Rose made her way up the steps and into the Great Hall, taking her place at the Gryffindor table with James and Albus. Lily had sat further down the table with her friends in her year. Alice went over to the Hufflepuff table and Scorpius walked to the Slytherin table. As Rose sat down next to Albus, he whispered to her, "Scorpius was in my Potions class and he's not the kind of kid who'd be late to anything. My guess, he was up to something.""You think everyone's up to something. Last year you saw Professor Groutal on the edge of the Forbidden Forest and insisted something was going on." Rose said.
"I was right though, wasn't I?" James asked.
Rose did have to admit to that fact. Professor Groutal had been found selling stealing Dittany from the greenhouses and selling it for an extremely high price.
Before Rose could come up with a reply, the doors to the Great Hall opened and Professor Longbottom led in the first years. Drowning in their robes, they were all looking around the Great Hall, but most of them were looking up at the ceiling. Rather than just a boring, stone ceiling, the ceiling in the Great Hall was bewitched to show the sky, providing a spectacle of constellations and planets almost every night at dinner. The hall was also illuminated with thousands of floating candles which cast a comforting yellow light throughout the entire space. Rose remembered the first time she had seen the ceiling. She's read about it in Hogwarts: A History and her family had described it to her, but nothing could compare to seeing it in person for the first time, taking in the vastness of the hall and ceiling. The first years that weren't looking at the ceiling were glancing around nervously or trying to keep their gaze on the remembered the student in her year who had been walking next to her when she'd first entered the Great Hall when she had tripped on the hem of her robes. Rose had stopped and watched as the girl with the beautiful golden hair had sat on the ground, sniffling as she tried to hold back her tears. Rose had helped her up and now Alice Edgecombe was her closest friend, despite the different houses they'd been sorted into.
Many of the first years stared in awe at Rose, James and Albus as they passed them. Being the children of the famous Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, almost everyone knew their faces. Rose just smiled at them, whilst Albus looked bashful and James pulled Longbottom led them up to the front of the staff table where a three-legged wooden stool was waiting with a crumpled, dusty black pointed hat. The first years looked around anxiously, waiting for something to happen. The Sorting Hat suddenly sprang to life, perking up and creases forming to show what were meant to be eyes and a mouth. The hat then burst into song, loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear.
Oh I may look quite quite oldBut don't judge a book by its coverFor I am the Sorting HatAnd there's nothing I won't discover
In your head I can seeEvery wish and every thoughtEvery worry every joyAnd every battle fought
Do you belong in RavenclawThe brightest of the lotWho aim high in everythingA lot of brains they've got
Or is Slytherin the house for youA house of great cunningWho are known for their ambitionWhose bright green is quite stunning
Hufflepuff, the house of talent,Of those who don't fit inFor those who've got great gifts to shareWho can make others grin
Or Gryffindor, the house of courageWhere bravery is bestIn this house, challengesWill really put you to the test
Sorting students into housesThat is what I'm for,And trust me, no matter what house you're inLife at Hogwarts is no bore
But let me continue for just a bitFor this part of information is shortJust sit patiently in your seatIt won't be long before I sort
Even though I split youInto these houses fourIt is best to be unitedWhich isn't too hard a chore
For staying strong through thick and thinIs really the best thingAnd happiness and luckTo you it will bring
So now its time for SortingMy song is nearly doneNow find out what house you're inAnd I hope you have some fun.
At the end of this song, the Great Hall burst into a ruckus of applause. Professor Longbottom then pulled out a scroll, unrolling it infront of him. He picked up The Sorting Hat and held it high in his hand."Holly Parker."Rose watched as a girl with a a blonde bob and a button nose walked up and sat on the stool. She looked around, obviously startled by the fact that a hat was talking to her. After no more than a minute, the hat bellowed, "Hufflepuff!"Cheers went up from the Hufflepuff table as the young girl ran over and joined the table, beaming at her sorting.
"Amita Parvati."This time, a dark-skinned girl with waist-length dark brown hair walked up and sat on the stool where Professor Longbottom lowered the hat onto her anticipation in the hall was palpable. Every eye was trained on The Sorting Hat, waiting eagerly for a verdict.
"The Hat's taking its bloody time." James whispered to Rose.
The Hall waited a full five-and-a-half minutes, a Hatstall, before the Hat yelled, "GRYFFINDOR!"Rose grinned and clapped loudly, happy to have a new face in Gryffindor.
"Albert Trinkle."
Rose heard a few sniggers at the boy's name and felt a twinge of pity for him. "I just hope he's not in Slytherin." Rose thought, "Otherwise he's in for a hard time." she watched as the freckle-faced boy sat on the stool.
The hat spent several minutes deciding where to sort the lanky, brunette boy before yelling, "SLYTHERIN!"Rose groaned inwardly, secretly hoping the boy was made of tough stuff.
As the rest of the first years were called up in turn, Rose dazed off, staying focussed just enough to clap when required. By the end of the sorting, Gryffindor had gained a total of seventeen first years.
Before the students could start their conversations again, Headmistress Horton rose from her seat, causing everyone to look up to the bony, tall woman. She stood at the golden podium, the owl on the front on it opening its wings so that each feather could be Horton had her curly, chestnut brown hair in a messy bun as usual. There were so many hairs sticking out that it looked as if there was a fuzzy, brown halo surrounding her head. Her round spectacles were perched slightly askew on her small, pointed nose. Her deep blue robes looked unkempt and old and her pointed hat looked like the dusty, old Sorting Hat.
"Welcome back students." Professor Horton began in her shrill voice, looking around at all the tables. "I trust you have all had a good holiday and are ready for another year of education. To our first years, welcome. I hope you find your stay at Hogwarts most wonderful. Before we begin our feast, I have a few start of term notices. Once again, I must remind you all that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to every student." She said, looking out at the students over her tiny spectacles. "Also, access to the area on the far side of the lake is forbidden for all students due to a pair of Hippogriffs nursing a hatchling. For anyone thinking it might be fun to take a look at the hatchling, need I remind you that Hippogriffs have very sharp talons and are very, very protective. Our beloved Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House, Professor Slughorn has decided to retire after a very long and stressful teaching career. I would like you all to welcome Professor Dippit, a descendant of famous Headmaster Armando Dippit, to our staff." Everyone in the hall politely clapped as the hunch-backed, black haired Dippit stood, nodding his head at the crowd. The Headmistress continued, "He will be both Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House. I hope you all have a wonderful term. Now, let the feast begin!"
The Headmistress clapped her hands twice and hundreds of dishes materialised on the four tables. All the first years "Oohed" and "Aaahed" at this, their eyes staring at the various mouthwatering plates of food before them. Pork chops, roast turkey, roast chicken, roasted vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and steamed vegetables were all set out. Plates, cutlery and goblets full of pumpkin juice all appeared for each student seated at the tables.
Rose placed some roast chicken, potatoes and vegetables on her plate, eating her fill whilst talking to those around her, including Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor House ghost, who suddenly appeared through a roasted turkey half-way through the feast, startling many on the table.
Once everyone had eaten their fill, the dinner plates faded into nothing, and a few moments later plates laden with sweets, cakes and lollies appeared. Rose absent-mindedly ate a few pumpkin pasties, but didn't really pay attention to the taste.
Once they were dismissed from dinner, Rose headed straight to her dormitory, not even bothering to check who else was there. She was exhausted from the long day and wanted to get plenty of rest before the first day of term. The was no one else in her dormitory when she walked in. Rose noticed her barn owl, Athena, asleep in her cage and decided to take her up to the owlery tomorrow morning rather than disturb her. She quickly unpacked her belongings and, after changing, fell into bed and was asleep almost instantly.