Anything like this is taken from the first Harry Potter book though it may be altered to fit this story better. (I forgot to add that last part in my last chapter.. Oops! Hehe)

Disclaimer: You know the drill, having seen it in many other fanfics... nothing belongs to me, except for a few characters and the plot; the rest belongs to JKR, one of the people who reviewed, or a singer/band that I decided to 'borrow' the music from. (Though the music factor will be decided on how brain dead I manage to get while writing this chapter.)

Thorns by Faerielights

Chapter 8: The Sorting

Last Chapter:

"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto the rocks and pebbles.

The door swung open at once. An average height, plump witch in violet robes stood there. She had a kind face, and seemed to be warm and friendly. (Boy was everyone wrong who thought that. Well, not really, cuz she was like one of those stereotypical grandmother's, fusses over you, makes sure you're well fed, etc. But you wouldn't want to cross her. Things could get ugly... LoL)

"The firs' years, Professor Cherrie (pronounced like cherry)," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will wake them from here."

She pulled the door wise. The entrance hall was so big you could have fit a normal sized house in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.

They followed Professor Cherrie across the flagged stone floor. All the first years could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right - the rest of the school must already be here - but Professor Cherrie showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor Cherrie. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while and rule breaking will lose house points." At this she casually let her eyes linger on our favorite troublemakers and their friends. "At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

She cheerfully looked over the eight that had fallen into the lake, and then approached them quickly. "Would you like me to cast a drying spell for you? So that way you won't be dripping in front of the whole school I mean." She got nods from each of them, and performed the spell "Dryus Totalus!" The eight were instantly dry, and warmer now too.

After she had left the small chamber, most people looked around nervously, as if asking "What now?" As they were waiting, and several people had tried to 'smarten themselves up', something happened that made 'most everyone jump.

Many ghosts had entered the room through one of the walls. They were slightly transparent and pearly white. At first they didn't seem to be paying attention to the startled first years, but fairly soon the Grey Lady (Ravenclaw ghost, if I'm not mistaken) saw their awed faces, and pointed them out to the other ghosts.

"Hello dears," she said, smiling serenely. "I suppose that you are in here, about to be sorted?" some people nodded barely comprehending what she had just said.

"I hope that I'll be seeing you in Hufflepuff," said the Fat Friar (the monk ghost for those of you who forgot).

"It's time to go," came the sweet voice of Professor Cherrie. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin. Now, if you would be so kind as to form a line, and follow me."

The new firs years obediently formed a line, and began to follow Professor Cherrie out, into the Great Hall.

Lily had never even imagined such a strange and splendid place. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor Cherrie led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver. Mainly to avoid all the staring eyes, Lily looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars.

She faintly registered James whisper into her ear that the ceiling was "Bewitched to look like the sky outside."

The first years looked over to their right to see Professor Cherrie place a four-legged stool in front of them. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty.

Lily tried her best not to giggle as she heard a snobby looking girl with flowing silver-blonde hair mutter about how she simply refused to put that anywhere near her head. (A/N: now who could that girl be??) Noticing that everyone in the hall was watching the hat, Lily once again concentrated on it.

For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the from opened wide like a mouth - and the hat began to sing (A/N: I can't really think of a better song stupid WB so I'm just going to use the song from the Sorcerer's Stone, and we'll just say that after so many years the hat uses the same song.):

"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 inside 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!"

As soon as the hat finished its song, and the applause form everyone had died down, the sorting began. The pleasant witch started calling out names, and each table cheered as a new person joined their table.

Abbott, David - Hufflepuff!

Avralona, Ailana - Gryffindor!

Baskerd, Thomas - Ravenclaw!

Black, Sirius - Gryffindor!

Bones, Sarah - Hufflepuff!

Boot, Justin - Ravenclaw!

Brown, Jay - Gryffindor!

Brown, Sally - Gryffindor!

Bulstrode, Mary - Slytherin!

Crabbe, Michael - Slytherin!

Diggory, Amos - Hufflepuff!

Evans, Lily - Gryffindor!

Finch-Fletchley, Jared - Hufflepuff!

Goyle, Joseph - Slytherin!

Lockhart, Gilderoy - Hufflepuff!

Lupin, Destiny - Gryffindor!

Lupin, Remus - Gryffindor!

MacDougal, Michale - Ravenclaw!

Malfoy, Lucius - Slytherin!

Murray, Caila - Slytherin!

Norsean, Narcissa - Slytherin!

O'Reilly, Shawn - Gryffindor!

Parkinson, Jessica - Slytherin!

Patil, Jennifer - Ravenclaw!

Perks, Cara - Hufflepuff!

Potter, James - Gryffindor!

Siderz, Bonnie - Ravenclaw!

Slazkin, Lisa - Hufflepuff!

Snape, Severus - Slytherin!

Stork, Alaina - Ravenclaw!

Trelawney, Sybil - Hufflepuff!

Turpin, Blaise - Ravenclaw!

Vell, Anya - Gryffindor!

Zabini, Geoffrey- Ravenclaw!

(A/N: Sorry I don't have witty things to say in between the sorting of each person, but I can't seem to think all that well at all anymore. and also that'll probably be the next chapter, when I get around to writing it cuz tomorrow starts "Hell Week" yay! ::rolls eyes:: I will try and hurry up, but I can't make promises, specially cuz I just got another puppy, and I hafta help train it, and make sure that my other dog gets lotsa attention too.)

The hat took a long time to sort some people, but announced the houses of others before it even touched their heads.

As Geoffrey Zabini went to the Ravenclaw table, Dumbledore stood up to make a speech:

"I do not wish to make you stay hungry for much longer, so this is all I have to say to you; Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup (A/N: lol, that's one of my favorite quotes.) Thank you and tuck in!"

As he sat down, the plates magically were filled with all sorts of delicious foods, the favorite foods of everyone at the table. Lily began to fill up her plate with some lasagna, cheese fries, chocolate pudding and a strawberry milkshake. (A/N: mmm. now I'm hungry and want some food.) All of the new Gryffindors began acquainting themselves with the other members of their house while they ate.

After everyone had finished, well almost everyone as Sirius was still eating when everything got cleared off, which caused him to give a loud shout of "Hey! I wasn't done eating!" in protestation.

"Well I apologize for the inconvenience Mr. Black, but I think it's about time for everyone to hear our announcements, and to go to bed." Everyone in the Hall chuckled at this. "Now that we've all been fed and had something to drink, I have several start-of-term notices to give you."

"First years should know that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils." With this his eyes wandered over to the Gryffindor table and lingered on James, Sirius, Remus, and everyone else. "Some of the older students should take notice of this as well."

"Mr. Argus (A/N: is that Filch's first name? If it isn't, oh well.) has asked me to remind everyone that there will be no use of magic in the halls, between classes or any other time."

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch (the mother of Madam Hooch for Harry and everyone else)."

"And we have recently acquired a new tree, called the "Whomping Willow". This tree is not to be climbed upon or anything to that effect, for it has a mind of it's own, and you could possibly loose an eye. I'd advise everyone to be careful and to stay away from the tree, as doing otherwise could have some dire results"

"I believe that is all for the announcements. And now, before we go t bed, let us sing the school song," with this, Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself snakelike, into words.

"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"

The school then bellowed:

"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."

Everybody finished the song at different times. The first to finish were Jay and Shawn, as they had been singing along to the tune of "Baby Got Back" (Sir Mix a Lot), however James, Sirius, and Remus were among the last to finish as their tune had been to a love ballad by some unpronounceable name (can't think of anyone.). Lily and the girls finished a little before James, Sirius, and Remus, as they had sung to the tune of Ordinary Day (Vanessa Carlton).

"Ah, music," said Dumbledore, after he had finished conducting and applauding for the students. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

The Gryffindor first years followed Minerva (or Minnie as she was called by Shawn) through the chattering crowds, out of the Great Hall, and up the marble staircase. Our favorite troublemakers and future girlfriends (Oops, did I just say that? ::smirks:: ) were extremely tired, and their legs felt like lead since they were full of food and so tired. Lily was too tired to notice that the portraits moved around, and some of them stood in frames talking to each other in hushed whispers about the upcoming surprises, or that a few times they were lead through doorways hidden underneath tapestries or behind suits of armor. They climbed staircases endlessly, as it seemed to them, and Lily was beginning to wonder if they'd ever reach the common room when they suddenly came to a stop.

Expecting to be at the common room entrance, Lily and everyone else got a nasty shock when they were pelted with water balloons that were filled with pink goo or green slime, among many other nasty substances.

"Peeves, the resident poltergeist of Hogwarts," Minnie informed the startled and mildly disgusted first years. She then spoke more loudly, "Peeves - show yourself now, or I will inform the Bloody Baron of your behavior!"

With a pop, a little man that had wicked, dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, floating upside down, sitting cross-legged.

"Ooh... Yook at the Ickle Firsties! Fresh meat to torture!" He said in a baby voice. Then cackling evilly, he swooped at the group. They all ducked.

"Go away or I will inform the Baron of this encounter Peeves!"

Peeves responded by sticking his thumbs in his ears, wiggling his fingers, crossing his eyes and sticking out his tongue. He then zoomed away, disturbing suits of armor and portraits.

"It would do you well to watch out for Peeves," Minnie said, as they again started their quest for the common room. "The only one who can control him is the Bloody Baron, he won't listen to anyone else, not even prefects." She sniffed at this, as though you'd be insane to not heed the warnings of a prefect. (A/N: Much like Percy of the future...)

"Here we are." They had arrived at a corridor, where there was a portrait of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress.

"Password?" She said.

"Devil's Snare," said Minnie, to which the portrait swung forward, allowing the group to enter the common room. Everyone then scrambled through the entrance, finding themselves in the Gryffindor common room. It was a cozy room, sort of rounded off with many squishy armchairs and sofas. There were also tables so that you could do your homework there, if need be.

"Boy's dorms are reached by taking the left staircase, while the girls can take the right staircase to get to their dorms. You'll find your dorm by going through the doors marked First Year."

Lily, Destie, Lana, Sal, and Ann went to the right staircase while James, Remus, Sirius, Jay and Shawn went off to the left, after bidding each other goodnight. The girls walked up a spiral staircase, and at the top of the staircase, they found the door marked First Year. They opened the door and entered, taking note of where their beds lay, Lily's was between Destie's and Lana's bed, and across from the biggest window in the room.

"Well, night everyone," Lily mumbled, getting four goodnight's in return. Deciding to unpack tomorrow, she changed into pajamas, and brushed her teeth, then climbed into her bed, pulling the curtains closed and curling up under the covers. Her last though before she fell asleep was 'I guess we'll be exploring the castle tomorrow'. (They had arrived on a Friday) she then knew no more, as she had fallen into a long, dreamless sleep.

A/N: Ok, I just want to say that a lot of this story is almost exactly like the sorting hat chapter in the Sorcerer's Stone, but I think that it's really important that certain things should stay the same. Also, if you feel that my fic isn't coordinating with what little we know about Harry's parents and their friends from our beloved HP series, please do not hesitate to let me know, so that I can fix whatever the problem is as soon as possible. Or I will do my best to try and fix it.

Another thing is that if you want to flame me, or just criticize me for whatever reason, it's to cliché, or whatever, just say what you feel you need to, I'll do my best not to be a b!tch about it, cuz I'd really appreciate your honest opinions on my fiction, so don't feel as though you need to be nice about wording your opinions, it won't make me hate you. Actually I'll probably be very grateful to you, because your criticism, constructive or not, will be helping me out a lot. I mean, like I won't be distressed and say something like oh so and so flamed me, saying that they hated this and whatnot, so I won't continue the story. Okay, I'm gunna shut up now about this.

Next: I didn't really add in the conversations that the hat had with everyone, cuz I don't really know what to have the hat say to them (I'm trying to be a little different from everyone else, but I doubt it'll really work out that way.). If you have any idea as to what I can have the hat say to the people, please review and let me know what you think, I could really use the help.

Finally: Please review, I cannot stress this enough, I really wanna know if you like this fic!