Ron was in the process of glaring at Fred and George when I noticed that everyone was staring at the hat. I elbowed Ron, who smiled at me before deciding to go a very pale colour again. I chuckled then watched the hat, not really knowing what to expect. Mum had been very vague after telling me about it in the first place. There was a tear in the brim which now opened wide. Neville was staring at the hat strangely; I had to fight down a giggle.

'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 then 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! '

As everyone clapped, Ron returned to his normal colour. "I'm going to kill Fred and George" He whispered to me in the general noise. "They talked about having to wrestle trolls."

I turned where I could see the twin's identical evil looks; I had to fight a laugh at my friend's expense when I saw that grin. The hat bowed to each of the four tables then became still again. Harry suddenly felt a twinge of fear. What would his father say if he was put into Slytherin? It was well known that James Potter hated all things associated with snakes, including Professor Snape, even though that hatred had died down to general dislike over the years.

McGonagall stepped up to the hat again; she was holding a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit down here to be sorted." She said, giving us all an almost kind look. I was in shock! McGonagall almost smiling???

"Abbott, Hannah" McGonagall called, a pink faced girl with blonde pigtails tripped over her own feet as she answered McGonagall, she put the hat on instantly covering her eyes. There was a moment's pause before "HUFFLEPUFF" The table on the right exploded with cheers, and I saw the fat friar waving at her merrily. Hannah looked relieved as she joined them.

The next girl, Susan Bones, was made a Hufflepuff too, and she joined Hannah with a shy smile. Terry Boot, a boy with very short brown spiky hair was made into the first Ravenclaw, and then a girl called Mandy Brocklehurst. The second table from the left clapped as they joined them.

A girl called Lavender Brown became the first Gryffindor, the house I really wanted to join as both my parents and Sirius and Sansa had been in there. Fred and George were making enough noise to drown out a steel band.

The first Slytherin was a girl too, by the name of Millicent Bulstrode. Millicent was rather large, and looked as if she would like nothing better then knock a few teeth out of somebody. The next boy was made a Hufflepuff, and went to join Hannah and Susan.

By now I was feeling rather scared. What if I was made a Slytherin? Would my dad be mad? I knew that mum wouldn't care so long as I was happy. She would be proud of me no matter what.

It was Hermione Granger's turn on the stool. I watched her go up without really seeing anything. "GRYFFINDOR" The hat shouted. Next to me Ron groaned a little. Neville was made into a Gryffindor too. I cheered for him, joining in the noise coming from the table. I knew that was where he wanted to go. He started to go to the table with the hat on his head, making a lot of people giggle. He returned it very red-faced and sat next to Hermione.

Malfoy was made into a Slytherin after having the hat on for half a second. He looked very pleased with himself as he joined his friends from the train Crabbe and Goyle.

Very soon it was my turn. "Potter, Harry" McGonagall called. Ron pushed me reassuringly. I gave him a weak smile. The hall had become quiet; all I could hear was people whispering about me. The hat dropped down in front of my eyes, making me jump a little, that was nothing compared to what happened next.

A little voice, that sounded like it had come from my ear sounded out. "Hmm, very difficult. Plenty of courage I see, not a bad mind either. There's talent yes, so much talent. And a thirst to prove yourself to your family. Well that's interesting. So where to put you?"

I could feel myself thinking, almost begging the hat not to put me in Slytherin.

"Not Slytherin eh? Is that for you, or your father? You could be great there you know? Its all here, in your head. But if you're sure…" The voice in my head disappeared and I heard it shout to the rest of the school "GRYFFINDOR!" I took the hat off and passed it to McGonagall who shot me a very rare smile, I felt like I was having a heart attack. McGonagall! Smiling? At me?? I managed to make my way over to the Gryffindor table, where Fred and George looked like they were ready to pick me up. They were yelling "We Got Potter." Loudly. Percy got up and shook my hand. I was still in shock and hardly noticed.

I could see the high table now, where Hagrid was beaming at me. In a large gold chair in the middle sat Dumbledore, a friend of my parents. He was smiling serenely. I could see Professor Quirrell too, well who couldn't with a massive turban on his head he wasn't hard to see. He was talking to Snape. I looked back to the sorting, there was only about three people waiting now. Ron and another boy. The girl called Lisa had just been made a Ravenclaw; finally it was Ron's turn. He tripped up the steps and put the hat on. He had turned to a delicate shade of green. A second later he was joining me as the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR"

Percy lent over me to congratulate his brother as I cheered as loudly as Fred and George. The last boy was made into a Slytherin as I felt my hunger return. The train seemed so long ago now!

Dumbledore got to his feet with a smile. He opened his arms wide. "Welcome!" He said in a voice that seemed full of joy, as nothing could be better then seeing everyone there. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words." He paused for a moment. "Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you." He sat back down amidst laughter, clapping and cheering. This was the Dumbledore that I knew!

I could hear Hermione turn to Percy. "Is he mad?" She asked uncertainly.

I grinned to myself. "Mad?" Perce replied airily. "He's a complete genius! Best wizard in the world as we know it! But yes, he is a bit mad I suppose. Potatoes, Harry?" He asked turning to me, I was listening in on his conversation and now gave my attention to what had just appeared on the table in front of me. Even at one of Mums parties I had never seen this much food, and mum knew how to throw a party! There was roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, peas, carrots, you name it, and it was here! I found myself piling my plate up with a little of everything, as Ron was doing next to me and dug in.