Chapter seven- The Sorting
A voice echoed through the train: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time.
Please leave your luggage on the train; it will be taken to the school separately."
My stomach lurched with nerves and Ron, I saw, looked pale under his freckles. We crammed our pockets with the last of the sweets and joined the crowd thronging the corridor.
The train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. I shivered in the cold night air. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and I heard a familiar and welcomed voice: "Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Reyna?" Hagrid's big hairy face beamed over the sea of heads.
"Hey, Hagrid," It was good to see him again.
"Whoa!" Ron mustn't have ever seen a picture of Hagrid then.
"Right then. This way to the boats! Come on, now, follow me." Hagrid ordered all the first years who had gathered behind us.
We followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that I thought there must be thick trees there. Nobody spoke much.
"Ye' all get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."
There was a loud "oooooh!" full of excited voices.
The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black take. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers. It was so beautiful in the dark, though I didn't realise it would be so big.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Ron and I were followed into a boat by Neville and Hermione that ended up being near Hagrid's at the front. Hagrid's boat only had him in it with his enormous giant's body filled the space..
"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then… forward!" He ordered to seemingly no one. And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass.
Everyone was silent, staring up in awe at the great castle overhead. It towered over us as we sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.
"Heads down!" Hagrid yelled as the first boats reached the cliff; we all bent their heads and the little boats carried us through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. We were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking us right underneath the castle, until we reached a kind of underground harbour, where we clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.
Then we clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, coming out at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle.
We walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.
"Everyone here?" Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.
The door swung open at once. The entrance hall was so big you could have fit the whole of the Dursley's' house in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.
Hagrid pointed out an open doorway to our right and told us to walk up the stars.
On the first level, Professor McGonagall was waiting. She wrapped her fingers on a stone railing, and then went to the top of the stairs to greet the newcomers.
We all gathered below her, feeling slightly squished.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said. "Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup…"
She was interrupted by Neville Longbottom, a scared looking boy, who had spotted his toad sitting near McGonagall. He jumps forward and the toad hops on his open hands. "Trevor."
McGonagall stared down at him. "Sorry," he backed away as a few people sniggered.
"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily," she informed us before she left.
"It's true then," I turn to my left to see a boy with blonde slicked back hair grinning and it looked like he was backed up by two overweight young boys. "What they're saying on the train. Reyna Potter has come to Hogwarts." This causes the other kids to start whispering 'Reyna Potter'. He comes to stand in front of me. "This is Crabbe, and Goyle," he nods to each boy respectfully, "and I'm Malfoy...Draco Malfoy." Ron snickered at his name and Malfoy turned sharply to him. "Think my name's funny, do you?" he sneered. "No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasley." Hey, nobody hurts my new friend. I already don't like him. "You'll soon find that some Wizarding families are better than others, Potter. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort," here he looks at Ron. "I can help you there," and he extended a hand toward me.
I looked down at it before looking back up at him. I don't care if I was making an enemy on my very first day. I do not want to be friends with him so I said, "I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks."
Malfoy glared but before he could say anything more Professor McGonagall appeared behind him and tapped him on the shoulder with a scroll of paper. He retreated back to where he was before but not without one last glare at us.
"We're ready for you now. Form a line." I got behind a sandy haired boy with Ron behind me. She led everyone through two large doors and into the Great Hall. One of the first things I noticed with the thousand of floating candles hanging a few metres above some tables. There are four long tables with the rest of the kids were sitting. One long table was in front of them where the teachers were sat in a raised platform. The tables were all laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. The roof appeared to be the night sky: a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars.
I heard Hermione say, "It's not real, the ceiling. It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History." Even if it is bewitched it is still amazing.
"All right, will you wait along here, please?" I noticed Hagrid sitting along with the teachers on my right. He smiled when he saw me looking at him. I must admit I was a little nervous about which house I get put into. "Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."
She turned as an old man, the same man as the man on my chocolate frog card wearing dark purple robes and a burgundy pointy hat stood up. "I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students." Ooh, a Forbidden forest. I wonder what's in there that we aren't allowed to see. "Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch," he signalled down at the end of the hall to ragged old man with a cat with red eyes, "has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you." To everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death? Well, no one wants to die that way but why should we have to worry about what's on the 3rd floor corridor.
I then noticed that everyone was then staring at the hat and saw a rip appeared like a mouth. It started to sing:
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuff are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of whit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a thinking cap!"
The whole hall burst into applause. Well, that's certainly the first time I've ever heard a hat sing. I'm quite nervous now. I don't think I'm any of the things the hat said about each house.
When it died down Professor McGonagall spoke up. "When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses. Hannah Abbott!"
A pink faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line. When the hat was put on her head it seemed to be too big for her as it slid over her eyes a bit. "Hufflepuff," the hat shouted.
"Susan bones," this time it was a dark red headed girl.
"Hufflepuff," the hat shouted again.
"Terry Boot."
"Ravenclaw!" he went to sit down at the table second on the left.
Mandy Brocklehurst went to Ravenclaw too.
Lavender Brown became the first new Gryffindor and the table on the far left exploded with cheers.
Millicent Bullstrode become a Slytherin.
Justin Finch-Fletchley became Hufflepuff.
Seamus Finnigan became a Gryffindor.
"Hermione Granger."
As she walked up I heard her say to herself, "Oh, no. Okay, relax."
"Mental that one, I'm telling you." I nodded in agreement with Ron.
"Ah, right then...hmm...right. Okay...Gryffindor!"
Ron groaned.
Hermione jumped off with a smile.
"Draco Malfoy."
Malfoy sauntered up proudly. The tattered hat nearly freaks before touching down on Malfoy's head. "Slytherin!" it said it before the hat had barely touched his head. Malfoy went to join his friends Crabbe and Goyle.
"There isn't a witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin," Ron tells me.
I looked around and spotted a shoulder length black haired, pale teacher, who was Professor Severus Snape, looking at me. This made my scar hurt. "Ahh!" I put a hand on my forehead.
"Reyna, what is it?" Ron asks me, concerned.
"Nothing...it's nothing, I'm fine." It's gone now. That's never happened before. I wonder why it did, though I've got I bad feeling about him, like he's someone can't trust. So I don't think I will.
"Ronald Weasley."
Ron gulped and walked up. He sat down slowly and the hat was put on him.
"Ah!" that made Ron jump. "Another Weasley. I know just where to put you...Gryffindor!"
Ron sighs. He looked happy. I'm pleased he was with his family.
"Reyna Potter." Everyone went silent. I walk up and sit down.
"Hmm...Difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage I see, not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes, and a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?"
I whisper, "Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin." I do not want to be with Draco Malfoy.
"Not Slytherin, eh?" That made me cringe. "Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head. And Slytherin will help you on your way to greatness! There's no doubt about that! No?" I whisper 'Not Slytherin...anything but Slytherin' while the hat carries on. "Well, if you're sure...better be...Gryffindor!"
Yes, I was pleased with that. And if nothing else my new friend Ron is in that house along with his family.
An immense cheering broke out and as I reached my new table I got clapped on the back and had to shake many hands. I didn't mind. I was happy.
I heard the Weasley twins yell, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"
As I looked up at the High table Hagrid caught my eye. He smiled and gave me thumbs up. I grinned in reply. I also saw Dumbledore raise a goblet towards me with a smile on his face.
As everyone settles down, Professor McGonagall taps a small spoon against a glass cup. "Your attention, please."
Headmaster Dumbledore stood up as she sat back down. "Let the feast...begin."
Food magically appears on all the tables, and the hall is filled straight away with awe and chatter.
"Wow." My mouth fell open. The dishes in front of me were now piled with food. I had never seen so many things I liked to eat on one table: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup.
The Dursley's had never exactly starved me but I didn't get to eat not nearly as much as I would like too.
Draco Malfoy looked at all the food, raised his eyebrow and dug in.
I looked to my right to see Ron stuffing his face.
A tiny boy with dark brown hair, Seamus Finnigan spoke up to the people on either side of him. "I'm half and half. My dad's a Muggle. Mama's a witch. Bit of a nasty shock for him when he found out." Everyone laughed in reply.
Ron asked Neville, "What about you Neville?"
"Well, my Gran brought me up and she's a witch," said Neville, "but the family thought I was all- Muggle for ages. My Great Uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off my guard and force some magic out of me - he pushed me off the end of Blackpool pier once, I nearly drowned - but nothing happened until I was eight. Great Uncle Algie came round for dinner, and he was hanging me out of an upstairs window by the ankles when my Great Auntie Enid offered him a meringue and he accidentally let go. But I bounced - all the way down the garden and into the road. They were all really pleased, Gran was crying, she was so happy. And you should have seen their faces when I got in here - they thought I might not be magic enough to come, you see. Great Uncle Algie was so pleased he bought me my toad."
When I looked over at the teacher's table again I saw Professor Quirrell talking with a man with the pale teacher who made my scar hurt.
When I notice that Percy has stopped talking to Hermione about classes I ask him, "Say, Percy, who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?"
"Oh, that's Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin house."
"What's he teach?"
"Potions but everyone knows it's the Dark Arts he fancies. He's been after Quirrell's job for years." I wonder why he hasn't been able to have it. Probably because he isn't good enough at it to qualify for the role.
Ron had just finished a chicken wing when he reached into the bowl for more and a ghostly head, Sir Nicholas, popped out of it. "Ahh!"
"Hello! How are you? Welcome to Gryffindor."
The numerous other ghosts came pouring out from the walls, sailing along in the room. Some of them were going and staying at different tables: travelling up and down them and not necessarily on top of them either.
The Hufflepuff Ghost went flying up and down his table. "Whoo-hoo-hoo!"
A girl pointed out that it was the Bloody Baron.
Percy said to the ghost that was still in front of us, "Hello, Sir Nicholas. Have a nice summer?"
Sir Nicholas who had begun to leave spun round to face Percy. "Dismal. Once again, my request to join the headless hunt has been denied."
"Hey, I know you! You're Nearly Headless Nick!" Ron said.
Sir Nicholas looked annoyed. "I prefer Sir Nicholas if you don't mind."
"Nearly headless?" Hermione asked him. "How can you be nearly headless?"
"Like this." He grabbed his head and pulled it to the side. His head is hanging on just by a thread showing all the bloody galore beneath.
"Ahh!" said Ron.
"Eugh." Hermione and I gladly looked away from the sight. I didn't really want to see that again.
~RP~
After we finished eating, Percy, as he was a prefect of my new House led all the Gryffindor first years to the staircase outside the Great Hall. "Gryffindors, follow me please. Keep up. Thank you."
I heard another boy say, "Ravenclaw, follow me. This way."
Percy was standing at the bottom of the staircase that was leading up. "This is the most direct path to the dormitories. Oh, and keep an eye on the staircases...they like to change."
I look up and see a vast amount of staircases, people walking on them, and some of them changing directions. I had never seen anything like this. I think I was going to be amazed quite a lot this year.
"Keep up, please, and follow me. Quickly now, come on. Come on." We begin walking up the stairs and I notice thousands of pictures on the walls. They were moving!
Neville pointed out to Seamus, "Seamus, that picture's moving!"
Ron pointed to me a young woman in a wedding dress "Look at that one, Reyna!"
She curtsied to us and smiled at Ron. "I think she fancies you," I said to him.
"Oh, look! Look! Who's that girl?" another girl pointed her out as well.
A man in a painting smiled at us, "Welcome to Hogwarts."
"Who's that?" that same girl questioned. How was I supposed to know?
~RP~
As we approach the Gryffindor dorms after a long tiring walk we come up to a large painting of a large woman in a pink dress. She was quite overweight, had pale skin, blue eyes and dark brown hair that was stilled in perfect ringlets down to her shoulders.
"Password?" she asked Percy.
He answered with a clear voice, "Caput Draconis." The woman nodded and the painting opened to reveal a gap in the wall. "Follow me, everyone. Keep up, quickly, come on."
"Oh, wow." That was the same girl who pointed out annoying questions on the way up but this time I agreed with her.
"Gather 'round here. Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room. Boys' dormitories, upstairs and down to your left. Girls, the same on your right. You'll find that your belongings have already been brought up."
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow here Reyna," Ron said to me.
"Yeah, sure, Goodnight Ron."
~RP~
It is now mid-night. I was sitting by a window in my pj's, while stroking my owl, Hedwig. There were four beds: they had dark red drapes so you could have some privacy, the bed covers were red while the pillows were gold. There was one bathroom that was large enough for us all to share. There was a table with a candle next to each of our beds along with a chest of draws. I put my clothes in their but kept all my books and anything else I bought in my trunk that I kept underneath at the foot of my bed. I would get out all the books I needed tomorrow once I've been given my timetable at breakfast. The girls in my dorm were Hermione Granger who got the bed closest to the door and was the farthest away from the bathroom. There was also Lavender Brown who chose the bed closest to the bathroom and Pavarti Patil, one of the Patil twins (the other went into Ravenclaw), was between Lavender Brown and myself.
As I looked out the window, not that I could see much except for the vague shape of the Dark Forest, I sighed with contentment. I was very pleased with the turns my life had taken this day: the friend I made, learning I had magic and learning about my parents.