The wind ripped through his hair, freezing water splashed over the sides of the little boat and the giant squid waved its tentacles threateningly, but Scorpius was smiling. He was sharing his boat with Lily, who he had met on the train. She was very pretty, he noticed, with her flame red hair and dark brown eyes framed by long, thick eyelashes. And her lips were a perfect double curve, when they were still. So far, all Lily had done was talk and ask questions. But it didn't annoy him, on the contrary, after being alone for so long, he found it very pleasant to have somebody, especially a girl, talk to him. He answered her questions willingly and listened as she told him about her crazy uncle who ran a joke shop.
When they arrived to the shore, Scorpius hopped onto the lakeside agilely and offered Lily a hand to help her out. She giggled and let him assist her to climb out of the boat. They made their way through to the Entrance Hall, without noticing that they were still holding hands. When Lily realised, she blushed and quickly pulled her hand away and put it in her pocket. Professor McGonagall came and gave them her usual speech:
- Every house has its own strengths and its own defects. All are equally powerful and each are great houses. My own house- she said proudly- is Gryffindor and I hope that any new Gryffindors will be up to scratch. Hard work and triumphs will be rewarded; carelessness and misbehaviour will be punished. That is all- finished the professor.
The first-years started whispering among each other.
- Now make a line!- ordered McGonagall
Scorpius was in between Lily, who turned and smiled reassuringly at him and a small, black- haired girl with glasses who stared at him then turned to whisper to her twin sister. Scorpius caught his name and the words 'follower' and 'You- Know- Who'. He turned to the front and tried to ignore the two girls.
The huge doors opened and the first-years marched into the Great Hall in single file. They lined up in front of the rest of the school and looked around themselves. Scorpius stared at the ceiling, which was grey and stormy.
- It's enchanted to look like the sky outside- whispered Lily in his ear- I read about it in Hogwarts: A History.
Professor McGonagall walked in and placed a stool and an old, ragged hat in front of them. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth.
A hundred years or more ago
When I stood smart and tall.
Four friends united to achieve a dream.
A dream that everyone knows.
They sought to build a school,
To show all young witches and wizards what to do
With their magic.
And how to use it true.
The foundations were laid as the four sat planning
And the first students walked these halls.
The four vowed to teach young minds
How to think and do.
Each founder made a house,
Into which they accepted
Only students with certain qualities
And showed them all they knew.
Gryffindor looked for,
Those courageous
And chivalrous.
While Slytherin accepted those,
Of great ambition
And sly heart.
Ravenclaw kept an eye out,
For brains
And devotion.
Sweet Hufflepuff,
Treasured students who were loyal
And hard-working.
The four houses stood united,
Until Slytherin sought to raise pure- bloods
High above the rest
Saying that only they were worthy of knowledge.
The other three disagreed,
And seeds of discord were sown.
The houses turned upon another
And fought to rule.
Then Slytherin left,
And the duels calmed down.
But the houses were now separate
Not like they were supposed to be.
So even though the storm has passed,
I now beg you all,
To take heed of my words
And form bonds of friendship
Between houses.
For united we are stronger.
The school applauded as the hat finished its song. Professor McGonagall stepped forward and started calling names from a list.
- Amber, Katie
A pale, brown-haired girl stumbled forward, looking terrified. She placed the hat onto her head and after a few seconds it decided.
- Hufflepuff!
She scurried to the Hufflepuff table and sat down amid loud applause.
- Annia, Laura
…
Finally, Professor McGonagall called Lily's name.
- Potter, Lily
She stepped forward confidently and put the hat on her head. After a few seconds the hat seemed to have decided.
- Gryffindor!
She smiled and hurried over to the Gryffindor table where her brothers and cousins were waiting for her. She hugged them and sat down. A few minutes later, Professor McGonagall seemed to realise something. She blushed.
- I seem to have forgotten a few names!- she announced- Sorry.
Some of the remaining students looked relieved.
- Malfoy, Scorpius
Scorpius was nervous as he walked forward. He was shaking as he placed the hat on his head.
-Another Malfoy, ei? But you think differently than the others, don't you? Let's see: you've got brains, you're brave, loyal and ambitious. I just don't know where to put you…not Slytherin, no, you're not a Slytherin…hmmm...you're a difficult one. I think you'll fit in Gryffindor!
Everybody gasped. The silence was absolute until Lily broke it by applauding and calling:
- Come on, silly! Are you going to stand there all day?
Scorpius realised he hadn't moved from the stool. He quickly slid off and returned the hat to its place. He ran down the hall and slid into a seat beside Lily, who smiled at him reassuringly.
- Told you you would fit in.
- Turns out you were right.
Professor McGonagall picked up the stool and the hat and carried them out. Food appeared on all the tables and Scorpius tucked in hungrily but all through the meal, he could feel people's stares on his back.