Chapter Three: The Sorting
As the train stopped, Percy, Fred and George bid Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville goodbye and hoping to see them in Gryffindor. The four of them followed Ron's older brothers out of the compartment, obeying the announcement to leave their belongings on the train.
The four first years disembarked from the train to hear a loud voice shouting.
'Firs' years! Firs' years, this way! Come along now, don' be shy!'
Harry, Ron and Neville knew this voice and walked towards the huge man who was coming toward them.
'Hey, Hagrid,' the three boys said.
'Alrigh', 'Arry, Ron, Neville!' said Hagrid cheerfully.
'Yeah, we're all right, you?' said Harry.
'I'm fine, thanks fer asking, who's yer new friend?' replied Hagrid.
'Hagrid, this is Hermione Granger, Hermione, meet Hagrid,' said Ron.
'Nice teh meet yeh, Hermione,' he said in a gentle voice.
'Um, you too, Hagrid,' she replied timidly.
Eventually all the first years arrived and Ron saw Draco Malfoy with a bucket as he was still belching up slugs. Hagrid then led them around the corner to where the boats were waiting and as they turned they got their first sight of Hogwarts.
'Wow dad was right,' said Harry. He had been begging his dad to take him to Hogwarts for years just to see the place. But his dad always said, "No, Harry, trust me, it's better seeing it after you get off the train that first time. It's breath-taking; and even better in the boats as you cross the lake".
'It's amazing,' said Hermione.
They came to the boats and as there were four of them they had no problem in obeying the no more than four to a boat rule. Ron got in first and held his hand out to Hermione so she could step in to the boat. She took his hand and stepped in as Ron ignored the grin on Harry's face. He and Hermione sat down at the stern of the boat leaving Harry and Neville to sit at the bow.
Once everyone was in a boat, Hagrid commanded the boats to go forward.
Ron could feel Hermione shaking a little.
'Are you cold?' he asked.
'J-just around my knees,' she replied.
So Ron took off his cloak and placed it over her lap to warm her up and as he did, he noticed a scar on her left knee.
'Ron, you didn't have to do that. Aren't you going to be cold?' she said.
'No, I'll be fine. I'm a Weasley, we're naturally warm,' he said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.
As they travelled across the lake, Hermione asked another question. 'Ron, if we are sorted into different Houses, will we still be friends?'
'Yes, of course we will. But like we said earlier, the Hat takes your choice into account,' he replied.
'Good, I don't want us to be in different Houses. You're the first friend I've ever had,' she said quietly.
'May I ask you a question?' said Ron.
'Okay,' she replied.
'I noticed a little scar on your left knee, how did you get it?' he said quietly.
'Oh, well, um, b-back in primary school this boy pushed me over, and I landed on my knee. I cried for ages while all the other children just laughed, until a teacher finally came along. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt anymore, and I got him back. Any way a week or two later, I got my Hogwarts letter and I knew that I would not be going to a muggle secondary school to be bullied by him or the others. So, on the last day of school, I kicked him hard in the um, er, down there,' said Hermione.
Ron was smiling at her and said, 'You kicked a boy in the balls? I'm proud of you, Hermione, he got what he deserved. If there's one thing I hate, it's boys who pick on girls. I'll tell you something else too, if I ever meet this boy, I'll beat the shit out of him.'
'My dad said the same thing. The bit about being proud of me, that is, and you shouldn't swear, Ron,' she said with a half a smile on her face.
'The boy, did he cry?' asked Ron.
'He did, but the difference was, that as much as he deserved what he got, I still felt terrible for making him cry,' she replied.
'That's what makes you special, Hermione; that you can feel remorse for someone who hurt you. If that's not a Gryffindor trait, I don't know what is,' said Ron before he gave her a little kiss on the cheek that made her blush a deep red that even in the dark could still be seen.
Ron cleared his throat and said, 'Oh, and don't be scared of Hagrid. He's as gentle and as kind as they come. He's lived at Hogwarts for years and gets on with pretty much everyone. He also teaches Care of Magical Creatures, but we don't take that class until third year and that's if we choose it as an elective.'
Hermione smiled at him again as the boats came to a stop. They were told to disembark the boats and followed Hagrid up the long steps up to the courtyard and into the Entrance Hall, where a witch wearing green robes and hat was waiting for them.
'The firs' years, Professor McGonagall,' said Hagrid.
'Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here.'
She then chivvied them inside and made them wait by a pair of large doors.
'Welcome to Hogwarts,' said Professor McGonagall. 'The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.
'The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points.
'At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
'The Sorting Ceremony will take place in few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting.'
There was a bustling noise as many people started to do as they were told.
'I shall return when we are ready for you,' said Professor McGonagall. 'Please wait quietly.'
Hermione turned to Harry and Ron and said, 'That was Professor McGonagall? The one you call "Minnie"?' unable to keep the shock out of her voice.
'Yeah, but don't worry, on the outside she may seem pretty stern, but underneath it all, she's a real softy. She loves Quidditch, and, though not that she would admit it, she does like her nickname, but don't call her it while we're in school, though,' said Ron.
'Don't worry; I wasn't planning on it,' she replied, 'Ever.'
It was then that the first years heard voices, but it turned out to be the ghosts. Nobody so much as flinched as the ghosts appeared, and they appeared to be having a debate. The same debate they had every year; whether Peeves the Poltergeist should be allowed to join the feast or not.
But it was then that Professor McGonagall reappeared. She ordered the ghosts to move along and informed them all that the Sorting Ceremony was about to begin, before telling them to form a line and follow her into the Great Hall.
As they were led inside, all the first years looked around and took in the magnificence of the Hall. There were thousands and thousands of candles that lit the Hall as they floated in mid-air. The four long house tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets, and at the top of the hall was another table where the teachers and other staff members were all sitting.
Harry and Ron were marvelling at the ceiling.
'It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History,' said Hermione.
Ron could not honestly say he was surprised at this revelation. Neither, he, nor Harry would ever read that book and for the same reason. They would have the piss taken out of them by the other, and by James and Sirius. It was obvious that Harry was thinking the same thing as they shared a look.
By the time they were facing forward again they noticed that Professor McGonagall had placed a four legged stool on the ground and an old pointed patched, dirty hat on top of it.
It was then that the hat twitched and a rip near the brim opened like a mouth and started to sing and when it was over, the whole hall burst into applause.
Professor McGonagall now had a long roll of parchment in her hand and said, 'When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted.
'Abbott, Hannah!'
A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moments' pause –
'Hufflepuff!' shouted the hat, and table where the Hufflepuffs were sitting cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table.
'Bones, Susan!'
'Hufflepuff!' shouted the hat again and Susan took her seat next to Hannah.
'Boot, Terry!
'Ravenclaw!' the hat shouted this time and Terry sat at the Ravenclaw table.
"Brocklehurst, Mandy" went to Ravenclaw too, but "Brown, Lavender" became the first new Gryffindor, and the Gryffindor table welcomed her with cheers and a few catcalls.
"Bulstrode, Millicent" then became a Slytherin, as Hermione whispered, 'She was one of the girls in the compartment.'
Harry and Ron's eyes narrowed and they both shot the new Slytherin a glare as she sat at the Slytherin table.
'Finch-Fletchley, Justin!'
'Hufflepuff!' bellowed the hat.
Some people were taking longer than others as "Finnigan, Seamus" sat on the stool for almost a whole minute before being declared a Gryffindor.
'Granger, Hermione!'
Ron gave her hand a squeeze to calm her down and she gave him a small smile in thanks before walking to the stool and putting on the hat, as Ron crossed his fingers.
'Hmm, you're a smart one aren't you?' said the hat inside her head, 'oh, yes, there's a lot of knowledge here …'
'Please put me into Gryffindor. I don't want to be separated from my new friends,' Hermione thought desperately.
'Are you sure? You would do well in Ravenclaw, you know …' said the hat.
'Yes, it has to be Gryffindor with Ron Weasley, please!' she told the hat.
'Gryffindor!' shouted the hat. Ron cheered and as the rest of the Gryffindors did too, he gave her another smile which she returned.
The next of the four of them to be sorted was Neville. He slowly walked to the hat, sat on the stool and put on the hat and waited.
Harry and Ron both crossed their fingers for their friend.
It seemed to take about a minute before the hat shouted, 'Gryffindor!'
Once more, there were loud cheers from the Gryffindor table as Harry and Ron grinned at Neville as "MacDougal, Morag" was sorted next.
Then it was the turn of Malfoy. Despite still belching up the odd slug and carrying a bucket full of them, he still swaggered forward and the hat had barely touched his head it shouted, 'Slytherin!' Malfoy then went to the Slytherin table to join his friends Crabbe and Goyle, looking pleased with himself.
'Dunno why he's so pleased with himself, it's not like he did anything,' said Ron.
'I was thinking the same thing, mate, the stupid arrogant git,' replied Harry.
Eventually they came to the P's, and it was finally Harry's turn to be sorted. He coolly strode forward, sat down and put on the hat, as Ron crossed his fingers for his best mate.
'Gryffindor!' shouted the hat and Harry gave a little fist pump as he handed the hat back to Professor McGonagall, and took his seat next to Hermione and shared high fives with Fred and George.
After what seemed like hours, it was finally Ron's turn. He, like Harry, coolly strode forward and sat down and put on the hat as both Harry and Hermione crossed their fingers.
'Gryffindor!' bellowed the hat, and Ron took off the hat, handed it back to his now Head of House, gave a similar fist pump and took his place at the Gryffindor table next to Hermione after wordlessly asking Harry to move down a place, and wrapped his arm around her waist.
Once the last of the first years had been sorted, Professor McGonagall took away the hat and stool as the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, rose from his seat to speak.
'Welcome, welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!
'Thank you!'
Dumbledore sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered, as Fred, George, Harry and Ron were the loudest as they whooped and slammed their goblets in appreciation, while ignoring the stern look from Professor McGonagall.
'Is he – a bit mad?' Hermione asked Ron uncertainly.
Ron chuckled and said, 'Of course he is! All the best people are! C'mon, start eating!'
Hermione giggled before she realised that the food had appeared in front of them all.
Everybody began to pile food on to their plates and fill their goblets with pumpkin juice, before stuffing their faces. As they ate, they were introduced to Nearly Headless Nick, and found out why he was called Nearly Headless Nick. Then talk began of their families. Seamus told them that he was half and half and that his mum did not tell her husband she was witch until after they were married. A few people laughed, though Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville didn't. They told those that did that Seamus should think himself lucky that his dad took it well and stayed to raise him.
They noticed that Malfoy was not eating. He was still bringing up the occasional slug and had obviously decided not to risk it. Malfoy was also sitting next to the Bloody Baron and looked even less pleased at that.
Harry and Ron also pointed out the teachers they knew to Hermione and what they taught, giving Remus and Severus a wave at the same time. Hermione could not help but laugh at the irony of Professor Flitwick's nickname of "Big Phil" now that she had actually seen him.
Once everyone had eaten their fill, the Headmaster rose from his seat once more to deliver the start-of-term notices. It was the usual thing of no-one being allowed into the Forbidden Forest, no magic in the corridors, and Quidditch trials being held in the second week of term and those wishing to try-out, were to give their name and house to Madam Hooch, before declaring it was time to sing the school song, and once Dumbledore had used his wand to make the lyrics appear, he invited everyone to pick their favourite tune, as the whole school bellowed the song at different tempos, but with the same pride.
The last to finish were Fred and George as they had chosen a very slow funeral march as Dumbledore conducted them to a finish before dismissing the hall for bed. However, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville, were asked to remain behind by Professor McGonagall.
Once everyone else had left the hall, Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore approached the table and sat opposite them.
'There was an incident on the train involving yourselves and Mr Malfoy. I have heard a report from the Head Students who were told by Mr Malfoy it was an unprovoked attack. Please tell us your side of the story,' said Professor McGonagall.
Harry was the one who spoke up and told Professor McGonagall the truth of what had happened and when he was finished, she turned to Professor Dumbledore and he nodded to say that Harry was indeed telling the truth.
'Very well, it would be unfair to punish you, Mr Potter, and you, Mr Weasley, as term had not started and you had not been sorted. However, it would be prudent to stay away from Mr Malfoy in future, and if he uses that kind of language again around you, you would be better served to report it, do you understand me?' said Professor McGonagall.
'Yes, Professor,' the four of them answered in unison.
'Good, now that that unpleasantness is out of the way, welcome to Gryffindor,' said Professor McGonagall before she led them out of the Great Hall and all the way up to Gryffindor tower and giving them the password. Once inside, she told them where the boys and girls dormitories were, and telling them that their belongings had already been brought up, before leaving and bidding them goodnight.
'I thought we were in deep trouble then,' said Neville.
'Me too,' said Hermione.
'We didn't,' said Harry and Ron together.
'I'm knackered, I'm going up to see what beds Seamus and Dean have picked out so I can pick out mine, g'night,' said Neville before he left for the boys dorm.
'Me too, wait up, Nev!' called Harry before leaving Ron with Hermione.
Hermione could not help but blush now that she was alone with Ron and said, 'We should get to bed too, it wouldn't do to oversleep tomorrow, would it?'
'You're right – we don't want to get in trouble now do we?' Ron replied before pulling Hermione into another hug and whispering, 'Goodnight, Hermione.'
'Goodnight, Ron,' she whispered back before they broke apart and went up to their respective dorm rooms to choose their beds and go to sleep.
A/N: As you can see I omitted the Sorting Hat's song. This is because I am too lazy to copy the one from Philosopher's Stone and I don't have the creativity to write a whole new song. I also left out the School Song; this is because all Potterheads/Potternerds - whichever term you prefer, should know it off by heart anyway!