Chapter 7: The Sorting Hat
The castle was even more magestic than Alice had envisioned. She joined in with Jeff oohing and aahing as she beheld the tall, ornate towers that reached far higher than she could have imagined and the expansive, glassy lake. She couldn't get a good view of the grounds yet as the sky was darkening, but Alice was sure that they would be a haven for all of the outdoor play she, Jeff, and possibly other children who might join them could want.
As the first years entered the castle, Alice could tell that her amazement was not diminishing one bit. The entrance hall was illuminated by floating candles, decorated by moving portraits, and inhabited by-could they be?-silvery ghosts. Alice gazed in amazement at the lustrous, ancient surroundings of the castle that was still beautiful and not by any means obsolete.
"Hello, students. My name is Professor Agnes. I am here to introduce you to the world of Hogwarts."
Alice quickly flicked her eyes toward the source of the voice to find a young man who looked to be in his early thirties. He was a gentle, kind looking man with smile that reached his eyes in a charming twinkle. "I am sure you are all very excited to discover which house you are soon be a part of, and I do not wish to leave you in suspense for much longer. However, before you are chosen for your houses, there are a few things I would like to say to you."
The man was so kind that the nervous young first years relaxed somewhat as he continued. "For those of you who do not know, there are four houses at Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. There is no one right house to be in. Every single house produces outstanding witches and wizards, in many different fields. So when you are chosen for your houses today, I do not want any of you to feel cheated in any way."
Once the professor had completed his explanation of the purpose of houses, the point system, and a few other subjects, he led them to the Great Hall. Jeff looked very nervous. When they came to a halt, Alice whispered, "What's wrong?"
"What if we're not in the same house?" Jeff asked. "You're the only one I know here."
Alice smiled at him. "You know we would still be friends," she said.
Jeff's eyebrows pushed together, and at last he said, "You know, you're right. I shouldn't be worried about that at all." In determination, he turned to watch Professor Agnes walking up to a three-legged stool upon which Alice saw a dirty-looking, ragged piece of cloth. She knew that it must be the Sorting Hat. Alice wanted to laugh when she thought about what Peggy would say when told she must put it on her head.
After a few moments, the entire hall became quiet, intently focused on the hat. At last, a rip near the brim opened and it sang,
"A thousand years ago, in days long past, lived the founders four:
Wise Ravenclaw, Kind Hufflepuff, Keen Slytherin, Brave Gryffindor.
They began a school to teach the skills of magic to young minds
They took children of all races, all abilities, all kinds.
Slytherin took the ones whose heritage was true,
He wanted the students who were magical through and through.
Gryffindor took the brave, the daring and the bold,
So that magic chivalry never would grow cold.
Ravenclaw selected the witty, the knowing and the bright,
For only in true knowlege, she said, can ever dwell true might.
But Hufflepuff, in her kindness, saw them all the same,
And the students in her house, likewise, discluded none who came
Within their doors.
And this is our school, nay our true family, our kin
Everywhere you go here, you are sure to have a friend.
So put me on dear children,
I've never once been wrong.
Put me on your little heads;
I'll tell you where you belong."
Alice stared at the hat. If the hat is so smart, she thought to herself, surely he will know that Jeff and I belong in the same house.
Professor Agnes stood in front of the school with a scroll and said, "When I call your name, if you would please come forward and try on the hat. Adams, Thomas!"
Not too long after the skinny dark-haired boy tried on the hat, it shouted out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
As Professor Agnes proceeded through the alphabet, Alice grew increasingly regretful of the fact that her last name began with an "M." Surely she could have had the name Abbot. Or Bennet. She did not want to wait any longer to find out the house in which she would spend the next seven years..
The H's were finished. Then the J's. Another sorrowful thought crossed Alice's mind, and it was that Jeff's name would not be read until they reached the R's. Alice let out an involuntary groan. This night was going to last into eternity.
"Longbottom, Michelle!"
Michelle hurried forward eagerly, grabbed the hat, and jammed it on quickly, excited to discover her fate. "HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat cried out almost at once.
The table on the far right exploded into cheers. Michelle looked very pleased indeed as she made her way over to Hufflepuff table. Her brother stood up and cheered excitedly. He grabbed her arm and led her to the seat beside him, and he and the rest of the kids around Michelle patted her on the back. Alice was still watching Michelle taking her seat of honor when Professor Agnes called out, "Macmillan, Alice!"
Alice began to make her way up to the front of the hall, hoping desperately that she would not trip and fall in front of all of these unfamiliar faces. She hated the feeling of having so many eyes on her at once. The walk up to the front seemed to last into eternity, until at last, Alice reached the stool. The hat looked even grubbier up close. Alice took a deep breath, slipped the hat on, and waited.
"Oh, my, oh, my. Now there's an interesting mind," said a quiet voice right in Alice's ear. She knew it was the hat.
"I can tell you've come from a good family...good people, good people. Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, most of them, hmmm?"
Alice nodded, although the hat already knew the answer.
"There are some good things here," mused the hat. "Very intellegent, indeed. But I sense something stronger even than that! You have some very passionate thoughts, young lady! Very intriguing..."
"Whatever you do, don't you dare put me in Slytherin," thought Alice emphatically. "Or I will...throw you on the floor and stomp on you!"
The hat made an odd sort of sound; Alice supposed he must have chuckled. "Well, well. I haven't heard a threat quite like that before. I believe I know just where to place you...GRYFFINDOR!"
Surprised at the sudden yell in her ears, Alice pulled off the hat and made her way to the table that was cheering loudly-for her. Alice was not used to being in the center of attention, and she did not think she liked it much. But she sat down next to an older girl who must be a Prefect and waited for Jeff's name to be called.
When he finally was called, Jeff put the hat on his head with determination. The nerves Alice had sensed in him earlier had long since vanished. In a matter of seconds, the hat called out, "GRYFFINDOR!" and Jeff hurried to the table to join her.
The rest of the evening was amazing. The Prefect Alice had sat next to was named Dorcas Meadowes. She was very nice and she told Jeff she was a Muggleborn herself, which made him feel a lot better. The food was delicious, and it was lovely getting to sit at the table with Jeff in a place they had talked about for weeks.
Alice didn't seek out anyone to talk to, but Jeff seemed to be keeping good conversation. Alice listened as he spoke to a boy named Sturgis about their thoughts for the school year.
"Well, from what I've heard, the classes are tough, but Quidditch is amazing, the castle is completely unpredictable, and there is always something going on at Hogwarts."
Jeff, as usual, echoed Alice's thoughts: "This year is going to be amazing."