CHAPTER 2
HATS AND WANDS

The train pulled into Hogsmede Station in a great clutter.
'Finally,' groaned Percy.
'Where's Hagrid?' pointed out Hermione.
'Hagrid?' Thalia, Piper and Annabeth queried.
'This half-giant that teaches us Care Of Magical Creatures,' Hermione answered.
'It's Grubbly-Plank!' remarked Harry. The demigods sniggered. They all walked off the train to these carriages drawn by Thestrals.
'Luna, can we sit here?' asked Ron, politely.
'Of course, although there is rather a lot of Nargles on this carriage,' Luna was looking through some plastic glasses. The journey to Hogwarts was cold and drizzly, Percy, Jason and Thalia loved it, Leo, Piper and Annabeth hated it. Two hog's heads stood on a colossal gate. A double Oak door towered ahead of them opening into the castle of Hogwarts. Through an entrance hall stood a ginormous dining room.
'Americans and Potter, this way,' ushered a witch with a black pointed hat and a silver travelling cloak. 'Potter, I want you to take care of them like they will take care of you.' Harry went out into the dining hall (The Great Hall) to await the four house tables for Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Slytherin. On a mahogany stool sat a frail hat with a mouth-like fold on the edge of it. Shiny, golden plates assembled on the extensive tables accompanied by stainless steel drinking cups. Foodless bowls were placed pending for their food to arrive and to be served from. Finally the demigods arrived and the sorting began.
'First years to the front, please!' boomed Professor McGonagall at a first year who was chatting to a Hufflepuff student. 'Aden Joshua,' she called and the boy had just been told off trembled onto the stool. He put the hat on slowly.
'Brave, but intelligent to, hmmm – better be GRYFFINDOR,' Harry and the rest of Gryffindor house cheered, as Joshua gave a sigh of relief.
'Bach, Zackary,' Professor McGonagall called. A tall boy for eleven walked over to the hat.
'Loyal to his friends and to his enemies but fairly stupid. Scared of beds but not evil, better be HUFFLEPUFF,' And an embarrassed Zackary went along to the Hufflepuff table.
'Linda Gordons,'
'Easy this one, Better be Ravenclaw,' And the sorting went on until Dumbledore stood up. 'Now for the second part of the sorting, Americans step down,' The demigods ran down to the hat, giving death glares at anyone who looked at them.
'Chase, Annabeth,' Annabeth went to the hat and gave it a death glare.
'Clever, brave, loyal and a bit cruel – this is a hard choice, but I decree – RAVENCLAW!' Annabeth tried to hold back her tears, but then I thought occurred to her.
'Hat,'
'Yes!'
'Well, can I be in Gryffindor,'
'Alright, better be GRYFFINDOR!' And Annabeth went back, pleased with herself.
'Di Angelo, Nicolas,' Nico wore the hat.
'Dark, but cunning and brave – I shall look no further, better be GRYFFINDOR!'
Thalia and Jason both got Gryffindor.
'Jackson, Perseus,'
'Obviously GRYFFINDOR!' The hat was barely on his head.
'Lévesque, Hazel,' Hazel shuddered but took the hat like a man.
'Slytherin, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Gryffindor, Slytherin, GRYFFINDOR!' Hazel's ears were ringing at the vociferous shout of the hat.
It was all but Leo who got Gryffindor, poor Leo ended up with Ravenclaw. When everybody was sitting back down, the demigods earned a surprise – they're very own wands. Even Leo was pleased!
'Now food!' sounded Dumbledore. 'I believe the house-elves have made us some American food as well.' Sure enough alongside Chili Con Carnie, Spaghetti and Meatballs and Fish and Chips came an assortment of Burgers, Hot Dogs and Coffee? Dinner equals delicious and then came desert: Treacle Tart, Sticky Toffee Pudding and Ice-Cream.
'Heaven,' said Percy. 'On earth.' After an hour of excessive eating, Dumbledore stood up, consequently everybody's ears were put on alert.
'As usual the Forbidden Forest is indeed forbidden and Filch wants to add fanged Frisbees and pet lizards to the list of banned items,' Parvati Patil sniggered. ' Potions will now be taken by Professor Slughorn and Professor Snape will take Defence Against the Dark Arts.' The Slytherins applauded, Harry gasped. 'Now toodaloo and off to bed.' There was a great clutter of noise as the wizards, demigods and professors scrambled out of the Great Hall to their awaiting beds. Leo parting with the demigods, frowning.
'Bye Piper,' he murmured. The Fat Lady stood before the Gryffindors and each and every bed was slowly but surely filled.