A Dog's Purpose Is Strange Magic Chapter 19

The door immediately swung open. A tall aged witch with graying brunette hair in emerald green robes stood there. The woman had a very stern face, but behind it Bailey thought she could see some underlining softness in those layers. This lady reminded Bailey of a woman who tossed her a piece of chicken once when she was passing by a fast food place as a stray.

Also, Bailey thought this lady smelled like a cat. She'd been around cats enough in Private Drive that she recognized the smell easily enough.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here," said Professor McGonagall, her eyes hardening when she noticed the soaking wet dog in front of her. "Hagrid, why is there a wet dog standing in front of me."

"Uh, sorry Professor," said Hagrid, "but Harry's dog Bailey fell into the lake on the way in. Didn't have time to dry her off."

Professor McGonagall looked at Bailey with a quizzical brow. Bailey bowed her head with her tail between her legs in submission releasing a high-pitched whine.

From the depths of her sleeve Professor McGonagall withdrew her wand. The woman pointed it straight at Bailey and the red retriever shrunk into Harry's legs with a yelp assuming she was going to get punished. Instead Bailey suddenly felt her body rapidly dry off. One moment she was wet and the next second she was dry as if she hadn't fallen into the lake in the first place. In fact she was now even more neat and tidy than she'd been on the Hogwarts Express.

Harry stared amazed at Bailey at this display of magic.

Putting away her wand, Professor McGonagall said "Now that's settled come along."

Hagrid went a separate way as Professor McGonagall led the newly inducted Hogwarts pupils into a small empty chamber off an enormous hall where they could all hear hundreds of voices congregated inside. Everyone stayed close together peering about nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classed with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room.

The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history and each has produced standing witched and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule breaking will lose House Points. At the end of the year the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House become yours.

The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

Yeah absolutely no pressure there, right?

Professor McGonagall's eyes lingered heavily on Neville's disheveled cloak fastened clumsily under his left ear and on Ron's smudged nose. Harry nervously tried to flatten his hair and Bailey licked his fingers to reassure him.

"I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly," said Professor McGonagall, sternly.

Professor McGonagall promptly left the chamber.

Anxiously, Harry whispered "How exactly do they sort us into Houses?"

Ron said "Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking."

Bailey laid down on the floor as the kids talked amongst each other careful to keep their voices low. Then she saw something that made her shoot up her head and bark alerting everyone else to her find.

Several people ended up screaming in fright.

"What the-?!"

About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. They glided in the air across the floor not glancing at the first years as if this is perfectly natural. They all were arguing about something an entity called Peeves had done when one of them noticed the new first years idly standing by.

"New students," said the Fat Friar, smiling in welcome. "About to be Sorted, I suppose?"

A handful of kids nodded mutely.

"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff. My old House, you know," said the Fat Friar, puffing his chest proudly.

"Move along now," order Professor McGonagall, sharply, having returned unseen. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."

The ghosts were quickly ushered away.

"Now form a line and follow me," instructed Professor McGonagall.

This time the pair of double doors to the Great Hall were opened and they all marched inside.

The Great Hall was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were suspended in midair over four long tables where the rest of the students were sitting in their separate Houses. They were littered with glittering golden plates and goblets that currently sat empty. At the top of the hall was another long table on a raised platform where the teachers were residing. The ceiling wad velvety black with dotted stars that Bailey heard from Hermione saying it's bewitched to look like the sky outside no matter the weather. Whatever this meant.

Professor McGonagall placed a stool in front of the first years with a pointed wizards hat. The hat twitched, a rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth and to their astonishment began to sing.

.

Oh, you may no think I'm pretty

But don't judge on what you see

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me

You can keep your bowlers black

Your top hats sleek and tall

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be

You might belong in Gryffindor

Where dwell the brave at heart

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart

You might belong in Hufflepuff

Where they are just and loyal

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw

If you've a ready mind

Where those of wit and learning

Will always find their kind

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends

So put me on

Don't be afraid

And don't get in a flap

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!

.

Applause broke out when the Sorting Hat was finished with its song.

"So we've just got to try on a hat," whispered Ron to Harry, furious. "I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wresting a troll!"

Bailey blinked and licked her chops eyes sparkling in intrigue. All of Uncle Vernon's hats were delightful to chew. She wondered what the hat tasted like and if it would be too.

Authors Note:

Uh oh! What is Bailey gonna do! Ha! Ha!

None of you are going to believe what happened to me recently. I was on the way to get my nails done for a potential job interview when suddenly another car slams into my from behind. An idiot driver wasn't paying attention so I and the car in front of me got hit pretty hard. I'm fine, got lucky, not a scratch on me, but it could've been a lot more serious. Right now the side of my head hurt and my left side is really starting to feel the pain. Nothings broken just sore and bruised.

Bad news is my car got totaled. I really liked this car to I've had it for three years. Good news is I'm going to be able to buy a new one, unfortunately, it'll be a while before I can.

Today was looking so bright and then this crap happened.

For those of you who drive here, take my advice. EYES ON THE ROAD! I came out alive this time around. The same thing might not happen for any of you if you get into an accident. It's harsh, but the truth.