We were all crowded in an old, unused classroom bidding our time. I wasn't particularly worried myself, - my dad had told me all we had to do was put a hat on our heads to figure out what house we would join - but some of the new students weren't looking so well. I kept to myself, staying quietly by Syreni's side as she scared the others with talk of fighting trolls and casting spells in order to get sorted.
A young boy, pale with nervousness, said, "But I don't know anything about magic!" with such distress I finally stepped in.
"Don't worry, she is just trying to scare you. All you have to do is put an old hat on your head; the hat sorts you into the house it sees fit."
"Hey!" Syreni yelled, elbowing me in the upper arm. I was significantly sorter than her.
"What," I complained, rubbing my forearm.
"You are ruining my fun," she whined.
I chuckled but didn't say anything more about it. I looked around the room at my future classmates. I noticed Draco speaking to his groups of friends that looked more like followers the longer I stared. They were clustered around him like hummingbirds to a bird feeder.
Blaise caught my eye and gave a little wave. Draco noticed he had lost the attention of one of his sheep and rudely snapped his fingers in his face. A strand of his blonde hair had flown loose of the blanket of hair gel on his head and bounced in the murky light as he spoke scolding words incoherent to me. The nervous rumble of the first years covered Draco's sharp voice.
I sent an apologetic glance his way after Draco resumed speaking to the entire clan surrounding him. He flattened the loose strand back into place.I never found out whether he got it or ot, I was too quickly distracted by a few new occupants in the classroom.
About two dozen hazy white people passed though the top of the stone wall causing a few startled whimpers accompanied with scared silence. The spirits were arguing among themselves about a fellow named Peeves. Something about allotting a second chance.
The ghosts were so immersed in their conversations they didn't notice us first years until they were halfway across the room. " - I say!" a ghost in medieval clothing - frilled collar and deep green tights - proclaimed. "What are you all doing here?"
"New students!" the transparent Friar squealed gleefully. He had been arguing with the ghost beside him only a moment ago. "About to be sorted I suppose?" The room stayed silent, the air tingling with insecurity.
I had associated with ghosts on a separate occasion, so I wasn't quite as frightened. I noticed Sryeni was also unfazed.
Without any kind of word of an answer he added, "I hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house you know."
"Move along now. The sorting ceremony is about to start." The strict professor who had first lead us into this room following our first entrance to the school had returned. She wore deep emerald robes and kept her hair in a tight bun at the nape of her neck. She had a cross look upon her face. So far, I am very fond of her.
The ghosts continued on their original path and disappeared through the opposite wall, with it, idle chatter of the new "catch" of students.
"Now, form a line and follow me," the professor ordered. We all awkwardly shifted into a line. I ended up behind Syreni and in front of another strange looking blonde girl. She had darker hair than Syreni and bright features. Her lightly colored eyebrows made her look surprised though she seemed to be very calm.
We strode out of the classroom and down a small corridor. I could see the professors head bobbing as she walked ahead of us. She swung a pair of double doors open and escorted us into the Great Hall.