The Sorting
The huge oak doors swung open at once to reveal a tall black-haired witch in long emerald green robes. "The firs' years, Professor McGonagall" Hagrid said as they filled into the entrance hall. "Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here" Hagrid turned on his heel and walked back out into the dark grounds, the doors closing behind him with a clang. The stone walls of the entrance hall were lit with bright flaming torches and the ceiling was too high to make out. Opposite them was a grand marble staircase, presumably they led to the upper floors of the castle.
Professor McGonagall led them across the stone floor, Sirius could hear the rumble of hundreds of voices coming from a doorway to the right of them - he assumed that's where the rest of the school were waiting for the feast, he couldn't wait to join them, but Professor McGonagall led the first years to a small empty chamber just off the hall. They all piled inside, having to stand very close together to all fit in. This chamber was darker than the entrance hall from which they came for it was lit only by four torches on the wall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts first years" Professor McGonagall said "The start of term banquet will begin shortly" Sirius was glad to hear this, his stomach gave a low rumble in agreement "However, before you can take your seats, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony here at Hogwarts because while you are here, your house will be like your family. You will attend classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend your free time in your house common room. The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Your triumphs will earn you points, while any rule-breaking will lose you points. At the end of the school year, the house with the most points will be awarded the House Cup. I'm sure each of you will be a credit to whichever house you become a part of." She turned to leave the chamber but as she grabbed hold of the door handle she looked back at them "The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly, I suggest you smarten yourselves up a little" Her eyes fell upon Sirius and James who both had their shirts untucked, then she turned and left the chamber.
As she left the first years began to talk quietly among themselves. Some of them were discussing excitedly what house they hoped to be sorted into whilst others were worrying about whether they'd fit into any of the houses. Suddenly, a silvery figure floated through the wall. Several people screamed but most were pointing or staring blankly with curiosity. It was a ghost. Sirius had read about them before, but he had never seen one in person. Without even a glance at the first years the ghost glided across the chamber and through the next wall.
"The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin" Professor McGonagall had returned and was standing in the doorway and immediately, the first years became silent once more. "Please follow me through to the great hall." Sirius hastily tucked in his shirt and followed Professor McGonagall and the rest of the first years.
She led them through a smaller set of double doors at the back of the chamber that led them into the Great Hall. As soon as they entered, a hundred faces all turned to look at the group of first years. They followed Professor McGonagall down the middle of the great hall, in between two of the four house tables. Hundreds of candles were floating above their heads under a starry ceiling, it seemed to be showing the sky outside. At the front of the hall the teachers were sitting at a long table, facing the students. Professor McGonagall stopped at the front and the hall; she then placed a small wooden stool in front of the first years and placed a dirty, frayed wizard hat. The hat sat still for a moment before a slit near the bottom opened and the hat began to sing:
"I am the Hogwarts sorting hat, and most of you will know, I am here to look inside your head and tell you where to go. There's nothing hidden in your head the sorting hat can't see, so slip me on about your ears and put your trust in me. You may belong in Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart or maybe you'll fit in Ravenclaw where they have wit and smarts. Or maybe Hufflepuff is more for you, where they are loyal and just or perhaps your Slytherin where they achieve by any means they must. Just put me on! don't be afraid! I've never yet be wrong. I'll have a peek inside your head and tell where you belong."
The whole school erupted into applause as the hat finished, it took a bow for each of the house tables before becoming a motionless hat once more. Professor McGonagall made her way back to the front, now holding a roll of parchment in her hand, the cheering soon died out. 'When I call your name you must step forward and take a seat, I will place the sorting hat on your head and you will be placed into your house" She now unrolled the parchment and began reading names.
Kimberly Abbot was the first to be sorted into Hufflepuff, the whole table erupted into applause as she made her way over. McGonagall read down the list calling out students and placing the hat on their heads; the sickly boy from the dock was called forward, Lupin Remus was his name, he was sorted into Gryffindor. After what seemed like an eternity, Black Sirius was called forward. Sirius made his way over to the stool, once he had sat down McGonagall placed the hat on his head, it was so big it slipped down past his ears.
The hat seemed to be taking its time deciding where to put Sirius but after a few minutes the hat had come to its decision "GRYFFINDOR" the hat shouted. The table decorated in red and gold erupted into applause and whistles as Sirius made his way over to their table. Not long after Sirius has sat down James made his way over to the table with a beaming grin upon his face.
There was only one boy left at the front of the hall now. Sirius couldn't see he what he looked like because of the long greasy hair covering his face but he could see that he was keeping a close eye on a red-headed girl currently getting sorted. After she had joined the Gryffindor table too McGonagall called the last name, she called "Severus Snape..."