Note: Omg, ANBUHound rhymes!111!
Itachi felt the train slow to a complete stop. He turned to the other people in the compartment. "Get your things. We're leaving." Itachi spoke. "Don't leave anything behind." Ron and Hermione nodded as they left the compartment. Itachi hefted Rin's cage, which Ron had said came from Kakashi-sempai.
Stumbling out of the train, Itachi searched for a guide. They had to have guides, right? He looked around. The night air wafted from the pine trees. Itachi strained his ears over the hustle and bustle of the platform.
"First years, over here." A brisk female voice said. Itachi separated from the group hesitantly, but surely they would be fine. The Uchiha peered up at the face of professor Grubbly-Plank.
"There you are." She said. "Alright, first years, follow me!" She called out, swinging around and walking towards a path that led towards a dark lake that reflected the lights of the castle. Itachi stared at the small boats that were supposed to take them to the castle, but he kept silent, hopping into one as the boats were quickly occupied. A boy with black hair and grey eyes boarded Itachi's boat. He had very prominent ears.
"Hey." The boy said, holding out a hand. "I'm Euan Abercrombie."
Itachi gave him a glare. "Uchiha Itachi." He said, finally clasping the other first year's hand. "A foreign exchange student." He remarked dryly. Euan grinned as he took up the boat paddles when the boat moved by itself.
"Cool!" Euan remarked. Itachi regarded the boat with doubt. Slowly, the boats smoothly glided across the pristine surface of the lake. Slowly, the boats docked in a huge stone building. Itachi got out of his boat and followed Grubbly-Plank up the staircase that hugged the mountain Hogwarts was on.
After some time, they finally arrived outside two huge oak double doors. Itachi watched as the double doors opened. A severe-faced looking witch, whom Itachi knew as Professor McGonagall, stood there. She had green robes on, and her hair was in the usual tight bun.
"The first years, Professor McGonagall." Grubbly-Plank spoke. McGonagall nodded in reply. "Thank you, Professor. I will take them from here."
McGonagall pulled the doors wider and allowed the first years to crowd in the Entrance Hall. The stone walls were lit up by various torches mounted on brackets. Statues dotted the sides, and there were four huge hourglasses by the doorway. Itachi watched them. One had a lion on top, another a snake, followed by a badger and a raven.
This place was heavy with symbolism. Itachi turned to look at McGonagall, who had cleared her throat.
"Welcome to Hogwarts." She began. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses…" She went on. Itachi paid no heed. He willed her to speak faster. What house is the Potter boy in? He mentally growled.
"….. the Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you smarten yourselves up before you enter." That said, she turned and left. Itachi nearly ground his teeth in frustration. But he couldn't. He couldn't destroy his cover. So like the good boy he was, he waited.
It was when the Hall suddenly was filled with ghosts that Itachi was frightened. A ghost popped out of the wall, followed by another few. Itachi narrowed his eyes and activated his Sharingan.
"Well what do we have here?" A particular ghost said. He was dressed in weird clothing, with a thin line on his neck. "First years! Oh jolly good! I hope you get sorted into Gryffindor." The ghost smiled. Itachi didn't lower his guard. "I am Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington at your service." The ghost gave a bow.
The door opened. McGonagall stood and spread her arms wide. "We are ready for you. Move along now. Form a single file according to name."
Itachi shuffled into place. He followed the line. The Great Hall was huge. Four huge tables dominated the room, with a fifth high up on a raised dais to his front. In between the five oaken giants were a stool and a hat. Itachi raised an eyebrow. THIS was the test? For shame.
When Itachi looked up with the Sharingan, the ceiling was a bright matrix of color. It was the night sky, an illusion. A genjutsu so easy to dispel Itachi nearly laughed. But he didn't as a rip appeared on the hat.
Itachi's eyes widened as he turned off the Sharingan. What devilry was this? A talking hat?
The sorting hat twitched and tested its mouth before suddenly having 'eyes' out of two seams around the tip of the hat.
And then the hat began to sing.
In times of old, when I was new,
And Hogwarts barely started,
The founders of our noble school,
Thought never to be parted.
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning,
To make the world's best magic school,
And pass along their learning.
And then came a morning,
When old Slytherin departed
And though the fighting then died out
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four,
Were whittled down to three
Have the houses been united
As they once meant to be
And now the Sorting Hat is here
And you all know the score
I sort you into Houses
Because that is what I'm for
But this year I'll go further
Listen closely to my song;
Though we have called some favors
And achieved a whole new level of fervor
We must unite inside Hogwarts
To protect yourselves from external foes
While condemned I am to split you
I know that I may regret my choices
One has passed through these doors
With a most powerful soul
You all know who he is, or was
And yet now another steps forward
Armed with red eyes and sharp knives
You do not know him, he will not know you
But he will protect you
However he cannot protect you from yourselves
Stand straight, stand tall
Stand together
I have told you, I have warned you.
Let the Sorting Begin.