I don't own Harry Potter. We all know that.

The Great Hall of Hogwarts was more than the pair could ever have expected. They had read all about it and Grace had thought she knew what it would be like but nothing could have prepared her for the overwhelming beauty that the grand room held. The small group of students stood in front of the empowering archway that was formed of two huge wooden doors, open on their brass hinges. The four house tables stretched evenly spaced along the length of the ancient paved floor, leading to the staff table which cut across the expansive room, teachers sitting shoulder to shoulder. They were a long distance from the staff table but could still feel their powerful eyes bearing down onto the anxious group huddled in the doorway. Either side of the room, strong stone walls reached upwards, accompanied by thick columns, reminiscent of gothic cathedral architecture. Although the bases of these pillars were well defined, the tops faded and disappeared into the night's sky. The enchanted ceiling contained more power than could be imagined. The effigy of the twinkling stars ahead seemed somehow more beautiful than the real sky. There was not even a wisp of a cloud and the constellations shone brilliantly down upon the magnificent room, complimenting the flickering candlelight that radiated from floating candles hovering above the tables.

A tall, severe-looking woman strode from behind the collection of students. She surveyed them sternly over the tops of square spectacles before asking the group to follow her. The students began shuffling nervously into the room, achieving an awkward balance between their hesitation to enter and matching the witch's swift pace. By the time they had reached the end of the long tables, a series of wooden benches had appeared on the paving slabs, facing a small wooden stool that sat in front of the staff table. Upon this stool sat a shabby pointed hat that looked as if it was falling apart at the seams. There was no denying that this was an extremely old hat. It was a dark brown in shade with patches and rough stitching applied throughout the years to keep it from disintegrating.

There was a ripple of excited whispers from the small crowd as they realised what they were looking at. This was the Sorting Hat. Their whole lives at Hogwarts depended on the outcome of this Hat's decision. A shiver of mixed anxiety and excitement rippled across the benches where the students were now seated. All eyes were fixed on the Hat, widening as it opened the tear in its brim to sing:

The years have passed by kindly for me

Despite how things may see.

I'm just as sharp as ever I was

And this is all because

I've been well preserved by teachers here

As I play a vital role

I assess your traits and values

And flaws which take their toll.

So take a seat and place me gently

Upon your head and wait

I will place you in the house

Where best you'll meet your fate.

Will this be in Gryffindor

Where dwell the brave and loyal?

This daring bunch have chivalry

That is always grand and royal.

Hufflepuff may be your calling

For those who value friends.

With kind patience and acceptance

It is here I'll recommend.

Those placed in Ravenclaw

With their intelligence and wit

Will never struggle to get by

In anything they commit.

Slytherin is the house for those

With cunning and ambition.

Their determination ensures

They complete their every mission.

So take a seat and don't be shy

I promise I won't bite

I've been doing this for years now

And each time I've been right.

Enjoy your stay at Hogwarts

A better time you'll never know

When the day arrives that you must leave

Just see how far you've grown.

The seam closed and the Hat remained silently still. A smattering of applause began led by the grand wizard who rose from his seat in the centre of the staff table. Grace had been so enraptured by the Hat that she hadn't noticed the old man before. His long white hair and beard was immediately recognisable- this was Albus Dumbledore.

He emitted an aura of authority and grand power. This was a man who could control an entire hall with a single sweep of his twinkling blue gaze, who could dominate rising sound with one raise of his hand and who could create awe-struck wonder without ever speaking a word. The hall fell silent as he stood from his chair but he did not speak. After applauding passionately for several minutes, he lowered back into his chair and gestured to Professor McGonagall, who stepped forward with a long roll of parchment and began calling out the names of the wide-eyed 11 year olds.

The older students fidgeted in anxious anticipation as they watched the children be sorted into their houses. Finally, Professor McGonagall addressed those still sitting on the wooden benches and called them forward one by one. Grace and Lena looked at each other nervously. They had discussed sorting in great length. They were convinced they knew of Grace's designated house but of Lena's they could only guess. Both girls were scared stiff of starting Hogwarts, despite their excitement, and were hoping that they would be put in the same house. Grace couldn't bear thinking about joining a house where she knew nobody. This was just like starting university again. She got shy around new people and that made it difficult to make friends- She was too anxious to speak to any potential friends in the first place. At home she only had a small handful. The thought of attending lessons completely alone made her feel nauseous.

"Cove, Grace" called Professor McGonagall, wrenching Grace out of her thoughts. Lena squeezed her arm.

"Good luck" she whispered and smiled emphatically.

Grace rose from the bench and started to walk forwards. Her feet felt heavier than they had ever been; each step took huge effort to move her towards the oddly intimidating stool. Her legs wobbled with every movement and she felt in real danger of falling to the stone slabs she stood on. By the time she had reached the wooden stool, she was grateful for the opportunity to sit down. She felt the soft pressure of the Hat around the top of the head and heard its contemplative voice whispering. The voice did not seem to be heard from her ears but rather from somewhere indiscernible within her mind.

Interesting mind you have here. You're intelligent, that's for sure. Ravenclaw would suit you well. You have great determination too. A stubbornness and ambition that would fit well in Slytherin. So where to place you? Ravenclaw or Slytherin? You like to brew over things, plan carefully. I see you also have the ability to be quite ruthless when you need to be. Yes, it's a lot clearer now.

"Slytherin!" called out the Hat, this time aloud so the whole hall could hear. Grace smiled with a soft laugh. It's what they had expected. For a fleeting moment, she was worried about the reputation Slytherin house had for hating muggle-borns but when she looked over to the table the students were all on their feet clapping and cheering.

She hopped down from the stool and made her way somewhat awkwardly to the Slytherin table, not wanting to dawdle yet trying not to walk too fast. She was suddenly aware of a gentle fear of where she was going to sit. She didn't want to sit alone but she didn't want to latch herself on to someone who wasn't welcoming. As she surveyed the table swiftly, looking for a face that might be friendly, she felt a slight pressure on her arm. Looking down, she noticed an arm. The arm belonged to Roscoe, who was beaming at her.

"Here", he smiled, motioning at the area beside him, "I've made a space for you".

Grace grinned with relief. At least she had someone who was going out of their way for her. Roscoe had seemed nice at the Leaky Cauldron. Had she made a friend already? Within an hour? That must have been a record.

She clambered into the space, careful not to kick anyone as she swung her legs under the table and twisted her torso back to face the remaining students at the front of the hall. She knew that it wouldn't be long until Lena was called.

"Danes, Lena"

Grace breathed in sharply. She watched intently as Lena approached the Hat. The Hat did not take long with its deliberation but the time seemed to slow down to a fraction of its real pace. Grace tapped her fingers impatiently and tried to read the expression across her friend's face. Eventually the seam on the Hat split open and the voice shouted.

"Gryffindor!"

Grace felt a drop in her stomach. It was bad enough that they had been split up. This is what they were most worried about. They hadn't considered what would happen if this was the scenario.

Roscoe's sneering voice at her shoulder confirmed her fear. "Gryffindor?" he snorted. Noticing Grace's stricken face, he smiled with sympathetic eyes. "Don't worry. You'll make so many new friends here. You won't even notice she's gone".

Grace was too stunned to say anything. She turned her head towards the Gryffindor table where the occupants were already shaking Lena's hands and joking with her. She didn't look up.