Sorry, it took me a bit to update. I had to do a lot of reading and research of teachers and get the sorting hat song done…but, I promise it is worth it. Also it if you get a extra moment, read my new story, 'Muggle Games.' Its about how Sirius finds a box of, well muggle games, and mass chaos ensues. Go figure…it is quite funny if I do say so myself! Hope this chapter was worth the wait…
Hagrid's speak in front of the boats and some of McGonagall's taken from HPPS pgs. 111-119
Guess what I did because I am insane…I bought Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean and guess what beans I ate together? Ear wax and Sardine and it was…GROSS! EWW! I am glad the taste is nothing like the real thing! I take my writing seriously…LOL I even ate a chocolate bar afterward. I felt a lot better.
Chapter 10 Entry to Hogwarts and the Sorting Hat
Remus, Sirius, James and the rest of the first years followed the giant man, holding the lamp, down a narrow path, that had a steep incline downward. On either side of the path was a forest, thick with trees. Remus' robes occasional got caught on a stray twig. He blindly followed the person in front of him, till the line came to abrupt halt. Sirius smacked his nose against Remus' back, not being able to stop in time. Remus heard a low moan come from Sirius and despite being extremely nervous held in a light chuckle.
Yeh'll see your firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec." The giant they were following called out over his shoulder, "jus' round the bend here."
The path they had been following opened up and the trees parted. If front of them was now a large ink black lake. Across the lake, on a mountain, stood Hogwarts. It was a castle with turrets and towers, from his view across the lake, Remus' could see that candles had been light inside. Nervousness, crashed over him like a wave, he was almost there. It wasn't a dream, he was going to Hogwarts.
Suddenly the leader yelled, breaking Remus from his thoughts, "No more'n four to a boat!" Remus torn his gaze from the castle and looked down to the lake again. Little boats littered the edge of the lake, right at the shore. Sirius, Remus and James, jumped into one boat so that they would be together. A rather small girl with freckles followed into their boat, after all the other ones had filled up before she could reach them.
"Everyone into a boat?" shouted the giant, that had his own boat. "Right, well, then-FORWARD!"
The boats began to move, like a thousand invisible hands were pushing them off the shore. The boats glided on the lake, barely breaking the surface. No one in the boats spoke, it was so quiet Remus could distantly hear frogs croaking. Without a second thought, his head turned upward to look at the moon. It was waning, Remus gave in involuntary shiver. 'Now is not the time to think of that.' and he turned his head to look back at Hogwarts.
The castle to continue to get larger and larger, as their small boats moved closer. It towered over them, then they reached the base of the cliff.
"Heads down!" The giant called. Remus wondered if it was more for himself then the group of children, who weren't even half his size. To the cliff face, there was a ivy curtain that contained a wide mouth into the cliff face. They follow a dark tunnel, till they reached a hidden harbor. Slowly all the boats docked and the students got out of the enchanted boats. Remus heard gravel crunching as he stepped on the wet ground.
They all followed another path, upward this time. They suddenly appeared at some stone steps and they climbed them. The giant extinguished his lamp and turned around to face them. Remus gulped. All the first years held their breathe in silent anticipation.
"Everyone still here?"
After no one answered his question, except with a few nods, he knocked on the large wooden door, that was the entry. Knocking three times, evenly pacing out was how he did so.
The door opened at once. A thin, middle aged witch with black hair stood on the other side of the now open back door. The witch was wearing bright emerald robes and had a tall hat on. She had a look on her face, that seemed to silently want to tell Remus, that she was not a person to be trifled with.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall." said the giant.
"Thank you Hagrid. I will take them from here."
The door opened the rest of the way, so that it was wide enough to let all the first years in. The entrance was huge, Remus was sure he had never seen a room so gigantic. A marble staircase was in front of them and torches were a light on the wall. Professor McGonagall, lead them across the room to a small empty chamber off to the right of the massive hall. As Remus walked he heard hundreds of voices coming from a long hallway in the opposite direction. Weren't they going to join the rest of the school? If not, where was she taking them? Remus looked at James and Sirius, their faces seemed to mirror the same question.
All the first years crowded into the small room, nervously awaiting to see what Professor McGonagall was going to say, if anything.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," started Professor McGonagall, "The banquet will begin shortly but before we join them in the Great Hall, you will need to be Sorted into your house. This is a very important moment in your life at Hogwarts. Which ever house you are Sorted into will be your family. You eat, sleep, and spend your free time sharing the house common room.
"There are four houses that you can be sorted into: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house is noble and worthy in there own right. All have produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are here you can earn and lose points for your house. Triumphs will be rewarded and rule-breaking will be punished, by gaining and losing house points. I think you can guess which is which. At the end of the term the house with the most points will be rewarded the house cup, a great honor.
"The Sorting Ceremony will begin momentarily. It will take place in front of the school. I suggest you smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." With that her eyes lingered on the crowd of students and after giving a few people a stern look she started to walk away.
"I shall return for you when you are ready. Please try not to make to much noise."
She walked out of the room. Remus felt ill.
"I really hope I get into Gryffindor." said a voice to the left of Remus, it was James. Sirius just nodded his head, at a lose for words.
"How exactly do we get Sorted? She never said…"
Remus wished James hadn't asked that question. Sirius just looked at James and after a moment said, "I heard it was some type of test. It might be magic or something but I bet it isn't easy."
"I wonder do we have to fight a dragon?"
Remus started to freak out. A test? He knew spells but not how perform them correctly and in front of all those people. What happened if he got up there and he just stood there like a statue? Professor McGonagall would shout, 'He can't do magic, he's a werewolf!' and the then the whole school would 'Boo!' and throw food at him. Where would he run to? Would they take him away in a cage like a animal? Remus felt hot tears begin to prick at his eyes and his shoulders started to shake involuntarily. Remus just looked at the ground hoping that no one asked him anything because he was sure his voice would crack.
The door opened again and the witch with emerald robes spoke, "The Ceremony is about ready to begin. Now form a line and follow me.
Remus got into the line without a word, Sirius ended up behind him again and the girl who had been in the boat with them, was in front of Remus. Remus was so tall compared to her, he was looking at the head, of the boy in front of her. Like his feet weight a ton Remus began the walk towards the great hall with a heavy heart.
They walked out of the small chamber and towards the hall, were he had heard voices earlier. They went through a pair of large doors and entered the Great Hall. Nothing could have prepared Remus for the sight that awaited him. It was lit by what seemed a million levitating candles, above the four long tables. On the tables were golden plates and goblets, shining in the candle light. At the end of the Great Hall was another table, were all the staff was seated. Professor McGonagall led the first years to the front of the hall and they came to a halt in front of the table of teachers.
The line turned so that they all faced the other students. Remus felt his face turn red and his glaze started to wonder so he wouldn't have to notice at all the inquiring looks. He looked upward and say the night sky staring back at him. The stars twinkled and the moon looked down at him. Professor McGonagall, brought out a four legged stool and placed it in front of the first years. On top of the stool was placed a extremely old looking wizard cap. Remus stared at the hat along with everyone else. Waiting to see what would happen. No one spoke, then suddenly the hat twitched to life. A rip appeared near the bottom and it started to sing:
Four Houses, Four Fates --- Which will I chose for you?
Put me on and I know your hearts desire,
I know your true intentions.
Will it be a Gryffindor that you reside?
A loyal companion thru and thru, you must be.
Strength of heart and mind, are the virtues kept Dear in this House
Will it be at Hufflepuff you take up residence?
Never will you find a more friendly human being.
Always truthful,
And worth of praise,
Although a little lopsided in many ways.
Will I put you in the house of Ravenclaw?
Intelligence and wit, are wanted in this house. No dimwit will be sorted here,
Only the genius among you will be placed here.
Will the house of Slytherin be your home?
Those who hunger and a thirst for power are sorted here.
Truly strong willed and ready To do anything for what they need.
But what ever is decided it is finished, for my word if final.
I am the Sorting Cap of Hogwarts, the only one qualify for the job. After a moment of silence, the whole hall burst into applause. It seemed to make a small bow to each table and waited for the Sorting to begin.
"That's it," Sirius whispered to Remus, "I'm disappointed. I wanted to show off." But the relief on Sirius face showed he was lying. Remus made a silent nod in agreement and gave a weak thumbs up. They still had to try it one in front of everyone in the hall. Why did it have to be in front of everyone? Remus still felt extremely uneasy.
Professor McGonagall stepped out in front of the first years with a long piece of parchment. "When I say your name put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."
Remus gulped and waited patiently for his name to be called.
OWARI
Mean place to leave off, huh? Not really, I mean we all know what houses they get Sorted into. Oh, if you didn't notice I think I might add that short girl into the story…Don't worry I won't go screwy on you. I just thought it might be nice to have more females then Lily Evans, in this story. I hope the Sorting Song was alright. It was harder then I thought. Read, 'Muggle Games' if you want Sirius Black nonsense. Just look at the title! REVIEW and tell me what you really think!