A/N: Woohoo! 172 reviews so far. Thanks so much guys! College is doing really good now, since I'm passing every class with at least a B. I'm really enjoying what I am studying for as well, which is a good indicator. Anyway, before I start to babble too much, I better start up the chapter. I hope you guys will like how this one goes. It definitely is different.
2nd A/N: I corrected the Cedric mistake. He is now taken over by a young fifth year named Christian Daniels. Hope you guys enjoy him as much as I have had making him become a character.
Chapter Fourteen: The Sorting Ceremony
The small group of first years followed Hagrid down toward the lake, where they got their first sighting of the castle. Even for those who had seen pictures of the castle had to gaze in awe of the size of the building. The castle had many turrets and towers, but that didn't even make up half of its size.
"No more than 4 to a boat," Hagrid called, pulling their attention back to the small array of wooden boats on the lake's edge.
Draco, Ron, and Hermione piled in a boat with Harry, making Neville sit with a sandy-haired boy, a dark-skinned boy, and a girl with her red hair pulled into two pigtails. Hagrid tapped his large boat with his umbrella and the boats glided ahead.
"We should watch Draco and Ron closely," Harry whispered to Hermione.
"Why's that?"
"I suspect one of them might try to shove the other into the lake."
Hermione gasped. "But there's a squid in the lake, along with other kinds of dangerous creatures!"
"I know." Harry had learned from Sirius and Remus about the different creatures they've encountered in the lake, including the vicious merpeople and grindylows.
For most of the boat ride, the two carefully watched the blonde and the redhead as they continued to glare at each other from across the boat. Draco couldn't hold his laughter when, after they had to duck when the cliff got closer, Ron bashed his head slightly against the rock. At least Ron wasn't seriously hurt, other than having a bump on his head.
"I hope they grow up," Hermione hissed as they exited the boats. Neville joined their group, looking concerned over Ron's head. "Honestly."
"Ron is a bit of a drama queen," Harry said, listening to Ron's dramatic re-telling of his accident to Neville and the boy's other passengers on the boat.
"That's an understatement if I ever heard of one," Draco replied, sliding his silver eyes toward the redhead.
"C'mon, follow me!" Hagrid called again, gesturing to the flight of stairs nearby.
The first years climbed up the stairs, some panting heavily as they made their way, Neville being one of them. They reached to a set of large oak doors that could easily have let Hagrid through, with a few extra feet to spare.
"Everyone here?" the half-giant called. After a pause, he turned toward the doors and gave three loud knocks with his fist. The doors opened to reveal Minerva, her hair pulled up and dressed in emerald green robes. Her eyes roamed over the heads of the students, as if checking to see if they were all there. "The first years, Professor," Hagrid said.
"Very good," Minerva replied and she swung the doors wider to let the students in.
The Entrance Hall was very vast, clearly able to hold at least the entirety of Harry's new home, which was no likely feat. The stone walls held flickering torches, the light dancing serenely, and a large marble staircase faced them directly, leading up to the upper floors.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Minerva continued as the last student entered the Hall. "In a few moments you will enter the Great Hall, where the start-of-term feast will commence. But first, before the feast can begin, you will be Sorted into your Houses. There are 4 Houses in Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own unique history and has produced extraordinary witches and wizards over the years. The Houses will be like your family away from home. You will have classes with your House, eat with your House, and sleep with your House. While you commence your career here at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you House points and any rule-breaking will lose House points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points wins the House Cup. I expect each and every one of you to be a credit to your House. While you wait here for a few moments, take this time to smarten yourselves before the Sorting Ceremony will begin." She turned and headed toward another set of oak doors to their left.
"Surely they don't expect us to know any of the spells from our books?" the sandy-haired kid from Neville's boat asked, paling.
"Then you'll be stuck in Hufflepuff," Draco said, sneering. "That should teach you to read your books before coming here."
"Hufflepuff is not that bad of a House," the red-haired girl said.
"Draco, shush," Harry hissed into his blonde friend's ear. Draco gave a small glare, but there was no heat behind it.
Ron was telling the other first years about how his brother, Fred, had said they had to battle a troll or something to be Sorted. Hermione remained quiet, as did Harry, who constantly had to tell Draco to keep quiet as the blonde glared at Ron. Neville, at Harry's right, shifted nervously on his feet.
"I hope I get into Gryffindor," he whispered, his chubby face slick with sweat. "That's the House my father was in. He was in the same year as your dad, Harry."
Harry nodded. He had been told about Frank Longbottom from Remus. Frank had been friends with the Marauders, even after graduating from Hogwarts. Frank and his wife, Alice, had been Aurors during the war and both had been admitted into St. Mungo's shortly after the death of James and Lily Potter. Bellatrix Lestrange tortured them into insanity, leaving Neville to be brought up by his grandmother.
"But you shouldn't worry about what your family will say if you are not in Gryffindor," Harry murmured. "You should focus on how well you will do as an individual. You will not succeed if you try to be the same person your parents were."
Neville smiled. "Thanks Harry."
Minerva reappeared in the chamber, telling the students to come in to the Great Hall. Forming in a single-file line, they entered the next Hall. It wasn't as vast as the Entrance Hall, but it wasn't that much smaller either. The ceiling seemed like it was not there, mirroring the night sky with its bright stars. Four long tables greeted them, with another long table at the end of the Hall, filled with the professors. Harry tried to avoid the staring students as he followed the other first years up toward the end of the Hall. Once they reached the professor's table, they filed into another line, facing the students.
Harry swallowed when he saw his adoptive mother bring forth the Sorting Hat along with a small stool He heard the mutters from the other students, but most of them were filled with relief that they wouldn't have to demonstrate their skills in front of the other students that would become their peers.
"I'm gonna kill Fred," Ron hissed from a couple students down.
The Hat, seated on the stool, opened its mouth, a seam along the hat's brim, and began to sing, startling many of the students.
"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!"
The students and professors clapped, some even cheering loudly from the table not far from one of the walls.
"That would be my twin brothers, Fred and George," Ron said.
The Hat bowed to each of the four tables and went silent. Minerva turned her gaze toward the first years. "Once I call your name, I want you to step forth and put the hat on your head. Take your place at the table from which the hat chooses you to be." She raised her long scroll of parchment. "Hannah Abbott."
A girl with blonde hair broke from the line and took a seat on the stool once the Hat was lifted off the stool. Minerva placed the Hat on her head, where it was silent for a few moments.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" it cried.
The table on the right cheered loudly and Hannah went down to sit with them, blushing brightly.
"Susan Bones."
The red-haired girl from Neville's boat went to the stool, where the Hat cried Hufflepuff. Susan joined Hannah at the Hufflepuff table, smiling happily.
The next two students, Terry Boot and Mandy Brocklehurst, joined Ravenclaw, the table second from the left. Lavender Brown became the first Gryffindor, and Millicent Bulstrode, a large girl with an ugly face, became the first Slytherin. Harry squinted at the Slytherins and noticed that most of them looked dark.
The first years continued to be Sorted, some of them, like Seamus Finnigan, the sandy-haired boy from Neville's boat, took a whole minute before the Hat decided that Seamus would belong in Gryffindor.
"Hermione Granger."
Hermione swallowed hard and approached the Hat, her face set in determination.
"I'm betting on Gryffindor now," Draco whispered to Harry.
"Why do you reckon that?"
"She's not afraid to try new things and is also not afraid to state her own opinions. I thought perhaps Ravenclaw on the trail, but now…."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Hermione jerked the Hat off her head, her hair sticking up a little, and joined the loud table, Fred and George standing up and cheering the loudest.
"Neville Longbottom!"
Neville almost stumbled on his way to the stool and he seemed to shake the entire time the Hat was on his head.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Good for him," Harry said to himself, clapping for his friend.
"Draco Malfoy."
"Wish me luck," Draco drawled to Harry as he straightened and strode toward the stool. Harry kept his chuckle in his throat. It was no surprise that the Hat spewed "SLYTHERIN" without even touching his blonde head. The table erupted into loud, deep roars of approval.
Several other students went after Draco, and Harry found himself almost alone without any of his friends. Ron kept his mouth shut, for a change, and was instead staring at his large feet.
"Harry Potter."
Fighting the sudden temperature drop in the room, Harry strode forward as was expected from a pureblood. He sat down on the stool and the Hat came over his head, perching on his nose, and plunging the room into darkness.
"Well, well, Mr. Potter-Snape-McGonagall, it is a pleasure," the Hat whispered in his ear. "And yes, I know your full name. You cannot keep anything a secret from me! Yes, you do have power. Lots and lots of it. The Potters were well-known for their powerful witches and wizards. It is surprising, however, that you are a phoenix Animagus, and a Shadow at that! Despite at how quick you are at learning, you will not do well in Ravenclaw nor will you do well in Gryffindor. Both Houses, unfortunately, are very judging and will not accept someone as different as you are. Hmm…. what a decision to make."
Harry gripped the sides of the stool, wishing the hat to be done.
"Hold on to your horses, young man!" With a chuckle, the Hat continued. "I have made a final decision, then. You will belong in….. HUFFLEPUFF!"
Harry felt the Hat jerked off his head and saw the slight wink from Minerva as the Hufflepuff table cheered loudly, Neville included. Smiling happily, he joined Neville, Justin, Susan, and Hannah. As the table quieted, he turned his gaze toward the Slytherin table next to them, wanting to see Draco's reaction. What he found was not what he expected. Draco, in fact, was grinning, getting weird looks from his fellow first years. Smothering a smile, Harry looked up at the Head Table, where he saw Severus quirk his lips into a fast smile.
The rest of the Sorting went faster now that Harry had been Sorted. He found it no surprise when Ron was put in to Gryffindor, his brothers Percy, Fred, and George welcoming him warmly.
"Thank Merlin it's over," Neville said.
Dumbledore, who sat in the middle of the professor's table, stood up and smiled. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" he called, spreading his arms wide. Before we begin our lovely feast, I have a few words to announce. And they are: nitwit, blubber, oddment, tweak!"
Harry and the other first year Hufflepuffs didn't know what to make of the words as the students clapped and cheered. The golden plates on the tables stole their attention away as they magically filled up with food and their goblets were filled with pumpkin juice.
"Can you change it if you don't like it?" Justin asked, staring into the cup.
Hannah, who was already drinking her juice, swallowed before answering, "I'm sure you'll like it, Justin. It's really good."
"That it is."
The five first years jumped and turned to see a tall, dark-haired boy sit next to them. On his robes a Prefect badge sat on the yellow lapel.
"My name is Christian Daniels," the boy continued. "I'm the Hufflepuff Prefect. I'm here to help you guys out if you have any questions during your time here."
"Hello," they muttered.
Christian smiled. "You'll end up losing your shyness by the end of your first month here. We're a friendly bunch and we tend to help each other out if we are in a pickle. I'll let you finish up and then I'll show you to our common room."
He moved away and they picked away at the plates in front of them. Harry found most of his favorite foods and he proceeded to fill his stomach while still maintaining his manners. Neville struck him up in a conversation and the other three Hufflepuff first years listened.
Once the food vanished from the plates, Dumbledore once again stood up. "I do have a few start-of-term announcements to make before you are tucked into your awaiting beds. Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has posted a new list of forbidden items. Please take the time to head to his office and view the updated list. Our new first years should note that the Forbidden Forest is as its name suggests, forbidden, and should not enter the forest at any time. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term and if you wish to join the team, please contact Madam Hooch. And, finally, the third floor corridor is out-of-bounds this year, for those who don't wish to die a most painful death. Now, off with you!"
The five Hufflepuff first years waited for Christian to join them and they moved out from the Great Hall toward the staircase.
"Surely Dumbledore was joking," Susan said as they stepped up onto a moving staircase.
"He wouldn't say it if it were," Christian replied. "Professor Dumbledore is very straightforward with his students. If the third floor corridor is out-of-bounds, it's for a reason."
They journeyed up another staircase before they reached the second floor. Christian took them to the left and down a few corridors before they reached a portrait of a badger in a field. The black animal jerked its head up and stared at them.
"Honesty," Christian said to the portrait. As it swung open, the brunette turned to the first years. "Once a month we change the password. Come to me if you need it."
They entered the hole the portrait revealed. The large room was painted in a dull yellow with the occasional black stripes. The House crest, complete with the badger, rested on one of the walls. Along another wall was a board that had a few pieces of parchment stuck on it. Several black couches and armchairs littered the room, some in front of the roaring fireplace.
"There are a few staircases that led to your dorms. The girl's dorms are through the left staircase and the boy's are on the right. The dorm rooms are set to have five beds per room, but since there are so few of you this year, you will find that there is more room. Please share this amongst your fellow roommates.
"Also, there is one last thing we do before we head to bed." Christian gestured to the couches and chairs. "Take a seat. The rest of the House will be along in a second."
"Do we have House meetings too?" Neville asked.
"Gryffindor doesn't, but the other Houses do," Christian replied, taking a seat in an armchair. Susan and Hannah had chosen a couch themselves and the three boys did the same. "Slytherin's meeting is with their Head of House, though. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff are just with the Prefects. It's nothing to worry about."
The rest of the House filtered in and chose seats. Once everyone was in, Christian stood up. "Welcome back, Puffs! It's gonna be a great year, I just know it! This year, once again, we have a few new Puffs: Harry, Justin, Neville, Susan, and Hannah. Please make them feel comfortable in our little den. Once again, this year we will have separate study groups for each class in case you are having trouble with the work. Look for notices on the board for when each group meets and where the location is." He glanced down at his watch. "Let's head for bed, badgers. Be sure to be up at least 6 so we can head down to the Hall for breakfast!"
The students cheered and headed for the staircases. Harry, Justin, and Neville found their room easily. The room was also done in dull yellows and solid blacks. Three four-poster beds were scattered in the room with yellow drapes. At the foot of the beds were their trunks and owls (Neville didn't have one).
"So, you two are purebloods then," Justin said as they neared their beds.
"Yeah, what about you?" Neville asked, sliding his toad, Trevor, in his cage.
"I'm a Muggleborn," the dark-haired kid mumbled.
"That's nothing to be ashamed of," Harry said, looking up from his trunk, pajamas in hand. "I know several Muggleborn witches and wizards that are very good at what they do. It shouldn't matter on how pure your blood is."
Justin smiled. "Thanks guys."
Holy cow, what a chapter! Over 3,000 words! Fledgling may prove to have longer chapters than the other stories. (author does a dance) Anyway, thanks again guys for reviewing and for being patient. I got one more month and then I can have time to do some writing. Please keep on reviewing!