Chapter 16
The Sorting Hat
Albus walked into the Great Hall. The night sky could be seen on the high ceiling.
"It is bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History." Rose whispered into Albus's right ear.
He looked to the front of the hall. There was long table at the farthest end. All the teachers sat behind it, Albus recognized most of them. His Uncle Charlie sat next to Professor McGonagall, who sat in the middle. To her left was Professor Slughorn. Next to Charlie was Professor Longbottom, Albus's dad's very good friend and also Albus's godfather. There were more teachers that Albus didn't recognize. He gave his uncle and godfather a small wave and they returned it.
Albus noticed that a lot of the students were members of his family. At the Ravenclaw, he recognized his cousin's Roxanna and Victoire.
Next to the Ravenclaw table was the Hufflepuff table, there he saw his cousins Dominique and Lucy. He also saw Tracey Jordan and Frank Longbottom. Tracey was the daughter of Lee Jordan a good friend of the family and Frank of course was Neville's son.
On the opposite side of the Hufflepuff table was Gryffindor. At this table was, Fred, Roxanna's older brother and Alex Jordan, Tracey's older brother. They were writing something down on a small piece of parchment and acting very sneaky. Albus's brother James sat across from them. Next to him were Paul Finnegan and Alice Longbottom. Alice was Frank's twin sister and Al knew James had a crush on her.
Even around him, Albus recognized many people. Of course, he had sat in the same compartment as many of them. His cousins Rose, Molly, and Louis. Also, his dad's friend's, Dean Thomas, daughter, Alexandra surrounded him. There was also the boy his uncle had pointed out on the platform. He hadn't sat with him but, felt bad for him. He sat in his compartment all by himself.
"Okay, well you lot will be sorted by the sorting hat, so just sit on the stool when I call you name." Hagrid growled.
He was holding an old hat and a long piece of parchment. Next to him was an old wooden stool. Albus saw Headmistress McGonagall sigh at Hagrid's informal words.
"Boot, Reyna!" Hagrid yelled.
A small girl is brown hair wrapped in a bun walked to the stool. Hagrid placed the hat on her head. It took about 30 seconds to make its decision.
"Slytherin!" yelled the hat.
The Slytherin table bursted with cheers and clapping. Albus was so scared that could have been him. What would he do if he was in Slytherin? He remembered his aunt Hermione mentioned other schools. Maybe he could transfer to Dumstrang. He would write to his parents and tell them he wanted to leave. They would never let him leave through. But, he could never tell them he was in Slytherin. He knew they cared, despite what they said. Slytherin was for bad kids, Albus thought. Their cover was being the clever ambitious people but, even Voldemort was a Slytherin. No one in his family was in Slytherin; he would be alone on top of everything. That was it; he decided that if he was in Slytherin he would leave Hogwarts.
"MacDougal, Mary!" Hagrid bellowed, sapping Al's thoughts back to reality.
He had missed a lot of names. The hat was placed on her head and the minute it touched her head it yelled…
"Slytherin!"
"Malfoy, Scorpius!" Hagrid yelled and did a double take to his parchment.
The lonely boy slowly went up to the stool. He was blond and his hair was messy. On the platform it was slicked back. Albus guessed he messed it up on purpose. He seemed shy and quiet. His gray eyes were set on the stone floor. Charlie and Neville sat a little straighter in their sits. The hat touched his head and stayed there for a minute or two.
Then, it yelled "Gryffindor!"
The Gryffindor table cheered loudly. Charlie clapped as well but, his face was filled with shock. Al knew he was Head of Gryffindor house. Neville looked surprised as well.
Hagrid stared at the Gryffindor table in surprise. The Headmistress cleared her throat loudly and Hagrid looked at his parchment again.
"Wasn't that the boy that my dad and our dad were looking at on the platform?" Rose asked quietly.
"Yeah, he doesn't seem so bad. He is in Gryffindor." Albus whispered back.
"Roberts, Isabella!" Hagrid yelled.
She had honey brown hair that stopped in the middle of her back and dark blue eyes. Her face was heart-shaped. Albus noticed that the girl was very pretty.
"Gryffindor!" the hat yelled.
Albus sighed another reason for him to be in Gryffindor.
The sorting wait on and Al's worry grew.
"Potter, Albus!" Hagrid yelled happily.
Al breathed deeply and walked to the stool. Hagrid flashed him a smile. He tried to do the same. The hat touched his head and stayed there. A minute or two had passed without the hat saying a word. Albus needed to be brave.
"Ummm…Mr. Sorting Hat, I was wondering if I could be in Gryffindor." Albus whispered.
"Just like your father." The hat whispered back.
He was silent again then, he yelled…
"Gryffindor!"
Albus shoved the hat into Hagrid's hand and ran to the table. All the members screamed and cheered. He felt so lucky and blessed. To make it better, he sat next to the pretty girl who, beamed at him. Across from him was Scorpius. Albus gave him a smile, hoping to cheer him up. He looked happy but, scared if that was possible. But, he gave Al a smile, also.
The sorting continued, Alexandra was sorted into Ravenclaw. He guessed this made sense she was very smart and loved reading.
Much to Al's surprise, his cousin Louis was sorted into Slytherin. Louis looked slightly disappointed.
After him was Al's cousin Molly, Lucy's little sister, she was placed into Ravenclaw. She happily joined Alexandra and her two cousins.
"Weasley, Rose!" Hagrid happily exclaimed.
Al hoped she would be placed into Gryffindor but, she was smart like Ravenclaws. Her mom was very smart but, was in Gryffindor. So, there was some hope.
A few second after the hat touched her head it yelled….
"Gryffindor!"
She rushed to join her cousin. Al noticed that look a little too happy sitting next Scorpius.
The sorting ended with Rose and Professor McGonagall stood up for her sit.
"Tuck in!' She simply said.
Albus was just realizing how hungrily he was. Then, for the table sprung up bowl after bowl of mummy food and Albus thought he would never be able to choose.