James Birdsong: thanks!
The first-years climbed up the marble stairs to a set a huge gold doors where the deputy head mistress, Professor McGonagall was waiting patiently for them. Once everyone was gathered on the top few steps, she spoke "Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup…" McGonagall's explanation was abruptly cut off by a shout of
"Trevor!"
Neville stepped out from behind a couple of students and scooped up his toad, mumbling an apology before disappearing back into the crowd. "This sorting ceremony will begin momentarily", Professor McGonagall informed the first-years and left.
"It's true then. What they're saying on the train. Ember Potter has come to Hogwarts", a boy with slicked back blonde hair piped up, eyeing the 11 year old next to Ron, Zinnia and Hermione. There was a lot murmuring and whispers at that. Ember internally groaned. Is this seriously what it's going to be like for the rest of the year? If this was the case, she wished that she was staying with the Dursley's…almost. "This is Crabbe and Goyle", the boy said nodding to the two boys behind him. "I'm Malfoy…Draco Malfoy", Malfoy said introducing himself. Ron snickered at Draco's name. The blonde haired boy turned his attention to Ron "Think my name's funny do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasley", Malfoy said scornfully looking Ron up and down "I think you'll find there are some wizarding families who are better than others. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there" Draco extends a hand expecting Ember to shake it. However, the girl did quite the opposite and laughed.
"You've got to be kidding me, Malfoy. Why on earth would I be friends with you?" she asked with a scoff "you're a bully plain and simple". She stood up to bullies, not make friends with them.
Zinnia smirked at the expression on Malfoy's face "you tell him, Em", she said, somewhat proud. She herself had a bit of an attitude, definitely inherited the Prentice sass from her mother and would've put the boy in his place if Ember hadn't.
Malfoy didn't have a chance to say anything to her response as Professor McGonagall returned holding a scroll of parchment. "We're ready for you now, follow me" and with that, she led the first-years through a large golden door. The group walk into a long room with students sitting either side of four long wooden tables. Above the tables were dozens of floating candles. Ember turned her attention to the ceiling and was very surprised when she saw a star studded sky instead of the wooden supports. "Its bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A history", Hermione explained to her as they walked.
"That's incredible", Ember breathed, taking it all in. The view was certainly better than the cobwebby ceiling of the cupboard.
Professor McGonagall stopped to stand beside a three legged stool where a rather old and battered pointed hat sat. The hybrid and the others watch as a rip near the brim opened and the hat began to sing.
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 folks 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!
When the hat finished, the whole hall burst into applause. When it eventually died down, Professor McGonagall spoke "Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words".
The wizard in question stands up from where he sat at the teachers table "I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch…" he nodded to the scruffy looking man standing by the doors of the Great Hall "…has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you"
They sure know how to make us feel welcome Ember thought making a mental note to stay well away from the 3rd floor. She didn't particularly want to die a most painful death in her first year of Hogwarts. In fact she'd much prefer to get through all her school years without any life or death situations.
Professor McGonagall unrolled her parchment and picked up the Sorting Hat. "When I call your names, the sorting hat will be placed on your head and you will be sorted into your house", she explained. The first name she called was Hermione's. The curly haired girl sat down on the stool and the sorting hat was placed on her head.
"Ah, right then...hmm...right. Okay...Gryffindor!" Hermione hopped off the stool with a smile on her face and went to sit at the Gryffindor table.
Then it was Malfoy's turn. The hat didn't even touch his head when it shouted "Slytherin!"
"There isn't a witch or wizard that went bad who wasn't in Slytherin", Ron whispered to Ember. Susan Bones was next to be sorted and the hat chose Hufflepuff as her house. Once Susan was seated, Professor McGonagall called Ron up. Him being a Weasley was automatically placed in Gryffindor like his brothers. "Zinnia Tyler", the witch then called.
"Good luck", Ember whispered.
"Thanks", the blonde mumbled back before she nervously approached the stool. She'd overheard some of the students chattering on the train about which house they wanted to be in. She didn't mind what one she ended up in…as long as it wasn't Slytherin. Zinnia sat down on the stool and the sorting hat was set on her head.
"Hm…you're loyal to both friends and family", it proclaimed "but you're also smart…oh yes…very clever…I believe Ravenclaw is the house for you!"
Zinnia let out a breath as McGonagall took the hat off her head. She made her way to the table of Ravenclaws and took her place. "Ember Potter", the Transfiguration teacher called. The ginger haired girl felt her twin hearts start to race as she stepped up to the three legged stool and sat down. She opted to focus on her feet to avoid meeting anyone's gaze, ignoring the whispers that began at the mention of her name. I really don't like being famous she thought, internally grumbling.
"Hm difficult very difficult", the hat hummed after being put on her head "Plenty of courage I see, not a bad mind either. There's talent oh yes, and thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you…"
"Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin", Ember whispered. She really didn't want to be in the same house as Draco.
"Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head. And Slytherin will help you on your way to greatness! There's no doubt about that! No?"
"Not Slytherin...anything but Slytherin", Ember quietly pleaded.
"Well, if you're sure...better be...GRYFFINDOR!" the entire Gryffindor table exploded with cheers very happy to be having the Ember Potter in their house. The ginger's hearts soared in happiness and relief. She hopped off of the stall and hurried over to their table, taking a seat on the bench. She along with everyone else watched the remainder of the first years be sorted. Other first years that ended up being sorted into Gryffindor included Lavender Brown and the Patil sisters, Padma and Pavarti.
Not long after the first-years where sorted into their houses, food appeared on all the tables. Ember grinned at how much food was in front of her. She was certainly going to eat well while at school if this was anything to go by. Ember piled up her plate with chicken and vegetables. "Say, Percy, who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?" she asked in between bites.
"Oh, that's Professor Snape, head of Slytherin house", the prefect answered.
"What's he teach?" Ember questioned looking up at the teacher's table.
"Potions. But everyone knows it's the Dark Arts he fancies. He's been after Quirrell's job for years", the teenager informed her.
The rest of the feast was fairly uneventful save for the House ghosts making an appearance. Poor Ron got a shock when the Gryffindor House Ghost, Nearly Headless Nick, popped up out of the table the moment Ron was reaching for another chicken leg.
Once everyone had eaten all they could, the prefects led the first-years to their respective houses. Percy Weasley led the new Gryffindors through to the staircases, warning them to keep an eye out as they had a tendency to change at a moments notice. He took them all up several flights and through various twists and turns until he made them stop in a corridor. In front of them, floating in the air, were a bundle of walking sticks. "Peeves", Ron's brother whispered to them "a poltergeist" he raised his voice "Peeves! Show yourself!" he ordered.
Ember raised her brows when there was a rude sound, rather like an air being let out of a balloon. Then a small man with wicked eyes and a wide mouth appeared, clutching the walking sticks. "Oooh!" he cackled "Ickle firsties! What fun!"
He swooped overhead, causing them all to duck. "Go away Peeves, or the Baron will hear about this!" Percy barked. The poltergeist stuck his tongue out and vanished, dropping the walking sticks on poor Neville's head. "You want to watch out for Peeves", the prefect warned "the Bloody Baron is the only one who can control him". Percy set off along the corridor, the first-years following him. He stopped again, this time in front of a fat lady.
"Password", the lady asked.
"Caput Draconis" the prefect replied. The lady nodded and the portrait swung open. They all climbed through into a large room. There was roaring fire and comfy red chairs everywhere. "Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room. The boy's dorm is upstairs and down to the left. Girls the same on your right. You'll find that all your belongings have already been brought up", Percy explained.
When they got up to the dorm, Ember took the bed next to Hermione's. Though she didn't know the girl very well, she still felt a bit more comfortable having her nearby rather than the other first year girls. She would've preferred it if Zinnia was in the same house too but at least she would see her around the school.