Chapter 4
The Sorting Ceremony

They walk to the Great Hall in silence. They were all very nervous, except Hermione of course, about the nights' upcoming event(s). They continue to walk down the many staircases. "Come on, this way," says Hermione motioning for them to follow her through the grand doors behind the main staircase. "You know what they say," says Raye. "Follow the leader," adds Serena. Everyone gives a little laugh to their little joke, as they are about to follow Hermione, when they remember. "Wait, we're supposed to wait for Professor Dumbledore outside the Great Hall, remember?" Hotaru reminds them. "Oops, sorry, I forgot. Well, I guess I'll see you all inside, maybe at least one of you will be sorted into Gryffindor, you never know. Well, bye for now," says Hermione as she goes through the doors. "Man, I can't wait till this is all over with and we're sorted. I want to get to bed," yawns Serena. "You will soon be settled Miss Tsukino," says Dumbledore startling them. "Oh, Professor, you scared us. We didn't hear you coming," Lita says with a start. "Come, follow me you all, I have Professor McGonagall waiting for you in the front with the sorting hat and the sorting stool," says Professor Dumbledore. "Woo Hoo, we can get this over with," Serena says while jumping up and down. "Calm down Serena, it's not like this is some sort of ride you've been waiting all day to ride, this is serious," Raye scolds her. "Aw Raye, why do you always have to take the fun out of everything?" whines Serena.
"Please come along now, we mustn't waste time, it is almost time for dinner to begin," says Dumbledore almost impatiently. They quickly follow him into the Great Hall as fast as they can and stand in a line in front of the teachers' table. 'What I don't get, is how a hat is supposed to sort us,' whispers Serena to Hotaru. 'Remember, this is a magic world, so anything is possible,' explains Hotaru. 'Serena, Hotaru SHHH I want to hear what he is saying,' says Lita pointing to Dumbledore.
"Everyone, I would like to introduce you all to some new students," Dumbledore says loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear. "Yes, they are late for the semester, but we can make one exception and allow them to join us this year, can we not?" he asks. "Yes," everyone shouts while clapping his or her welcome to the new students in the middle of the hall. "With that said, Professor McGonagall, will you please bring forward the sorting hat?" he asks. She steps up in front of the teachers' table where all may watch the sorting ceremony and sets down the sorting stool.
"Darien Chiba, approach the sorting hat," says Professor McGonagall. "Darien Chiba will be a 7th year, so those of you who are also 7th years that are in the house he is sorted into, please treat him like family," Dumbledore instructs as Darien seats himself upon the sorting stool. Once he is seated, Professor McGonagall sits the Sorting hat upon his head. "Ah, Darien Chiba, welcome to Hogwarts," says the sorting hat. "Hmm, it is loyalty to your friends I see, ah, also you have much to offer in the intelligence department. Yes, I know just to where to put you." The hat pauses for a second. "Ravenclaw." Darien smiles as he steps off the stool and heads over to the table of clapping Ravenclaws. "Welcome to Hogwarts, Darien," says Cedric Diggory. "Thanks, I just hope my girlfriend Serena gets sorted in this house too. She'll be so lonely if she isn't sorted into the same house as me. Trust me, I know how she is," says Darien.
"Raye Hino, step up please," says McGonagall. "Go on Raye, I'm sure you'll be put in a great house," says Lita. While Raye is nervously walking up to the sorting hat and getting sorted, Lita starts looking around the Great Hall. First she looks to her left and down the Slytherins she spots a boy with slicked back bleach blond hair and blue eyes. 'Wow,' she exclaims. "He looks just like my old boyfriend Freddy." Hotaru notices her looking at him and thinks oh no, she's spotted someone else, I need her to notice Ron. 'Hey, Lita, look over there, you might see something that may interest you,' Hotaru whispers pointing to the right. 'What, huh, where?' Lita asks confused. She turns her head to the right and sees a boy with red hair and freckles. 'WOW, he looks better than my old boyfriend, Freddy,' Lita says with twinkling eyes. It looks like I did my job, my work is done here Hotaru thinks to herself with a smile. She and Lita aren't paying much attention to Raye getting sorted, but before they know it the hat is shouting out, "Gryffindor." Raye beams a smile at her friends and hops on over to the cheering and clapping Gryffindor table. She takes a seat next to Hermione. "Welcome to Hogwarts, Raye, you'll have a great time with us," says Hermione while giving her a pat on the back. "This is Ron Weasley," she says motioning towards Ron in front of her. "This is Harry Potter," she says motioning to Harry to her right. "And this is Neville Longbottom," she says motioning to Neville sitting next to Ron. "Hello, it's nice to meet you all, Ron, Harry, and Neville," Raye says while beaming an excited smile at them all. "Likewise," the three say in unison. "Hey Ron, you see my friend Lita over there, the one with the brown ponytail?" she asks Ron while pointing at Lita. "Yeah, what about her?" he asks. "Well, while I was getting sorted, I noticed she was almost making googly eyes at you, it's quite obvious she likes you," Raye says while twinkling her eyes like Lita's and putting up her hands in a prayer-like position resting her head on them staring at Ron teasingly and laughing at him. "Do you really think so?" Ron asks hopefully. "Yep, I do," Raye replies all smiles. "Shh, she's up next."
"Lita Kino," says Professor McGonagall when everyone finally quiets down. When she hears her name Lita quickly walks up and sits down on the stool. "Hello Lita, I'm glad you decided to join us tonight. Now let's see," says the sorting hat. "Hmm, you have great potential and more loyalty than anything. I know just where to put you." The hat pauses for a second. "Hufflepuff." Lita jumps off the stool and hops over to the cheering Hufflepuff table. "Welcome Lita, welcome," everyone says as she seats herself next to a girl named Polly Manilla. She had sandy blonde hair and brown eyes. She was only a few inches shorter than she. "Hello Lita, My name is Polly and I am also a fourth year, Welcome to Hogwarts," says Polly extending her hand for Lita to shake. Lita generously shakes her hand. "Thanks, I am glad to be here Polly," says Lita. "Hey, do you know who that boy is in Gryffindor, the one with the red hair and freckles?" she asks. "Which one? There are 3 boys with red hair and freckles in that house," says Polly. "The younger looking one sitting in front of Hermione Granger," Lita says. "Oh, him. His name is Ron Weasley, why do you ask?" Polly asks. "Oh, I was only wondering," says Lita.
"Hotaru Tomoe, step forward," instructs McGonagall. Hotaru steps up to the sorting stool and sits down as McGonagall puts the hat on her head. While Hotaru is being sorted, across the room seated at the Slythering table, a blonde haired boy with blue eyes by the name of Draco Malfoy was staring longingly at Raye Hino at the Gryffindor table. Wow, I've never seen anyone that good looking in my entire life Draco thinks. I don't care if she's a Gryffindor or not, I've got to meet her. But how can I meet her without anybody getting suspicious? he asks himself. Before he has a chance to look back at the sorting ceremony, he hears the word Slytherin being shouted and snaps his attention back to Hotaru. Everyone gasps in horror when they hear this. 'Perhaps she'll help to end the feud between the Slytherins and Gryffindors,' whispers Fred Weasley to his brother George. Perfect Draco thinks with a sneer. I can get her friend, Hotaru to help me. As Hotaru is making her way over to the Slytherin table, Draco calls and motions for her to take a seat next to him with a big smile on his face. Oh well, what could it hurt to sit next to the evil blond? Hotaru thinks to herself with a slight inner laugh as she walks over and seats herself next to Draco. "Hello, my name is Draco Malfoy, I would like to be the first Slytherin to welcome you to Hogwarts," he says as he extends his hand with a smile. "Hello Draco, my name is Hotaru Tomoe, thank you for your lovely welcome," Hotaru replies as she accepts his extended hand. "Hotaru, might I ask you a question?" he asks. "Why yes, of course, go ahead," Hotaru says. "Well, your friend in Gryffindor, what is her name? Raye Hino. Would you be so kind as to introduce me to her tomorrow at breakfast, perhaps in private?" he asks. "Sure, I'd be happy to introduce you to her," she replies. "But, why in private?" she asks. "I have my reasons," he replies rudely. "So much for the lovely welcome," Hotaru growls.
"Last of all, we have Serena Tsukino. I guess you got lucky Miss Tsukino. Because we've run out of time here, we're just going to place you somewhere. Since you and Mr. Chiba seem so close we'll be nice and put you in Ravenclaw with him," says Professor McGonagall. "Thank you, thank you," Serena screams while jumping up and down and hopping over to sit next to Darien. Once she is seated, she gives Darien a big kiss on the cheek. 'I knew we wouldn't be separated, Darien,' she whispers in his ear while everyone at their table sat there welcoming her. Darien just sits there smiling at her.
"Again I want to say welcome to our new students. After dinner, your houses will assist you in any way needed. Now dig in, dinner is served," Dumbledore shouts. With that said food suddenly appears in front of everyone out of thin air. "MMM, boy, am I starved," Serena says in between mouthfuls. 'Is she always this hungry?' a girl named Cho Chang asks Darien. 'I'm afraid it's true,' says Darien slightly embarrassed.