Before James could believe his eyes, he found himself standing in an antechamber, next to what he was sure was the Great Hall. He was standing next to two muggleborns he had met on the boat ride across the lake to the castle. A girl named Jade and a boy called Lucien. He had enjoyed talking to the two and passing on some information he knew about the school, particularly the sorting process which had the two students a little nervous. But after explaining the simple process he had taken away their worries and he felt that he had successfully made himself two new friends.
There were only about 12 other first years standing with him, it was apparently the smallest year group to ever come to Hogwarts, the Deputy Head Mistress Hermione Granger had told them a few moments before, according to her every year was getting smaller and smaller. She had seemed very sad when talking about it, James was sure that the numbers dropping had something to do with the war, after all, this was the beginning of his parents generation coming to Hogwarts. The first years had been asked to quietly wait a few minutes before the sorting ceremony began, and no one had so much as made a squeak, the silence seemed oddly eerie and uncomfortable in the old castle.
James didn't have to try very hard to distract himself from the discomfort though, he knew soon he would be sorted into his house, hopefully Gryffindor, just like his dad. Thankfully just as he was beginning to grow impatient professor Granger re-entered the room, a bright smile planted on her face, she instructed the group to follow her through to the Great Hall, where the ceremony was to take place, informing them that their names would be called, one at a time where they would be required to take turns wearing the sorting hat.
The walk to the front of the hall was nerve wracking, he could feel the eyes of many students on him, as if burning holes into his skin, James could feel his face heating up and growing red as he heard the buzz of whispers and saw from the corners of his eyes the fingers that were trained on him as he walked by. He barely registered Professor Granger had begun talking again until the hall quietened in time to hear the first name called.
"Bode, Lucien" Professor Grangers voice called out clearly, James gave the boy an encouraging smile as he stumbled up to the stool at the front. His excitement was peaking and he could barely keep himself restrained.
"Hufflepuff!" the hat bellowed out, resulting in large cheers from the house. Next was Scarlett Boot-Parkinson who after a slight hesitation from the hat, was sent straight to Slytherin. Corey Chambers and Isabelle Dedworth were both sent to Gryffindor, followed by Emerik Derwent and Elena Fowley who both went to Ravenclaw. Tamsin Grey and Callista Krum then went to Hufflepuff, James could instantly hear the house asking if she was related to Viktor Krum, he didn't hear her reply though, as Scorpius Malfoy and his friends Jade Marshall both went to Slytherin. He smiled slightly when he saw Lotti and one of her friends move to sit with Jade.
Jeremy Miller was then sent to Gryffindor, and then it was his turn. James heard his name called, the hall filled once again with noise, and all of a sudden James lost all of his bravery, what if he didn't get in Gryffindor? his knees felt weak as he forced his little legs to move forwards. Merlin, Circe, sorting hat? please let me be Gryffindor James was begging in his head. His worrying and silent prayers were for nothing though, the hat barely touched his head before it called "Gryffindor!"
Cheers erupted from the red and gold house, and James found himself smiling broadly as he took his seat, he honestly had no idea who the last girl to be sorted was, or what house she ended up in, the rest of the feast passed in a blur of luxurious foods, and loud noise and chatter. James had never been happier, he decided. Gryffindor, just like you dad. He found himself thinking as they trekked all the way up to the seventh floor and through the portrait of the fat lady, James had no idea who he had spoken to, or what they had talked about, everything was a buzz as he reached the common room. He knew it was time to write to his dad.
I MADE GRYFFINDOR!
Just like you mum and dad!I'm having s much fun, everyone I've met has been very nice, well except from one boy Scorpius Malfoy and a girl Scarlet Boot-Parkinson, theyre betrothed! Can you imagine! At 11, how silly!
I sat with Teddy and Victoire and their friends on the train and they told me about the teachers and subjects. They have a ghost teacher! Did you know? I thought it was so cool, but they all laughed about it. I don't know why though. I cant wait for classes tomorrow, Teddy said he would help me and my friends find our first class in the morning, and his friend is going to make a map for us! He is Ravenclaw and headboy! he is very smart!
Gryffindor has the most amount of new students this year! Theres not many of us though..
I miss you already,
say hi to Lily for me
Love
Love you James.
James scribbled out 'love' then re-wrote it, he didn't want his dad to think he was still ashamed of them, even though he didn't want his housemates to think he was a sissy as a Gryffindor he was meant to be brave.
James soon packed up his things, and sent his letter off with Bear, he watched his owl fly out the window and out across the grounds of Hogwarts, he could not wait to explore the castle and everything around it, he wondered what adventures he would get up to over the years, if they would be anything like his dads, only with slightly less danger, he couldn't wait to see Jade and Lucien, he would love to know what their own houses were like. Saying good night to his two dorm mates Corey and Jeremy, before getting into bed, excited for what would come in the morning.
