Chapter 23: Unexpected Sorting
The 'Gang' exited the train looking around at the older students when they heard deep voice hollering over everyone, "Firs' over 'ere!" The group turned and their eyes widened at the sight of the large man. They had heard about the Hogwarts Game Keeper from Fred and George but didn't expect him to be THAT huge. All the new students were gathered near the man. They were then led up a very rooted path until they reached the lake where they got their first look at the lit up castle.
They were so many 'Ooooo's' even from Harry. He had begged his grandmother to take him to the castle over the years but she refused saying, "I will not spoil your first year." As he stood there on the bank he was thankful she didn't. Having the chance to see this for the first time with all his friends was priceless. Soon they were loaded up into boats: Harry, Hermione, and Draco were in one and Neville and Daphne were in another with two other new students. When they were all loaded up the boats moved forward on their own eliciting multiple 'Whoa's' from the first years and a few gasps.
After touching down on the other side they were soon led to large oak doors at the front of the castle. There on the top step stood a small man, and compared to Hagrid, this man barley came up to the large man's knees. Even most of the first years were taller than him. "The firs' years Professor Flitwit." The giant man said before slipping inside.
The small man cleared his throat to quiet the children before him, "Welcome to Hogwarts. I'm Professor Flitwit, Deputy Headmaster and I teach Charms here." He told them his voice a bit more high pitched than they had all expected. "In just a moment you will be sorted into you houses. Now many of you will think of your specific House as your own separate team. This is a common misconception." He tells them, "While what ever house you get placed in will be very much like a family I'd like to remind you, whether you end up in Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, or Gryffindor…you are all students of Hogwarts. So we are ALL a family no matter your House."
There were a few whispers at this, Harry nor his friends seemed to have an issue, but when he glanced around he saw Ron with a disgusted look on his face at the idea of being 'family' with Slytherins. Harry rolled his eyes at this then they were then guided into the castle. They stood outside the large doors to the Great Hall as they waited to be shown in. Soon the doors opened and they began to walk in behind the small professor. They stopped when they reached the front and Professor Flitwit walked up to someone Harry and the other's recognized. Severus Snape was standing at the front, a stool to his left and on top of the stool was wizard's hat. Harry and his friends smirked when the others gasped as the hat moved showing off its mouth. It then began to sing:
"Oh you may not 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 folks 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!"
Some of the first years were whispering now. Draco and Harry peeked back to find Ron was as red as his hair looking around for his brothers to give them the stink eye for telling him he had to fight a troll to be sorted. The two friends snickered quietly to each other but turned back to face the front as Severus call out to them, "When I call your name. You will have a seat here," he points to the stool, "I will place the sorting hat on your head and you will be sorted into your house." He lifts the hat and looks to his list, "Abbott, Hannah" he called.
A young blond girl stepped up taking a seat as instructed. Professor Snape lowered the hat on to her head. After a moment on her head the hat cries, "HUFFLEPUFF!" the girl smiled and rushes off to the table with the golden yellow banners.
A couple other names were called and sorted then Severus called, "Black, Draco."
Draco took a deep breath and after receiving a pat on his back from Harry he slowly walked up the steps and took a seat. The hat fell over his eyes and he heard the hats voice in his head, "Oh I see a family of Slytherins, that will make this easy."
'No!' Draco thought.
"Oh? You don't want to be in Slytherin? But your parents were both in Slytherin." The hat tells him, "It would suit you well."
'I don't want that house,' the boy thought harder, 'and MY father was not a Slytherin for your information.'
"Ah yes I see, you're the 'Rouge' Black's Heir." The hat chuckled in the boys head, "He too refused to go to Slytherin…well in that case better be….GRYFFINDOR!!"
The Gryffindor table clapped in applause at the announcement, particularly the twins who 'whooped' out in support. The hat came off and Severus smiled to him, "You're mother will be happy to hear about this write her tonight."
"Sure…dad." The boy whisper his teasing remark to his godfather who blushed a bit.
With his blush still on his face Professor Snape continued calling out names after Draco scurried off to join the Gryffindor table sitting beside the Weasley twins. "Bones, Susan." Severus called. Their other friend ended up in Hufflepuff, a boy named Boot went to Ravenclaw, while a girl named Brown went to Gryffindor. A few more names were called, Bulstrode went to Slytherin, a boy named Corner went to Ravenclaw, Crabbe went to Slytherin, Finnigan went to Gryffindor, Finch-Fletchley went to Hufflepuff, Goldstein went to Ravenclaw, and Goyle went to Slytherin. The next to get called was, "Granger, Hermione."
Hermione scurried up the steps and crammed the hat on her head bouncing excitedly. After a moment the hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" Severus plucked the hat from her head and the girl practically hopped over to the table sitting one seat down from Draco leaving a spot between them giving each other knowing looks.
As the names continued to be called Professor Snape called out, "Greengrass, Daphne."
Their blond friend glided up to the stool and sat down gracefully. Once the hat had been placed it took a few moments before calling out, "RAVENCLAW!" The girl smiled to her Gryffindor friends as her robe's hems and emblem changed to the blue Ravenclaw colors while theirs had now been red. She slipped over to the table with the blue banner's and took a seat greeting her fellow house members with hand shakes.
"Longbottom, Neville." Professor Snape said.
Neville sauntered up to the stool looking extremely confident. Before the hat could even touch the crown of Neville's head it shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" the scarlet clad table erupted in applause once again as Neville came over and high-fived Fred and George before sitting beside Hermione. then more names: Macmillan had gone to Hufflepuff, Theodore Nott went to Slytherin, Parkinson also went to Slytherin. Then there were two Patil girls, Padma went to Ravenclaw while Parvati went to Gryffindor.
Finally the name many were anticipating was called, "Potter, Harry." Harry exhaled blowing his bangs from his face a bit as he walked up hearing the whispers: 'Is that really him?' 'THE Harry Potter?' one even said, 'I thought he'd be taller.' Harry hated this it was why he disguised his hair anytime he was out in public. The attention he received for something he had absolutely no control over was highly irritating. He walks up to the stool spotting his Grandmother in her chair. She smiles to him giving him a nod so the boy turned and sat down.
When the hat went over his eyes before the hat could even say a word Harry thought very loudly, 'Just put me in Gryffindor I'm not leaving one of my best mates to suffer with Ron Weasley for six years alone.'
The hat laughed inside Harry's head, "If you insist…GRYFFINDOR!!" the hat shouted the last part out loud. Severus removed the hat and Harry quickly joined plopping down in between Draco and Hermione high-fiving them both. The twins were doing a little cheer, 'We got Potter! We got Potter!' until Draco pinched them both making them yelp and sit down.
The sorting went on name after name, Dean Thomas joined the Gryffindor table, Lisa Turpin went to Ravenclaw. Finally the person Harry and Draco were both dreading was called, "Weasley, Ronald."
Fred clapped Draco on his back, "Don't worry, we got your back Black."
Draco smiled and turned back to the sorting, which seemed to be taking longer than most people thought. Fred and George looked at each other curiously remembering their sortings were almost instantaneous. After a good five minutes the hat cried out, "GRYFFINDOR!" when the hat was pulled from his head the boy looked a bit angry and he sauntered over to the table and plopped down on the beside Parvati. The last student that had been called was Blaise, Zabini and he went to Slytherin.
After everyone was sorted Professor Snape removed the stool and Sorting Hat before returning to the high table and sitting next to the headmistress who stood after he sat down. "Greetings everyone, to all of our returning students welcome back to Hogwarts!" she sad, "And to our new students, we welcome you. We hope you all are able to excel and flourish within these walls. And now let the feast begin."
The empty platters before them filled with food. Harry and Draco grinned as each of them began filling their plates with food. Hermione rolled her eyes, "Boys." She mumbled as she made herself a modest helping of a few things. But each of them glanced Ron's way and saw he had a massive plate of food and he was greedily devouring it.
"He always eats like that." Fred mumbled to Draco.
"Does your mother starve him?" Draco whispered back.
"No way, mom always cooks big meals yet he acts like he hasn't eaten in a week any time we are at the table." George whispers.
"Wow…" was all Draco could say before tapping Hermione on the shoulder, "And you thought we were bad?"
Hermione held back some laughter, "I get it just eat your dinner." She said.
Their meal went on everyone chatting with each other pleasantly. People were asking Harry questions most asking about growing up with the strict Headmistress. When he would tell them she was not like that at home they could hardly believe him. Fred and George even told them about when they first met Harry and she had told all the kids to call her 'Miss Minnie' and everyone's jaw dropped. They talked to Draco to asking about how he felt about being 'The Boy Who Lived's' childhood friend.
"Look guys he's a normal mate alright?" Draco told them, "He hates that 'Boy who Lived' rubbish so I suggest not talking about it unless you want to be on his bad side." That immediately got the topic changed to something else and soon the platters cleared and desserts filled all the plates.
It didn't take long for the entire hall to have full bellies, except Ron would had stuffed his face right up to the moment the food vanished. Once again Minerva McGonagall stood looking around the room. She gave her start of term notices including: No magic in the corridors. EVERYONE was to stay out of the Forbidden Forest, she looked at Fred and George when she said that one. She also listed numerous banned items stating anyone in possession of said items would be give detention, again she eyed the Weasley twins. Then she finally dismissed them to their dorms for the evening after wishing them all a good night.
Draco and Harry exhaled and stood preparing to follow the Gryffindor Prefect, Percy Weasley, to the common room. They were not exactly looking forward to this. They had been informed by Sirius the dormitory's were grouped by year which meant they would have to share a room with Ron for the next seven years. When they arrived at the Gryffindor Common Room, Harry, who had been looking down, was nudged by Draco. Harry quickly looked up and smiled seeing his Uncle Remus standing in the middle of the Common Room.
"Good evening everyone." He tells them, "My name is Remus Lupin. Not only am I your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher but I'm also the Head of Gryffindor House. On behalf of all of us in Gryffindor I welcome you." He smiled to them, "Now I'm sure some of you have heard that you will be sharing a dorm room with you fellow first years however about ten years ago that changed." Harry, Draco, and Neville looked at each other confused. "The dorms are still separated by year, first years being on the first level but now on each floor there are individual rooms, two persons to a room. You may choose your bunk mate if you wish or have one assigned its entirely up to you. Now once you've decided you can come to me and we'll sort out which room you will go to."
Harry and Draco gave each other a high-fives, while Neville rolled his eyes, "Figures you two would pair up. Perhaps I'll see if that Dean chap is up for rooming together." He then walked over to the boy who was looking around a bit confused.
They looked around spotting Ron standing beside Seamus Finnigan and though Seamus appeared to be talking to him, Ron was glaring at the two friends. "What is with him? Ugh!" Harry grumbled as he turned back around.
"Seriously I mean I get that my blood father is a literal bastard," Draco said, "But I have never done anything to him?"
"Five galleons says he's got this ridiculous idea about being 'The Boy who Lived's' best mate." Harry said with an annoyed expression.
"Oh bloody hell!" Draco breathed out shaking his head.
The two of them walked up to Remus, "Figured you two would pair up, "Here ya' go, Room Four is yours." He tells them handing them both a golden key then leans in whispering, "Check the top railing of you beds when you get in there." He then have them a wink.
Harry and Draco smirked and went to the right side going up the stairs. The first year corridor had about seven rooms which baffled Draco, "This is a tower isn't it?"
"Probably extended walls with undetectable extension charms then built the new rooms." Harry told him.
"You read to much Potter." They laughed and went to the room with the marker '4' on it. They checked their keys which also had the number '4', "Alright then lets see what we got." Draco inserted his key unlocking it before pushing open the door.
The room was rather vast with two four poster beds that had Gryffindor colored curtains. There were two desks for them to study at and even a fireplace with cushy chairs nearby. "Wow." Harry said as he walked in looking around, "A lot more than I was expecting."
"Harry look at this!" Draco exclaimed from the bed that had his trunk beside it. Harry came over and looked to the wooden bar above Draco's bed. Scratched into the wood was 'Padfoot's Doghouse'. Both boys laughed when Harry remember he had been told to check his bed too. He rushed over to his bed and found scratched in the top bar of his bed 'Prong's Love Nest'. Harry saw the 'Love Nest' part had been scratched out and replaced with 'Bed' Harry could only assume after his parents started dating in their sixth year his mother had paid his father a visit in the dorms, saw this and changed it. He chuckled at this, picturing his mother scolding his father for that and questioning him about who he had brought to this 'Love Nest' before they had started dating.
"You good mate?" Draco asked his friend a look of concern on hs face.
Harry looked at him and smiled a single tear in his eye, "Yea…" he wiped the tear away quickly, "Let unpack." He then hops off the bed and opens his trunk.
A/N: For those of you who are Ron fans you may want to leave now. He's only going to get worse in my story. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I Hate Ronald Weasley and I bash him in almost all my Fics. He's a blithering idiot, gets jealous at the drop of a hat, and is constantly screwing something up be it his friendships or his spells. I have no tolerance for his character. Personally I wanted to slap Rowling when she killed off Fred in the last book I was like, 'Bitch, if you were gonna kill a Weasley it should have been Ron!' yes I actually said that out loud my Grandmother slapped me in the back of the head cause I was sitting in a McDonalds when I said it. I still do not agree with a multitude of the choices Rowling made in the Series, but that what fanfiction is for! Gives me the chance to correct the mistakes I think she made...and make my own.
Up Next: Castle Life goes smoothly except for the occasional dramatic outburst.