Chapter 3: First Breaths

Disclaimer is in the first chapter.

POV – Sterling

Don't tell anyone, but I was more than a little glad when Aevus got tired and decided to go have another snooze in Nyssa's trunk. I am more than a little nervous around snakes, although I can't say why; I'm not scared of being bitten, and they actually feel quite nice. I just get all jumpy if they come too close - and wrapped around my leg was definitely too close.

It's night by the time we disembark from the train. I jump straight off the side of the train, watching the other students file off towards some carriages. They seem driverless, but oh well. This is Magic School after all. I look around as a massive voice starts bellowing through the night air.

"Firs' years! Firs' years this way!" It comes from an absolutely giant man, at least two and a half metres tall, carrying a lantern and with a bushy beard. As the older students pass by, I notice some of them are greeting him. Must be a teacher or something.

"Hi, Hagrid!"

"Evening, Hagrid."

Someone barely older than me, a girl with the same frizzy hair, trots up and hugs the giant. "Hagrid!"

'Hagrid' pats her shoulder. "Hello, Hermione. Remember teh come visi', eh?"

Hermione nods as I struggle past in the sea of bodies. "But – Hagrid, have you seen Harry? Or Ronald?"

He must have shaken his head, because she sighs. "Oh, they've gotten themselves into trouble again. Boys. Oh, well, we'll come down to visit you later, I suppose."

When I arrive at where all the first years have been congregating, I'm greeted by the sight of a glittering black lake, reflecting the stars and moon on a gently rippling surface that seems to stretch as far as the eye can see to the left and right. On the far bank sits a massive castle, golden light streaming from its windows, all turrets and towers, like something out of a fairy tale or a high fantasy. I look up, and by the light of the stars I can see the carriages flying across the lake – still with no driver or anything to pull them. Something else is niggling me, though. As the person in question stumps over, I nudge Otto. "Who's Hagrid?"

"Keep listening. He's kind of like the groundsman, I think. Likes growing pumpkins. Has a boarhound that's a total wimp. Likes breeding exceedingly dangerous animals and giving them names like 'Pooky'. You know."

Hagrid clomps over to the front of the crowd. He really has massive feet, but I guess you need massive feet to hold up a massive body. "Okay, firs' years. Yeh'll be crossin' the lake in these." He pulls out a large pink umbrella. Some people giggle, until he taps the bank and just like that, a group of wooden boats float up to the bank. Someone squeals in excitement.

"Alrigh', it's four to a boat, and try not to fall in, will yeh? Last year was all fine, bu' the year before tha'…" He sits down in one boat. "An' only two in with me, okay? We've 'ad some accidents last times three tried teh pack in, tha' and boat leaks."

All of us eagerly move over to the boats. I notice something. "Hey, what about our stuff?"

Otto shrugs. "It always goes around this point. House elves, I suppose."

"What's a house elf?"

Otto laughs. "Kind of like a brownie. Big ears, short kind of fellers. Big eyed, overenthusiastic servants."

I feel a bit of a dope for initially thinking of chocolate brownies.

I carefully step into the boat. Otto is not so careful and splashes water everywhere. Nyssa, who has been trailing along behind, shakes her head and slips into the boat. I think that'll be all, but I'm surprised – a long-haired blonde also comes along and sits in our boat.

"Otto! I thought you'd be too young to come this time," she says, sitting down at the back and attempting to strangle him – at least, that's what it looks like as she winds her arms around his neck and shoulders and hugs him. She must be very light, because the boat barely rocks.

"Alrigh'!" Hagrid says from the back – I hear a tap and the boats start moving. I wonder – is that umbrella his wand? Apart from its pinkness, I suppose it's a good place to hide something. I'd love a purple one – or red, I guess.

"Merlin's beard, Layla, I'm only three months younger than you." Otto sounds slightly put out, but then looks over at us. "This is Layla, my cousin on my mother's side."

Layla smiles. "Where were you guys on the train?"

"Down the back in the quiet," Nyssa says.

Layla laughs a high but surprisingly non-irritating laugh. Unlike the other girl, her voice is still that of a child. "That sounds good. I sat down in a carriage down the front and whoever was in the next compartment over was exploding something all the way along."

Otto seems about to comment, but before he can a loud shriek comes from the boat up ahead. I look forwards, wondering what it is. Then, I see a large tentacle emerging from the lake. "Okay, why is there a tentacle coming out of the lake?" I splutter, wondering if we should all hide at the bottom of the boat. "You don't breed krakens here, do you? Guys?"

Layla sighs. "It's just the Giant Squid. She lives in here. Mostly friendly. Likes a tickle. Can get a little overexcited with the welcome, though." I glance over and see that a second boat has passed by and its inhabitants are indeed petting the tentacle like a very slimy sausage dog. It looks funny, but the squid seems to like it. Not that I can see its face.

When we bump against the bank on the other side, Hagrid gets out and points us up to the castle hall. We traipse up to find the doors closed and chatter coming out. A strict-looking lady with a pointed green hat looks down at us as we stand at the bottom of the stairs. "Come on, first years. I am Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House. When you pass through these doors, you will all wait to be sorted into your houses. There are four houses – Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Now, follow me."

She leads us in, and we follow along. The noise in the hall drops to a whisper. Great, just brilliant – everyone is staring at us. I look up at the front – there's a wide table with all of the teachers sitting at it – a man who looks to be the size of a child, a smiley woman with dirt on her face, a grouchy looking man with greasy hair and a hooked nose, another man who looks like he spends all day in the bathroom doing his makeup, and a very old man with long white hair and a longer whiter beard. He must be the headmaster.

Professor McGonagall picks up a hat and places it down on a stool. Everyone suddenly goes completely silent and stares at the hat. Well, at least they aren't staring at us anymore… and now the hat is moving and – it's starting to sing? Oh, boy, this is getting crazy. I half expect to wake up back at home, but nope. It's real. This is real. I'm a wizard, and we're about to meet a talking hat.

POV – Hat

Professor McGonagall picks me up and pops me back down on the stool. Another year, another batch of students to sort. Now, I know what old Beardy said, but right now I have another task. I have to sing my song. It's an old tradition, started by Godric one night when he was slightly too inebriated – the same night he and Rowena sat down and wrote the school song. Merlin, I can still hear Salazar snorting with Helena over Rowena's terrible poetry.

I'm not there, though, I'm here, and I'd best remember that, so I open my mouth and sing the song. It's not the best song, and it's several decades out of date, but I don't care, especially since I know they'll sing the school song tonight. It's an abomination. I wrote this alone, in a year, to a tune. Praise me.

"Now listen here and pay attention

I'm here for your sorting intervention

And soon you'll know – as I sing my song

You'll be put in the place you belong

Is it Gryffindor?

Where your life you'll stake

Or Slytherin?

Shrewd house of the snake

Perhaps Hufflepuff?

Where all belong

Or Ravenclaw

Where the minds are strong

Now listen here and pay attention

I'm here for your sorting intervention

And soon you'll know – as I sort you true

Now step right forward! My song is through."

The first years, at least, seem impressed. Some of the older students seem a little puzzled. I've never sang a song quite in this style. I plucked it out of the head of a muggle-born back in the 1920s. Come on, I'm a thousand-year-old hat, I need some variety.

Professor McGonagall pulls out her list as I start thinking. Dumbledore can make his threats, but I have a lot of time to myself so I can think. Perhaps I can get away with sorting everyone into their proper house after all…

POV – Otto

I didn't expect to be called up quite so early, but with an 'A' surname I can't say I'm surprised. I sit down on the stool and Professor McGonagall plops the hat on my head.

"Hmmm…" the hat says. "Now, what are you? Pretty clever, ooh yes… you like practical jokes, eh? That's fresh, the last two were three years ago… What's this?"

I wonder if it can hear me and what it is that it's found in my head.

"Of course I can hear you, silly boy."

Thanks a bunch.

"Now, it seems you've got a good bit of ambition in you, and cunning, ooh yes…"

And?

"Now, what house for you? Blue or green, blue or green?"

I prefer blue, honestly, green clashes with my hair…

"Are you sure? You know, you could be a Slytherin, that environment could really… mmm, no, too much want of knowledge. Oh well. RAVENCLAW!"

It shouts out the final word and a grin as the Prof. grabs the hat off my head and I go to sit down at the blue table. I settle down next to a curly-haired girl with a large 'P' badge and look up to watch the rest of the Sorting.

POV – Nyssa

If they're calling out the names alphabetically, then I should be soon.

"Argyris, Nyssa!"

I get up and sit down. The hat slips down slightly over my eyes, which is annoying, but whatever. I keep a straight back and stare into the blackness. It promptly begins talking – to me, or itself, I'm not sure.

"Let's see now… Beardy says you belong in Gryffindor, let's find that…"

I smirk slightly. Beardy?

"Yes, Beardy. Come on, kid, I'm meant to be judging you."

Okay then. Where do I fit?

"Slow down! Let's see about that courage, now… you aren't afraid of snakes? Okay then… no bears either? More impressive… wait, why do you have memories of a Quintaped? You know what, never mind… reading a book on the train, eh? What for?"

I wanted a head start.

"Like knowledge, do you?"

How am I meant to do anything if I'm just following some instructions?

"Ooh, now that's the Slytherin coming through, I think, a Ravenclaw would just want to know…"

Snake house? Aevus would like that.

"Oh, you have a pet snake, eh? And you don't show emotions. What was Beardy talking about, I wonder… ah, yes, I see. Indeed. Dear Mister Apted's mind came in quite useful, that it did. Now… hmm… you are quite the confusing case…"

Are you okay up there?

"Sure, sure kid. Look, which house d'you like, green or red?"

Green, I guess. Perhaps I can pick up some tips.

"Yep, you're a Slytherin alright. SLYTHERIN!"

My ears hurt after that, but I don't bother about it as I lift the hat off my head, hand it back to the Professor, and step down to the green table. This will be my home for the next 7 years. I wonder what it will be like.

POV – Sterling

The line takes an age to dwindle down but eventually it gets to my name and I sit down on the stool. That hat is kind of dark – was it meant to be so huge?

"I came off a grown wizard's head, kid."

Oh, it can read my mind. Yay…

"Nervous?"

Yes, mightily.

"Muggle-borns always are a bit twitchier about their house. Let's take a look. Okay, you ain't much of a Gryffindor, that's for sure…"

Thanks.

"Not too resourceful either, or cunning. Hmmm… oh, your family works in law? Interesting, I guess. Hmm.. quick wits?"

What? No.

"Uh-huh, but you aren't one to exercise them often, kid."

You sure you've got the right brain there?

"Of course, I'm sure. Still… Quit worrying, kid! Look. I'll tell you where you belong. HUFFLEPUFF!"

Thank goodness.

POV – Layla

As soon as Sterling is sorted, I know it's getting close to my turn. And what do you know?

"Trask, Layla!"

I plonk myself down on the stool and the Professor sits the hat on my head. It immediately starts talking.

"Another one like you?"

What do you mean?

"You're the fifth today that's been split between two houses. At least you're a little easier."

Split?

"Yes, near equal traits of two. Then I get the task of figuring out which is dominant. Now, let's take a look. You scared of stuff?"

Yes. I don't much like Augreys, or Fwoopers. Or birds in general.

"Your little cousin has a bird."

And? Its not like I can just ignore the Bragster.

"The bird's name is the Bragster?"

Bragi. Does it matter?

"Yes, it does. I was going to take a look at your work ethic, but you've convinced me already. GRYFFINDOR!"

I grin – just what I wanted! The Professor takes the hat and I jump up and hop down to the Gryffindor table, squeezing in beside another beaming first year, Colin. I think this is going to be a good year.

POV – Albus

Merlin's beard, I thought I told the hat to sort her into Gryffindor! The last thing I want is an Argyris in Slytherin. Look at her – she came in with one from each house! All I can do is hope they don't interact much after this. The house's reputation should keep the other three away, I hope. And what was that Hat doing? A Trask in Gryffindor? They're Ravenclaws, all of them, that's what keeps them on the sidelines – but never mind. I can work with this. All it takes is a little change to my plans.

Yes, I'll work around them. I smile my benign smile, stand up, and address the school. This year will be a good year, no matter what.