1.2 The Sorting Hat
The gentle rock of the carriage and the silence created a peace Lorna found calming. She placed her satchel beside her, removed a small book and quill and turning to the next blank page drew her surroundings. She hummed a tuned as she attempted to keep her thoughts from her father. Boris Borgin had been against Lorna attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. HIs involvement with the Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort had been one reason for her not attending. Another had been his insistence on educating her himself.
Lorna had not minded, however the Ministry of Magic continued to call on her father, insisting without threatening him, that Lorna should attend.
Although Lorna would have been more than happy to not attend Hogwarts, what she didn't want was any further trouble for her father. There had not been a day the Ministry had not paid her father a visit after the fall of Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters. There always seemed to be a reason someone from the Ministry called on them and Lorna hoped by attending Hogwarts, the Ministry wouldn't harass her father any further regarding that matter.
.
It was some time before the lunch cart passed.
"Almost forgot you were here." The middle-aged woman told her pushing the food cart through the doorway.
Lorna purchased a pumpkin pasty and several chocolate frogs.
Alone once more, Lorna only now glanced out the window as she ate. She'd never been away from home before. Work had always been her father's first priority and now, Lorna's apprehension turned to anticipation. She was going to Hogwarts, and she hoped her father would do well without her.
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The sun sat low on the horizon when a Ravenclaw prefect entered her compartment.
"Oh, you're on you own." A round-faced girl stood in the doorway. Bright blue eyes and straw-blonde hair, she didn't appear much taller than Lorna. The smile she wore appeared genuine and allowed Lorna to relax upon her entrance to the compartment.
"Has anyone been passed to speak to you?" She questioned.
"The lunch lady," Lorna replied.
"Sorry about that. A lot of news to be caught up on. Anyway, we'll be arriving shortly so you'll want to put your robes on."
"Thank you."
Lorna stood and the Ravenclaw prefect left, closing the door behind her. The murmur of voices in the corridor faded and Lorna stood on the seat and with great effort removed her small trunk. After changing into her robes, Lorna returned to her seat, repacked her satchel and waited for their arrival.
It was dark when the train came into the station and standing, Lorna opened the door and moved toward the exit. Met by numerous teachers, all holding lamps high, they directed the students from the platform. Lorna was instructed by a short, squat man to gather near the half giant, Hagrid. Lorna had never seen the half giant before but she had heard many stories regarding him. As she came to stand in front of him, his formidable size and appearance sent a shiver of fear through her. Hagrid was enormous and when he spoke more than several students around her jumped in fear.
"Ah, tis' all there is." Hagrid looked out over the first year student towards the remaining students making their way to the carriages.
Hagrid shook his shaggy main and glanced down towards no more that fifty students.
"C'mon firs' years, follow me." Hagrid turned, and they made their way down a steep, narrow path.
Lorna pulled tight her robes, burying her satchel beneath them, as the cold wind picked up. As they past the tall trees they glimpse their first view of Hogwarts. There were many surprised gasps, as the Daily Prophet had reported Hogwarts had been destroyed beyond repair, yet there it stood before them, tall and proud. They boarded the small boats to cross the lake and although the wind had grown in strength, Lorna noticed the stillness of the lake and the boats gliding gracefully toward the other side.
No one spoke during their journey, huddled within their robes against the chill.
"Heads down." Called Hagrid, and they compiled. As the boat came to a stop, Hagrid dismounted and the first year students followed. Up the rocky passageway, across the grass they followed, until he came to a stop in front of large oak doors. Before Hagrid knocked, he noticed the distance the first year students put between them and the doors. Hagrid looked and notice all eyes on the entrance of Hogwarts.
"Well, ya' all learn about it in a History of Hogwarts. Not for me to be telling the story, unless of course ya' ask, then I'd be more than happy to tell ya'. Was there, ya' know? Saw it all."
Hagrid fell silent, his eyes glazed, before he shook himself out of whatever thought he had.
"C'mon. They'll be plenty o'time to be asking questions, they'll be waiting for us."
Hagrid knocked three times on the door and many were surprised it didn't collapse. It was hard to believe the splintered oak, showing obvious signs of being damaged remained sturdy against Hagrid's fist. Slithers of light shone through various slits where the wood had been splintered and large chunks missing made the door appear unusable. When the doors opened, Hagrid led the first years in.
At the foot of the stairs they were met by a tall woman, her auburn hair tucked up in a bun, with wisps falling down around her youthful face. She wore a bright smile as she held open her arms to great them.
"Welcome, new students."
"Ah, Professor Norefault. Ya' be taking em' in them." Hagrid asked.
"Yes Hagrid. No problems, I hope."
"None at all Professor Norefault."
"Thank you, Hagrid. Join the staff table and we'll begin the sorting."
Without a glance towards the first years, Hagrid strode off.
Professor Norefault looked down at the first years and the smile of her face appeared genuine and kind.
"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. No doubt you are all hungry and tired. Let us make our way into the great hall where you will be sorted into your houses."
Professor Norefault turned and as the first years followed, they had to weave their way up the marble staircase. Large chunks of marble were missing; the second step from the top was all but gone and the students had to jumped to the top of the staircase. There were murmured questions regarding the safety of Hogwarts.
As they enter the great hall, there were several things that stood out. Firstly, the two rows of portraits lining their entrance. The first years wearily glanced at them, some squealed with fright when they realised some portraits moved. A young red hair teen grinned and waved eagerly and a little further down a gruff looking man, hair ruffled in school robes merely nodded at the first years. The daunting experience left the first years confused, as none understood whom they were or why they were there.
Once past the portraits, the second notable feature stood out. Four long tables stood before the staff table, however these tables were far from full. The Slytherin table showed twenty-two students, all sitting forlorn and evident they wish not to be there. Whereas the Gryffindor table contained the largest number of returning students. But there was no hiding the fact; the number of students to return to Hogwarts was considerably low.
The great hall stood silent, but it wasn't hard to see the disappointment at the small number of first years. Murmurs rose as they passed; only to die down one when they reached the front. Professor Norefault came to a stop beside a stool with a rather badly burned and dreadful smelling hat.
The room fell silent and the first years glanced around at each other.
As the silence grew longer, a ripple of anxiousness grew among the students. When the sorting hat shuddered and a puff of smoke rose from its brim, only then did it speak.
.
You thought you might be rid of me,
But let me tell you all, I'm here to stay.
Nothing can remove the sorting hat
From sorting you today.
.
Though numbers wane, I shall tell you now.
All four houses shall pull through.
For those few standing before us,
Are both brave and loyal and true.
.
Together our four founders
Saw a vision I can claim,
Will give every student
A purpose in which to aim.
.
Now step up close, do not be afraid
Allow the sorting to begin.
Once more I shall decide
Which house you shall be in.
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There was a pause, another puff of smoke billowed from the sorting hat and it fell silent. The nervous glances from the first year students turned to trepidation and to Lorna's horror, she was the first to be called. Before reaching the sorting hat whispers of Slytherin were heard and Lorna ignored them. She sat and Professor Norefault placed the sorting hat on her head. It immediately fell over Lorna's eyes and it was the heat around the rim that caught her by surprise. Almost tempted to tear it off, Lorna took a deep breath only to be confronted by the smell of burnt fabric.
The experience was fast becoming one of extreme discomfort, and then the sorting hat spoke to her.
"What is this I see. Not come to Hogwarts? We can't have that."
"Slytherin." Called the sorting hat, and it was removed from her head.
Lorna took a moment to adjust her eyes while brushing her hair back in place. Professor Norefault waved an arm towards the Slytherin table and Lorna became conscious of the many eyes watching her sit down. Several Slytherin students quietly greeted her, many older student simply nodded, acknowledging her presence.
There were a great number of students after Lorna, who were sorted into the other three houses. As the group of first year students grew smaller, Lorna became fearful there would be no other but her. However, Regina Ginkat became the next Slytherin first year. Slightly taller than Lorna, Regina's black hair was cropped short and her features were strong. She sat opposite Lorna, her expression harsh and unwilling to greet anyone. Soon after, another female, Bree Maynard joined the Slytherin table. She sat beside Regina and together they looked to be related. Bree wore her dark hair back in braids, giving her strong face a sharp contrast compared to Regina's. Neither looked happy but then no one on the Slytherin table did.
Two boys soon joined the Slytherin table. Robin Rakhorn was as tiny as Lorna, however when he sat further down the table next to an older boy, it was clear Robin had a brother who also returned. This brother was tall and wide, his brown curly hair mimicked that of Robin's. If he was anything to go on, Robin would grow into his body. Conrad Spencer sat beside Robin with the older students. His dark auburn hair he wore much like the other boys at the table, short back and sides. There was an uncertainty in his appearance and he sat beside Robin looking for reassurance.
As they reached the last student, a small thin girl with unruly curly brown shoulder length hair stood with her head down, her hands clasped in front of her. As her name was called, Vivian Westwick trembled and stepped towards the sorting hat. No sooner had she sat, the sorting hat called Slytherin. Vivian jumped down from the stool and came to sit beside Lorna. She did not glance up at anyone at the table but sat hunched and timid.
Only when the stool and sorting hat were cleared from the great hall did voices begin to rise.
.
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Useless end note: I wasn't going to write a rhyme for the sorting hat because I didn't think I could do it justice. But in the end it seemed pointless not having it. What's a sorting hat scene without a rhyme.
i've never know anything as painful as uploading to this site...