Author's Note: Hello everybody! This is my very first Harry Potter fanfic! I hope you all liked the first chapter, and thank you so much for the favourites, follows, and reviews! Here's Chapter Two! I made up my own song for the Sorting Hat, to make it more authentic. Please share your honest opinions! Thanks! Love, Sammy David.
The first years stood in the bright, warm Entrance Hall after their journey across the lake with Hagrid, who had given Rose and Albus a knee-buckling clap on the back each before pushing the doors to the Great Hall open to make his way to the Head Table, and sit with the rest of the staff. Old, but still firm on her feet, Professor McGonagall had received them at the Entrance Hall, and given them a stern lecture on the conduct expected of them at Hogwarts, and to wait till she called them into the Great Hall. With her white hair in a tight bun, lines around her mouth that made it look no-nonsense and stern, and emerald-green robes and witch's hat, she made quite an intimidating figure. Most of the first years looked faint. Rose still hadn't let go of Al's hand.
As it always happened when they were out among the wizarding community, Al got stared at. It was partly because he was the son of the legendary Harry Potter, the Chosen One, the one who saved all wizardkind...and partly because he looked EXACTLY like Uncle Harry, with his black hair that stuck out in all directions (a trait he shared with James- both grandfather James and brother James), bright green eyes, and glasses. And most of the staff, some overtly, like Hagrid, and Uncle Neville or "Professor Longbottom" as he was at Hogwarts, made it clear that they knew Al and Rose, either by clapping them on the back in front of all the other first years (Hagrid), or yelling out "Hey Al! Hey Rosie! See you in Herbology tomorrow!" as they jogged towards the Great Hall, struggling out of their travelling cloak and nearly tripping at the same time (Neville). Professor McGonagall, on the other hand, refused to acknowledge them as family friends. She had, however, visited during the holidays, bearing Ginger Newts fresh from Honeydukes in tartan tin boxes. The other first years were nervous about the Sorting, but the passage of Hagrid and Neville had eased the tension somewhat.
Professor McGonagall came back, and led the first years into the Great Hall. Rose had never been in the Great Hall before, but she had heard all about it from her family, and read about it in her mother's old copy of Hogwarts: A History. And the Great Hall more than lived up to her expectations. There were four long House Tables, and a Head Table, where the staff sat. Professor McGonagall, being the Headmistress, had the chair right in the middle. The Hall was strung with draperies representing the four houses- a drapery above each House Table. There were thousands of candles suspended in mid air, and the shimmer of bronze every time the candlelight fell on the cutlery and goblets. The students were all dressed in their uniform black robes, different hair colours topped by pointy black hats.
Professor McGonagall brought out a stool, and perched an ancient, faded, defeated-looking hat on it. Rose stared at it, experiencing a blooming sense of anticlimax. This was the famous Sorting Hat? That had Sorted more than a thousand years' worth of Hogwarts students? As if in response to her thoughts, the Sorting Hat opened near the brim, and began to sing:
"A new year begins, and new students we welcome
Now for the question you've had regarding the hour to come:
Which House will call you its own?
There'sGryffindor-the Lions in battle, whose bravery is known
Bold and fierce, Gryffindors are like rubies red
In the the crown on Hogwarts' head!
There'sHufflepuff-for the kind and just
The fair of soul, for whom loyalty is a must
Faithful and hardworking, the Badgers will never let you down!
There's Ravenclaw, who are wisdom's own
In practicality and strategy, the Eagles never fail
Be it sun or snow or hail!
And last comes Slytherin, the Serpent
You know you're something if their hand you're lent
Tread wisely around these folks
Or saddled you shall be with Revenge's yokes!
Are you still scared? Never fear!
Your time of Sorting is now here."