Note: Sorry that the chapter is so short, I wanted to get it out quickly but the next one will be longer, I promise!
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Lily, Ellie and I had circled the school, them pointing out all the places of interest, (Including the moving staircases, which I tried very hard to be blase about,) when a stern looking woman with dark brown hair done in a tight bun stopped us. "That is fine girls, Dumbledore needs to see her now." She said crisply to them, while turning to me.
"Miss Thermompolis?" She asked me, obviously already knowing the answer as she took my arm and started to walk me towards a different corridor. I looked around helplessly and waved goodbye to Lily and Ellie, and then turned back to her, slightly grumpy that she had interrupted my friend-making-process.
"Yes, in fact," I told her, "That is my name. And since you seem to be the one who is going to frog-march me everywhere, may I inquire after yours? You see I enjoy bonding. Like I was doing. Just then."
"Yes Miss Thermompolis, but you will have time later for your bonding. I am Professor McGonagall, and I expect that I will not have to frog-march you anywhere, as you will be the perfect example of a role model student. Do I make myself clear?"
Turning her head only slightly so she could look at my intently out of the top of her square glasses, I nodded meekly. "Good." She replied, and halted in front of a large statue of a gargoyle. "Peppermint pie." She said to it, and I watched with my mouth hanging open as it sprang aside revealing a winding staircase. "After you," Professor McGonagall said, gesturing to the staircase.
"Um, thank you," I said, snapping my mouth closed as I began my ascent up the stairs, and was suprised to feel them go up with me, like an escalator. It was not very long before we were at the top of the stairs, and in front of a gleaming oak door. "Should I knock?"
Professor McGonagall nodded, but before I could even touch the shining knocker, the door silently swung open, unveiling a bright, large room, with airy windows and paintings of what I assumed to be former head masters. Professor Dumbledore was sitting at a broad desk, his spectacles perched on top of his long nose.
He looked up as we walked in, and with a large smile greeted us with a cheery "Welcome! Thank you, Minerva, for bringing Miss Thermompolis up for me. I assume you will aid me in the sorting process and class arrangements."
"Of course Albus." Professor McGonagall said briskly, sitting in one the guest chairs as I slipped in the other.
"So, what's this sorting business?" I asked cautiously.
"We are going to sort you into one of three Houses, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff. You will stay in the dormitories of the house you are sorted into, and will go to class with them as well." Professor McGonagall clarified, while Professor Dumbledore watched with the same little twinkle in his eyes. "This," She said as she held up a old worn hat that had been on Professor Dumbledore's desk, "is the sorting hat. When I put it on your head, you will be sorted. Are you prepared?"
Am I prepared? "Sure. Yes. That is, definitely." I said nervously, as she placed it upon my head.
It nestled there, and then a whispery voice said, "Curious. What an interesting mind you have. You will be difficult to place won't you?"
It then went quiet, and seemed like I waited there for a half hour, and even after the fifteen-minute-point Dumbledore had a look of perplexion upon his face. Finally however, the hat rustled and shouted "GRYFFINDORRRRRR!" Dumbledore raised his eyebrows but looked pleased as Professor McGonagall plucked the hat from my head and sat it down again upon the desk.
"So uh, what does that mean? Gryffindor?" I asked. "And is there hazing? Because I have expirienced it before, and I don't even wanna know what kind of funky fluid they'll try and make you drink in a magic school."
"I am unsure of this hazing of which you speak, but I am fairly certain the students will not make you drink anything... 'funky'." Dumbledore smiled, then took off his glasses and rubbed his temples, looking serious again. "However, being in Gryfindor does require courage. Which you may have to require in the next few months." Uh oh. That sounded ominous. "You are, of course, familiar with the prophecy surrounding you are you not?"
Prophecy? What?
"By the look on her face, I would assume no Albus." Professor McGonagall sighed, and folded her hands on her lap. "Miss Thermompolis, there is a prophecy stating that you will bring an uprise, become immensely powerful, and either bring the destruction or the salvation of muggle-kind and wizard-kind alike as we know it."
Again, I say : WHAT?