Chapter 4
The five convicts stood outside the great wooden doors that opened into Hogwarts, their new school. Rain drizzled down on them in a sluggish manner. It was 7:25, and Dumbledore had said they would be brought into the hall to be Sorted at 7:30. Exactly what 'Sorted' meant, none of them knew.
Rebecca was attacking Walker's hair with a comb. Natalya and Kylin were taking it in turn to spell the dirt and grime off their robes, and Emma was staring moodily up at the doors as if they had done her a great insult.
"Well," she said, breaking the silence, rubbing her wrists to relieve the raw marks the handcuffs had left, "This sucks."
"No."
"Really?"
"You think?"
"I thought this was Disney Land."
They each turned back to their occupations, and had almost completed the task of looking almost presentable, when the wooden doors were thrown open, and a stern looking woman appeared.
"Hello," she said, in a bossy, yet reasonably kind voice, "I am Professor McGonagall. I'm the head of Gryffindor house and deputy headmistress of Hogwarts School. Will you please follow me?"
Although it was phrased as a question, her last statement left no room for objection. The five of them followed her into a tall room. Then, she led them into a great hall, with a ceiling that reflected the cloudy sky outside. Thousands of floating candles drifted above four long tables.
At the end of the hall, a longer table was stretched, as to see all the goings-on at the tables. In front of this table, was a small three-legged stool, with a patched and frayed hat. McGonagall was leading then towards this table, the stool and the hat. But for what reason, none of them could understand.
When they finally reached said hat, stool and table, McGonagall turned to address the hall at large.
"In light of recent events," she said in a voice that carried all the way across the hall, "We have five new students. They are now to be Sorted."
It soon became apparent that it was the hat that did the Sorting. Emma was motioned forward and McGonagall placed the hat on her head. It thought for a second, then shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!!"
The table to the farthest left erupted in applause, and Emma went to sit with them.
McGonagall then motioned forward Natalya, who did the same with the same results.
"GRYFFINDOR!!"
The table clapped again, and Natalya joined Emma. The two then turned to watch Walker's Sorting.
"GRYFFINDOR!!"
Same thing. The three of the five that had already been Sorted turned to watch as Rebecca sat on the stool.
Nothing happened. The hat was quiet for the longest it had been yet, as it tried to place Rebecca. As the five of them had been given a crash course in the houses of Hogwarts, they knew the only options for Becca were either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Finally...
"GRYFFINDOR!!"
Emma, Natalya and Walker clapped madly as Rebecca slid in next to Walker. Then, when everything was quiet again, they turned to watch Kylin be Sorted.
McGonagall placed the hat on her head. It thought for only a little bit, then it announced to the hall at large.
"SLYTHERIN!!"