Chapter 8 : The strange behaving of the Sorting Hat
"Harry!", cried Hermione and gave him a big hug. "How are you doing? How were your holidays? Tell me everything!"
Together with Ron, she sat down on the seats opposite of Harry. "Ron and I´ve got lots of things to tell you – ", Harry began, but he was interrupted by Ron.
"Ginny, would you please wait outside ´til we have finished?" "Oh, that´s nice", said Ginny and made to get up. She was pulled back down by Harry who said: "No, stay. Ron you know I´ve no secrets from her!" Hermione raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean by that?" "Ginny and I have written letters to each other all summer and she knows everything that happened." "So she´s your pen-pal?", asked Hermione surprised. "Yeah, she helped me to solve some problems."
Harry looked at Hermione. She seemed to be waiting for an explanation and Harry sighed: "That´s a very long story..." "Oh, go on. I think we´ve got enough time for that", said Hermione, grinning.
So Harry told her about his visions, his friendship with Ginny, Snape´s house and Dark Avenue, the Underworld and that he thought Snape might betray Dumbledore. After his report, Hermione had to think for some minutes and the compartement was noiseless.
"I think", began Hermione, "I think we should trust Snape. He´s a Hogwartsteacher and Dumbledore trusts him!" "Yeah, Quirrell wasn´t a Hogwartsteacher and Dumbledore didn´t trust him at all, right?", said Ron ironically. "Ok, but Snape´s not Quirrell – " "Quirrell seems harmless compared to Snape!" "Fine, Ron. But even if Snape betrays Dumbledore, he can´t do anything, because Harry´s too well protected in Hogwarts." Looking at Harry she said: "You know he´ll do anything to protect you from Voldemort, Harry." "You´re right. We just have to be very careful."
Soon, they heard the breaks of the train wailing. Ron and Hermione had to go out and look for the First Years. Harry and Ginny climbed out together and were heading for the carriages torn by Thestrals. Thestrals were winged horses, only seen by those who have seen death. Just as Harry wanted to ask Ginny if she wanted to accompany him, she said: "I´m going over to my friends. See you at the feast." And she left a very disappointed Harry behind. So he waited for Ron and Hermione, who climbed with him into the carriage.
They didn´t talk, because they were all very tired and starving. Even though, Hermione kept throwing strange looks at Harry. "What?", said Harry irretated. "Nothing", said Hermione innocently. "I´m just wondering what´s going on between you and Ginny. And why didn´t you write to us?" "First, there´s nothing between me and Ginny. And I – well, I thought you had forgotten me. You only sent me short letters. Ginny told me you´ve been busy all time. And anyway, she offered me her help, I didn´t ask for it." "Ok", said Hermione and kept grinning at Harry.
They got off their carriage and pushed forward by the crowd, they entered the castle of Hogwarts. Harry was glad to be back again and that he would spent the following months without the Dursleys. They went into the Great Hall and placed themselves on the Gryffindor house table. Harry took the seat next to Hermione, while Ginny and Ron were sitting on the other side. They barely had time to talk, because the First Years arrived and the Sorting was about to begin.
But first the Sorting Hat had to perform his new song. "A very long time ago when I was born, created by four friends of mine I knew that they have always sworn That I should distribute you fine.
So don´t be afraid my friends To whatever house I will sort you It´s always you on who it depends I see feelings and thoughts inside your head too.
If you become a Gryffindor Notice you´ll never be a traitor.
In Hufflepuff you would´ve learned That friendship has to be earned.
And remember in Ravenclaw too Friendliness will come to you.
And Slytherin I don´t want to name But even if I have got to I am full of shame. `Cause Slytherin is a bad house Where everyone´s a devil, even the smallest mouse. In Slytherin you will betray Those you love and those you hate But this ain´t the right way Even if it´s foreseen in your fate
So care not what HE sees Help everyone to live in peace Now let the sorting ceremony begin and hope The new generation will be able to cope Better with problems than the old Put me on and in your house to go you´re told!"
After this, there was no applause. Everyone was looking at the Slytherin table, to see the reactions of the housemembers. They all looked at each other and didn´t say a single word. "Who does he mean with HE who sees?", asked Harry. "It might be Voldemort, but I´m not sure", replied Hermione.
The Sorting Hat had always shown a little dislikness to Salazar Slytherin and his house, but it had never said it that clearly before. The Song was very rude and insulting.
After an embarassing moment of peace, Albus Dumbledore cleared his throat: "Ehm... let the Sorting begin!" Professor McGonagall took out the list of the First Years and began reading their names. Everything went well, the Hat sorted the students as usually and shouted out the name of the House. But always, when a Slytherin was to be sorted it said : "You know which house" or "The house that has not to be named"
The teachers didn´t know what to do and after the Sorting, they quickly locked the Hat away. Suddenly, the plates in front of the pupils were filled with food and they began to eat. After they finished, Dumbledore told them the usual stuff, such as : "The Forrest is forbidden for all the students. Only third years and upper classes are aloud to visit Hogsmeade." Then Dumbledore had a big smile on his face and announced: "Divination lessons are now given by Mrs.Trelawney and Firenze. But as our Defense against the Dark Arts teacher Mrs.Umbridge will be unable to return," he looked very happy, "Professor Snape has agreed to become the New Denfense against the Dark Arts Teacher. Your new Potions Teacher will be Fleur Delacour. So, please welsome your new teachers."
At first, every single student seemed to be shocked, but they applauded politely and Snape looked very pleased. Fleur was blushing and looked a bit nervous.
"Now I know why Snape was so nice to us", whispered Harry to Ron. Dumbledore told them that the feast was over and they left the Great Hall. As they reached the Marble Stairs, Harry heard somebody call his name. He turned around and saw Cho coming towards him.
"Oh no...", he moaned. Hermione looked suspiciously at Harry, but than she immediately understood what was going on. "Let me handle this!", she whispered into his ear.
"Hey Harry! I wondered if you´d like to have breakfast with me tomorrow!", said Cho. "I´m sorry dear, but Harry´s going to have breakfast with me tomorrow!" Hermione looked at Cho, who was raising her eyebrows.
"What would he do that for?", came Cho´s angry reply. "You can´t tell him what to do, you´re not even his girlfriend!" "Oh really? I don´t think so", said Hermione, took Harry´s hand and kissed him on the cheek.
"Harry!", cried Hermione and gave him a big hug. "How are you doing? How were your holidays? Tell me everything!"
Together with Ron, she sat down on the seats opposite of Harry. "Ron and I´ve got lots of things to tell you – ", Harry began, but he was interrupted by Ron.
"Ginny, would you please wait outside ´til we have finished?" "Oh, that´s nice", said Ginny and made to get up. She was pulled back down by Harry who said: "No, stay. Ron you know I´ve no secrets from her!" Hermione raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean by that?" "Ginny and I have written letters to each other all summer and she knows everything that happened." "So she´s your pen-pal?", asked Hermione surprised. "Yeah, she helped me to solve some problems."
Harry looked at Hermione. She seemed to be waiting for an explanation and Harry sighed: "That´s a very long story..." "Oh, go on. I think we´ve got enough time for that", said Hermione, grinning.
So Harry told her about his visions, his friendship with Ginny, Snape´s house and Dark Avenue, the Underworld and that he thought Snape might betray Dumbledore. After his report, Hermione had to think for some minutes and the compartement was noiseless.
"I think", began Hermione, "I think we should trust Snape. He´s a Hogwartsteacher and Dumbledore trusts him!" "Yeah, Quirrell wasn´t a Hogwartsteacher and Dumbledore didn´t trust him at all, right?", said Ron ironically. "Ok, but Snape´s not Quirrell – " "Quirrell seems harmless compared to Snape!" "Fine, Ron. But even if Snape betrays Dumbledore, he can´t do anything, because Harry´s too well protected in Hogwarts." Looking at Harry she said: "You know he´ll do anything to protect you from Voldemort, Harry." "You´re right. We just have to be very careful."
Soon, they heard the breaks of the train wailing. Ron and Hermione had to go out and look for the First Years. Harry and Ginny climbed out together and were heading for the carriages torn by Thestrals. Thestrals were winged horses, only seen by those who have seen death. Just as Harry wanted to ask Ginny if she wanted to accompany him, she said: "I´m going over to my friends. See you at the feast." And she left a very disappointed Harry behind. So he waited for Ron and Hermione, who climbed with him into the carriage.
They didn´t talk, because they were all very tired and starving. Even though, Hermione kept throwing strange looks at Harry. "What?", said Harry irretated. "Nothing", said Hermione innocently. "I´m just wondering what´s going on between you and Ginny. And why didn´t you write to us?" "First, there´s nothing between me and Ginny. And I – well, I thought you had forgotten me. You only sent me short letters. Ginny told me you´ve been busy all time. And anyway, she offered me her help, I didn´t ask for it." "Ok", said Hermione and kept grinning at Harry.
They got off their carriage and pushed forward by the crowd, they entered the castle of Hogwarts. Harry was glad to be back again and that he would spent the following months without the Dursleys. They went into the Great Hall and placed themselves on the Gryffindor house table. Harry took the seat next to Hermione, while Ginny and Ron were sitting on the other side. They barely had time to talk, because the First Years arrived and the Sorting was about to begin.
But first the Sorting Hat had to perform his new song. "A very long time ago when I was born, created by four friends of mine I knew that they have always sworn That I should distribute you fine.
So don´t be afraid my friends To whatever house I will sort you It´s always you on who it depends I see feelings and thoughts inside your head too.
If you become a Gryffindor Notice you´ll never be a traitor.
In Hufflepuff you would´ve learned That friendship has to be earned.
And remember in Ravenclaw too Friendliness will come to you.
And Slytherin I don´t want to name But even if I have got to I am full of shame. `Cause Slytherin is a bad house Where everyone´s a devil, even the smallest mouse. In Slytherin you will betray Those you love and those you hate But this ain´t the right way Even if it´s foreseen in your fate
So care not what HE sees Help everyone to live in peace Now let the sorting ceremony begin and hope The new generation will be able to cope Better with problems than the old Put me on and in your house to go you´re told!"
After this, there was no applause. Everyone was looking at the Slytherin table, to see the reactions of the housemembers. They all looked at each other and didn´t say a single word. "Who does he mean with HE who sees?", asked Harry. "It might be Voldemort, but I´m not sure", replied Hermione.
The Sorting Hat had always shown a little dislikness to Salazar Slytherin and his house, but it had never said it that clearly before. The Song was very rude and insulting.
After an embarassing moment of peace, Albus Dumbledore cleared his throat: "Ehm... let the Sorting begin!" Professor McGonagall took out the list of the First Years and began reading their names. Everything went well, the Hat sorted the students as usually and shouted out the name of the House. But always, when a Slytherin was to be sorted it said : "You know which house" or "The house that has not to be named"
The teachers didn´t know what to do and after the Sorting, they quickly locked the Hat away. Suddenly, the plates in front of the pupils were filled with food and they began to eat. After they finished, Dumbledore told them the usual stuff, such as : "The Forrest is forbidden for all the students. Only third years and upper classes are aloud to visit Hogsmeade." Then Dumbledore had a big smile on his face and announced: "Divination lessons are now given by Mrs.Trelawney and Firenze. But as our Defense against the Dark Arts teacher Mrs.Umbridge will be unable to return," he looked very happy, "Professor Snape has agreed to become the New Denfense against the Dark Arts Teacher. Your new Potions Teacher will be Fleur Delacour. So, please welsome your new teachers."
At first, every single student seemed to be shocked, but they applauded politely and Snape looked very pleased. Fleur was blushing and looked a bit nervous.
"Now I know why Snape was so nice to us", whispered Harry to Ron. Dumbledore told them that the feast was over and they left the Great Hall. As they reached the Marble Stairs, Harry heard somebody call his name. He turned around and saw Cho coming towards him.
"Oh no...", he moaned. Hermione looked suspiciously at Harry, but than she immediately understood what was going on. "Let me handle this!", she whispered into his ear.
"Hey Harry! I wondered if you´d like to have breakfast with me tomorrow!", said Cho. "I´m sorry dear, but Harry´s going to have breakfast with me tomorrow!" Hermione looked at Cho, who was raising her eyebrows.
"What would he do that for?", came Cho´s angry reply. "You can´t tell him what to do, you´re not even his girlfriend!" "Oh really? I don´t think so", said Hermione, took Harry´s hand and kissed him on the cheek.