– CHAPTER FOUR –
TO SLYTHERIN OR NOT TO SLYTHERIN
As night quickly enveloped the Hogwarts Express, Albus knew they were close. Outside the window was only darkness. He was hopping to see a bit of the castle, but it was still out of sight. Everything he felt during the car ride to King's Cross Station came back to Albus. James' voice took over his head telling him over and over again that he was going to Slytherin. Without even a glimps at the castle, the train came to a stop, bringing Albus back from his thoughts.
"Come on Al! Let's go." Called Rose as she was getting her cloak out. The door were opened and students were pouring into the platform. "Do you think we're suppose take our truncks with us?" she said to no one in particular.
"No one else is leaving with them, I gues we leave them here." Said Florian, fastening his cloak as he look outside de window for a brief momente before croosing the compartment and leaving, Rose following behind.
Albus, took a deep breath and stood up, folowing his friends out of the compartment and out on the platform. Almost immedeatly he felt hands taping him on the back, making him loose Rose from sight, as she disapeared in the sea of people.
"Good luck, Al! We'll se you in the Great Hall!" it was the Weasly twins: Lucy and Molly, the were already wearing their Gryffindor robes. Molly had her hat on, and he could se her red Gryffindor tunic neatly buttoned up under her cloak. Her twin, however, had the hat crumpled on her hand, her cloak was falling off her shoulder and she had left the top buttons of her tunic undone. "Hope to see you at the Gryffindor's Welcome Party!" yelled Lucy waving her hat.
As the twins left, Albus felt a hard clap on his back and a hand ruffled his hair. "Hey there Al, where's Rosie?" The hand that ruffled his hair was Dominique's, Victoire's sister. She was undenyably beatiful. She had inherited the Weasley firey hair and sparkling blue eyes, but the Aunt Fleur's veela charm. On his other side was Fred, a tall dark skinned man with a messy afro, he was the one that had slapped him on the shoulder.
" I think she's gonne to meet Hagrid over at the boats." Albus replied, relieved to se friendly faces.
"We have to get going. See you at the Sorting! Good Luck!" Fred said and left with Dominique. At distance he also saw James with Roxanne (Fred's sister) and some friends, but before he could make eye contact he left to follow Hagrid's loud voice calling all first years to the boat.
He quickly spotted Hagrid and right by him was Rose and Florian, who was gaping at the size of Hagrid that stood 3 times taller than them. "Hey Hagrid!" he greated the Half-giant.
" 'Ello there Al!" Said Hagrid, "Nervous are we? Afraid ye might not be in Gryffindor?" he smiled, and albus returned him with a nervous smile. Hagird laughed. "Not'ing to worry, boy. Ye'll do jus' fine! – FIRS'T YEARS HERE! No more than four to a boat!" Hagrid yelled, gathering more kids. "Here," he looked at Rose. "Ye kids, can take this one." And he pointed to the second-last boat. "No more than four in a boat!"he yelled again at the crowed "HEY YOU THERE!" he marched away from the, towards a group of six that were all trying to get in one boat. "Getoff there! Ye gonna turn yerselves!"
That's when he saw her. She was there, getting into the boat next to the crowded one. Camden Roes. She looked beatifull in her Robes. The moonlight was glimmering of her hair and giving a surreal glow to her plae skin. She was looking at the group that was hoardering the boat with distaste. Albus agreed, it was silly for six people to try and climb into a boat that could only fit four. Unexpectedly she turned her head and her blue eyes locked on Al's green. Albus froze. She smiled at him, but soon looked away as a friend started a coversation.
She smiled at him.
Albus finally smiled back, even though he knew she was no longer looking. She smiled at him. And, oh, what a beatiful smile it was.
"Al! Get in before someone takes your spot!" Rose yelled at him from the boat. Albus obeyed, a gooofy smile on his face. "What's wrong with you?" she asked, but before she could answer the boat swayed slightly at the weight of the fourth person coming in. He was a bulky boy with long dark hair that covered most of his eyes. He sat besided Al.
"Hey! What's your name?" asked Florian as the boy adjusted himself on the boat.
"Dursky. Todd Dursky." His voice was firm and an indicator that he did not want anymore conversarion.
But Albus wasn't paying attention. He had his eyes set on the golden haired beaty that was now moving through the dark waters of the lake. Soon they too started moving.
"So…Anyone know what house they're going to be in?"said Florian, clearly trying to start a conversation. He already knew, from the train ride, Albus' and Rose's house of preference.
"I'll be a Gryffindor! Just like my mum and dad." Said Rose, her nose high up in the air.
"Yeah. I wan't Gryffindor too."said Al, whining slightly from having lost Camden from sight.
"What about you?" Florian asked Todd Dursky.
The boy shrugged. "My parents were Slytherin..so…" he looked back at Florian, as if asking returning the question.
"None of my parents were sorted…so…" Florian shrugged. "But anywhere sounds good. I just hope there's food. I'm starving!" Just as he had said that there was a loud, grave sound that seem to come from beneath their feet. "That wasn't me." There was a moment of grave silence, the four kids loked at each other in horror as the noise grew louder.
In a distance Albus could see waves forming in the lake and soon they felt it. The boat rocked from side to side making the occupants cling to the boarders. "What going on?" Todd asked, his voice trembling. Some girls screamed in a boat in front of them. Suddenly the boat rocked even more violently, almost tipping over as something broke the surface of the water. "What is that?" yelled Dursky pointing at something in the air. Rain started to pour and the noise grew louder.
"It's the Giant Squid!" Rose, who was clutching with both hands on the boarder screamed looking up at the tentacles that hoverd above them dripping water on everyone. There was at least 4 tentacles above water. "She was suppose to be nice!" Rose whinned.
The tentacles then dropped violently onto the water, sending the boat to new violent waves. Screams were heard everywhere. Albus didn't even realise that he, too, was scream for his life as he held on to the boat, Florian had a tight clutch to the seat and sides of the boat, Dursky seemed ready to just drop to the floor as it swayed even more on it's side. Albus' senses only came back to him when he saw a piece of wood floating him by. He knew this meant something bad, but he could put his finger on it. The water started to calm down. The screames lessend. And now Albus was able to see what had happened. Two boats had been broken. Albus' heart pounded. Camden. He tried to look ahead but it was too dark. He could only see some movements in the water, but he couldn't tell who it was.
"The-Ther-There's people in the water!" Dursky studdered. Florian and Rose turned around to see the damage.
"Oh, Merlin!" said Rose, almost getting up from her seat, "Some one has to help them!"
The rain continued to pour as they tried to see who was in the water and how many. "No, look! Some of the boats are taking them in!" Florian pointed out. They could now see it. The kids that had dropped in the water were swimming towards the remaining boats, who were cheering them on and grabbing the hands of those near. "You think everyone's alright?"
"Where's that giant at?" barked Dursky, "Wasn't he suppose to be taking care of us? Make sure we were safe?"
"It's still raining." Rose held out her hand, ignoring Dursky's outburst. The rain was thin now, with only occasional larger droplets. His blood turned cold as realisation stroke him. "Al?" Rose saw the look on his face.
But Albus didn't answere he only, slowly, looked up, confirming his suspicion. The others followed his eyes. "Oh bloody hell!" cussed Dursky.
Two great tentacles were still hovering in the air dangerously, above them. Rose high-pitched screamed sowered throught the air as they dropped heavily on the water just meters in front of them, propeling their boat backwards. A loud CRASH was heard behind and Al knew the last boat had broken. He could hear the screames of the kids and their splashed on the water. He could also hear Hagrid's uncomprehendable screams, probably trying to calm down the squid. When the boat became more stable he opened his eyes he hadn't notice where closed.
"They're there!" yelled Florian. Pointing somewhere behind Albus. "Come on! Swim this way!" he called out.
Albus turned and was now able to se them there was a blond boy close to them, swimming their way but stopping to check behind him "Olivia! Come on!" the boy called to the girl that was right behind him. Albus reached out his hand when he came close enough.
"Come on! Grab my hand!" Albus now realised that the boat hadn't stop moving, it just ketp on his course toward the castle. "Quickly!"
The blond boy grabbed Albus' hand, but before he grabbed onto the boat he held his other had to the girl, Olivia, behind him. She was able to reach the boy, who brought her by the boat. The girl grabbed the side and tried to clim but the boy stopped her. "Don't! You'll turn them over! Just grab on to the side." She did as told and clutches tightly on Florian's side, she was visibly trembling.
Albus tried to pull him closed to the boat, "There's two more!" the boy told Albus. And sure enough there were two other boys, by the look of it, on dark haired and one a bright blond. The dark haired was closer and was swimming hard to reach them but a couple os meters still stood between them. Al held out his arm as far as he could without falling into the water, and the boy held on with one hand and with the other he tried to reach the others, just as he had done with Olivia. Albus was getting tired and frustrated they were so close, yet so far away, they just needed something to reach them.
"Give me your cloak!" yelled Albus from across his sholder. Florian lookd at him like a dear on the spotlight. "Give me your cloak! We'll use it as a rope! Just hand me your damn cloak!" he yelled. Florian shook the surprise look and quickly handed the boy on the water his cloak. The boy throwed towards the dark hair boy, who was able to grab it.
"Got it!" apparently the boy was a short-haired girl, from her high pitched voice. "Scorpius grab my hand!"she yelled to the boy behind her who was able to reach her. Albus was then able to bring the blond boy close, using all his strength to bring them to the boat. Slowly they were able to make their way around the boat leveling the weigh. "Thanks!"said the girl who looked like a boy, Albus recognise her scottish accent as the girl that bought supplies with Neville.
The group fell silent as they were finally able to see the castle. It stood tall above a cliff, they could see the lights on, where Albus believed to be the Great Hall. He couldn't wait to get there, where he imagine it would be warm and bright and where he hoped no Giant Squid could reach. They passed an ivy curtain where was hiden a large openning to a tunnel that carried them to an underground harbor, right underneath the castle. When they got there everyone was already standing on the harbor. A tall man with a recending hair line, and a black goate was there counting those on the harbour, asking questions and making sure everyone was safe. "Where's Hagrid? Where's Professor Hagrid?" he reached Albus's boat helping those that were on the water onto the platform with a simple swish of his wand.
"He was behind us" answered the girl who looked like a boy, Gigi, Albus thought her name to be. As if on cue Hagrid's boat arrived. He was soaking wet, breathing heavilly and he didn't look happy.
"What in Merlin's name happened?" asked the tall wizard.
"Ye saw that?" Hagrid asked briskly frowning at him.
"I was on my way to the Great Hall when I saw the Giant Squib attacking the students!" said the man.
"She wasn't attacking!" answered Hagrid. "She was jus'a bit confuse, is all…" he didn't sound too sure. "Either way, I have to take them to Professor Flitwick. He'll be waiting for 'em."
"I can take them Hagrid. You seem tired." His voice was a lazy drawl, and the man had high arched eyebrows and a long nose giving him a sinister look.
"Tha's alright, Professor Blackwell. I've been doin' this for fifty years. Never failed once! If ye'll excuse me." Hagrid walked pass Professor Blackwell and turned to adress the first years, giving Albus a reasuring smile. "First year this way!" he called loudly, motioning with his hands for everyone to follow him. Slowly they followed after him leaving Professor Blackwell behind.
They followed Hagrid up a passageway on the rock, always keeping Hagrid lantern in their sight. The smell of wet grass meet them at the end of the passageway that leed them right in front of the castle. Rose kept close to Albus as they walked. She trembled with cold, as did Florian who was holding his soaking cloak in his hand. Everyone was solem, there was hardly anyone talking. The excitement seen on the platform seem to have been washed away by the lake's water. There was some girls that were even crying wanting to go back home. Hagrid stood in front of two large oak wood doors, waiting for the student to climb a few steps and form a crowd in front of the doors, and knocked three time. The doors opened and everyone gathered at the door to see what was beyond it. "Here's firs' years, Professor Flitwick."
"Thank you, Hagrid!"said a squicky voice, Albus couldn't quite see who it belonged to, "This way please!"
Albus just folowed the crowed as they entered the castle, taking in magnitude of the place. He followed the mass without knowing who Professor Flitwick was. They entered a chamber room that was big enough to fit everyoe confortably. There was a little stage on one end of the room, where the Profesor climbed up so everyone could see him. Professor Flitwick was a tiny little man. He was wearing purple sparkling robes, and had a kind smile to him. "Welcome to Hogwarts!" he squealed happily. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly. You'll be sorted into your house before taking a seat at your table. The Sorting Ceremoy is very important, the house that you are put under will be like a family while at Hogwarts : you will have classes with our housemates, you will sleep in your house dormitory, and you will spend your free time in your house common room.
"Hogwarts has four houses, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuf, each with a noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. You will earn point for your house for you achievements, and the house that, at the end of the year, has most points will win the House Cup. There will be, however, points take for any rule-breaking. I hope each of you contributes with point to whichever house you might be in.
"The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly. You'll wait here and I shall return when we are ready for you, please wait quietly" and he descende the small stage and when through a different door then the one they had come in. small murmurs of conversation started but overall, everyone was still quiet.
"Hey, Rose? You ok?"Albus asked his cousin who looked nervous. His own nervousness had gonne. His fear of the sorting seemed small near the fear he felt at the lake.
"Yeah, yeah…"she answered absentmindedly, "Just want to get this over with, you know? I wanna go to sleep."
"I wanna be dry." Said Gigi, who was standing next to Florian, trembling and dripping. "I wish I had my ribbon."she said quietly looking at her feet. She looked like she was about to cry.
"Oh, here, I almost forgot. Gigi?" the boy with white-blond hair, Scorpius, came up next to her, making her turn to him, "Must have come undone when we jumped in the water." He raised his hand showing a red ribbon soaking wet. Gigi's eyes widen and she jumped on Scorpius almost falling to the ground, hugging him and chantting "thankyouthankyouthankyou!" Gigi grabbed the ribbon and tied it in a bow on her head.
But the bow did nothing to make her look any less of a boy, it looked sloppy on her head, crooked and ugly. This reminded Albus to look for Camden. He found her close to the front and decided this was the best time to talk to her. Nothing like a tragedy to bring people together, right? Wasn't that what Uncle Ron said once?
"Hey, Camden right?" he poked her on the shoulder, she was wet too, but by the look of it, she was in one of the boats that didn't break, "How are you doing? Pretty scary, right? Back at the lack?"
Her eyes locked on his, it never failed to leave him breathless, "I saw the boat in front of me break." She looked scared, "do you think everything is going to be this dangerous?" she asked, her eyes wide. But before he could answere the doors opened and Professor Flitwick called them to form a line and follow him into the Great Hall. A hand grabbed Albus forearm, Rose was obviously not gonna let him go until they were sorted. He took her hand in his and they entered the Great Hall.
It was a huge room with 4 large tables filled with students, above them were banner with the house colors. Albus skimmed the Gryffindor table and saw his cousins waving at him, sending him thumbs up and good luck, James was imitating a snake with his arms, Roxanne, who sat beside him, nudged his ribs with her elbow. Albus smiled and nudged Rose pointing to the table. "Roxy!" she smiled and waved. At the very end of the Great Hall was the staff table, he recognised Hagrid, towering over everyone, sitting at one end. To his side was Albus's godfather, Neville Longbottom, and next to him was a beatiful woman with long dark hair wih a strict face and thin lips. There were other teacher Albus didn't recognize. The man with brown hair that was sitting at the other end of the table was familiar to him but he could tell where exactly he'd seen him. In the center sat the Headmaster, a bald, round man, he had a walrus like mustach and shiny eyes.
Professor Flitwick usher them towards the staff table , where a stool was placed with a hat on top. The Sorting Hat. The muttering stopped and everyone fell silent when the rip at the brim of the hat opened and a deep voice echoed through the Great Hall:
To those who are old
and to those who are young
and to those that Hogwarts is a home
I'll now tell you about the time
When all founders here reside
All were welcome, from far and wide
But waves of mistrust intercepted that tide
A glooming night they had a fight
And Slytherin said
I'll only teach those with might
I'll admit the purest of bloods
Beacuse the rest I do not trust
Gryffindor took the bravest
For others in battle would be turn to dust
Ravenclaw cared only to nest the cleverest
She belived that brains was all it takes
Kind Hufflepuff did not hesitate
She took the fair and just
And all other that found in her house a place
Now place me in between you ears
Don't be afraid
I shall tell some straight away
Others are hard
And may take a while
So be patient
It will not be long
I shall tell you exactly where you belong
The hat ended his song and everyone clapped loudly. Albus noticed that even the first years had clapped, probably relieved that they didn't have to go up against a Giant Squid. Flitwick took out a long parchment and started calling out names. Albus breathed deeply, he was a Potter, so he new, he would probably be one of the last to be called. Rose seemed to be thinking the same thing as Albus as she let ou an exaspereted sigh, looking bored already, dreaming of the feast they knew would be set up for them once sorting is over.
"Ananda, Laskmi!" was the first one to be called, followed by her twin brother Opash, both were immideatly sorted in Ravenclaw. Albus had seen them before, in one of the Christmas party his parents held every year. From what he remember their parents were both great researchers of accient magic. Three Hufflepuffs were sorted in a row, the last one was the blond boy Albus had helped in the lake. Gentle Cockfoster walked rather shyly to the stool, very aware of the snickering his name received. Albus was sure he would go in Gryffindor, he thought the boy had been brave at the lake, but the Hufflepuff house cheered him on whe he sat down at their table.
The first Gryffindor was Emill Codd. Apparently he had been in one of the broken boats, much like Gentle, he was dripping water all over the floor and stool. He had dark blond hair that was sticking to his forhead and cheeks, he had a round nouse and beady eyes. The Gryffindor applauded loudly, and as he made his way to the table they shook hands with the boy and clapped him on the back. Albus couldn't wait to be there. He decided that when he got sorted in Gryffindor he would look directly at James as if to say "I told you so!"
Slytherin, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs were all called. Albus had stopped paying attention to the names. He recognized some of them from parties, or Ministry's Barbecue they had every once in a while, they were children of infuenced people, people who worked at the ministry, probably some of their parents even were in the war. but he never cared to know their names. He hardly ever mingled in social events. He did remember Lawrence Fisherman, they used to play together, but Rose had gotten into a fight with him when they were 9 and she made him chose between him and her. It was silly, and Albus regretted choosing Rose, Lawrence was a cool kid. But at the time, Albus had chosen Rose because she was family, and family was the most important thing in the world. It came to no surprise that Lawrence got sorted into Ravenclaw, he was always very smart and was able to come up with the most elaborated pranks Albus had ever seen. Yeah, he missed playing with Lawrence.
After a Gryffindor ( "Fleetwood, Ina!"), a Hufflepuff ("Geller, Robin!") and a Slytherin ("Goreditch, Gertrude!"), came Olivia Gunn's turn. She was the girl that Gentle had helped. Her hair was long and black and it laid messly over her drentched robes, her skin was a pale white with some freckles, her blues eyes looked scared as she walked to the stool. The hat took a while to decide but eventually place her in Ravenclaw. She walked over to her table hugging from cold, but soon Victoir was by her side, waved her wand and he girl was dry again, a healthy pink returning to her cheeks.
Albus looked past the Ravenclaw table and saw the Slytherins, there he notice Todd Dursky, the boy he shared a boat with was sitting happily already making friends with older students. Albus sighed again. He was getting tired of waiting. Rose poked him. "Look, their already in the L's"she pointed out as a skinny boy was called to the stool
"Lorden, Rusticuss!" Squeaked Professor Flitwick. The boy almost tripped on his own legs on the way to the stool. He was tall, much taller then the rest of the first years, and apparently very clumsy. The hat didn't hesitate and the house of Gryffindor was quickly called, receiving many applauses from the respectable table.
"Malfoy, Scorpius!"
Rose elbowed him, hissing in his ear, "that's the boy Dad pointed out at King's Cross" he was also the boy they had saved at the lake. He remebered the white-blond hair and Gigi calling out his name. He was also the boy that had remember to get Gigi's ribbon out of the water. "Daddy said I had to beat him in every subject." Rose continued. It hadn't escaped Albus attention that his parents didn't like the Malfoys, but Albus had no grudge agains the boy. Aunt Mya, herself said that they shouldn't compete against each other.
The hat was taking a long time, and Malfoy had closed his eyes in concentration, finally, the brim ripped open as the hat called "Gryffindor!"
The gryffindor table cheered loudly then ever, throwing hands in the air. Albus even heard a "Yeah!" coming from the staff table, where he found his godfather, Neville throwing fists in the air and laughing loudly. He received a murderous glare from a woman sitting beside him. Notecing the death glare coming from his colleague, Neville cleared his thoat, and just clapped politly, but wasn't able to hide his look of pride. Albus wondered why everyone made such a fuss about the boy. He wanted that too, to be cheered on like that as he got sorted into his house.
Four more people were sorted, but Albus didn't pay attention. The butterflyes on his stomach were fluttering violently, soon he was going there, and now he was scared. "Potter, Albus!" Professor Flitwick called. Rose squeezed his hand slightly then let go. As he was walking to the stool he could hear some wolf whitles coming from the red and gold table. He knew James was there, watching him. When he sat on the stool and the hat was placed on his head he locked his eys with James. James made the same gesture he'd done when Albus entered the Hall, but it didn't effect Albus. He was positive where he would go.
"Ahh, you have no doubts I see.." Spoke the hat into his head.
"Nope. I know I belong in Gryffindor." He answered back.
"Well, I do agree with you. You have all a Gryffindor is. Suppose there is no need for discussion! You'll be agreat wizard in – GRYFFINDOR" he called out the house name loud and clear for everyone to hear. Albus had kept his eyes open to see James reaction and it wasn't disapointing. James jumped on the bench screaming "His my brother! That's my brothet! AL! You're a GRYFFIN' AL! WOOO!"
Albus also heard his Godfather's cheer behind him, and in front of him the whole house was clapping loundly and cheering as the second Potter walked to the table. He shook coutless hands and finally reached James, whispering "I told I'd be in Gryffindor!" before leaving him and seating at the end with the rest of first years. There stood Scorpius, with a goofy smile on his face. "Hey!" he greeted the blond boy.
"Quite a welcome, hm?" Scorpius said.
"Your's was bigger!" he pointed out. It was true, Scorpius reception had been louder than Albus'. Albus' reception was only loud because James kept screaming.
"Yeah! Why did you get a big welcome?"asked the clumsy tall guy, Rusticuss.
"First Malfoy ever to be sorted outside of Slytherin!" he spoke it with pride. People at the table Oh'ed.
"Is that a big thing?" asked Emill, obviously confused.
"The Malfoys are one of the last pureblood family. They've been around for centuries! Isn't that right?" said Rusticuss.
Scorpius nodded, "Seven centuries to be exact. And all sorted into Slytherin. Except for me!" he had a smug look to his face, a look of satisfaction.
"Cool!" said Emill, still a bit confused.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat called, making Albus look at the fron of the Great Hall. His heart dropped. There, getting down from the stool and walking to the Badger House, in all her golden glory was Camden. He hadn't heard Flitwick call her, and he felt guilty for missing her Sorting. He followed her until she sat down with some of the first years Hufflepuffs, Gentle Cockfoster greeted her. She should have been in Gryffindor. He was going to walk her to class and maybe even carry her book for her. But now Gentle was going to be the one to do that. He would never have an oportunity to talk to her. She laughed at something he said, it was all too much for Albus so he turned back to his House table. He heard Professor Flitwick call Florian up to the stool, he looked up, managing to send a smile towards his friend's way. Florian saw Albus and sent him a thumbs up, but after a while the Hat called "HUFFLEPUFF!" Albus stood ther mouth open. Florian sent him an apologetic smile and walked to the table.
Camden was in Hufflepuff. Florian was in Hufflepuff. He was friends with Florian. At least he still considered to be friends with Florian. He hoped they could still be friends even though they were in different houses. And with Florian in the same house as Camden, then maybe Albus would have his chance to talk to her! A smile formed on his face as he turned yet again back to his table and in front of him sat Gigi. "What are you doing here?" he blured out without thinking.
"I got sorted in Gryffindor!" Her hair was still dripping with water and the ungly ribon was as crooked as ever from having the hat on her head.
"Weasley, Rose!" there was only two people left, Rose and a girl that were her hair in plaits. Rose walked to the stool determinedly. The hat didn't take long to sort Rose. Everyone knew where she would go. So it was no surpire when the hat called Gryffindor. The table clapped and someone yelled "I KNEW IT ALL ALONG!" Rose didn't mind the lack of cheering. She walked past her cousins, kissing the on the cheek and greeting them before she sat beside Albus. "I knew you'd be in Gryffindor!" Albus told her.
"I knew you would be too."
A chapter a little longer this time, but i'm very happy with it. I know Albus' sorting was fast, usually in other fics they have this really lengthy conversation between Albus and the hat, but I just felt that Albus would always be sorted right away, be one of the quick ones, you know? it just seem right to me..
anyway, next chapter is the first day at Hogwarts...
hope you guys are enjoying!
and don't forget to review!