Chapter 3

After Hagrid had retrieved the boy who had fallen out and draped his big cloak around him, we followed him up a steep path to the main entrance of Hogwarts. As we reached the top of the steps, the massive oak doors swung open and a stern looking lady with crimson robes and prim, grey hair swept into a tight bun swept out holding a long piece of parchment.

"Good ev'nin', Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Good evening, Hagrid. Welcome, first years, to Hogwarts." As she spoke, she ushered us into the castle. "Now, the start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but first you all must be sorted into your Houses. This is a very important ceremony because while you are here, your House will be like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House Common Room.

"The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, and any rule-breaking will lose House points. At the end of the year, the House Cup will be awarded to whichever House has the most points.

"Now, in a few minutes, the Sorting Ceremony will start. Follow me, please-" At this, she led us into a chamber off the hall, "- and wait here until I come back for you." She walked briskly into the room that I assumed was the Great Hall.

As soon as the doors had swung shut behind Professor McGonagall, nervous chatter filled the room.

A scrawny girl standing next to me said, "So what House do you want to be in?" This startled me out of my frightened daze.

"Sorry, run that past me again?" The girl repeated her question. "Oh. Well, I suppose either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor would be good. I don't think I'm smart enough to be in Ravenclaw, though."

"I really want to be in Gryffindor," gushed the girl. "I mean, my mum's a Muggle, but my dad's a wizard, and he was in Gryffindor while she was at Hogwarts. I've heard that they do it a lot by family. I'm Claire Creevey, by the way. Gosh, I wonder how they're going to sort us! My dad wouldn't tell me, said it would be a surprise. Say, what's your name?"

A little bit overwhelmed, I took a few moments to reply. "Er, Allie Lancaster."

"Nice to meet you, Allie. Wow, you're really tall! I've always wished I was tall, but Dad-" Just then, Professor McGonagall returned.

"We are ready for you. Follow me, now." The first years, Will, and I all trailed after her into the Great Hall. As I looked up, I gasped and heard others doing the same around me. The ceiling was an exact replica of the clear night sky that hung above it, constellations twinkling and the moon glowing brightly.

"It's enchanted," whispered Will. Now that he mentioned it, I vaguely remembered reading something about it in Hogwarts, a History. I turned my gaze forward and found that while I had been staring at the ceiling, we had walked all the way to the front of the room and were standing in front of the teachers' table. The only teacher I recognized was Professor Potter because he was the mirror image of Albus plus twenty five years. The seat in the middle of the table was empty; I supposed that it was Professor McGonagall's.

"Now, first years, when I call your name, please step forward and place the Sorting Hat on your head." She pointed at an extremely old, extremely worn-out wizard hat that sat on a stool in front of the teachers' table. I hadn't noticed it before. She unrolled a long sheet of parchment and cleared her throat. "Acres, Eleanor!" A short, freckled girl with blonde hair stumbled nervously up to the stool. She sat down and put the hat on.

A few moments later, the hat shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hufflepuffs clapped and yelled for her.

"Andrew, Jeremiah!"

"GRYFFINDOR!" There was a loud cheer from the Gryffindor table.

A few minutes later, the enthusiastic "Creevey, Claire!" was made a Gryffindor.

The names flew by. All too soon, "Lancaster, Allison!" was called. On shaking legs, I walked up to the stool, sat down, and carefully placed the hat on my head, my heart fluttering.

"Hmmmm…" I heard.

"Are you the hat?" I thought.

"Why yes, indeed," said the hat in my mind, sounding quite pleased. "Now, where shall I put you? I see you are very bright; you have caught up to a third year level with no previous magical training…. And you figured out who was talking to you in a heartbeat! But you are also very kind, my, my, quite brave, and you would do anything for a friend…. You are a tricky one!"

"I'm not brave," I thought-protested. "That's my brother." A memory surfaced in my mind of Will yelling at a boy who had teased me in second grade as I cried, Will climbing the tallest trees while I stayed firmly planted on the ground, Will ignoring people's stares when he looked about four years older than everyone else being Sorted.

"You're wrong," said the hat. "Your brother seems to be brave, yes, but you are different… there are many types of bravery, you know."

"Well, I'm not," I thought stubbornly.

"As you say," said the hat amusedly. "Well, I am having a hard time with you! Where would you like to be?"

"Anything but Slytherin," I thought. "And preferably not Hufflepuff either."

"Oh, I never would have put you in Slytherin," said that hat. "No, not you… but Hufflepuff… are you sure? You would do well among the badgers. You wouldn't be a bad Ravenclaw, either."

"I- I don't know," I admitted. "I just want to be with my brother and my friends."

The hat chuckled. "You remind me of a certain famous wizard who is sitting right in this very room! Ah, well, better be GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted the last word, and the Gryffindor table cheered. I spotted James and Rose grinning and motioning for me to sit with them. So I yanked the hat off, bounded over to the Gryffindor table, and sat between Rose and James, elated.

"Lancaster, William!" The hat sat on Will's head for only one moment before it screamed, "GRYFFINDOR!" Will sat down across from me and shook James's hand.

"Will Lancaster," he said. "You must be James Potter."

"Yup," said James with a lazy grin. "Welcome to Gryffindor. This is my cousin, Rose Weasley."

"Nice to meet you," said Will, turning to Rose. "What year are you?"

"Third," said Rose. "You?"

"Fourth. Hey, look! Isn't that your sister, James?" And Lily had indeed gone up to the hat and gingerly placed it on her head.

After a few long moments, the hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" The Gryffindor table screamed loud enough to make a few of the teachers cover their ears.

A few names later, "Weasley, Hugo!" was called. Hugo looked like he might faint. With much effort, he walked up to the stool, put the hat on, and waited. And waited. And waited some more.

Finally, the hat yelled, "GRYFFINDOR!" Hugo, however, did not look relieved. Instead, he looked rather worried as he sat down across from James.

"What's wrong, Hugo?" whispered Rose. But before Hugo could say anything, the Slytherin table cheered loudly for Yates, Grace. Then, Professor McGonagall stood up in front of her chair and motioned for silence.

"Welcome, students, to a new year at Hogwarts! I am sure that we will all strive to make this our best year yet. First years, please note that the Dark Forest is strictly off limits. Returning students, you know the rules. Also, an updated list of forbidden items has been posted on our caretaker, Argus Filch's door. Remember, all items from the store called Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes will be confiscated if found! Now, everyone enjoy your feast, and I will see you in classes." As she finished, she pulled out her wand, gave a little flick, and sat down. All of a sudden, every plate in the hall was filled with food, the tables groaning under the weight of so many good things. As I looked at my plate, I saw that it had been filled with my favorite dishes: mashed potatoes, shepherd's pie, pot roast, and even pumpkin pie. Without further hesitation, I dug in.

"Hey, Allie," said Rose, poking me. I looked up. "This is my cousin, Roxanne. She's in our dorm, too." She was pointing at a girl sitting diagonally from me who looked to be at least half black; she had sleek brown hair and smiling hazel eyes.

"Hi," I said.

"Hey." She smiled warmly.

"Well, that's not awkward," commented Will.

I glared, and he pretended not to notice. To Roxanne I said, "Sorry. That's my brother Will."

"It's alright," said Roxanne. "I have a brother, too. Y'see that guy down there, two down from James?" I nodded. "That's Fred. Drives me up the wall, he does." I noticed she fiddled with her hands a lot as she talked.

"I know what you mean," I said, reaching for some steak just as it disappeared. "Hey! What happened?"

"Dessert time," said Rose, pointing at the plate. As I looked, I saw that it now carried a three-layer chocolate cake.

"Yes!" James snatched the plate and helped himself to two huge slices.

Rose slapped his arm. "Pig." She grabbed the plate back and took a piece for herself, then handed it to me.

"Thanks." I took a piece and handed the plate to Roxanne, who took one and put it back, empty.

"What?" protested Will. "I wanted a piece!"

"No worries, Will," I said sweetly. "You could do without the extra calories anyway."

Before he could snap at me, McGonagall stood up and began to speak again.

"Attention, please!" The chatter of the Great Hall immediately subsided. "Thank you. When I dismiss you, you will all retire to your dormitories. Prefects and Heads, please show the first years in your houses to their dormitories. Remember that curfew is ten o' clock sharp; there will be NO wandering of the corridors after that time. Thank you, and good night, students. I'm sure we are going to have an excellent year. You are dismissed."

A wave of noise suddenly rose as everyone began to talk and head to their dorms. "Er, Rose?" I said.

"Yeah, I show you where our dorm is," she said.

"Thanks," I said gratefully.

"Don't mention it. C'mon." Rose, Roxanne and I rose together, and after a quick goodnight to Will from me, we left the hall. They led me through what seemed to be an endless maze of stone corridors and peculiar paintings. Finally, after a long climb up about five sets of stairs, we reached a portrait of a plump lady wearing an old-fashioned, pale pink dress.

"Grindylow bile," said Rose. Before I could question her sanity, the portrait swung open, showing me my first view of the Gryffindor common room.

To the left was a large fireplace with merry flames crackling in it. Just in front of the fire were several overstuffed, cozy looking armchairs with a red and gold striped pattern. A huge, plush carpet filled about half of the room; the other half was made of smooth, worn wood floors. Fluffy couches were dispersed throughout it, and several coffee tables held lamps. Moonlight shone in through the windows, and the whole room seemed to emanate warmth and comfort.

"Well, come on," said Rose, giving my arm a tug. Roxanne had already climbed through the portrait hole. I shook myself and followed, feeling sure that, like McGonagall had said, this was going to be a good year.