Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, I just have fun playing in Ms. Rowling's sandbox.
Chapter 2: The Sorting
Harry shook it off and soon the boat pulled up to a set of underground docks. He and the rest of the first years followed Hagrid up a steep stone staircase and soon found themselves approaching the giant main doors of the castle. Hagrid raised a large fist and knocked three times. A moment later the doors opened to reveal a severe looking woman in tartan robes and her greying hair in a tight bun.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Thank you, Hagrid," she replied, waving the students into the entrance hall. She guided them into a group in front of the doors to the Great Hall. She cleared her throat to get their attention and all idle chatter ceased. "In a few minutes you will enter the hall where you will be sorted into your houses. The four Houses are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. While you are here, your house will be like your family. You will sleep in your House dormitories, gather in your House common rooms, and dine at your House tables. The Sorting will begin shortly, I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as best you can," concluded McGonagall, wrinkling her nose at the smell from Malfoy and his bookends, completely ignoring the smudge of dirt on Ron Weasley's nose and how another boys cloak was fastened by his ear. She slipped into the Great Hall and conversations broke out. Harry listened to a girl with bushy brown hair whispering and muttering under her breath and turned to Dean and Seamus.
"How do you think they'll Sort us?" he asked.
"Dunno," replied Dean. "Although, I heard a couple of red head twins telling their brother something about wrestling a troll."
Harry stifled a snort of laughter. "I doubt they'd have first years wrestle a troll. No sense stressing over it though." Before he could continue, Professor McGonagall returned.
"It's time." McGonagall led the first years into the hall. Harry looked up to see that the ceiling appears to be open to the sky.
"It's enchanted to look like the sky outside," came a female voice from behind him. Harry looked and saw the bushy haired girl looking at him. "I read all about it in Hog…"
"Hogwarts: A History. Yes, I've read it too," said Harry. He noticed they were nearly to the front of the hall. "Perhaps we can continue this conversation later, Miss…?"
"Granger, Hermione Granger."
"I'm Harry." He heard Professor McGonagall clear her throat to get their attention. Harry looked up to see her place a patched and worn hat on a stool. Soon a rip opened up in the brim of the hat and it started singing.
(A/N: Just read the song in Sorcerer's Stone… It's the same in this story and I don't feel like copying it out
Harry listened to the Hat's song, paying particular attention to what each House looked for. Bravery for Gryffindor, intelligence for Ravenclaw, ambition for Slytherin and loyalty for Hufflepuff. 'Well damn, I would fit anywhere if you follow those criteria,' thought Harry. He decided to watch who went where and see what the Sorting Hat said.
"When I call your name, you will come forward, I will place the Sorting Hat on your head and you will be sorted into your House." She unrolled a roll of parchment. "Hannah Abbot!"
Harry watched each student as they were called up to try on the Sorting Hat. Some took longer than others but Harry did his best to match names to faces. He was going to try to memorize their House as well, but decided not to bother for the time being when he saw that the trim and crest on each student's robes changed to match the House colors and crest of their new House. He watched Seamus and the bushy haired girl Hermione get sorted into Gryffindor and saw that arrogant brat Malfoy and his muscle Crabbe and Goyle sorted into Slytherin. 'I hope I don't get sorted into Slytherin,' Harry thought to himself.
"Harry Potter!" called Professor McGonagall.
The Great Hall was silent as Harry walked up to the stool. He sat down and allowed McGonagall to place the Sorting Hat on his head. He panicked momentarily as he felt what seemed like fingers riffling through his thoughts and memories.
*Don't worry Mr. Potter,* the Sorting Hat said in Harry's head. *Anything I see here stays between us. I just need a bit of information to know where to put you. You are actually quite easy to place, though some would say I should always Sort a Parselmouth into Salazar's noble house, but you, young heir, belong in the House of your ancestor Godric…*
"GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the Sorting Hat.
Harry dramatically swept the hat off his head and handed it to Professor McGonagall before making a beeline for a waving Seamus who was holding him a seat at the Gryffindor table. He passed the Weasley twins, who were dancing on the bench chanting, "We got Potter! We got Potter!" He noticed that the eldest Weasley brother was also sitting at the Gryffindor table and he was giving Harry a sour look. 'I guess House can run in the family. I need to find out what House my mom and dad were in,' thought Harry. He crossed his fingers and hoped that Dean would join him and Seamus. He whistled and shouted with glee as Dean was Sorted into Gryffindor. Harry and Seamus exchanged hi-fives with Dean before he sat in a free seat next to Harry. His theory about House and family was strengthened a few minutes later as Ron Weasley became the last to join Gryffindor House. He sat across from Harry and immediately apologized for the looks Percy was giving him.
"Percy's a right git. He's been gloating all summer about being made a prefect. He got so bad that Fred and George wouldn't stop pranking him till Mum threatened to call our oldest brother Bill."
"Just how many brothers do you have?" asked Harry.
"Five. Besides Percy and the twins there's Bill, he's a curse breaker for Gringott's, and Charlie. He just finished Hogwarts and now he's in Romania studying dragons."
The hall fell silent as a man Harry recognized from Chocolate Frog cards as Headmaster Dumbledore stepped up to a podium in front of the teachers' table. "Before we begin our marvelous feast I would like to say a few words. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" He waved his hands and any comments Harry might have wanted to make died on his lips as food appeared on the table in front of him. He shook his head and dug in. As they ate, Ron continued his explanation of Percy's attitude towards Harry.
"Percy's a real stickler for rules and regulations," said Ron. At least that's what Harry thought he said, as Ron was talking with his mouth full of food.
"Ron, chew, swallow, then speak. I can't understand a word you're saying when you talk with your mouth full. I don't care about fancy table manners but that's just gross."
Ron swallowed and repeated what he said. "So when you called him a walking violation of the Secrecy Laws he got kind of offended. After we got through the barrier he started ranting about arrogant Yanks and snotty brats. I was looking at him when your name was called and I could tell he realized that it was the famous Harry Potter who had dressed him down. The look on his face was priceless."
"Let me guess, he's the sort who'll snitch on someone at the drop of a hat?" asked Harry.
"Too right. He's never managed to catch Fred and George in one of their pranks here at Hogwarts though."
Harry's eyes lit up at Ron's mention of pranks, a wicked grin forming on his lips. "That's the second time I've heard you mention pranks and your brothers in the same sentence. They sound like they could be either exciting competition or valuable partners. Do you think you could introduce me properly sometime?"
"Sure thing," said Ron.
After everyone had eaten their fill, including some delicious desserts Harry had never tried before, Dumbledore stood and waved his hands for quiet. "To our new students, welcome! And to our returning students, welcome back! Now that we have filled our bellies with this marvelous feast I have a few start of term announcements to make. First, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, would like me to remind you that magic in the halls is prohibited and that he has added Fanged Frisbees and Biting Teacups to the list of prohibited items. The full list is posted on his office door. Also the Forbidden Forest is of course forbidden to all students," he said, giving a pointed looked to Fred and George. "And this year the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to anyone who does not wish to die a terrible death. Now, off to bed, pip pip."
The hall started getting noisy as students got up and began heading for the doors. Harry heard several voices calling for first years to follow them, including Percy calling for the Gryffindors. Harry wrinkled his nose at the thought of following the snob anywhere but sighed and joined the rest of the Gryffindor first years in following Percy through the castle. They climbed what seemed like miles of stairs before coming to a stop in front of a portrait of a rather obese woman in a pink dress.
"Password?" asked the portrait.
Percy gave the password (Caput Draconis) and ushered Harry and the rest of the first years into a large common room. "This is the Gryffindor Common Room. Boys' dormitories are up the stairs to the left, girls' the same on the right. For now just find a seat, our Head of House will be along shortly to speak with you before bed." Percy waited in a corner until McGonagall arrived before disappearing up the stairs to his dormitory.
McGonagall stood in front of the large fireplace and motioned for the first years to gather around her. She gave a brief lecture on what was expected of them as members of Gryffindor House and a brief rundown of the school rules, as well as informing them of when meals are served in the Great Hall.
"Now, off to bed with you. You will receive your class schedules in the morning at breakfast. Mr. Potter, a moment please.
Harry waved for Dean and Seamus to head up to the dorm. "Yes, Professor?" he asked politely.
"Mr. Potter, the Headmaster would like to see you in his office before you go to bed." McGonagall lead Harry to the second floor and stopped in front of a stone gargoyle. "Lemon Drop." The gargoyle stepped aside to reveal a spiral staircase. "I trust you can find your way back to Gryffindor Tower on your own?" Harry nodded. "Off you go then, the Headmaster is waiting for you. Harry stepped onto the first stair and the entire staircase began moving upwards. When he reached the top, Harry stepped of the staircase and walked down the short hallway to the Headmaster's office. He raised his hand to knock on the door, but before he could do so, the door swung open and the Headmaster's voice drifted out.
"Come in, Harry."
A/N: Just wanted to answer a couple of questions I was asked in reviews. Obviously, Harry is a Gryff, I just couldn't really see him anywhere else, not when I intend for him to be good friends with Dean and Seamus. More info about his adopted parents (who are Squibs, not Muggles) will come in bits throughout the story, though one of his more distant adopted relations will be a bit of a crossover. He won't actually be seen until Christmas, though Harry will use some of that character's catchphrases.