Once they were all inside, they had a chance to look at the witch who had let them in. She had quite unusual appearance. Tall and thin, she had the appearance of a regular person stretched upwards like a kind of rubber band. Her sleek, grey hair was in a very tight bun which looked as if it were dragging her hair out of her scalp. She stooped slightly in her old age, and supported the weight she was unable to support on a cane with a decorative Egyptian-style cat on top.

"Follow me." Albus had half expected her voice to be croak, but it was crisp and sharp like a cold winter morning. She led them down countless passages lit with flaming torches, and Albus could see countless more passages branching off. He felt another fear crop up- what if he went down a deserted corridor and couldn't find his way back? What if he starved and-

He brushed these fears to the back of his mind and concentrated on at least learning the route this old woman was taking them. Left, right, straight ahead, tickle the door, right, right again… She led them into a dark room. Once she had lit a lamp, it was obvious that this was a classroom. There were still notes on the blackboard from last summer. The old woman went and sat at the front and the first formers watched her quietly. She blinked at them. "Well? Sit down!" Albus plonked himself gratefully on a double desk with a solid centimetre of dust on top. Rose shyly sat down next to him, and they smiled in mutual recognition that they were friends again. Rose's head flopped onto his shoulder. Albus grinned. It was nearly nine o'clock and Rose was tired at any hour after seven. Suddenly the woman who had let them in began to speak.

"I am Professor McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In a moment you will be sorted or separated into four houses that are named after the founders of this school. They were named Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin. Your triumphs will earn you house points, but any playing the truant will get them deducted.

"As of last year, as some of you may know, we have introduced a Head boy and girl of each year. They will remain in this position unless they commit a serious offence. However, as first years, we need to get to know each of you first to make the decision fair, so this position will be awarded halfway through the year. I might as well add that the people selected for this role will go on to be prefects in their fifth year, and almost certainly Head boy and girl of the school in their last."

Albus didn't get too worked up at this prospect, but he could see a few smug faces which obviously thought that they had got it in the bag. Even Rose looked excited.

Professor McGonagall then exited the room and motioned for them to follow. She led them straight across to a large pair of oak doors (they were massive at about ten foot, but Hagrid would still have struggled getting through them). With a great heave they swung open. The deafening chatter ceased, and everyone already in the hall stared at them, but no-one was looking at the people.

Most of them had heard of the Great hall from their parents, but little could have prepared them for what they were seeing now. The ceiling gleamed with thousands of candles, and, beyond that, stars, adorning the night sky like a necklace of fire. The ceiling was enchanted to look like the sky above it, and Albus found it hard to believe that there was any ceiling there at all. Silk hangings hung up on the wall behind the staff table. He saw Hagrid, who winked merrily at him, and Albus saw Professor Longbottom beside him. At the centre of the staff table was an empty seat, presumably for the Headmistress.

They lined up between the centre tables. Then a tattered old hat, which, until then, had been slumping placidly on the stool, opened its mouth (a tear at the brim) and began to sing. Albus, who had heard this story many times from James, his father and most his other wizarding family, didn't flinch, but many of the muggle-born girls screamed. These were the words it sang:

"Hufflepuff, Ravenclaws, Gryffindor, Slytherin,

Are all the best of friends.

All the ancient rivalry

Has at last come to an end.

"Hufflepuffs are loyal, fierce,

With unexpected force,

And happy, smiling, just and true-

They'd never lead a friend off course.

"Ravenclaws are clever, witty,

With a ready mind.

Not know-it-all, but knowledgeable,

And always right you'll find.

"Slytherins are ambitious, competitive,

With many achievements to toll.

They will go through toil and turmoil

To achieve their goal.

"Gryffindors are brave and fearless,

Ready for the stretch.

They will fight with sword for friends

And work to be the best.

"Though after this you're all divided,

You're always one and all.

Let the sorting ceremony begin,

And this year start on a roll!"

Everybody cheered. Professor McGonagall began to call out names.

With a swagger, Isaac Adder became a Slytherin, and Imogen Acreet a Ravenclaw. Albus couldn't keep his eyes off Imogen. Her long glossy black hair was in an elegant plait. Her brown eyes sparkled in the candle light. Rose saw Albus looking and snorted. Albus snapped out of his trance immediately and gave her a playful shove.

Name after name was called. Scorpius Malfoy also became a Slytherin. Albus wriggled uncomfortably. Scorpius was the son of his father's arch nemesis.

After what felt like hours, "Potter, Albus," was called. He squeezed Rose's hand, and nervously walked up to the hat. James gave him a thumbs up. Hagrid gave him a comforting smile. He sat awkwardly on the low stall and reached for the hat McGonagall was passing him. One last glimpse of everyone staring before the hat slid over his eyes and blocked them from view.

"Hello!"

Albus jolted. Although he had known the hat could do this, he hadn't expected the voice to be this clear. "Hello," he thought. "My father told me that I would be a good Slytherin. Is this true?" He had been desperate to ask the hat this since his father had told him this that morning. It wasn't true; it couldn't be true- could it?

The hat chuckled. "That a boy, straight to the point. Well, you would," (Albus flinched) "but there are so many other aspects to your personality. You could be in Gryffindor- or Hufflepuff- or Ravenclaw. Good mind, very bright, but you have a soft spot too. You will pass all your exams, and go into them without fear. Also, when possible, you will help your friends pass too! You will face danger to protect your friends, and avoid death wisely. You know when to face your fears, and when to go in for a friend- or an enemy."

"So which one will it be?" thought Albus.

"Shall I surprise you?"

"Surprise me."

"Alright then."

Albus held his breath. That second lasted a million moments.

"SLYTHERIN!"

Albus fell off his stool, but he didn't stop at the floor. He kept on falling down, down, down and when he finally dared to move his hand, it was to rub a painful throbbing lump on his forehead. He opened his eyes. He was in an immaculate room that was crisp and clean and which, judging by his father's description, was surely the Hospital wing. His pyjamas had a thin green ribbon on the cuffs and collar. He sighed. It hadn't all been a nightmare. It was definitely green; definitely Slytherin.

His legs felt heavy, like there was someone sitting on them. Albus cried out. There was someone sitting on them. He tried frantically to hide his green pyjamas from Rose. She laid a calm hand on his panicked one.

"It's Ok, and no use. Everyone knows. It must have given you quite a shock." She smiled. "I'm in Ravenclaw. I've written owls to our parents. They're fine with it."

"How long have I been in here?" asked Albus who, now reassured, was thinking about the time it takes to send an owl.

"Three days." Albus' eyes widened. "You hit you head quite hard on that floor. James is worried, of course, but he's sort of pretending that you're not his brother." She quickly changed the subject as Albus looked as if he was about to burst into tears. "Hey, I bought you a present to cheer you up." She pulled out a rat from her satchel. "She's called Firebolt. I'm really sorry that Crookshanks ate Nimbus." Firebolt was chocolate brown with little white paws and a white tummy.

A nurse came along. She was as crisp and clean as the dormitory, and frowning. "What's this, animals in my hospital wing? Out! Out!"

"She's mine," said Albus.

"Oh, hello deary. I see you're awake. Wonderful. Do you want me to send him to your dorm?"

"Um… Ok," shrugged Albus. The nurse waved her wand and Firebolt disappeared. "Now you're awake, I just need to perform a simple charm to make your head stop hurting, Ok?" Albus disliked the way she was babying him, but the charm did make his head feel much better. "You'll be here for a few more days, my boy. That's a nasty head injury you've got there." She turned to Rose. "You've got five more minutes." She turned and walked down the sunlit corridor.

Rose sniffed angrily at her. Albus decided to change the subject. "How are classes going?"

"Oh, great! I forgot to tell you. I brought you catch up work if you want something to keep you busy."

Albus, who had been preparing to be very bored indeed, welcomed this prospect and accepted a pile of books eagerly. "I asked Professor Edmund, our charms teacher, to summon them from your case for you. He seemed nice about it. The potions teacher, Professor Slughorn, seems a bit offended. He's head of Slytherin, you know."

Albus spent the next few days doing his catch up work, reading and re-reading his textbooks so many times that he swore he knew them off by heart, having regular meals of toast and peanut butter, and getting daily visits from Rose. On his last day, Rose brought him a letter from his parents. "Scorpius from the Slytherin table gave it to me. He doesn't seem too bad, actually. He was very polite."

Albus opened his envelope later when Rose had gone back to class. As was the habit of his parents, they had sent him a piece of parchment with two smaller envelopes stuck to it. He opened the first one from his mum.

Hello Albus,

How are you? Rose told us that you took a nasty bump to the head. I hope you're Ok.

I know you're unhappy with your house, but Dad and I really don't mind! You're still our little boy and your time at Hogwarts is so limited. I know it doesn't feel like it at the moment, but your years will go by in a flash so enjoy it while you still can!

Dad and I miss you so much.

Mum xxx

P.S Lily sent you a letter on the back.

Albus turned the big piece of parchment over to discover a scribbled note from Lily.

Hi,

Mum and Dad won't tell me what house you're in, so I think it's probably Slytherin. Some of our frogspawn has hatched! Uncle George came round and he told me to call my favourite one Fred. I asked Daddy if it was named after our cousin, but he said it was probably someone else. I have no idea what he's on about, do you?

L xxx

P.S Uncle George says he'll want a Hogwarts toilet seat. I don't know what that means either.

Albus smiled. Lily had never heard any of their Dad's stories. Even though, people often underestimated her sharp intellect. No-one expected a girl of eight to work things like that out. Finally, he opened the letter from his Dad.

Hi Al,

You know what; I'm not even going to mention it. All I'm going to say is that it must have been a very happy day for Slytherin.

I hope you're feeling better, and keeping up with your school work. You may see me soon, for I am coming to do a talk. I miss you loads.

Oh, and Al? Make friends with Scorpius for me. I'm kind of getting tired of this feud with his father.

Dad x

Just then, the Nurse (who he now knew was called Madam Oliver) came to do one of his hourly check-ups. "Your temperatures down, and that bruise has gone right down. You're free to go." She waved her wand and a fresh set of robes appeared on the bed. Albus stood up (his legs felt a bit weak from five days in bed), and changed behind the curtain that Madam Oliver provided.

He went through what felt like hundreds of stone passages, stopping several times to ask for directions. "Left, right, right, forward, down the stairs, left, left, through the doors, down the corridor," Albus muttered to himself as he sped down the corridor and straight into another first year.

"Watch where you're going, Potter. Yeah, I know your name, and that you're ashamed to be in Slytherin, and let me tell you that I'm ashamed to be in the same house as you too. So watch it, Ok?" The brown haired boy stalked off without waiting for an answer. Albus continued towards the common room, hoping that he would not have to see too much of this arrogant boy.

He stared at the brick wall that hid his common room. Looking at the blank wall, he realised that his mind was just as blank of the password. He began to guess wildly. "Parsletongue? Ambition? Emerald?" The brick wall dissolved into nothingness. Albus took a deep breath and stepped inside.