A/N: Yes, I know out of rotation, again. Research on Ever Love became more extensive than I thought and well, had this one started. My brain was failing on the topic of that research. As always, thanks for the R/Rs.
Chapter 3: The Sorting Feast
Ginny caught glimpses of other students looking in the windows of the compartment at her as the train pulled into the station. Harry must have noticed because he flicked his wand at the windows, dropping the shades as a few more overzealous admirers stared in. He looked at the windows with something between disgust and incredulity. He shook his head at Neville with a frown as the two boys helped pull the girls' trunks off the racks.
When they reached the platform, Ginny found herself flanked by Harry and Neville. She glanced over her shoulder to see Luna watching her back. Ginny was surprised to see Hermione leading their little group toward the sound of a booming voice. Ginny had to crane her neck up to see the face of the large man calling for the first years.
"'Ello, 'Arry," the large man smiled cheerfully.
"Hi, Hagrid!" Harry jogged over to him. Harry motioned this Hagrid down to his level, whispering something in his ear. He glanced at her before he nodded his massive bearded head at Harry as standing straight again.
"A'right, there, Neville?" Hagrid smiled.
"Hey, Hagrid," Neville waved. "These are our new friends, Luna, Hermione, and Ginny."
"'Ello, dere youn' ladies," Hagrid smiled. "Dese two are good ter 'ave as friends. Know dhe castle bett'r'n most. 'Ead on o'er dhe boats, wall ah git all dhe oders."
"What did you tell him?" Ginny asked Harry quietly as they made their way over to the boats.
"That you don't want to draw attention, because you don't like the fame," Harry shrugged. Ginny smiled gratefully at him for being so thoughtful.
"It's only four to boat," Neville frowned. Harry glanced at the girls quickly.
"Nev, you take Hermione in that one," Harry pointed. "I'll take Luna and Ginny in this one."
"Uh-huh," Neville gave Harry a knowing look. He shook his head with a chuckle. "Potters and redheads."
"Oi! Shut it, you," Harry smiled as he playfully slugged Neville's arm. Neville laughed out loud as he motioned Hermione into the boat. She looked so confused at the joking they were doing.
"Oh, you know it's true," Ginny smiled at Harry as she bumped his shoulder before climbing into the boat. Harry just stared at her with a red face. Luna giggled at all of it.
Soon the boats were moving across the lake. Hagrid was in the lead boat, alone, because of his massive size, while the other boats carrying the new first year students followed. Ginny saw the lights of Hogwarts come into view as they rounded a bend. The castle was more majestic than the pictures she had grown up seeing. She listened idly as Neville explained a few things to Hermione, like the talking pictures and the ghosts that haunted the castle.
Luna placed her hand on Ginny's shoulder, giving her a grin as Ginny turned. Luna's eyes flicked down to Ginny's hand. Ginny looked down to find she was holding Harry's hand. She hadn't even realized they were holding hands. Harry turned, giving her a small smile. He squeezed her hand slightly, letting her know he had realized it. Ginny returned the smile and squeeze but didn't let go. Who was she to interfere with nature?
After reaching the shore under an outcrop of rocks, and an almost endless climb up a long, twisting staircase, they finally reached the doors to the castle. Hagrid spoke to someone Ginny couldn't see because of his enormous size. When Hagrid moved to the side, going through the door, a stern-looking witch in a green tartan robe and black pointed hat stood in front of the doors.
"My god-grandmother, Minnie McGonagall," Harry whispered a little too loudly to Ginny because the witch glared at him with a deep frown. "Uh…that's…Professor McGonagall."
With a slight nod to Harry and another warning look, she turned back to the rest of the students. McGonagall outlined the rules, with particular emphasis on rule-breaking looking straight at Harry and Neville. Both boys tried looking innocent, but Ginny could tell they weren't fooling the stern-looking professor. After she finished her speech, McGonagall led them into the castle.
Many of the new students were not expecting such a loud and raucous welcome from the paintings. Several of the Muggleborns jumped at seeing the first of several dozen paintings moving around and greeting them. Ginny and Harry giggled at Hermione as she ducked her head and tried to hide behind Neville at first.
"We did warn you," Neville snorted.
"Yes…well…" Hermione stammered as she regained her composure. "It was still a surprise."
Ginny and Harry giggled again as Hermione's mouth hung open at seeing the first of the ghosts to appear. Harry and Neville both waved and said hello to Sir Nicolas of Gryffindor. Ginny outright laughed at Hermione's surprise and revulsion when Sir Nicolas pulled his head most the way off his neck.
Finally, they came to the Entrance Hall. The large oak doors to the Great Hall were closed. McGonagall stopped and turned back to them.
"This is the Great Hall. Through these doors, you follow me to the Head Table to be Sorted into your Houses," she nodded tartly before turning once again to open the doors.
Ginny looked around the Great Hall in awe of the hundreds of floating candles and enchanted ceiling. As she looked down at the crowd of students, however, Ginny noticed the looks and stares she was getting. She unconsciously brushed her hair closer over her scar. It would have been even more unnerving if not for her friends. Harry and Neville still walked on either side of her, daring anyone to stare too long with glares pointed their way. Luna skipped in front of her to draw at least some of the attention away from her. Hermione just stayed close to her back, with a hand on her shoulder to give her a little strength to keep moving.
Then her eyes fell on the Head Table. Ginny locked eyes with the old man in the middle of the table. His long grey beard and hair were a huge contrast to his purple robes. Her blood ran cold and boiled at the same time as she recognized the old man. Albus Dumbledore. The man her mother told her not to trust. The man even Harry and his parents questioned about his truthfulness. He was sitting in the Headmaster's place, his blue eyes twinkling as he smiled at her. He raised his goblet slightly in a silent salute. Ginny gave him a fake smile before she looked at the other teachers.
Ginny's eyes caught red hair a few seats down from Dumbledore. Her shock at recognizing her was clear.
"Harry," Ginny gasped. "What is your mum doing here?"
Harry looked over at the Head Table with wide eyes. "So that's what she meant this morning by 'I'll be closer than you think'!"
"We won't get away with much with Aunt Lily here," grumbled Neville.
"Watch me," huffed Harry with a smug smile. Neville raised an eyebrow. "I have my ways."
"Did your…?" Neville asked wide-eyed.
"Maybe," Harry answered, still with a smug smile.
"What are you two on about?" Ginny asked confused.
"I'll show you and Luna later," Harry smiled as he whispered to her.
Ginny didn't have a chance to respond as the first years came to a halt at the front of the Great Hall. Whatever Harry had; he was not going to share it out in the open. This made Ginny slightly nervous. She turned her attention back to the front as McGonagall placed a stool at the very front. She was handed an old reddish-brown tattered hat. The hat sat motionless for a few seconds on the stool before breaking into a song about the four Houses and Hogwarts. Hermione looked surprised for a few seconds but recovered quicker than she had with the paintings.
"It's just Magic," Hermione mumbled to herself. Ginny had to stifle a giggle.
"As I call your name, step forward to be Sorted," McGonagall ordered after the Hat was finished singing. "Abbot, Hannah."
A blonde girl stepped forward. The Hat was placed on her head. Then it yelled out, "Hufflepuff!"
The names continued. Various students stepped forward until Hermione was called. She mumbled all the way to the stool, and after the Hat was placed on her head. "Gryffindor!"
Soon it was Neville's turn. He held his head high as he walked forward. He must have given McGonagall a look or something because she frowned at him before placing the Hat on his head. "Gryffindor!"
Neville smirked as he hopped off the stool. Ginny would have missed the eye roll from McGonagall if she hadn't been looking at her. Ginny stifled a giggle again. Luna gave her an encouraging smile as she was called to the stool. The Hat yelled out "Gryffindor!" again, much to Ginny's surprise. With Luna's thirst for knowledge, Ginny was almost sure Luna would have been a Ravenclaw.
She had read all about the Houses thanks to Great Aunt Muriel. She knew what to expect, or she thought she had. Luna was a surprise, but maybe Luna had asked to be with their friends. Malfoy and Parkinson went into Slytherin, as Ginny expected. She would just have to ask Luna about it later.
Harry was called soon after. He squeezed her hand lightly before walking up. Again, Ginny saw McGonagall frown and then roll her eyes as Harry was Sorted into Gryffindor. Ginny also noticed the slight pause McGonagall took to inhale a deep breath before continuing.
It was several minutes after before she heard McGonagall call out, "Weasley, Ginevra."
The Great Hall fell silent. Ginny blushed slightly as she stepped forward. She sat on the stool, seeing everyone's eyes on her before the Hat dropped over her eyes.
"Well, what have we here?" a voice sounded like a whisper just behind her ears. "A Weasley! Ah, yes! I know about your family. I have had an easy time until you."
"What do you mean?" Ginny asked quietly.
"You have traits of all four Houses," the Hat answered her. "Yes, even Slytherin, which is not common for your family."
"Do I get a say in where I go?" Ginny asked.
"Friends and…more…you want to be with in your House?"
"Yes," Ginny answered, slightly annoyed with the Hat.
"Very well, then," the Hat paused before yelling out. "Gryffindor!"
Ginny practically ran over to the Gryffindor table to her waiting friends. Harry and Luna greeted her with a hug, followed quickly by a Hermione and a short embrace from Neville. Ginny quickly sat down between Harry and Luna as the rest of the first years were Sorted. Soon the mountains of food appeared as the chatter around the Great Hall escalated to a dull roar.
The food was delicious! Much better than even the house-elves food at Prewitt Manor. Ginny groaned in pleasure at the taste of the roast chicken. As she ate, Ginny looked back at the Head table. Lily gave her a small wink and nod before turning to a thin man sitting beside her. He was slightly pale with streaks of grey in his light brown hair. Harry coughed as he saw the man.
"What in Merlin's name is Uncle Remus doing here?" Harry swallowed.
"You know him?" asked Ginny.
"Yeah…uh…my dad's other best friend," Harry answered a little nervously.
"What…?" Neville swung his head up. "Oh, Slytherin snot!"
"What?" Luna asked.
"Uncle Remus knows the castle as well, if not better than we do thanks to…uh…" Harry trailed off glancing around. "Tell you later. It's not something to bring up here."
"Do you have both with you?" Neville asked Harry.
"Yes," Harry smirked.
"Does your mum or Remus know that?" Neville asked with a significant look.
"No, and I don't plan on letting them know if I can help it," Harry gave Neville a warning look. He turned to Ginny. "Later, I promise." Ginny only nodded.
She looked back at the Head table, scanning the other professors. Ginny saw a short, jolly-looking professor talking with a female professor in all black. She saw Hagrid chatting with a teacher that looked battered and was missing several fingers. Then her eyes fell on an older man with what looked like an oversized graduation hat on his head when her scar exploded in pain.
"Ugh," Ginny grimaced as she grabbed her neck.
"What is it, Gin?" Harry asked hurriedly. "You alright?"
"Any idea who that one is?" Ginny pointed to the professor wearing the hat.
"Not a clue," Harry shook his head. "Nev?"
"No idea," Neville answered.
"We'll just have to wait for the old man to do the introductions," Harry grumbled.
At the mention of Dumbledore, Ginny felt eyes on her from the Head Table. Ginny turned with a slight glare at him.
"Don't meet his eyes," Harry whispered to her. She turned back with a questioning look. "He's a Legumins."
"Isn't that illegal to use on students?" asked Hermione.
"It is," Harry answered darkly. "But he doesn't seem to care about rules and laws when it comes to any of his schemes."
"What…?" Hermione began.
"I'll explain later," Neville told her with a hand on her arm to stop her. Hermione raised an eyebrow at Neville and Harry. Neville shook his head. "Not here."
"Greetings and salutations to everyone, new and old," Dumbledore called as he stood. Harry frowned with another shake of his head. "We have several announcements to make before you go to your Common Rooms and nice warm beds.
"First, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds for everyone," he paused, looking straight at Harry and Neville. Ginny raised an eyebrow to Harry, but he frowned with a shake of his head again. "Next, Mr. Filch has added several items to the list of banned and contraband objects. The full list is available for your perusal in his office. Curfew is half-nine on weeknights and half-ten on weekends.
"And finally, we have three new additions to our staff," Dumbledore motioned to his right. "Professors Binns, Marryright, and Dumas have left us. So, I give you Professor Lily Potter, our new Potions Mistress. Professor Remus Lupin, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. And Professor Conrad Spears, our new History of Magic teacher."
There was polite applause from most students with each introduction. Lily and Remus did receive a little more enthusiasm from Harry and Neville, but Ginny stared at Professor Spears. Her scar started burning again as she looked at the older professor. Something about him seemed off to her. Ginny decided to talk to Harry and Luna, and maybe Neville and Hermione, about it later. Just like with Harry's ways to stay out of trouble, this was not the place for a discussion like that.
"Prefects, please lead the first years," Dumbledore stated, "Students, pip, pip, and cheerio. Off to bed after this long day."
"'Pip, pip, and cheerio'?" Harry asked as they stood. "What does he think this is, the eighteenth century?"
Ginny giggled as she gently pushed Harry to follow the rest of the students. A burly looking Prefect was calling all the first years to follow him and a dark-haired girl about the same age. They climbed the main stairs for what seemed like forever before coming to a portrait of an Opera singer in a white toga and gold olive leaf crown. The boy turned back to them as they stopped.
"This is the entrance to Gryffindor Tower," he started. "This is the Fat Lady. To enter the Tower, you 'ave ta her the password. Which for the first few weeks is Flubberworm."
The portrait swung open to reveal a large red and gold themed room with two fireplaces, several sofas, squishy armchairs, and tables. The Prefects led them into the room, stopping in front of the stairs at the back of the room.
"This is the Common Room," the girl began. "Behind me is the stairs to the girls' dorms. Boys' dorms are behind Oliver."
"That's what we forgot," Oliver shook his head. "I'm Oliver Wood, fifth year Prefect, and Quidditch Captain."
"I'm Emma Edgewater, also fifth year Prefect," she introduced herself. "We have three sets of Prefect per House, plus the Head Boy and Head Girl." She pointed to her badge. "Just look for these if you need one of us. We are here to help."
"Not vying for Head Girl, are you?" Oliver smirked at her. Emma blushed in response. "Anyway, your things have already been placed in your rooms. The rooms have signs for which year they belong to. Pretty straight forward."
"We'll let you get settled in and see you in the morning. Good night," Emma waved cheerfully as she headed up the stairs.
"Too cheery, that one is," frowned Neville. "Well, night, girls."
"Night, Neville," Luna smiled.
"Night, Gin," Harry smiled as he hugged her.
"Night, Harry," Ginny smiled.
Hermione and Luna smiled knowingly at Ginny as they walked up the stairs.