Almost immediately, the doors swung open. A very short, black haired woman with red lips and round glasses was waiting. Even though she was smaller than even the tiniest first year, there was something in her stance that told Jack she was not someone to cross.
"Here you go, Professor Mode." said Shrek gruffly.
"Thank you Shrek. Fiona. You can all follow me now."
She led them inside the grand entrance hall with its flickering torches on sweeping marble staircases. They all followed Professor Mode into a small, empty chamber in the hall, although they could hear the dim roar of a few hundred voices nearby. The first years crowded together nervously, and Jack exchanged a look with Hiccup. Was this going to be it?
"Welcome to Hogwarts, yada yada yada." Professor Mode looked around. "We'll be going to the start-of-term banquet soon and then you'll be sorted, and I assume all of you have learned what sorting is about? No? Well you'll be placed in either Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin, and each House has a long and terribly interesting history, but let's try not to look back; it distracts from the now. Your triumphs will gain you points and rule breaking will lose points. Whoever has the most points wins the House Cup at the end of the year, so try to behave. The Sorting Ceremony will begin in a few minutes in front of the entire school, so prepare yourselves."
She glanced at the trembling lips, smudged noses, and wrinkled robes and frowned. "I'll be back to fetch you when they're ready." Professor Mode strode out, leaving a quiet room behind her. Then, suddenly everyone around them burst into whispers.
"-what House do you-"
"-in front of the whole school-"
"-my whole family's been-"
"How do they sort us?" Jack turned around at the question and saw a very tall, mean looking girl with wild red hair. "What're you looking at?" She sneered, as if she didn't want to be answered.
"Nothing, sorry for being curious as well." retorted Jack. Hiccup turned around as well and paled at the sight of his sort-of cousin.
"Hey, Merida."
"Hiccup, right?"
"Yeah, that's Hiccup." Her companion, an equally tough looking girl with thin blond hair crossed her arms. "Thanks for ditching us on the train."
Hiccup scowled. "It's not like you would've talked to me anyway." he muttered, turning his back to the crowd of wizards from Berk.
Jack awkwardly grimaced at Merida and privately thought that she seemed a little too much like the jerk Gaston on the train. Another reason to want something besides Gryffindor. But what House did he belong to?
He didn't have too long to decide. Professor Mode returned promptly and ordered them to form a line in order of their last names. After a minute or two of debate, Jack ended up behind the red headed Merida and in front of a girl that resembled a troll. Hiccup was right behind troll-girl, and Jack spared one look back before walking out of the small room and into the Great Hall.
Thousands of candles floated in midair over four long tables, where the other students were sitting and staring. Golden plates and goblets glittered. At the top of the hall, the teachers sat at another long table stretched in the other direction. Professor Mode led them around so they were facing their soon to be new classmates. Jack looked up and let out a tiny gasp; there was no ceiling above them, but a velvety black sky, dotted with stars. Obviously it really was a ceiling, because they were on the ground floor, but it was hard to believe the Great Hall simply didn't open up to the firmament.
Professor Mode place a wooden stool in front of them with a patched and worn wizard's hat sitting on top. Since everyone else was staring at it, Jack did too, with a sense of confusion. Until the hat started singing.
Almost a thousand years ago,
When I was shining and new,
The greatest wizards in all the world
Had an important job to do.
These four were given a difficult task,
One never attempted before,
They wished to build a magical school
To teach both rich and poor.
Gryffindor boldly took the first step,
Pure Slytherin followed behind him.
Wise Ravenclaw was the plotter and planner,
And Hufflepuff always would help them.
Each valued different virtues,
Four Houses were created to divide.
Although this was done with good intentions,
It led to much debate and strife.
In Gryffindor they found a home
for the brave, daring, and chivalrous.
But Slytherin was what they chose
For the shrewd, cunning, and ambitious.
Ravenclaw admired those who had
A clever and open mind.
Hufflepuff accepted all who were
Loyal, patient, and kind.
Now I'm entrusted to group you by
The qualities you have within.
Just slip me on and close your eyes,
Let this year's sorting begin!
OoO
Rapunzel sighed in relief. So they just had to try on the hat! That wasn't so bad at all! She smiled at Tooth who gave her a nervous grin back. She didn't realize that the houses were separated by personality, and that made her feel loads better. The tiny Professor Mode had gotten out a long scroll and coughed to indicate she was ready to begin.
"Bagshot, Bathilda!"
A small, dark haired girl with glasses stumbled forward and sat on the stool, hat covering her eyes. A few seconds later, it shouted "RAVENCLAW!"
The table second from the left cheered and the girl quickly scurried over to sit down.
"Corona, Rapunzel!"
Rapunzel heart was fluttering like she had a thousand moths stuck inside, but that didn't stop her from noticing the curious look a few of the teachers were giving her. She sat down on the stool, aware the entire school was watching, and then suddenly it was dark; the fabric blocked her sight.
"Hello," said a tiny voice in her ear. "Well, look at this. Very different from your mother. A good amount of courage, and not a bad set of brains, but your humble kindness speaks loudest, oh yes. It's very clear that you're a HUFFLEPUFF!"
Rapunzel took off the hat beaming and walked over to the table on the right, where everyone was smiling just as brightly as her. A tall, dark skinned girl patted her on the back.
"My name is Tiana, and I'm one of your Prefects." she said. "If you ever need anything, just give me a call. I want you to be as comfortable as possible; Hogwarts can be a little scary at first."
Rapunzel nodded, and turned back to the sorting. Almost half the group had gone before it was Tooth's turn, and the poor girl was shaking and sweating.
"Kinnara, Isla!"
Tooth sat on the stool and all was quiet, until- "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Rapunzel cheered loudly and scooted over so Tooth could have a seat. Neither of them could keep the goofy grins off their faces. They were in the same house! Rapunzel looked around at the other first years: there was a dull looking boy named Dingwall, a very big boy with a blank face named MacGuffin, and now a handsome boy with light brown hair named Tony Rydinger that sat next to Tooth, who blushed beet red.
Rapunzel giggled as the sorting winded down. Everyone around her looked so sweet! And if the sorting hat was right, then she was in the house for the loyal, patient, and kind. There was a pang as she remembered her Slytherin mother, but it quickly vanished. The people at that table looked a little too unpleasant, and she was extremely happy there with Tooth. It was all working out.
She looked up at the High Table where the teachers sat in a long row and tried to memorize faces.
OoO
Merida watched as Donald Dingwall, a ridiculous boy that would visit them sometimes, was sorted into Hufflepuff and was anxiously awaiting her own name to be called. She was ready to take her rightful place at the table of red and gold.
"Dunbroch, Merida!"
She strode forward, and sat on the stool. The hat's voice whispered in her ear as the fabric covered her face.
"You seem quite determined on where you want to go. I sense more than enough courage and bravery, with a thirst to prove yourself and become strong- well, don't let me hold you up. Nobody should stand in your way in GRYFINDOR!"
Merida's heart soared as the table to the far left exploded with cheers. She walked over quickly and found herself next to one of the Prefects, you could tell by the pins on their robes. This one didn't look too bad though; she was Chinese and had her black hair pinned up elegantly, but with a steely look that clearly said 'Don't mess with me'.
"Fa Mulan." She said simply, shaking Merida's hand roughly. "Glad to have you with us."
Merida shook it back, just as hard. "I'm glad to be here."
She was unsurprised when Hiccup didn't make Gryffindor, but waited with bated breath for the girl behind him. Why was she so nervous? It was obvious she would be-
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Astrid sauntered towards them as Merida let out a cheer. "Wasn't even worried." said Merida happily, but Astrid seemed preoccupied by Hiccup's absence.
Merida rolled her eyes. "He wouldn't fit in here anyway. Now you don't have to be responsible for him."
Astrid nodded and brushed her bangs away. "You're right." She said simply, cheering with the rest of them as Snotlout and Stuart Macintosh, a thin boy with wild brown hair, joined them. Fishlegs went to Ravenclaw, like they all guessed on the train, and it wasn't long before Ruffnut and Tuffnut sat on either side of Merida and Astrid.
As the sorting hat and stool were taken away, the Headmaster stood and everyone became quiet.
"Good evening, boys and girls!" said the burly man, with a thick Russian accent. "I don't want to keep you from our excellent feast, so I'll save the rules and reminders for after we're nice and full. Tuck in!"
Before he even sat back down, the tables were suddenly covered in pork chops, roast chicken, roast beef, lamb, sausage, bacon, steak, potatoes, carrots, fries, and even more down the row. Merida's mouth fell open and watered. She immediately fought Snotlout for a nice, juicy lamb chop and grabbed an apple as well, as an after thought. Her mother would never approve such rowdy eating, but her mother wasn't there.
It was just Merida, the new Gryffindor.
OoO
Hiccup swallowed as Jack was called up to the stool and held his breath as the hat decided. He saw Jack mumbling something under his breath, then a beat of silence, and finally- "SLYTHERIN!"
Jack stumbled over to the cheering table and Hiccup bit his lip. He knew the stories about Slytherin, and they weren't pretty. His father would murder him if he were a Slytherin, but could he really desert his only friend so far? As Gruella Goyle was also sorted into Slytherin, Hiccup decided to let the hat decide; he'd go anywhere. Except Gryffindor.
"Haddock, Hiccup!"
Hiccup stepped forward and jammed the hat on his head, blood coursing with nerves and adrenaline.
"Hmm, what do we have here? Brilliant mind, of course, but that's just on the surface. I see... oh, what else? A dash of recklessness and a splash of crazy. Interesting combination. But you think your way out of problems... and an interesting desire to prove yourself, to change..."
Hiccup's fingers curled around the rough stool, thoughts pounding in his head. Not Gryffindor, not Gryffindor.
"Not Gryffindor? I don't hear that very much, and here you are, the second one to tell me that." said the small voice, sounding wistful. "And he would've done so well- but you're a little easier to place now. You'll do very well in RAVENCLAW!"
The second table from the left clapped wildly and Hiccup grinned, sad that he and Jack weren't in the same House, but pleased all the same. Ravenclaw sounded the best in the song, being clever and wise and all. He sat near Bathilda Bagshot and a sweet looking brunette.
"Welcome to Ravenclaw," said the older student. "I'm Belle, one of the Prefects. I'm sure you'll exceed greatly here."
Hiccup nodded and clapped halfheartedly when Fishlegs came to join him. He was really hoping to get away from everyone from Berk, but decided it wouldn't be too bad knowing someone his age. Predictably, everyone else he knew went to Gryffindor.
Violet Parr, a quiet girl with long, black hair and Tara Patil, a short, Indian girl joined them, and before Hiccup knew it, the sorting had ended. He tried to make eye contact with Jack across the room, but he was in the middle of a conversation with a very beautiful Arabic girl Hiccup assumed was Prefect.
The food was delicious, and even better were the desserts that followed. Hiccup took an enormous scoop of strawberry ice cream and listened to the Ravenclaws around him talk about classes and families and teachers. His eyes grew dim and sleepy when the last of the sweets vanished and Professor North got to his feet again.
"First years should know that no pupil is allowed to enter the forrest on the grounds, and a few of our older students should remember that as well." North's twinkling eyes brightened. "Also, Quidditch trials will be held the second week of the term. Please contact Madam Flora if you're interested. And now, bedtime! Get a good night's rest for classes tomorrow!"
The Ravenclaw first years followed Belle through the crowds and up the marble staircase. They winded around paintings, suits of armor, ghosts, and hidden doorways, but Hiccup was too sleepy to notice the exact path. He did know that they were on the west side and climbing up.
Finally, they reached a door without a doorknob or keyhole, but a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle. As the students stopped in front of it, the knocker moved and spoke out loud, "You can keep me only after giving me away to someone else. What am I?"
Belle cleared her throat. "A promise."
"Short and simple." said the knocker, and the door swung open to reveal a wide, circular room with a midnight blue carpet, arched windows with silky bronze curtains, and a domed ceiling above. An elegant statue of a woman stood in front of two doors.
"You'll have to answer a question like that to have access to the Common Room and dorms. Girls on the left, boys on the right," said Belle. "Your belongings should already be in your rooms. Classes start bright and early tomorrow, so you should go to bed as quickly as you can. I hope you all sleep well!"
She led the girls on the left, and Hiccup and the other boys stumbled up to their room, flopping down on the soft beds almost immediately. After a slight flurry of changing into pajamas and brushing teeth, Hiccup was finally still underneath the covers. He thought of Jack, alone in the Slytherin common room, and hoped he was doing alright, but also thought of Astrid, probably having the time of her life with his stupid almost-cousin.
He turned over and shut his eyes. There'd be enough to worry about in the morning.
OoO
Ack! So sorry! Tuesday went by and I didn't even think about it. Hope you guys are enjoying, feel free to ping me a review!
owlgirl16