Chapter 8
Harry Potter boarded the Hogwarts Express for the first time in his life. He waved at his guardians (one of which smiled and the other kept his face impassive) and then strolled the train to find a compartment.
Earlier that day Severus and Filius had been arguing. Severus wanted to apparate Harry straight to school whereas Filius wanted Harry to get the train so as to make some friends during the journey. Filius had surprisingly won the argument and Severus had moped and grimaced at him for the rest of the morning.
Harry found Neville in a compartment with a girl he didn't know. Harry entered.
"Hi Neville, is it OK if I sit here?" he asked.
"Sure Harry" Neville replied as Harry dumped his stuff down on an empty seat. "This is Hermione Granger, we just met"
"Hello Hermione" Harry said in greeting.
"Harry" Hermione mused under her breath "Harry… Harry Potter?"
Hermione looked at Harry questioningly.
"Yes I'm Harry Potter, Yes I have the scar" Harry said showing her, answering her next questions.
Harry tried to divert the attention from himself so he asked them both "what house do you want to be in?"
"Well, I've looked at the summaries of the houses in 'Hogwarts a History' and I have to say that I have the potential for Ravenclaw although as Professor Dumbledore was a Gryffindor than that would be nice as well" Hermione answered.
Neville said "Gran wants me to be in Gryffindor but Hufflepuff seems alright as well"
"What about you Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I don't really mind too much as my guardians are Professors and heads of house at Hogwarts and they are Ravenclaw and Slytherin and the other houses sound okay to be in" Harry told them.
The train journey passed quickly when Harry, Neville and Hermione were talking and soon the scarlet red train was pulling up at Hogsmede station.
The trio got off the train and heard shouts of "First years, first years over here". They walked over to where the shouts were coming from and as they lined up a huge man who had been doing the shouting introduced himself as Hagrid the groundskeeper.
The first years were led to boats and got in, the trio shared a boat with a boy called Dean Thomas who was muggleborn so he and Hermione and Harry chatted about all things muggle until Neville pointed to the castle and they were all so awed by its appearance that it shut them up.
All first years were ushered into a side room to wait until the sorting began.
Neville and Harry whispered to each other and Neville was so nervous that he was shaking until Harry comforted him and told him that 'whatever house you're in we will always be friends' and that 'whatever house you're in will be lucky to have you'.
Professor McGonagall told the first years to enter the great hall as the ceremony was about to begin.
Harry walked in to the hall and gaped, open mouthed at the sight. Thousands of candles were floating in the air casting a yellowy light around the hall. Many students were seated at their house tables their faces in shadow staring intently at each and every first year as they passed.
A hat which was sat on a stall began to sing/say a song/poem:
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 folks use any 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!
The sorting hat finished its song and huge applause radiated from the crowd. Then the sorting itself started, Hermione was the first out of the trio to be sorted.
Hermione walked to the stall and shoved the hat on enthusiastically. 'Hmm Hermione Granger, you have good brains, are ambitious, kind hearted and brave – the traits of all the houses. Do you have a preference to where you want to go?' 'Ravenclaw or Gryffindor would be nice' after a moment the hat shouted…
Then came the time for Neville to be sorted 'Neville Longbottom eh? You are loyal, kind and not a bad mind either. But where to put you? Hmm I think …
Harry's sorting finally came and he sat down and heard the hat's voice in his head 'Another Potter well you have pretty good brains, you're brave, loyal to your friends and somewhat cunning and ambitious. I think your house better be …
Please review and say what houses you think Hermione , Neville and Harry should be in.
Thanks for follows, favourites and reviews.