Chapter 10: Sorting hat

Hogwarts was way different than Wiz tech, from how Alex sees it. Finding herself staring at enormous gray stoned medieval castle, she noticed how wide the school was. It seemed that Hogwarts placed on one huge island with the infrastructure spread out in numerous areas. There was the boat house down by the lake, greenhouses by the Quidditch field, courtyards at every entrance to the school, the Black forest and one very unique hut-like house by the pumpkin patch.

It does look like Wiz tech but Hogwarts was larger and have lots of turrets and towers. According to Justin, who was more fascinated with Hogwarts, there was secret passage all around Hogwarts with could lead to the school ground. Alex face lit up just as she heard this.

Awesome! This mean I could get out of class whenever I want! Alex smiled at that thought.

Looking down at her black robes, she finds them way comfortable than those black bathrobes at Wiz tech. These robes were classier and fashionable according to Alex. At least, I don't have to wear those glasses.

Unlike the other students except the first year's student, they were wearing the all black robes because they haven't been sorted to the four houses.

Justin added that they will be sorted to different houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. The oldest Russo said that he hoped to get sorted to Ravenclaw because according to him that's where all the smartest students were. However, deep inside, Justin wished that he may be sorted to Gryffindor due to a certain witch.

"Russo? Finkle?" asked a thin woman with long black robe and pointy hat as she walked in through those huge golden coated doors which lead to the Great Hall. She walked towards them with a scroll in her hands. "I'm Professor McGonagall. It's time for your sorting."

"Awesome!" Justin cheered. Quickly following Prof. McGonagall, they entered the Great Hall for the first time. For the first time, Alex looked around in awe.

She noticed there were lighted candles floating in the air and the ceiling looked like the night sky with cloud and stars and even the moon. Alex never thought that a school could be this majestic. She thinks she started to like the school.

Prof. McGonagall stopped them in front of a wooden stool that placed in front of the teachers' table. She stood behind it and pick up a worn looking pointy hat.

"Eh, do we have to wear that?" Alex whispered to Harper looking rather disgusted.

"We have to Alex, that's the only way we get sorted." Harper replied, keeping her eyes on the hat.

Prof. McGonagall spread out the scroll and read out the names, "Russo, Justin"

"Wish me luck!" Justin whispered to his siblings. He adjusted his robes and walked up to the stool. Without further ado, he sat down and had the hat on.

"Ah!" the sorting suddenly opened its mouth which caught Alex off guard. "We got an intelligent fellow right here I see." Justin blushed at that. Alex rolled her eyes. "Very wise beyond your years I see. Very bright and very responsible. But where to put such a fine student like yourself? Hm?"

They waited. "RAVENCLAW!!"

Suddenly, the students with the silver and blue badger crested robes clapped their hands and burst into cheers. Justin slightly smiled. He feels a bit disappointed because he didn't get sorted to Gryffindor. However, he does seem happy to be in Ravenclaw where all the smart people were which mean he wouldn't get disturbed by Alex.

The cheers died down as Prof. McGonagall called out another name, "Finkle, Harper."

Harper let out a long deep breath before she proceeded to the stool. Prof. McGonagall placed the sorting hat on Harper's head and waited for it to make the decision. "What do we have here? Creativity runs in you I see. Very cheerful and quite intelligent I see. How about Huff- wait, let it be … GRYFFINDOR!"

The students with red and golden lion crested robes cheered and welcome Harper to their tables.

"Russo, Maximilian."

Max startled and jumped for the stool, leaving behind Alex. He sits there and looked around. As the hat placed on his head, it took no more time by quickly shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!!"

"What?!" Justin hissed. The table with the students wearing black and yellow crested robes clapped their hands. Max looked a bit lost of what to do next so he just ran over to where the first years sat at the Hufflepuff's table.

"Russo, Alexandra." Alex come forth to the stool.

This ought to be interesting. Justin thought. In his mind, he knew that Alex would be automatically sorted to Slytherin because that's her nature. She's evil in her own ways.

"How about you little missy? Where should I put such a fine student like you?" the sorting hat remarked. Alex couldn't care less. "Let see what you have here …Hm, interesting … very smart in so many ways, quite daring and manipulative … I see great things in your future … but where should I put you?"

Smart? No way. Daring? Maybe Justin thought.

"What would you say Miss Russo? Where should I put you?" The sorting hat asked her.

"Um, I don't know, you're the sorting hat here not me." Alex quickly replied. It obviously that she felt a bit bored with this hat on her head.

"Ah, I see leadership in your future! Quite impressive!" the sorting hat stated.

Please! Just choose something already! Alex thought.

"Hm, how about-?"

"Just choose already!" Alex hissed at the sorting hat.

"GRYFFINDOR!!"

Harper instantly jumped up and down, cheering. "YAY! MY BEST FRIEND IN THE SAME HOUSE AS ME!!"

Alex smiled wide and quickly ran over to her best friend. Meanwhile, Justin was sitting there gaping. He was quite surprised that his prediction for Alex didn't come true. Alex a Gryffindor? Seriously? No way!

Max, on the other hand, was busy stuffing his face with the chocolate pudding.