(A/N: Parts of this story come straight from the Harry Potter books by J K Rowling and I do not take credit for them.)

The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face and Harry's first thought was that this was not someone to cross.

"The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

She pulled the door wide. The Entrance Hall was so big you could have fitted the whole of the Dursleys' house in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to upper floors.

They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Harry could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right, where the rest of the school would be, but Professor McGonagall showed the first-years into a small chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing closer together than they usually would have done.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Hufflepuff. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding wizards and witches. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. Move along now, the Sorting Ceremony's about to start."

Feeling oddly as though his legs had turned to lead, Harry got into line next to Hermione, and as they walked out the chamber to the Great Hall, Harry gripped her hand. Hermione smiled reassuringly at him and together, they entered through the double doors to the Great Hall.

Harry and Hermione had never even imagined such a strange and magnificent place. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles which were floating in mid-air over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table were the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first-years to the front of the hall. Harry looked up to see a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars.

Hermione whispered in his ear, "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside, I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."

Harry smiled at her and looked back to Professor McGonagall silently placed a four legged stool in front of the first-years. On the stool, there sat a pointed wizard's hat.

Everyone was staring at the hat, so Harry stared at it too. For a few seconds there was complete silence. Then it opened its mouth and sang.

Look at me, I'm the sorting hat.

Just put me on and you'll know where to go.

Gryffindor for those who are brave

Hufflepuff to all you who are loyal

Ravenclaw is for the brainy ones

While Slytherin for those who use any means to reach their ends.

So don't be afraid, you're about to get sorted

With me!

The whole Hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. Professor McGonagall, the deputy headmistress and head of Gryffindor, stepped up and the Hall went silent.

"When I call out your name, sit on this stool and put on the hat," she said. "Bones, Susan!"

A girl stepped up and sat on the stool. The Sorting Hat was silent for a while.

"Hufflepuff!" it shouted. The list went on. Then it was Hermione's turn.

"Granger, Hermione!" called Professor McGonagall. Hermione almost ran to the stool and jammed the hat on her head.

Hmm, said the hat in her head. There's a clever mind in there, but I also see bravery. But where to put you? I think I'll put you in…

"Gryffindor!" the hat cried out to the rest of the Hall. Hermione smiled and mouthed 'Good luck' to Harry. Then she went to join the rest of the Gryffindors. Harry was really nervous. He wanted to be with Hermione, but was he brave enough?

"Potter, Harry!" said Professor McGonagall. Harry could hear whispers radiating around the Hall.

"Potter, did she say? Harry Potter?"

"It's the boy who lived!"

Harry slowly walked up to the stool and carefully set the hat on his head. The hat spoke in his head at once.

Hmm. Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes- and a nice thirst to be with a friend. Oh, I see something unusual; something about you doesn't feel whole. I think I'll put you in…

"Gryffindor!" the hat finally shouted. Soon it was Ron's turn. He put the hat on his head. Harry could not hear what the hat was saying, but it took a while for the hat to decide. But soon it shouted…

"Gryffindor!" Beside Harry, Hermione groaned. But she brightened up again when food appeared on the table in front of her. She chatted with Harry when she was finished, trying to ignore Ron's stares at them. When it was late, they headed up to their common room. They were lead by Percy, a prefect who was also Ron's brother.

"Password?" said the lady in a painting that Percy had stopped in front of.

"Caput Draconis," said Percy clearly. The first years poured into the room, soaking up all the decorations in the room. Percy directed the first years to their dormitories. Harry was so tired, he fell asleep almost immediately. Ron was still downstairs talking to Percy.

"Percy, can I borrow your owl? I need to send a letter to Mum," Ron said.

"Fine," Percy said. He got his owl and gave him to Ron. Ron looked over his letter one more time before he sent it.

Dear Mum,

I did what you told me to, but Harry Potter doesn't seem to want to be friends. He keeps hanging out with Hermione, this really pretty girl. The only thing is, she thinks I'm annoying and she really likes Harry Potter. The biggest problem is that she's a filthy mudblood. She would be useful if she could do my homework. That would make my life so much easier.

Love, Ron.

Mrs Weasley received the letter that night and frowned. Of course she would do anything to make him happy. She wrote a letter to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore,

Did Hagrid remember to 'forget' to tell Harry how to get on to Platform Nine and three quarters? I'm asking this because when I was at King's Cross this morning, Harry was already on the platform and now Ron's having trouble making friends with Harry. According to Ron, he keeps hanging out with a girl named Hermione. I was wondering, could you put compulsion charms on them to like us Weasleys?

Regards, Molly Weasley.

Dumbledore called Hagrid to his office.

"Hagrid, did you tell Harry how to get on to Platform Nine and three quarters?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes. Why?" Hagrid asked.

"You were supposed to 'forget' to tell him! Then he would gain trust in the Weasleys when they would have told him how to get on to the platform," Dumbledore replied.

"What? But why would you do that to Harry? He…" Hagrid was cut off by Dumbledore.

"Obliviate," said Dumbledore, pointing his wand at Hagrid. Hagrid immediately forgot what had happened and stood there, confused. "Confundus," continued Dumbledore. Hagrid went out to his hut and stayed there.

Meanwhile, Molly got a visit from the Head of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad.

"Molly Weasley, you are to attend a hearing tomorrow in the Ministry of Magic for violating the International Statue of Secrecy,"

"What, you can't do that!" Molly cried.

"Yes, we can. You were caught shouting out the venue of Platform Nine and three quarters and almost exposing the Wizarding world. Bring a lawyer, whatever you want, but you must arrive at the Ministry of Magic tomorrow morning at ten o'clock." With that, he apparated away.

Molly wrote another letter to Dumbledore requesting his attendance at the Ministry of Magic at nine o'clock the next day.

Molly Weasley knew she was going to win since Dumbledore was on their side.