Chapter 6 The Sorting Ceremony.

Professor Flitwick used his wand to bring out a three legged chair. On top was an old worn out hat. It was very ragged and had seen better decades.

Eric strained his neck to watch.

The brim of the hat opened at the seam and it started to speak.

"Welcome all first years.

Into the houses I welcome.

Have no fears.

I know from where you come.

I shall put you where you belong.

Gryffindor of the heroic.

Slytherin of the dynamic.

Ravenclaw of the clever.

Hufflepuff the worker.

Stand and wait.

Your time to sit.

On my stool will come.

All in good time.

Everyone applauded at the end of the song.

"Now I will call you up and place the hat on your head." Professor Flitwick said. "Anna Appleby."

A small brown haired girl stepped up.

Professor Flitwick used his wand to place the hat on her head.

After a moment the hat cried Hufflepuff.

"Michael Ashcroft." Professor Flitwick called next.

Eric watched Michael step up and took a seat on the stool. The hat was on his head for a moment. "Gryffindor!"

Eric waved at his as we walked to the table. He was hoping his friends would be with him. He watched as he saw some of his old classmates waiting to go up.

"Warren Brocklehurst."

"Slytherin." Shawn said. "They don't need the Sorting Hat to determine that."

Eric watched as he saw Brocklehurst step up. He was burly and looked like a large dog.

The Sorting Hat was placed on his head and sat there for a moment.

Eric was hoping it would say, "sorry. You do not belong in Hogwarts."

The Sorting Hat waited for a moment before saying it. "Ravenclaw."

"Is that thing bonkers?" Shawn asked.

They waited a little while longer.

"Shawn Rivers."

Shawn stepped up and took a seat. The Sorting Hat waited for a moment then spoke. "Gryffindor."

Eric saw Shawn take a seat next to Michael.

Finally they made it to the W's

"Eric Weasley."

Eric swallowed all of his nervousness as he stepped up. It was time to see if he did belong to the family. The Sorting Hat was placed on his head, covering his eyes. Then he heard it speak to him.

"My my. It has been a while since a Weasley had me on his head. I see you have many of your mother's characteristics. Along with some of your father's. I see no other choice. Gryffindor."

Eric felt relieved. He got up and joined Michael and Shawn at the Gryffindor table.

The next person up was Olivia.

She seemed very timid with everyone watching her. The Sorting Hat was on her head for a couple of minutes. Eric watched wondering what it would say. "Gryffindor."

Olivia smiled and took a seat at the table.

Two more people were sorted and then Headmistress McGonagall stood. "Now that all First Years have been sorted the feast can begin." She lifted her arms high then lowered them.

Eric looked back at the table and saw that it was covered in food. He dug in with the rest of them. It was good as his Grandmother's.

Afterwards the Prefect guided him and the other Gryffindor's to the tower.

He went up to the first years' dorm, found his bed and went to sleep. It was a busy day.

Hermione was at home doing some work for the office. She had just gotten word from the school that Eric had been put in Gryffindor. She was so proud. She sent Pig with messages to all the Weasleys about it.

The twins were playing at the Christine Lily's so the house was quiet. She had never heard it that quiet.

Ginny and Harry had invited her and the family for dinner, to celebrate Eric's successful induction to Gryffindor.

Hermione liked the idea of not having to cook dinner tonight. It would be a nice change. Right then she felt warm hands gently massage her shoulders. "Hi Honey."

"Hi," Hermione said giving her husband a kiss.

"How are you holding up?"

"I'll be alright." Hermione answered. "I was just looking at the budget for the Magical Law Enforcement. We have a surplus right now."

"That's good." Ron said. "Maybe they could afford to give you a vacation for a few days."

"Christmas, just in case Eric wants to come home." Hermione said.

"I was thinking tomorrow." Ron said giving her a kiss. "We can have the twins stay with Harry and Ginny."

"Mr. Weasley. What are you applying?"

Ron answered with a kiss. "We better head over so we won't be late."

Both Apparated to the Potters.

"Hi Ginny." Hermione said. "I see you decorated the house for Grffindor."

"I don't think my Mum's stopped crying." Ginny said. "He was always brave."

Christine Lily had come in right then and gave her aunt and uncle a hug.

"Hi Christine Lily." Ron said picking her up. "What did you do today?"

"I'm going to Hogwarts." Christine Lily said proudly. "So I can be with Eric."

"You are?" Hermione said.

"That's right." Ginny said. "Christine Lily performed some wandless magic today."

"What did you do?" Ron asked.

"I sent her down to the basement to get a jar of preserves. The door slammed shut and she couldn't see. She got scared and one of the candles we had down their lit." Ginny said proudly.

Harry poked his head out the kitchen door. "Dinner's ready."

They all entered the dinning room.

"Elisabeth and Molly helped me set the table." Harry said.

"That was very nice of you." Hermione said sitting down.

They all had a nice dinner and stayed around to play. The talked about Eric and what he would be doing in the next few months. Christine Lily listened intently.

Within a few days the family received a letter from Eric. He said he had gotten used to the schedule and talked about his classes. It appeared that Professor Snape regarded Gryffindor's and Weasley's as well as ever.

In the Weasley house the family waited for Eric. Hermione had a calendar to count down the days until Christmas. She was anxious to see her son again.

When she was doing the laundry an owl entered through the window.

"Frodo." Hermione said. "Let me get you some cereal." She went into the kitchen and gave the owl some cereal. Hermione then got the letter that was tied to her leg.

Hi Mum,

I have some good news

I made reserve Chaser

Michael tried out for Beater and he made it for next year.

I know Aunt Ginny won't mind,

But do you think Dad will be okay with it?

Eric.

Hermione smiled. There would be a celebration when he got home.