Beta'd by: Bombadilo Baby. Yes, yes, and I thank you. And it's appreciated!
….I had so much fun writing this chapter! :-D I wish my weekends were longer, so I had more time, so I could just keep writing! (sadly I also love my work, so I will be gone again till next weekend)
Hope you like it. Let me know! (and thank you all for supporting me! Seriously, I still look in disbelief at my stats and reviews!)
A Zippy Weekend To You All!
Btw have you all seen the trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald?! If not: WATCH. IT. NOW! :-D (or don't, but really, why resist? It looks amazing!)
-G
Shepherded by some older students, and the loud calls of Hagrid, they scuttled over to a large platoon of floating boats.
Harry ended up on a boat with Draco, Pansy, and Greg as they floated across an icy black lake.
All four of them gasped quietly in awe at the first glance of Hogwarts. The huge castle was filled with hundreds of gleaming lights, like stars in the darkness, reflected and rippling out across the water.
Chapter 13: Sorting Hat
The small boat bumped up against the lake shore, rocking side to side for a moment before settling down. The four children were quiet for a moment, eyes fixed on the looming presence of the castle. A breeze picked up around them, fluttering through their hair. Harry swore it carried wordless sense of welcome and curiosity, as though Hogwarts were enfolding them in its wall.
"…D-Draco?" Harry asked, quietly, unable to turn away from the illuminated golden windows, and high stone towers.
Draco reached down and grasped his hand, grey eyes also fixed on Hogwarts with an indefinable expression.
It was Pansy who answered "It's Hogwarts, Harry." She whispered, standing shakily up onto the shore "She's saying 'hello'."
"You m-mean. . . you all felt it too. I wasn't just imagining it?" Harry murmured, looking towards the castle gates with awe. The tall wooden doors were lit up, bright lanterns erected on either side that cast flickering shadows across the entrance. Harry stumbled out of the boat onto the slightly muddy grass, gasping at the wave of warmth that flooded his body the moment his foot met the ground.
Soon Draco and Greg joined them as they stood, waiting for the last of the boats to arrive at the shore. Hagrid stood slightly off to their left, his loud booming voice echoing through the dark as he rambled to a small group of other first years.
"My Da told me that all old wizarding areas, especially buildings, are like that." Greg said, shivering slightly from the cold. "He said that after long enough, they just. . . become alive."
Harry suddenly remembered that comforting, old, presence he'd felt as they'd walked through the gardens at Malfoy Manor. He peered curiously at Draco, the question in his eyes.
Draco, noticing Harry's gaze and quickly catching on, nodded. "The Garden's at Malfoy Manor are similar, not the house, it's not old enough yet." He confirmed. "Some parts of the gardens are ancient, actually part of the original design. But the original Manor was burnt down several centuries ago during the witch hunts." He said "That was back in the sixteen hundreds." He added absently as he spied Blaise and Vince's boat finally arrive.
The four turned to watch as the two remaining group members trekked up the hill, growing quiet as they allowed Blaise and Vince to soak up the presence of Hogwarts that swirled up to greet the newcomers.
No more words were said as Hagrid's voice bellowed across the sloped lawn, beckoning the group after him. It would have been a humorous sight to onlookers. The scraggly half-giant man towering above the small shifting mass of first years behind him, half running to keep up with his large strides. It looked rather like a group of ducklings following their mother. Luckily, most of the future Slytherins and Ravenclaws were far too absorbed in their nervous excitement to take affront to the hilarity of their situation.
Harry's group were in about the middle of the pack when Hagrid stepped forward to the entrance, heaving open the heavy doors. Suddenly light was spilling onto the faces, thrown out across the cold pavement. With a curious sensation, Harry felt it fill him up, until his blood thrummed as though it. Harry wondered if Hogwarts could sing. He felt the school's magic seep through his skin, and was suddenly aware of his own magic vibrating through his body, entwining as though in greetings. It felt rather like being a plant, reaching towards the morning sun.
He stepped through the doorway and was engulfed in the embrace of the living, breathing castle.
He stepped through the doorway and for the first time felt as though he were being welcomed home.
Harry smiled.
It was a short walk from the entrance to the Great Hall. Hagrid left them there, rumbling something about a professor McGonagall in his low voice, before telling them to wait there and not wander off.
Harry stood beside Draco, green eyes darting around, soaking up every detail of the castle he could feast his eyes on.
There was a scuffle behind them, then suddenly he was pressed (almost face-to-face) with a pale freckled boy, with bright ginger hair curling around his ears.
"Harry! Finally." he puffed, from shoving through the crowd. He slung an arm over Harry's shoulder, and cast him a grin. Harry tensed rigidly, body taut with acute unease at the sudden close proximity of the stranger. "Been looking for you everywhere!" the ginger-haired boy grouched, good-naturedly. Bright blue eyes flickered across to Draco with a scowl. "What on earth are you doing with this rubbish prat?" he asked, with a disbelieving laugh.
Harry's chest tightened with fury as he saw Draco's eyes mask over at the comment, and a sneer curl at his friends lips to mask the brief flash of hurt. Harry shoved the lean arm from his shoulder, stepping firmly away from the boy, and partially in front of Draco.
"I don't know who you are, but go away." Harry said, in a quiet voice that rang clear as a bell through the suddenly silent hall. "Draco's my friend."
The ginger haired boy's face went slack, his eyes wide with shock. "I-I'm Ron Weasley." He stammered "I thought you'd know. My family's been close friends with yours s-since You-Know-Who was around!" he rambled, looking around as though for support.
Harry's scowl grew. "You're mum was the one tha-"
"Good evening, everyone" a firm voice interrupted them. Everyone's gaze immediately shifted to the lady stood at the front of the group. She stood upright, facing them with keen intelligent brown eyes, a neat black haired bun, and deep red tartan cloak that swished around her ankles.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all, my name is Professor McGonagall, the Headmistress of this school." She went on, brown eyes softening infinitesimally as they scanned the group of youngsters. Harry noticed a few surprised murmurs, and wondered what they were talking about.
McGonagall's eyes paused for a moment on the group around Harry, a dark eyebrow arching slightly before sweeping on. "I welcome you to Hogwarts." She greeted them, with a flickering smile.
"In a few minutes you will be allowed to enter the hall. I ask that you stand quietly until your name is called. You will each be called to sit momentarily at the front of the Hall, where you will be sorted. Your placement into one of the of four school Houses will be decided by the Sorting Hat, which will be sat atop your head. The houses are thus: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, named after the four great founders of Hogwarts. Please take a seat at your respective house table after being sorted." she informed them.
"For the rest of the year, that House will be like your family." McGonagall said, brown eyes warm "You're triumphs will earn you points, and rule breaking and you will lose points." She said, eyes flickering once again meaningfully to the group around Harry "At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the House Cup-"
"Trevor!"
The serious hush which had fallen over the crowd was broken as a boy, Harry supposed it was the Neville Longbottom mentioned by the bushy-haired girl on the train, stumbled forward. A toad was happily scooped into the boys waiting hands, before he suddenly froze, looking sheepishly up at the Professors arched brow. Harry once again saw the ladies lips twitch slightly in humour, though the rest of her face remained stern. The boy hastily scuttled away.
"The sorting will begin momentarily." She concluded, and indeed, almost before she could conclude her speech, the doors swung open smoothly behind her. Her heels clicked quietly as she made her way up to the front of the hall.
Harry couldn't stifle his gasp as he was pushed forward by the surging crowd of first years into the centre of the room. His green eyes were fixed on the ceiling. Or, he supposed it was the ceiling, it was hard to be certain. Above them constellations of stars twinkled in an inky black sky, along with hundreds of glowing candles floating aloft through the air. He could see there was a roof, faint lines where beams crossed overhead were faintly visible (though only if one looked very closely).
Eventually Harry's gaze drifted down, scanning the rest of the Great Hall. Four huge banquet tables were lined along the room, and an elevated table was placed at the front of the Hall. Harry's eyes lit up as he met the dark gaze of his Godfather. Severus nodded and Harry beamed in response, raising a hand in a short awkward little wave. His Godfather's face brightened, a smile slanted upon his lips. Draco nudged his side, gesturing excitedly to the left of the Hall. "It's the Slytherin table, Harry!" he said, grey eyes gleaming with excitement as they fixated on the luxurious deep green flags fluttering over the said table.
Harry turned to look, the deep want twisting in his stomach uneasily, as he too stared at the empty seats down the far end of the Slytherin table. That's where Draco would soon be seated. And Harry would give just about anything to join him there. . . He straightened his spine determinedly, resolute green eyes swinging round to fix at the front of the hall.
Right in the centre a small unassuming stool had been placed, a black tatty (very crooked and pointy) hat resting atop. That was where they would be sorted.
Suddenly a seam slowly pealed open at the front of the hat and a song tumbled from its stiff clothed lips:
"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 folk use resourceful 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!" (1)
As the hat fell silent once more loud raucous applause filled the hall. Harry clapped along with the rest of the people around him, eyes hooded, his stomach stewing with nerves.
Professor McGonagall's stern voice cut effortlessly through the babble of noise.
"Hannah Abbot" she called.
The hall hushed, only broken by the quiet footsteps of the girl making her way nervously to the front of the hall. Her eyes met hesitantly with McGonagall's, who nodded. She slipped onto the stool, hands clasped tightly in her lap. The hat was lowered on her head. You could hear a pin drop.
The students leaned forward to hear it's decision, as the hat once more stirred.
There was a moment of silence, then. . . "HUFFLEPUFF!" it roared.
The middle table on the right erupted in cheers. It's student standing on their stools, whooping and whistling, with beaming smiles. Ecstatic and smug to have the first sorted student in their House.
The young girl smiled with surprised wide eyes, fumbling to pass the hat back to the professor as she tripped her way over to her new House mates. She was quickly engulfed in tight hugs and congratulatory hand-shakes, looking thoroughly over-whelmed and happy.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat pointedly, a smile tucked into the corner of her thin lips.
"Susan Bones" she beckoned.
This girl was also sorted into Hufflepuff; but was then then followed by two Ravenclaws (Terry Boot and Mandy Brocklehurst) and the first Gryffindor (Lavender Brown).
It wasn't until Millicent Bulstrode's name was called that the first Slytherin made their way over to the left table. Harry tried not to watch enviously as she was politely (though with an unmistakable warmth) greeted by her house mates.
Harry felt dread bubbling in his chest as he suddenly recalled all the numerous times he'd been deliberately picked last during school activities. No one ever wanted Dudley's freak of a cousin in their group. Harry's eyes drifted desperately to his Godfather's face, and he brightened (only slightly) as the dark haired man's previous words drifted through his mind reassuringly.
His Godfather and Draco had both promised that they wouldn't care what House he was sorted into. Harry felt a frown tugging at his brow. . . He didn't want to be sorted into one of the other Houses. He supposed Gryffindor wouldn't be too bad, considering both his parents had belonged to that House, but he'd been watching the four tables curiously since entering the hall. The Gryffindor's were constantly roaring loudly with excitement, shoving and tumbling over each other alarmingly. It made Harry automatically shrink away nervously as he noticed their brash attitudes. They'd practically engulfed the Longbottom boy when he'd been sorted, like the over excited group of dogs he'd seen at the park once in Little Whinging.
Suddenly Draco's name was called. Harry's eyes darted to the blonde next to him. Realising that he would be left in the crowd alone, Harry suddenly wishing he could just keep a tight hold of the boy and not let go for the rest of the evening. Draco's grey eyes excitedly met Harry's, as he strutted (Harry's lips twitched despite themselves) up to the stool at the front of the hall.
The sorting hat barely brushed his light blonde hair before booming: "Slytherin!"
Draco straightened with pride, grey eyes blazing, as he smoothly swept across to join his new House mates. He slid into a seat, and nodded his head graciously to the pleased greetings of the Slytherin students. He looked like he belonged.
Harry wilted, hands curling at his sides, lips tightening to disguise the wobble that wanted to shake his bottom lip. Pansy soon followed after Draco, and sat across from him on the bench with a beaming smile. The envy simmered in Harry's heart, and he looked away resolutely. Refusing to admit the slight watery haze now obstructing his vision.
Harry's shoulder was suddenly nudged on his left side. He looked up startled, then smiled (quite dismally, truth be told) as he met Blaise's eyes.
"Chin up, Harry" Blaise smiled, moving to stand beside the smaller raven haired boy protectively. "You're next." He reminded him, just as McGonagall called his name.
"Harry Potter"
The Hall erupted in whispered conversations. To his horror, Harry found himself under the sudden intense scrutiny of the entire population of Hogwarts.
Stumbling slightly, but masking it quickly, Harry carefully made his way up to the front of the Great Hall.
He stared at the old wooden seat and patched hat as he approached, not daring to look around at the inquisitive sea of faces. McGonagall lifted the hat, and indicated for Harry to take a seat.
With slightly sweaty hands, Harry slid up onto the stool. He sat up straight, green eyes unfocused as he stared out over the hundreds of faces before him.
Worn cloth was gently slipped onto his head, skimming down just over his eyes. Harry almost jolted in surprise as a chuckle rumbled around his ears, with only the tense tone of his muscles hiding his shocked movement.
"Well, well." The Hat's voice rumbled, and Harry realised that it had actually spoken inside his mind, and not aloud as he'd automatically presumed. "I've certainly had an ear-full about you, Mr Potter. And I see why… Difficult. Very difficult. Courage, oh yeeessss." Harry cringed, horror filling his head, thinking it had already chosen his House. The hat laughed "You might wish it otherwise, but you've been using it for years Mr Potter. Not a bad mind, either." It mumbled, more to itself. It squirmed on his head and Harry shifted uncomfortably "Loyalty as well . . . though to select few at the moment, it will only grow. But look here at that cunning. You've learnt, of how you've learnt, to go unnoticed; adapt to your surroundings. And there are things I see here that you crave desperately, would do almost anything to keep." The hat mused, voice tinged with amusement as Harry listened, his chest clenching. He wanted to shove the hat off his head, fling it from his mind. Harry forced himself to sit tensely on the hard uncomfortable stool, jaw locked, lips tense.
"I see where you want to go, Mr Potter, and it will suit you well. But I warn you now," the hat cautioned "Though you will find strength, so too will you find opposition. Keep those you trust close, Mr Potter, you will need it in-"
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat's voice boomed through the silent hall. Muffled gasps were heard, and wide horrified gazes met Harry from almost every face.
He quickly pulled the hat from his head, silently slipped down from the stool. Turning to Professor McGonagall, he politely passed the worn hat back to the stunned Headmistress. Harry's gaze flickered to the silent Slytherin table, stomach churning uneasily. Suddenly a small group burst into applause at the end of the green embellished table.
Harry hesitantly lifted his gaze (heart thrumming) and met warm grey eyes.
Like sunlight spreading over a hill, a bright smile slipped its way onto the raven-haired boys face. Green eyes becoming alight with happiness as he met those of his friend. Keeping his gaze fixed on Draco's blazing eyes and satisfied smile, Harry's legs found the strength to walk over to his new House table. Soon the applause spread across the entire Slytherin table, coupled with it's Head of House, as the Slytherin students recovered from their stunned surprise at being house to the Boy who Lived.
Harry stood, shuffling sheepishly near Draco's seat at the end of the table, a small awkward (because of the attention) but pleased smile tilting his lips. Draco impatiently nodded his head to the space he'd cleared on his right side, large white smile gleaming in the candle lit hall.
Harry slid onto the bench seat beside his friend, lifting his head up to meet the happily smug gazes of Pansy, Greg and Vince opposite them. The groups delight only increased as Blaise sauntered over to join them, sliding in beside Harry at the Slytherin table.
Pansy giggled in delight. "We did it!" the words sounded hissed between her brightly smiling teeth.
Vince chortled "Told you, you're not a Puff-"
The arguments of his new House mates and (he hoped) friends faded into the background as he turned hesitantly to look at the Head Table.
Dark gleaming eyes met his, and Harry's smile absolutely bloomed. A faint pleased blush spread across the raven-haired boys face as he met the unmistakably smug (and exceedingly proud) expression on his Godfather's face.
(1) - This is an original quote from JKR's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (cause I'm pretty average at poetry and love the original verses . . . though i did change one word which i found mildly offensive to Slytherins. Sorry if that annoys anyone!) :-D