Chapter 4: The Sorting
Disclaimer: I own nothing. The cover photo is one that I drew of my own idea of how the Great Hall looks…I'm quite happy with it!
The door swung open immediately after the man's third knock. A tall woman with her black hair tightly brought back into a bun and wearing forest green robes was the first person we saw in the school.
"The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall," the man said importantly.
"Thank you Hagrid. I will take them from here." The woman opened the doors wider and led us into The Entrance Hall. The stone walls were huge and lit by torches lining them, I couldn't clearly make out the ceiling as I looked up and a magnificent stair case fanned out before us leading up to the upper levels.
Professor McGonagall led us though a hall and to my right a door stood where a waterfall of voices could unmistakably be heard—dear Lord the rest of the school is in there. Professor McGonagall showed us into a small chamber where we were much too cramped to ignore. Professor McGonagall gave us a brief speech on what to expect once we enter the Great Hall for the sorting and how important the Sorting was.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." She looked at several students as she said that and I frantically tried to smooth my cloak out.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall, "Please wait quietly and patiently."
She left the chamber. I looked at Levy who looked freaked out even Erza seemed to have trouble keeping her cool and Gray and Natsu were quiet for once. We were all silent when a red headed boy told his friend that his brother told him the Sorting Ceremony involved a test and hurt a little. What? I looked over at Levy to see if that was true and she only shrugged looking. What kind of test would it be…I do hope that was a lie! I don't know any magic at all and why would it hurt!?
Then something happened that made me just about jump out of my skin-around 20 pearly white ghosts glided from one of the walls in the chambers. Natsu jumped in the air and yelled "bloody hell!" when a ghost went through him "what the heck dude?!" The ghost muttered sorry and floated away going through several other students and approached a group of other slightly transparent ghosts. Gray almost fell on the floor in a fit of laughter from the look that was on Natsu's face when the ghost went through him.
The ghosts seemed to be arguing about something or someone, "we should give him a second chance," said a fat ghost in a monks clothing.
"My dear Friar, we've given Peeves so many chances, he isn't even a ghost and he foils our names…" argued a thin gaunt looking ghost with a grumpy face.
"Yes, but-hmm?" The ghost that passed through Natsu went up to the Fat Friar and murmured something, "Oh, dear me…New students!" The Fat Friar said while smiling at all of us, "about to be sorted, I suppose?"
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Fat Friar, "It's my old house, you know."
Professor McGonagall returned and in a sharp voice said "Move along now, The Sorting Ceremony's about to begin." She then said, "Now, form a line and follow me."
I got into line somewhere in the middle with Erza, Gray and Natsu in front of me and Levy behind me. The hairs on the back of my head rose and I looked behind me. A ghost that looked like a little boy stood in the corner and averted his eyes when I made eye contact with him. Levy looked at me curiously and I smiled at her to let her know I was fine. She squeezed my hand comfortingly and I noticed that it was just as clammy as my own. We all exited the small chamber in silence we retraced our steps into the Entrance Hall and went through the double doors of The Great Hall.
I doubt that even in my craziest dreams my mind could ever imagine anything as beautiful as The Great Hall. All us first years collectively held our breaths as we gazed up in awe at the floating candles gliding across the ceiling below the roof that depicted a dazzling night sky. As I walked in the line I hardly paid any attention to the students we passed because The Great Hall seemed so surreal. Four elongated tables held hundreds of students and as we passed we brought silence with us. In the front of the room a table faced them and teachers sat on each side of the center where I suppose the headmaster sits. We approached the teachers table and stood in a line facing the other students. My heart took a leap as I looked at the faces staring at us and I felt very small.
Professor McGonagall silently placed a stool in front of us and placed a raggedy patched up wizard's hat upon it. All of us stared at the hat in wonder. I began to wonder if maybe the hat was going to turn into a monster and if we had to fight it together but that was when a mouth formed on it and it began to sing. It sang about the houses and how it will sort us into the house that will suit us. Suddenly a little knot formed in my chest, I am not brave enough for Gryffindor…Nor am I very patient to be in Hufflepuff…Maybe Ravenclaw because I read a lot…Definitely not Slytherin I'm not cunning. Then where will I go? I can't go back home. I don't want to. Maybe I can-"I will call your name, you will put on the hat and be sorted," Mrs. McGonagall cut into my thoughts, "Abbot, Hannah!"
The said girl ran up pinked faced and put the hat on. A moment of silence passed and then-"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat roared.
The girl hopped off the stool and ran towards a table on the right side where everyone seated was clapping and hooting. Somewhere in the middle the ghost from earlier sat laughing merrily as the clapping died down for the next sorting.
Booms of clapping exploded from each table as each first year got sorted, Natsu got sorted into Gryffindor while Gray ended up in Ravenclaw and then came my turn. Levy smiled encouragingly at me and I walked quickly towards the stool with my cheeks burning from the heat of The Great Hall or from nerves. I sat on the stool and Professor McGonagall placed the hat on my head. Everything went dark and the noise from the outside was cut off as if I were suddenly going to sleep and all I had were my thoughts and I.
I gripped the cloth of my robes and waited.
A low voice whispered in my ear "Hmm…What do you say about Ravenclaw? -You're unsure about being in that house I see…Not Slytherin nor Hufflepuff …"
And then the hat yelled "GRYFFINDOR!" The hat was pulled off my head and my eyes fell on the Gryffindor table where a roar of cheers and claps resonated from it. I shakily got up from the stool and fast walked towards the table and sat beside Natsu who cleared a space for me and had a wide grin plastered on his face. His and everyone's happiness must be contagious because I felt a slight tug on my cheeks and a wide grin appeared.
I clapped animatedly with my new house as different students joined us such as Erza who sat beside me she sat down with students patting her back and a small smile brightened her features. Levy ended up in Ravenclaw to my disappointment but she seemed happy to be in that house. All of a sudden everyone seemed really excited and started whispering as a boy called Harry Potter got called up and ended up being sorted into Gryffindor. As he walked towards the table I noticed his eyes and a shot of recognition hit me, the bright green eyes during the boat trip to the school. I asked Erza if she knew who the boy is and she told me she'd tell me later as another wave of claps quite possibly the loudest took over The Great Hall. Some students yelled "We got Potter! We got Potter!" and Harry seemed flustered as he shook hands with students and looked relieved as the ceremony proceeded.
As the last student sorted got seated a man with luminous silver hair got up. A smile as merry as the candles alighted his face and his arms were spread out as if he wanted to just give a hug to all of us.
"Welcome!" he began "welcome, to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few things. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"
"Thank you!" And he sat back down.
Everyone cheered and clapped. I looked over at Erza smiling from what was just said "That's Dumbledore for you," She replied and just shrugged. I looked back at the table and food of all sorts on golden platters decked the table. I looked around me and saw that all the tables had massive amounts of food on them with students getting a serving of everything that was offered.
"THSH ISH AMASHNG!" Natsu yelled with bits of food already flying out of his mouth and holding two chicken legs in each hand. Geez…was he raised by dragons or something? I scooted a bit closer to Erza with what little space there was on the bench and began piling my own plate with different foods. My stomach has no say in this…If I pile my plate with a platter of the roast turkey, mashed potatoes and whatever that greasy thing that everyone keeps eating I shall deal with the consequences later…Tonight, I seek fulfillment in food. The clatter of silverware against plates and cups against the ancient wooden tables echoed against the walls. Pockets of laughter, loud chatter, and silence filled The Great Hall with an almost tangible energy that at the rate that I'm hacking away at my plate I would most likely eat by accident. Natsu wasn't talking much because of the food but Erza and I talked most of the time.
"I'm happy we are in the same house Lucy." Erza stated thoughtfully.
"Me too!" I agreed happily as I scooped up some mashed potatoes.
She smiled and said "I can't believe how beautiful this school is!"
I stared up dreamily at the ceiling and sighed "It is a dream come true…" I looked at the teacher's table "can you guess which teacher teaches what subject?"
Erza followed my gaze and her brown eyes analyzed each teacher.
She took a bite of chicken before saying "I believe…The short teacher's subject is Charms, the teacher all in black maybe Defense Against the Dark Arts, the woman in green Potions, and the woman in brown robes Herbology…That is all I can take a guess at…"
I meditated on Erza's deduction and couldn't help but agree.
"I heard that they have an impressive collection of knight's armor in the halls here. I can't wait to see them!" I kicked my feet up a bit in my excitement while thoughts of the fantasy books I've read before flooded in my mind.
"Armor?!" Little starts popped in Erza's eyes.
"Oh, don't mention armor to Erza. In fact don't even say: chivalry, knights, armor and benevolence in the same sentence she'll go around trying to help 'damsels in distress.' AKA: little kids trying to tie their shoe laces to an utter stranger trying to reach a book from a high shelf all while wearing a prince costume." Natsu added.
"Natsu." Erza said ominously and stabbed a piece of her steak with her fork.
Then something occurred to me, "Natsu, you have motion sickness right?"
He nodded and mumbled something gloomily through a mouthful of food.
"I also read that the staircases move…"
He looked off into the distance and finished what little bit of food he had on his plate I watched as the realization dawned on him and he said "oh." A few seconds passed, "oh, well crud, I'm screwed. I think I'm gonna be sick thinking about it…"
"Excuse me, you could go to the infirmary or potions teacher and ask for a potion to prevent motion sickness. I am positive they have something that could help you." A girl with an explosion of brown bushy hair and a pointy noise stated sitting across from us. She sat up straight with her chin slightly in the air "sorry for listening in on your conversation it just caught my attention." She blushed and said "my name is Hermione Granger, what are your names?"
Erza introduced the three of us, "nice to meet you Hermione."
"Nice to meet you too!" Hermione smiled.
When all the food was just about done the excess stuff on the plates vanished and was replaced by colorful platters of desserts. The sweet smells of: treacle tarts, strawberries, cream filled donuts, pumpkin flavored everything and gooey chocolate biscuits hit my nose. Back at home father didn't allow me to eat sweets but occasionally Clementine would slip me a small pastry before going to bed and that little piece of heaven I treasured and made it last for at least 30 minutes. And now in front of me candy and cake invited me to indulge my sweet tooth…Aw yeah! I love this school! I hopped in my seat and gathered as many sweets my mind greedily saw. I ignored the growl my stomach made from eating too much and thought to myself sacrifices must be made for happiness even if it means gaining indigestion.Erza practically claimed the whole strawberry cake because she kept sending dark glances to whoever tried to touch the cake. Natsu got two of everything and Hermione ate a slice of pumpkin pie. We ate in silence savoring the taste of the deserts sent from the heavens.
When the deserts disappeared Dumbledore got on his feet once more looking just as happy as before and silence fell over The Great Hall.
"Ahem- I have a few terms and notices to share with you all."
"First years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all students. And a few of our older students should take care of remembering that too." His eyes twinkled and flashed towards a pair of twins sitting at my table.
"Also I have been asked by Mr. Filch to remind you all that no magic is permitted between classes in the corridors."
"Anyone who is interested in playing Quidditch this year contact Mrs. Hooch. Trials will be held during the second week of term."
"Lastly, I must tell you that this year; the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is strictly out of bounds to anyone who doesn't wish to die a painful death."
Other than some laughs from few students The Great Hall was deathly silent and whispers broke out in less than a second.
"And now before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" Dumbledore cried excitedly. The smiles on the teacher's faces twitched before becoming rock-hard. Dumbledore flicked his wand in the air and a golden ribbon flew from the tip of it expanding into words as it glided up above the tables.
"Everyone sing to your favorite tune!" He waved his hands as if he were conducting and The Great Hall exploded in music everyone sang in different tempos and melodies. Everyone finished at different times and the only students left singing were the red-headed twins singing at the pace of a funeral march. Once they finished Dumbledore was one of those who clapped the loudest and most enthusiastically.
"Ah, music…" he wiped a tear, "a magic beyond what we practice here. Now, off you all go to bed!"
The Gryffindor first years were all following a tall skinny red-headed boy and I walked beside Erza, Natsu and our new friend Hermione. We slid between chattering crowds and went up the marble staircase. At home I had staircases but none of them could be compared to the grandeur of Hogwarts's stair cases. I didn't really admire them because of how tired I felt and my legs were not cooperating at all. We walked through hidden doorways and through tapestries, past portraits of people moving and more stairs and all I could think about was sleep. I bumped into someone as we all came to a stop and in front of the older student numerous walking sticks floated in the air. He took a step towards them and then all of a sudden they began throwing themselves at him.
"Peeves," he whispered towards us "a poltergeist." He stood up straight and raised his voice "Peeves – show yourself."
A loud sound like the air being let out of a balloon answered.
"Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron?" a voice taunted.
A pop resonated in the corridor and a little man with beady black eyes appeared with a wide mouth stretched in a sneer.
"Oooooooooh! Ickle First Years!" He cried and swooped at us and we all ducked.
"Go away Peeves! Or the Baron will here all about this!" Percy barked.
Peeves stuck out his tongue and dropped all the walking sticks on a boy's head. Coats of armor rattled as he flew by them.
The student sighed and stated, "You have to watch out for Peeves. He won't listen to anyone even us Prefects, only the Baron." We continued walking and I noticed Erza staring at all the armor and admiring every contour of them. I trailed behind everyone and then an awful feeling as if I were plunged into cold water overcame me and I yelped. I whipped my head around and didn't see anything.
"You ok?" Natsu asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah…I'm fine, thanks." I mumbled.
His gaze lingered on me for a second before saying "alright."
I shivered from the sudden cold and then I felt a little weight in my pocket. I gingerly touched my pocket and before I had the chance to take out whatever was in it we reached a dead end and a large portrait of a fat lady in a pink silk dress stood before us.
"Password?" she said in a bored voice.
"Caput Draconis," After the prefect stated that the portrait whipped forward to reveal a hole in the wall. We all scrambled through it and found ourselves in a cozy room with plush arm chairs and a merry fire crackling in a fireplace. I felt the thing in my pocket again it almost feels like a book. I was led to one of the dormitories at the top of a spiral stair case – finally we have made it the rooms. Five four – poster beds with deep red curtains and blankets circled around a small heater. In front of each bed our trunks sat waiting for us. I bid Erza and Hermione good night and sleepily got dressed.
I was correct; the thing in my pocket was a book, or more like a notebook. I sat with the moonlight barely touching the notebook but the cover seemed to have a muddy red color and the edges of it were extremely bent. I opened it to the first page and nothing was written. I flipped the pages slowly hoping to catch something and around 7 pages in; careful loopy hand writing caught my eye it situated itself in the middle of the thick page. I opened the book wider, my heart beating faster and read:
Once was I the embodiment of eternal spring
Winter gnaws away at my fall to deceit
As sand belongs to the beach; I belong in the sky
Brightly I shine where nothing escapes—not even light
The ripe fruit of harvest guards me day and night
"What?" I murmured to myself. Who wrote this? What does it even mean? I read the riddle again and again and then flipped through other pages. I found two more:
I live among Lions who don't wish to eat me
Snakes, Ravens and Badgers scorn or praise my name
They know me while I don't even know them
I fear the role they have given me to fill
I follow no rules
I haven't for years!
I bring other chaos
While I have fun
Help me with a new idea
You won't get in trouble…maybe
I took wild guesses with the first two but the third one was obvious, it must be Peeves. My eyes watered over from exhaustion and I put the notebook under my pillow. My head followed the book and the moment I shut my eyes I strayed into the land of dreams…Not far from the school I now attend.
I just want to say thank you to all my followers and I hope you guys stick around till the end!
Ohmygosh…Dat knew FT chapter though!
*online fist bump of epicness to my readers