The Sorting Hat's Dilemma

Chapter 3: The Sorting Hat's Dilemma

First Year

Mikaeyla found herself in a compartment containing two other people who appeared to be First Years; a boy and a girl. The girl was huddled over, reading a textbook, in deep thought. The boy, looking nervous and frightened, was struggling to keep hold of a toad. She enviously wondered if they were siblings.

"What are your names?", Mikaeyla asked.

"Hermione", the girl said, "Granger". She had thick, wavy, light brown hair, almost as light as Mikaeyla's and brown eyes. Then the boy spoke, "Neville Longbottom". He had dark brown hair and a bit of an overbite, with a voice to match.

"I'm Mikaeyla Dawthorn. First years?"

"Mhmm", Hermione said as she closed her book.

Neville nodded.

"What classes are you most excited about taking?", Hermione asked, curiously.

"Herbology", Neville said.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions sound interesting", said Mikaeyla, turning to Hermione.

"Oh, I don't know, they all sound nice to know about, particularly Transfiguration".

The conversation was abruptly ended by a shout. "Trevor!"

The toad Neville was trying to contain had escaped. He leaned back and closing eyes, repeatedly hit his head on the back of his seat.

"We'll look for him", Hermione assured.

"Yeah, how about you guys go that way, I'll go that way", Mikaeyla suggested, making hand motions.

Soon she came to a booth in which there were two heavyset boys with short brown-black hair and a pale boy with nose-length silvery blonde hair. Mikaeyla recognized him from Platform 9 3/4 earlier that day, except now his neatly combed hair was messy and falling about in random places.

"Have you seen a toad? Neville's lost his." The two chubby boys turned around and the blonde one looked up.

"No", he said coldly.

"Oh.. What are your names?"

"Crabbe."

"Goyle."

Then his grey eyes met hers.

"Draco Malfoy."

•••

Mikaeyla was sitting next to Draco.

"What house to you want to be in?", he asked.

"I'm not sure, I guess I'll find out."

"Slytherin. That's the best house. I'm going to be a Slytherin."

"Us too. We gonna be Slytherins", said Crabbe and Goyle, nodding in agreement.

"Never Gryffindor and definitely not Hufflepuff. What an insult. No talent", scoffed Draco, mostly to Mikaeyla.

"That's not nice", Mikaeyla said angrily.

"That's just how it is!", Draco called, but it was too late, Mikaeyla had already got up and swiftly left.

•••

The First Years were gathered in a room, about to be sorted, nervous about whatever task they were supposed to take on.

A woman that Mikaeyla recognised as Professor McGonagall, the one who told her she was a witch, explained the four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. It came to understanding that the other's in your house would practically be your family at Hogwarts. Each house would comptete for the most house points. Points were awarded for achievements and deducted for wrongs.

She left momentarily and as she did so, there was a dull murmur of people conversing amongst the tension in the air.

•••

The Great Hall was amazing. At first, Mikaeyla thought there was no ceiling, but then she heard bits of what Hermione was saying: "-bewitched to look like the sky outside...-read about...-Hogwarts, A History."

Mrs. McGonnagal set a battered looking wizard's hat on the stool. A seam in the hat tore open and it's

loud voice echoed throughout the hall:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm he 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 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!"

Then she spoke again, "When I call your name, put on the Sorting Hat, it will tell you what house you are to be in and you will please join that table. Okay, let's begin!"

Mikaeyla's mind began to occasionally wander.

"Abbott, Hannah."

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

What if they accidentally skip her?

"Bulstrode, Millicent."

"SLYTHERIN!"

What if she got stuck in a house filled with unpleasant people like Malfoy?

She glanced at Neville, looking more nervous than ever; a girl with dark, wavy hair; a boy with black messy hair and glasses, wait- Harry Potter?

"Dawthorn, Mikaeyla."

Mikaeyla walked over and set the hat on her head. It fell over her eyes and to her chin. She breathed deeply, it smelled of old leather and sweat.

"Ah, a difficult one to sort, I see", said a small voice Mikaeyla knew only she could hear. She thought of Draco and secretly hoped she wasn't sorted into Hufflepuff. What the Sorting Hat said next startled Mikaeyla.

"All right then, Slytherin, perhaps?"

"You- you can hear my thoughts?"

"Of course, how else am I to sort you? Friendly, I see, but no, not Hufflepuff. Thoughtful and witty, Ravenclaw, maybe. Stealthy, ambitious; Slytherin... Yes, Slytherin would do well with you. Brave, a good leader, Gryffindor also describes you. But which house to put you in? Very interesting... Skilled.. I would like to see more... You know, I think I might actually put you in- "