For if you have it in your head
I am bound to see it
Through this I can see where you belong
Whether it be Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw
Gryffindor or Slytherin
You must have one's traits
Or else you would be not here
So put me on
Let me in your head
And I will tell you
Where it is you should be;
In Hufflepuff you'll find
Friendship through and through
These caring ones
Know not of their own worries
But work together to see that it gets done.
In Ravenclaw you will find
Intelligence is key.
These studious ones
Productive is their time
Always ready to think it through sets them apart.
In Slytherin you will find
The importance of loyalty
These dedicated ones
Know not of betrayal
For they stick together for all eternity.
In Gryffindor you will find
The thirst for adventure
These courageous ones
These valiant know not of fear
Because they value bravery at the top.
Now relax
Pull up a seat
And put me on
For only I can tell you
Where you ought to be.
And remember too
That if it's in your head
It cannot be hidden
Because I'm the Hogwarts sorting hat
Who knows it all."
Following the conclusion of the song the entire hall erupted in applause and standing ovations. After everything had settled down Professor Dumbledore once again to the floor this time with a list of names.
"Ago, Oliver" he called and a little hunchbacked kid sat down on the stool.
"Hufflepuff!" shouted the hat.
"Black, Sirius" "Gryffindor!"
"Caelestis, Patricia" "Ravenclaw!"
"Dantus, Illusturis" I looked at Illusturis and gave him a reassuring smile as he walked up.
"Ravenclaw!" yelled the hat after only a few brief seconds- well it could be worse, he could have been in Gryffindor. I can just picture it now, "Hey, mother, father, I want you to meet my friend Illusturis- he's in Gryffindor." That would just not work for my family, not that they will be happy with me associating with a non-Slytherin, but anyway…
Wait a minute- when have they ever been happy with me!?
"Lupin, Remus" "Gryffindor!"
"Miratrix, Jillyan" "Slytherin!"
My heart was racing, the "S's" were coming up, what if I was put in a house other than Slytherin, my family would have me assassinated to prevent anyone from hearing about their shameful son who couldn't even accomplish getting into the house that his entire family had been in…
"Mordax, Celia" "Hufflepuff!"
"Pettigrew, Peter" "Gryffindor!"
"Potter, James" "Gryffindor!"
"Rauca, Lisabeth" "Ravenclaw!"
No Professor Dumbledore was getting closer to calling my name- I could not take this pressure anymore!
"Snape, Severus" I heard called out. No, it was too soon to have to face this. I couldn't do it.
"Hm… where to put you… hm… you have a difficult mind to place. You have intelligence- most defiantly, some of the most I have seen in a few years. But then there is also a desire for adventure, and you most certainly have much more courage than most. But then there is your loyalty to your family- that seems to be the driving force with you.
But is that where you would be best for once I really don't know. What do you think?"
"Slytherin, my family would disown me if I were anyplace else…" I thought hastily.
"Well if you are completely sure it is: Slytherin!"
Finally for the first time that day I was able to breath a great sigh of relief because after this everything must be a breeze.
How wrong I was about to find out I was.