A/N: Sorry for not updating! I was overseas the past two weeks so I didn't have time to update.
A/N 2: I edited this chapter and deleted the last part with Bianca as I decided to move her a year down. She just didn't feel like she would be in the same year as Thalia.
Two
After falling into the lake, Thalia was freezing. Hagrid lent her his gigantic fur coat which was obviously way too big for her. When they finally reached Hogwarts castle, she returned the coat to Hagrid and thanked him. "You okay?" Luke asked when he joined her.
"Sure," she said, drying herself. Then, a strict woman in black robes, a pointed hat, and square spectacles came in. Hagrid introduced her as Professor McGonagall. "Line up!" she ordered the first years. Luke and Thalia joined the line.
"So, what do we do during the Sorting? How do we get Sorted?" Luke asked.
"You wear a hat," Thalia replied.
Luke shot her a confused look. She did not elaborate. They marched into the Great Hall, as the other students of Hogwarts turned to look at them. Luke took a look around. The ceiling was reflected the weather outside, light was coming from the fires along the walls and the—wow! —floating candles. There were four long tables, one for each house. Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw. In front of the house tables were the teachers' table. In the middle sat a tall, thin old man with a long grey beard and half-moon spectacles. That must be Dumbledore, Luke thought. He watched as Professor McGonagall brought out a stool and an old tattered hat. "That's the Sorting Hat," Thalia whispered to him as the Hat began to sing its song:
"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 on 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 Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit 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!"
After the Sorting Hat finished its song, Professor McGonagall unrolled a roll of parchment and called out, "Anderson, Holly!" A girl with braids and spectacles nervously sat on the stool. Professor McGonagall placed the Hat on her head. A minute later, the hat shouted, "Ravenclaw!" A cheer erupted from the Ravenclaw table.
Some Sortings were quick, some were not. One boy's Sorting took so long he was fidgeting, hands slowly inching upwards to take off the hat.
"Castellan, Luke!"
Thalia nudged him towards the stool. Professor McGonagall placed the hat his head. The hat started talking to him. Luke jumped in his seat, surprised.
"Hello there! It's okay, no need to jump. Let's see, Hufflepuff is out. You have some smarts, but not very wise. Ravenclaw is out. Slytherin or Gryffindor?"
Luke hesitated. Which one? From what he heard from Thalia, those two houses were bitter enemies. Well, their relationship has improved over the centuries, but still.
"Don't worry. You're right that those two houses have a better relationship now. Still a bit of enmity, though."
"I still don't know."
The Hat sighed. Then, "Slytherin!" So, Luke told the Hat, "Then you're got to put Thalia in the same house, okay?"
"Sorry but I can't do that for you," Before Luke could retort, the Hat was removed from his head. Luke walked towards the Slytherin table and was welcomed with cheers, handshakes, and pats on the back. They continued to watch the Sorting.
"Fallon, Eris!" Soon after the Hat was placed on her head, "Slytherin!" Luke cheered with his housemates.
In next to no time, it was Thalia's Sorting ("Grace, Thalia!"). Luke put his hands together and prayed as hard as she can. Please put her in Slytherin please put her in Slytherin please put her in Sly—"Gryffindor!"
"No!" Luke thought, dumbfounded. Thalia gave him a sad smile as she passed Luke.
A/N: I personally think that this ending is pretty lousy. Anyway, next year, I probably won't be able to update as much, cos I have this huge, very important exam coming up.