Chapter: Chapter Thirteen: Yet Another Sorting Ceremony
Author: King Harrison
Category: Action/Adventure
Sub-Category: Romance
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OotP,
Summary: Wherein a sorting occurs-strange occurances, as well.
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author Notes: Chapter Thirteen is here! R&R! Also, I'd like to clear a few things up. First-Harry and Hermione both still look young in their Mage forms. If you'll remember that when they entered the trunk, Merlin was young. Same thing applies here. Second-Voldemort isn't going to be run-of-the-mill for Harry and Hermione. I don't remember if Merlin told you this or not, but Dumbledore and Voldemort both have the potential to become mages, but because of Voldemort, Dumbledore was never able to.
"A thousand years and more ago/when I was newly sewn/there lived four wizards of renown/whose names are still well known."
-The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
(A/N-Argh! I'm running out of quotes!)
Chapter Thirteen: Yet Another Sorting Ceremony
Once the train arrived in the station, Harry and the others quickly got off the train.
As they got into the carriages, Ron frowned. "Why can't I see the thestrals?"
Hermione answered that for him. "You were knocked out and gibberish."
"Oh, yeah." (A/N – This part here is to leave open an entry for Sirius back into the world-if I decide to bring him back. I'm not sure yet.)
During the trip, Neville, Lupin, and Ginny had had to get into another carriage. They quickly rejoined the group on the front lawn of Hogwarts.
The group walked quickly inside, anticipating the feast and the Sorting. They were surprised not to find Peeves creating havoc. But no, there he was. He flew up to Harry and Hermione and gave them a bow. At their startled look, he whispered, "Even poltergeists give the due respect to mages."
Harry's blood ran cold. How did Peeves know? "We sense the balance of power…" He whispered again as he flew away, cackling maniacally as usual.
Inside, the Great Hall was as bustling and beautiful as usual. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny quickly found a seat together at the Gryffindor table. Luna skirted off to the Ravenclaw table, and Lupin went quickly us to sit next to Mcgonagall's chair. As Lupin strode away, Harry noticed for the first time that he actually looked healthy.
And then it hit him. The Silver Roses. Lupin was free of his transformations. Harry couldn't help but feel giddy about it.
Suddenly, the doors to the hall burst open, and McGonagall strode in with an even more pitiful looking group than usual. As the First Years filed in, the Sorting Hat, sitting on a stool in front of the Head Table, began to sing.
Oh, I know that you new students
Think that a test you'll have to pass.
But a test it shall not ever be;
It's just a look into your past.
All those many years ago,
I was not this worn or frayed.
I was put on a great wizard's head
When I was newly made.
That wizard was but one of four
Who upon this world imprinted
Upon the minds of the young ones
Knowledge so newly minted.
They set to work to raise a school
To teach of magic power.
They worked together and in the end,
Made a school that lasts unto this hour.
The most couragous of the lot,
The great lord Gryffindor.
I know him to be most certainly
The bravest of the four.
And of course the smart one,
Whose mind surpassed the rest.
Lady Ravenclaw's intelligence
Was always rated best.
And then there was the sweet one,
The caring Hufflepuff.
But whenever she got angry,
She sure could showe her stuff.
And so their flower blossomed,
Their school gained much prestige.
But tensions grew and worries, too,
And they all felt ill at ease.
Ties that once had bound them,
Fell apart and they did fight
Over who would control their school,
Over who could win the plight.
Then the instigator left the school,
And was ne'er seen again.
But even after Slytherin was gone,
The broken ties they could not mend.
Now, after a thousand years
The rivalries still stand.
And the behaviors for that rotten cause
Are in need of reprimand.
Now that I have warned you,
I hope you understand.
Now I will get back on track,
As you would soon demand.
So which of the four great wizards,
Might you be the most like?
Here I decide to end my song,
So Minerva, take the mike!
"Andrews, Michael"
The first boy came boldy up to the stool and shoved the hat on his head. Within a second, it yelled, "SLYTHERIN!"
"Artemis, Amelia" was sorted into Hufflepuff, "Bilinor, Alex" went to Slytherin. "Bones, Sarah" was sorted into Hufflepuff and "Borington, Perry" was a Ravenclaw.
Gene Carmichael was sorted into Ravenclaw, and Robert Corin became a Slytherin. Harry was beginning to worry, since no one had yet made Gryffindor. But his fears were assuaged when Mcgonagall called out, "Creevy, Erik."
It was another Creevy boy, but at least Harry could be sure he would be in Gryffindor like his brothers. He was sorted into Gryffindor as expected. Darren Dole became Gryffindor number two, but Hermila Ermil joined the ranks of Slytherin. Richard Ezekiel was applauded into Gryffindor house soon afterward, and Thomas Forrester entered Ravenclaw.
William Garrison was sorted into Slytherin and then a pair of twins named Paul and Romulus Harrison were sorted into Hufflepuff. James Kerry (A/N-NO RELATION TO JOHN KERRY) was sent into Gryffindor.
Sybil Longbottom went to Hufflepuff. "My cousin," Neville whispered to them. Carrie Nortemus joined the Gryffindors, and Scott Orson was sent to Ravenclaw. Then a set of triplets with the last name Pearson were called up, one at a time. Harry Pearson went to Gryffindor, James Pearson went to Hufflepuff, and Lily Pearson went to Ravenclaw.
Hermione giggled. "You know who they are named for!"
Harry payed her no heed as he watched the Sorting continue. The last five went through quickly; Minerva Puckle in Ravenclaw, Queensley Shacklebolt and Morville Thompson in Gryffindor, Alex Xandrim in Ravenclaw, and Ursa Zabini in Slytherin.
Professor Mcgonagall rolled up her roll of parchment and carried off the stool and hat. Dumbledore smiled at them and said loudly, "Dig in!"
After the clamor and noise of the meal died down, everyone looked expectantly at Dumbledore. They knew that he would have things to tell them (nothing Harry and Hermione didn't already know).
Dumbledore finally rose. "I have a few start of term announcements. First, do to the war that is upon us, several classes have been added to your curriculum. We have welcomed Remus Lupin back to our ranks as the Dueling professor." At the clamor that rose from his announcement, Dumbledore spoke reassuringly. "You have no reason to worry. Professor Lupin will be constantly under the influence of the Essence of the Silver Rose, which, as those of you who actually study know, is the one thing that fully stops the werewolf transformation.
"Also, Madame Pompfrey will be using her spare time to teach Magical and Muggle methods of healing. Professor Syrme will be teaching the art of Muggle Weaponry and Fighting."
Harry and Hermione quickly scanned the table. Near the center, next to Lupin, was a familiar man. MERLIN! They both thought at him in unison.
He winked at them. Quiet, you two. I will explain later.
Huffing, they listened to the rest of Dumbledore's speech. "The position of Defense Against the Dark Arts, I am afraid, has not been filled as of yet. But do not worry, I have a candidate that may take the position in the next several days. For first through fifth years, and those few of you who managed to get the Oustanding required to take History of Magic, Professor Binns has, I am happy to say, moved on. Replacing him will be My brother Aberforth Dumbledore.
"As it is, Professor Trelawney, while still remaining at Hogwarts, has decided not to reaccept her position, stating that 'The Fates have warned her' not to. Our centaur friend has also left us, and taking their place will be Phoebe Halliwell.
There was a VERY inthusiastic applause to this. People had hated Trelawney almost as much as Snape. For Binns, no one had really cared.
The woman seated two seats down from the empty chair for the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher smiled. Next to her was an empty seat that he supposed was for Aberforth Dumbledore.
"On to business, then. As usual the Forbidden Forest is, as it's name suggests, forbidden. There are several people here who have never obeyed that particular rule, though, so if you absolutely must, talk to Misters Potter and Weasley and Miss Granger at the Gryffindor table." A laugh arose from most of the people, even Mcgonagall. "Mr. Filch has expanded his list again to include anything made, endorsed, or created by Misters Fred and George Weasley and their company Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. The list is, as usual, available in his office.
"I ask you all to put down your animosities this year, children. The world may just depend on your cooperation. On a final note, two people from each house will join in patrolling the halls of the castle. This is a precautionary measure because no matter what anyone else tells you, Hogwarts is not impenetrable. It is the safest place you can possibly be, but nothing is ever impossible. Now, a lesson for you all before you leave.
A wise man once said, "Cogito, Ergo Suum. Translated into english, it means: I think, therefore I am. Remember that the two most important things are your mind and your heart. They can get you out of anything. Goodnight."
As usual, the Prefects rounded up the first years. Harry, however, took control of the first years on accident. He walked slightly ahead, and the children all ran to catch up. Hermione sighed and Ron laughed.
Harry entertained their questions when they pertained to Hogwarts. When they mentioned him, he turned their questions away.
On the sixth floor, they ran into Peeves. Peeves gave Harry another wink and a florid bow. After he had left the area (probably to terrorize the children not under a mage's protection), Harry warned them. "You need to watch out for him. He'll play any trick on you he can. I only know four people in the school that he obeys. Professor Dumbledore, the Bloody Baron, Hermione there, and me.":
"He seemed pretty nice." Little Queensley Shacklebolt said quietly.
Harry smiled. "You're Kingsley's daugher?" She nodded. Harry chuckled. "Let me just put it this way. You don't want to meet him down a dark corridor, especially when you're lost."
They arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady. Harry looked at Ron and Hermione questioningly. They shrugged. "We missed the Prefects' meeting, remember?"
Harry nodded. The Fat Lady spoke. "Y–"
"I know, no password, no admittance."
She smiled. "Not at all, Mr. Potter. The password is 'Cogito, Ergo Sum." Seeing his consternation, she smiled. "Ghosts aren't the only ones that can sense the magical balance. Don't worry. We wont tell." The few people who heard her looked confused and unknowing, so Harry didn't place a forgetting spell on them.
Harry sighed. It would be a long year indeed.
A/N-Review, please! Also, if anyone can give me any more good quotes, please do. I'm resorting to my own fic and sorting hat songs. The next one will be both.
Also, if you can, in addition to reviewing, send me an e-mail at – whenever I try to look at your emails, my email wont let me use the adresses shown, and I like to reply to reviews in other ways than just in the chapter. If you do it this way, make the subject: Magi Review
Thanx muchly!