Chapter 3: The Sorting

It was September 1st, Hallie and her family were on the platform waiting to board the Hogwarts Express, she was dressed in a pair of jeans with a nice pink blouse and a white raincoat over her outfit in order to protect herself from the gloomy weather outside. "You are overdressed," Periwinkle told her, "we are going to school not a social gathering."

"You should always dress to impress. I wanted to wear my pink dress but the rain had me changing my outfit last minute," she sighed glancing over at the Weasley family, Harry, and Hermione who were a bit further down the platform. She gave a small wave to Fred who gave one back, they exchanged smiles before turning their attention back to their families to say goodbye.

"Girls behave please," Cassandra told them she was not fully present as she was still nervous from what had happened at the world cup. She looked at her husband, "Are you sure we should send them."

"They will be fine," he assured her.

"Yeah mom we will be fine," Periwinkle said looking at her mother.

She looked at her daughters and goddaughters, "Again please behave this year. I do not need to be getting letters from Dumbledore saying how you have not been acting correctly. He is doing us a great favor and accepting you three into the school even though you are not first years."

Periwinkle rolled her eyes, "I am perfectly capable of learning magic on my own. I do not need a school to teach me."

"Watch your tongue, young lady. You are a great witch…much better at making potions that performing spells correctly though," she sighed then hugged her, "I am going to miss you my darling. My first baby, I love you so much."

Periwinkle hugged her back and rested her head on her shoulder. She may be stubborn but she was also very sweet, "I love you too."

They all said their final goodbyes then Hallie, Holly, Mallory, and Periwinkle all boarded the train with the golden trio. Once onboard, the four of them found their own compartment while the golden trio was in one next door to them. "I think I will go explore the train," Hallie said standing, "watch Diamond, please," she placed her all white cat on the seat then left going to find Fred.

She searched each compartment till she found Fred, George, and Lee Jordan. She knocked on the door then slid the door open, "Hello," she greeted them.

"Hi Hallie," Fred smiled at her, "how are you this morning?"

"I am well thank you. Still recovering from the world cup disaster."

They all nodded, "I think everyone is," George commented.

"Were any of you hurt?"

"Oh no we thankfully got out safely. Harry nearly got into trouble though, they tried to blame him for casting the dark mark," George informed her.

She gasped in disbelief, "Harry? Why would they think he would cast the dark mark?"

"Because he was placed near the scene with no one else but Mr. Crouch Sr.'s house elf."

She shook her head, "that is not right."

"No, but he is fine now."

"Good…" she looked at Lee," I am so sorry where are my manners. I am Hallie Porter, a fourth-year transfer student from Ilvermorny."

Lee looked at Fred who had not taken his eyes off of her. He looked back at her, "Fred mentioned we had some transfer students joining us this year. Your mother… is friends with Mrs. Weasley?"

"My godmother is friends with her…my parents were killed when I was a baby."

He nodded feeling bad for getting it wrong, "I am sorry to hear that."

"It is alright they died trying to help protect everyone from you-know-who."

Fred decided it was time to lighten the mood, "Where is that sweet trolley? Hallie will you help me go find it? I could use something sweet."

She lit up like a Christmas tree, "Yes!" she sounded way too excited to go get sweets, "I mean yes," she said more calmly with Lee and George snickering to one another.

He stood up and approached her, "Want anything?" he asked George and Lee before they left.

"No thanks," they said trying to hold back laughs of how obvious that these two liked each other.

They walked the train searching for the trolley, "there it is," she pointed as they entered a different section of the train.

Fred looked ahead at the trolley, "honestly I do not want any sweets. This was just an excuse to get out of the compartment and spend some time with you."

She looked up him, he was much taller than her, "you want to spend time with me?"

"Of course, I do," she blushed, "Hallie…I find you very special. You are unlike anyone I have ever met."

She turned a brighter pink, "Mhmm," she managed to say due to her basically being speechless to what he was saying.

"If you are willing, I would like to see where this may lead."

She smiled softly, "I am willing."

He smiled brightly at her then kissed her hand, "people will talk…for some reason they find our two-year age difference odd."

"I am fourteen and you are sixteen to some this could be odd but love has no age. Although perhaps we should keep this between us just to be sure we are truly happy with the idea of each other."

"That is a smart idea. The only opinions that truly matter are our own."

"Exactly…should we still get sweets or just go back?"

He looked towards the trolley, "lets just go back. We will blame a line of kids if they ask."

She nodded and they headed back towards the compartment, he opened the door for her and she entered then took a seat next to Lee as Fred sat next to George, "No sweets?" George asked seeing that neither of them had anything with them.

The two looked at one another then George and said in unison, "the line was long."

They looked back at each other and laughed then Fred continued, "we decided it best to just wait. Plus, mum packed us a lunch for the ride," he took a squashed sandwich out of his bag.

"Yeah very appetizing," George said sarcastically then looked at Hallie, "so Hallie are you excited to start at Hogwarts?"

She glanced at Fred then turned her full attention towards George, "I was not originally. I had friends in America, I was raised there. It was home but now I finding it very exciting to be living here and attending Hogwarts…a new adventure."

The three boys laughed, "there is always so sort of adventure going on at Hogwarts, usually Ron, Harry, and Hermione involved," Fred told her.

"Usually? You mean always. The past three years there has always been some sort of problem and those three are always the common denominator," George corrected.

"What do you mean?" she asked unsure what they could possibly mean.

"During their first year we had the issue with breaking nearly every school rule. Their second year a majority of the students ended up petrified and it nearly killed Ginny. Last year our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher turned out to be a werewolf and Sirius Black was on the loose so we had dementors flying around the school. Of course, that was the best teacher we have had in a while. It will be interesting to see what trouble they get into this year," Fred told her.

"Um…I may want to return to America now."

They laughed again, "It will be fine as long as our Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher is actually normal this year," Fred assured her. Hallie simply nodded but with this new information about the past three years she felt now unsure about actually attending Hogwarts. She sat with the boys in silent for the rest of the journey, they arrived at Hogwarts shortly. They stood up to get off the train with Lee and George walking ahead of Fred and Hallie, "You will be fine. I promise nothing will happen to any of us."

She looked up at him and nodded, "I hope you are right."

"See you later?" he asked as they stepped onto the platform.

"Yes, you will. I should join my sisters now," she looked towards her sisters a bit further down the platform.

He looked towards them as well, "Alright," he walked off towards George and Lee as she went towards her sisters.

"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!" Hagrid called to everyone.

"Mallory, you go that way we will meet you in the great hall," Holly told her and she went with the other first years just as Hallie reached them.

They got into the carriages, but when they arrived Hallie, Holly, and Periwinkle were approached by Professor McGonagall, "Periwinkle King, Hallie Porter, and Holly Porter?" she asked looking up from the piece of parchment she had in her hand.

"Yes," Holly answered for the trio.

"Come with me. You will join the first-year students for their sorting ceremony."

"The first years but we are fourth- and fifth-year students," Hallie groaned, "this is not good for my image."

Holly and Periwinkle rolled their eyes as they followed McGonagall through the school and to the group of first-years waiting outside the great hall. McGonagall cleared her throat and spoke with the trio and the first-years. "Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be Sorted into your house. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." This got everyone excited especially the first-years, "We have two fourth year transfer students and one fifth year transfer student who will be sorted first then we will continue with the first-years students," with that the doors opened and they proceed into the hall. Once they reached the front of the hall, they all gathered around as close as they could with Hallie, Holly and Periwinkle at the front. "Before we begin the sorting ceremony for our first-year students we are welcoming three new students from Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We will begin with their sorting then will move onto the first-year students," she looked at the girls and first-years, "when I call your name you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat upon your head and you will be seated into your houses." She looked at her list, "Periwinkle King."

As Periwinkle approached the stool to begin her sorting, some of the students at the house tables began to whisper to one another, "what do you think they are whispering about? Peri is not that interesting."

"Shh," Holly shushed her, "do not be rude."

Hallie rolled her eyes then the sorting hat announced to everyone that Periwinkle was sorted into Slytherin. "Oh dear…you do not hear good things about that house."

"Cassie turned out fine and she is from Slytherin," Holly reminded her as she clapped for their sister.

Hallie nodded as she clapped as well just as McGonagall looked at her list again, "Hallie Porter."

"Your turn, good luck," Holly said as Hallie took a deep breath and approached the stool.

McGonagall placed the sorting hat upon her head, "Ah! Hallie Porter, youngest child of Ann and Patrick Porter. I am afraid I do not see Gryffindor as the house for you although I see you would like to be close to your new beau, Fred Weasley."

"What? How did you know that?" Hallie thought to herself.

"You have no secrets from the sorting hat. I know everything about you…you are ambitious and resourceful like a Slytherin but that is not the house for you. I believe you would do well in your parents' house. With that I place you in RAVENCLAW!"

McGonagall took the sorting hat off of her head as Hallie stood with a smile, she always wondered if she would make her parents proud and in this moment being sorted into their house, she truly felt she had made them proud. She walked towards her new housemates noticing Holly's shocked face as she passed by, "I am shocked too," she managed to whisper to her as she sat down next to a blonde-haired girl.

"Hello Hallie," she smiled at her.

"Hello," Hallie said softly.

"I'm Luna."

"Lovely to meet you," she said shaking her hand as Holly approached the sorting hat to be sorted. She watched as Holly was sorted into Gryffindor she clapped for her sister although surprised because she felt Holly was more of a Ravenclaw like their parents than a Gryffindor. Once Holly was seated, they started the first-years sorting and Mallory just so happened to be first and she was also sorted into Gryffindor, which a bit of a surprise as well since she seemed more like a Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff but the sorting hat always knows best.

Once everyone was fed Dumbledore stepped forward again and smiled towards all the sudden before him, "Now that we are all fed and watered. I must once more ask for your attention, while I give out a few notices," he then went over Mr. Filch's list of forbidden objects and places that were forbidden to all students. He also made the reminder that all third years and above were the ones who were allowed to go to Hogsmeade as long as they had permission from a guardian, "It also pains me to say that the Inner-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."

"What?!" the students around them all groaned not thrilled with this announcement.

"I am not a big fan of quidditch anyway," Hallie told Luna.

"That can be understandable. Some people are just not into sports."

"This is due to an event that will be occurring in October and will be requiring much of the teachers' time and energy. I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year—"

At this exact moment the hall filled with a great rumble of thunder and the doors of the hall blew open. A man stood in the doorway and every head in the hall turning towards him. The figure was suddenly illuminated by a flash of lighting. The man began to walk to the front. Once at the front he approached Dumbledore. He shook hands with Dumbledore then took a seat. "May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor Moody." No one clapped at this except Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Holly started to but stopped when she noticed no one else at the tables were.

"As I was saying," Dumbledore started again smiling at the students, "we have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months. To explain this with more detail we have Mrs. Cassandra Banks, who works with International Affairs at the Ministry of Magic."

Hallie was surprised at this since Cassandra had just been worrying about whether to send them or not, "I am surprised she accepted the position. She was so worried about us coming here today before we boarded the train."

"Perhaps that is why she accepted the position. In order to be closer to her children, in hopes that if being closer she can try to protect all of you if any danger does strike."

"Perhaps," Hallie agreed and turned her attention towards Cassandra.

Cassandra approached the podium, as she approached, she glanced at Professor Snape then continued towards Dumbledore and greeted him with a shake of the hand. Dumbledore took his seat and she turned towards the students, "Good evening, everyone. I hope everyone has enjoyed the feast that was served tonight. Now like Professor Dumbledore mentioned my name is Cassandra Banks and I am here to discuss this exciting event that will be occurring here. The event that will be happening is called the Triwizard Tournament.

"You are joking!" Fred said loudly and Hallie shook her head with giggle at his response.

"Thank you for that, Mr. Weasley," she and the other students laughed as she looked at him then back at the other student, "I am not joking though. Let us discuss the Triwizard Tournament more. Some of you may not know what the tournament actually is. I will give a small explanation for those who do not know what it is. The Triwizard Tournament was first established hundreds of years ago as a friendly competition between three of the largest European schools of wizardry. These schools include Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion was selected to represent each school and the three champions selected go on to compete in three different tasks. The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their contenders in October and the selection of students will take place on Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory for their school, and a thousand galleons in prize money."

"I really hope my…" Hallie was looking at Fred then turned towards Luna, "I really hope my sisters do not join. I do not want anything to happen to them.

"The Ministry of Magic though has imposed an age limit for those who wish to enter. Students who wish to enter must be seventeen years or older if they wish to be considered. This is due to how dangerous and difficult these tasks will be. Dumbledore will be making sure that no one hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champion," she looked towards Fred, George, and Periwinkle. "If anyone has any further questions about the tournament, I will be glad to answer them I will be here most of the term. With that I wish everyone goodnight," she turned and walked to sit at one of the seats.

"There is your answer," Luna giggled.

Dumbledore stood, "Thank you, Mrs. Banks. And with that everyone it is now bedtime."

They all stood and left, "want me to show you the way," Luna asked her.

"Oh…I want to go see my sisters real quick. I am sure I will find the common room shortly."

"Alright see you later," she walked off.

Hallie approached Fred who was standing by one of the many staircases talking with Lee and George, "please do not tell me you actually plan on joining."

"Yes, we plan on trying to join. We are going to create an aging potion to make us older so we can cross the line and place our names in the cup," Fred told her excitedly.

"Is that not dangerous? This is a dangerous tournament, right? Otherwise they would not be setting an age limit."

"Hallie do not worry your pretty little head about it. We will be perfectly safe," George assured her.

She looked at Fred, "Stay safe please."

"I promise I will be safe…we will all be safe," he assured her.

She nodded, "alright well goodnight."

"Goodnight," they said as she walked off in the direction of the other Ravenclaw students.