A large, grand white mansion stood towering over us. There were hundreds of windows with brass balconies gleaming proudly. The grounds, from what I could see, were extremely green. It was an odd statement, I knew, but it was the truth.

We were led to the building with baited breath. As we got to the large doors, I bit my lip, anxious and almost disturbed.

Where would I be sorted? Would I even fit in here?

The doors magically swung open at our appearance. The foyer was large, with wood flooring. Beyond that, there was a Hall, where we could hear murmuring.

"Woah," Malfoy's friend from the train hissed from beside me. "This is… spectacular."

Only then did I realize what he was staring at. Up above, on the ceiling, was an elaborate picture. People were dancing, looking deeply into each other's eyes.

Suddenly, a man stopped at looked down on us.

"In the background it will hide,

A meaning that is cleverly disguised,

It will lead you to a perfect bliss,

But, Ginny, dear, nothing will be right,

Until you find this."

Everyone turned around and stared at me.

My eyes grew large. "What?"

The headmaster glanced at me with a look of surprise. "That- the… It's never… ever… spoken before…"

A head popped out of the dinner area. "Are you coming, Madam Shanez?"

"Yes," she said after a moment's pause. Then, regaining her cheery composure, she exclaimed, "let's go! You must be hungry!"

They all began to mummer at once.

She led us through to the Dining Hall, where seven tables lay before us. Students crowded the six, and the teacher's table was mounted imposingly over the rest.

In the front and center was a floating ball; it wasn't a moon, yet it wasn't a Crystal Gazer. I was reminded oddly of Professor Lupin and all the things that I'd heard.

Madam Shanez strolled magnificently to the front of us all, then beamed. "You will, one by one, come up and place your writing hand, and your writing hand only on the Periphery of Fire. Then, behind you, your table will let you know where you belong. Once you are seated, I will explain your housing conditions. All right, begin as you are able."

Since there was no precise order, no body raced to the front. Finally, impatient and nervous, I pushed my way to the front, ready to get out of the eyes of the whole Hall.

Throwing my hair behind my shoulder and letting my robe drop, I placed my right hand on the orb. It was cold, yet mystifying.

Why was it called the Periphery of Fire? I wondered. My hand is freezing.

Unexpectedly, loud applause began to fill the room. I turned around to see the table two spots from the left on their feet. Then I realized how they knew I belonged there; flames were tickling the edge of the table happily. I removed my hand and raced down to join them.

A few kids smiled at me. I gaped at my surroundings. There were two silver plates and two goblets before me. Also, I had two forks, a spoon, and a knife. I looked at them a bit oddly, then, deciding not to ask, my gazed returned to the Sorting Ceremony.

Next, Malfoy strutted to the head of the group. Turning around and smiling at someone, he lifted his left hand and placed it in the respected area.

With a loud kerplack, he was thrown backwards.

The teachers were all shaking their heads and rolling their eyes. Students were laughing so hard their eyes began to water.

"Tsk, tsk, I warned you," he was scolded by the Headmaster, though she was smiling. "Try again, but with the right hand."

He smirked and replaced his hand.