Chapter II: The Sorting

The door swung open to reveal an aged witch, her hair in a tight bun, her black robes flowing neatly to the ground.

"Here are the firs' years Professor McGonagall" the giant boomed.

"Thank you, Hagrid." She said, nodding curtly. "I will take them from here."

They followed her into the castle, looking around them in awe. The entrance hall was enormous. George's eyes twinkled as he imagined himself throwing an Ever-Bashing Boomerang in the hall and watching it hit people over the head. His thoughts were interrupted by Professor McGonagall as she led them into a dimly lit chamber off the side of the hall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts." She said, "The start-of-term feast will start shortly, however you must be sorted first. Hogwarts is divided into four houses; Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Your houses will be something like your family while you are here. You will sleep in your house dormitory, spend free time in your house common-room and have classes with the rest of your house.

Your triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule breaking-" She stopped in mid-sentence to stare pointedly at Fred who had magically tied the shoe laces of the girl next to him together. Waving her wand to undo them, she continued. "Rule breaking will lose you house points. Now please wait here while we get everything ready."

As Professor McGonagall left, the group of students started talking in hushed tones amongst themselves. They were all trying to guess how they were going to be sorted. George, having had three brothers before him come to Hogwarts, knew exactly how they were sorted. A thought popped up in his mind. He poked his brother in the arm.

"Quit it!" Fred said, then seeing the look on his face, he raised his eyebrow. George grinned evilly.

"Hey guys!" He shouted. "I know how you get sorted." The crowd fell silent at his words. Fred nodded his approval. Casting about for a lie he drew in a long breath. Finally a thought came to him. "They make you stand in front of the whole school, and battle a mountain troll." He said dramatically.

The crowed became very tense. Professor McGonagall walked back into the chamber, looking around. "Whatever has happened to you lot?" She said in a stern voice, looking around at their terrified faces. No one seemed able to respond. "No matter, follow me."

They shuffled along behind her into the great hall.

On a stool at the front of the hall was perched a shabby old wizard's hat. The students made a line in front of the teachers table, facing it.

The hat began to sing a song, but soon George became bored and started tying students' shoe laces together, his wand hidden behind his back. He had heard enough from his brothers about the houses. Before long, Fred joined in, and by the time the hat stopped singing, they had tangled everyone together.

Professor McGonagall called the first boy, and as he tried to walk forward to put on the hat, he tripped and fell, pulling down the two other students who were attached to him. As the hall rippled with laughter, Professor McGonagall glared at the twins. Walking over to them, she waved her wand once again to untangle the students, who got up looking rather embarrassed.

Whispering so that no one else could hear, she told them to come to her office before dinner the next night. The twins nodded, suddenly aware that they were in trouble mere minutes after entering the castle.

Professor McGonagall returned to her list. "Diggory, Cedric." She said. He looked calmer than all the other first years as he put the hat on his head. He had barely placed it on his head when it shouted out Hufflepuff, and he walked over to the table second from the left.

Angelina Johnson became a Gryffindor, as did Lee Jordan.

After what seemed like an eternity, it was Fred's turn to get sorted. He walked up to the stool and sat, putting the hat on his head. After a few seconds of silence, the hat shouted out "GRYFFINDOR" And the table to the far left cheered as Fred walked towards them.

It was now George's turn. He walked towards the hat, his heart pounding. Sitting down, he placed the hat on his head. A voice suddenly spoke in his ear.

"Mmmhmmm… Yes… another Weasley brother eh? I see… You shall be in… GRYFFINDOR!" The last word echoed through the hall. Taking off the hat, he walked over to sit next to his twin.

The ceremony ended after two more names were called.

Professor Dumbledore, whom they knew from their Chocolate Frog cards, stood up. Smiling around at them all, he cleared his throat.

"I will not bore you at the moment with an old man's babbling while you are all waiting to be fed. Enjoy." He sat down once more as food appeared on the golden plates before them.

They all ate as much as they could. They filled their stomachs to bursting with every type of food imaginable. Finally when the puddings disappeared, Dumbledore stood up grandly.

"I have just a few announcements before you all head off to bed. The Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students." He paused, his eyes landing warmly on Fred and George. "And Mr. Filch, our caretaker, would like to remind all students that no magic is to be performed outside of classes.

Quidditch tryouts will be held in the second week of term. Anyone who wishes to play for their house team, please contact Madam Hooch. That would be all. Now, off to bed!"

The Gryffindors followed their prefects, clambering up the stairs in single file. George tried to remember which way to turn and how many stair cases he had to climb to get to their common room, but after a while he lost count.

The group was suddenly stopped by a little man floating in the hallway up ahead. He had a giant water balloon in his hands, cradling it like a precious baby. Smiling evilly, he tossed it. George watched as it rose in an arch and fell onto the heads of a group of first year girls, who screamed as they became drenched from head to foot.

George looked admiringly at the man as his brother Charlie, one of the prefects, yelled.

"Shoo Peeves! Don't make me get the Bloody Baron."

Peeves floated away backwards, blowing a wet raspberry at them, and laughing madly.

They eventually reached their common room and were showed their dormitories. All of their trunks had been brought up, and to the twins' delight, Lee Jordan was sharing their dorm with them.

They talked most of the night, being too excited to sleep. Eventually they each climbed into their four poster beds and turned off the lights. George fell into a dreamless sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.