Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

The Life of Albus Potter

Chapter 4: The Sorting Ceremony

As we got off the boats that us first years rode over the Black Lake, Norrie began to shake nervously.

"Do you see them?" she asked, pointing over towards one of the carriages that seemed to be pulling itself.

"See what?" Scorpius and I asked her.

She shook her head. "I'm probably just imagining things..."

We had walked into Hogwarts. The Great Big Entrance Hall was made of stone, with portraits, paintings and such along the walls. It was very midevil looking, with a nice style of an old gothic castle. It was amazing.

Neville Longbottom, or I guess Professor Longbottom at school, soon came out and stood in front of us first years. He had smiled at Rosie and I, and took sight of Scorpius and his smile faltered. He looked at Norrie, trying to see who her parents were. He spoke, realising that he had to get a move on.

"Hello. My name is Professor Longbottom, Head of Gryffindor, and the Herbology teacher here at Hogwarts. The Sorting Ceremony will be taking place in a few minutes, but let me tell you things first. Some of you may have heard from your parents about Professor McGonagall, the headmistress, recurring, non-changing speech for first years. I change mine every year."

Everybody was staring at him, just wanting to get the Sorting over and done with.

He continued. "The Houses here at Hogwarts are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. During your seven year stay, your house mates will be like your family or something along those lines. Of course, there is the House Cup thing, and obviously, being good and doing stuff good, like answering questions, per say, will earn your house points. And then... Getting detention or doing something bad and such will make your house loose points. I'll come get you in a few minutes."

Professor Longbottom then entered the Great Hall. I heard somebody shriek, and I noticed that there were ghosts flowing through the walls- no, I mean walking through the walls and floating in the air at the same time.

"Forgive and forget, I say." Said a fat little ghost.

"My dear Friar," said a ghost that wore ruffles and clothing that looked like it was a jesters costume or something. "Haven't we given-"

But the ghost was interrupted by a ghost that looked particularly younger than the others. "But Nick, Fat Friar! Peeves must be aloud to the feast!"

"Fred, do you want food to go bad-"

"Yo! Fat ghost dude!" Norrie exclaimed, looking at the ghosts. "Ghosts can't eat human food! Your dead, shouldn't you know that?"

The three ghosts looked her way. I noticed that the younger one looked a bit like Uncle George in pictures that I have seen from when he was about twenty or so. Except this ghost had two ears... The ghost was also wearing a knitted sweater with a F on it...

A Weasley sweater.

Weird.

However, before the spirits could reply to Norrie's outburst, Professor Longbottom came back. He opened the door to the Great Hall, and lead us to a stage looking thing.

There were four tables, and one long table on the stage area that seemed to seat the staff members, for professors of all sorts seemed to be sitting there. I saw my family all at one table- Gryffindor, suprise suprise- and I felt a bit more nervous than I was earlier. What if I did get into Slytherin?

The celing, however, was beautiful. It seemed like it was open to the night sky. Stars and the dark blue night sky was visible through it. Of course, I knew better- I read Hogwarts, A History, three times already!

"It seems to be bewitched or something." Norrie said.

"Yea, I think it is..." Scorpius agreed. I nodded my head in agreement.

Soon, we reached the front of the podium stage thing. There, on a stool, was a hat. The hat was patched, and old, and it looked like it had gone through hell over the years. Probably has gone through hell- if not hell, then probably some broken washing machine at a crappy motel or something.

The hat, then, shocking me, began to sing.

THE HAT BEGAN TO SING.

"Years and years ago

House rivalry was big

But perhaps this year

It will not be a thing

Between the houses

Gryffindor: for those with bravery

And loyalty and courage

And Slytherin: for those who are cunning,

sly and ambitious

Perhaps Ravenclaw, if you are witty, smart and shy

Or maybe Hufflepuff if you are loyal and friendly!

Fours houses have rivalry, but maybe this year,

Rivalry will no longer exist!"

Everybody began to clap, and Professor Longbottom began to call out names.

"Anderson, Emma!" became the first Ravenclaw. It went on and on, the first Hufflepuff being "Finch-Fletchy, Joshua." The first Gryffindor was "Finnegan, Emily."

Professor Longbottom then called up, "Goyle, Elenore!"

Norrie sat on the stool for about a minute or so, before she became the first Slytherin. Scorpius had gotten Slytheirn as well.

"Potter, Albus!"

Uh-oh. I nervously walked up to the stool, just wanting to get this over and done with. I put on the hat, and once the brim of it covered my eyes, it began to talk- no, whisper- into my ear.

"My, my... Challenging... Ambitious, brave... Cunning... Ah! Sly, you can be very sly... You will do great things... Greatness will come from Slytheirn, dear boy, for you... So, it's decided... Better be..."

No pressure. No pressure at all, right?

"SLYTHERIN!"

It wasn't silent like I had expected to be, no, it was loud- the Slytherins were cheering, "WE'VE GOT POTTER!"

I sat down next to Scorpius, across from Norrie, who sat next to a boy that looked as if he was a seventh year.

I glanced at the Gryffindor table. James was looking at me with an incredulous look. The rest of the family looked at me with hurt- as if I had betrayed them in a way. In reply to their faces, I just simply smiled and waved.

"Weasley, Rose!"

Rosie sat on the stool for about a minute- as long as I had sat there, I think. The Sorting Hat had shouted, "RAVENCLAW!"

The family at the Gryffindor table looked at her with betrayal too.

Rosie and I were the first in our family to not be in Gryffindor. And I didn't care.


Wow! I would like to thank:

Grytherin18

And

Nalia-R

For following this story!

Three people so far! It makes me feel so good that you all are reading this.

I do hope it's okay- I'm not an eleven year old boy, I am a thirteen year old girl, so...

Anyway, some reviews would be nice, but I won't pressure you guys.

The next chapter will be put out soon.