A/N Disclaimer the world in which this story was set up is not belong to me, but the awesome JK Rowling. I do not own any of the characters whose names are recognised from the books. (I do claim Becky as mine though). If you recognise it, I didn't write it sadly otherwise I'd never need to work again [sniffs woebegonely].

The great oak doors swung open, and a tall man, whose round face would have looked welcoming if it hadn't been for its many scars, was waiting for them. A few of the students looked slightly afraid of the man, but Albus broke into a huge grin.

"Hi Nev-I mean Professor Longbottom!" Albus said then turned an impressive shade of crimson, a colour his Weasley relatives would have been proud of. Professor Longbottom raised his eyebrows at Albus then turned to Hagrid.

"No problems I hope Hagrid?" he asked

"Ehm - there was a bit o' trouble." Hagrid replied, pushing forward a dripping Nerys. The professor merely waved his wand and she was dry, prompting a rush of excited whispering from the students who had seen little magic before. He turned to Albus again with one raised eyebrow and waved his wand again.

"Your brother was responsible for the blue hair, I presume?" He asked, and Albus grinned and nodded. Bidding farewell to Hagrid, Professor Longbottom guided the first years to a small ante-chamber off of the magnificent Entrance Hall, passing what Scorpius assumed was the Great Hall from the buzz of chatter from within. The first years huddled together in little groups looking around nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts" Professor Longbottom "The welcome feast will start soon but before you can join you schoolmates, you'll first be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because while you're here at Hogwarts your house is like your family. You'll eat with your house, sleep in house dormitories, have classes with your house mates and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin – each house has its own speciality, history, and they've all produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you're here, your triumphs will see you awarded house points, whilst any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year the House Cup will be awarded to the house with most points. I hope you all become a credit to whichever house become yours."

"I'm going to check that they're ready for you in the Great Hall, so you stay here. If any of you cause any sort of disturbance, I won't hesitate to dock points from your future houses."

Professor Longbottom left the room and the first-years began to shuffle nervously.

"How exactly did he say he say we get sorted?" Becky whispered nervously.

Scorpius felt a horrible sinking feeling in his stomach, and swallowed, trying, but failing to dislodge the lump in his throat.

"He didn't" he said

"It's something to do with a hat, but dad never said exactly how. Your dad never said anything Scorpius?" Albus asked, although seemingly more with casual curiosity than the nerves of his new friends.

"No."

"Well it can't be anything dangerous, or they'd never let it carry on. It's probably just a test or something." Rose whispered back, although she looked as nervous as the others.

Silence fell again, although Becky seemed to be trying pierce holes in Nerys Warrington's back, whilst Rose was whispering under her breath. Scorpius felt sick, although he wasn't the only one, as there was one girl with a long red plait* who looked to be a pale shade of green. The only people in the room who seemed relatively unfazed now that they had been left alone were Albus, and a dark skinned boy Scorpius seemed to remember someone calling Freddy.

The two boys were exchanging grimaces that made them look deformed, trying to out-gurn each other, until Rose and the other red haired girl gave them both scornful glares, although it did lighten the tension in the room somewhat and gave rise to some nervous laughter.

But still, the first-years were incredibly grateful when Professor Longbottom returned and took them into the Great Hall. There was a collective gasp from the group once again, as they took in the sight of the incredible ceiling, the floating candles and the overall splendour of the magnificent room.

"Is it true that the ceiling's enchanted to look like the sky outside?" Scorpius overheard Becky whisper to Rose, although he was too lost in the depths of inky black sky seemingly overhead to hear the reply.

Professor Longbottom had gone into another ante-chamber of the Hall when they had entered, and he now returned with a wooden stool and a very old, grubby-looking and well patched hat which he then placed on on the stool. Scorpius couldn't help thinking that his mother would have a fit if she ever found something like it in the manor, and give the house-elf clothes, at least.

There were a few moments of silence, in which everyone in the Hall seemed to be staring at either hat or the first years. Then in a movement so sudden it caused a renewed wave of whispering amongst the first-years the Sorting Hat (which Scorpius realised the hat must be) burst into song.

'When I was new and founders four still true

Gryffindor set me this task to do

To place each of you first year pupils new

Into the house that fits the best for you

'Gryffindors pride courage and derring-do

But in Slytherin it's cunning that shines through

Loyal Hufflepuff work hardest,

Ravenclaw claim they're the smartest

I'm the Sorting Hat and that's my task to do

'Gryffindors are known for acts of valour

bravery and things of similar kind

Whilst Ravenclaw they prize a thirst for knowledge

a love of books and an enquiring mind

Hufflepuff are the hardest working sort

loyal and justice-loving to the last

Slytherin strive for power with ambition

but not now by means as they did in the past

So try me on and then you'll see

The sort of folk with whom you'll be

I think you'll find that that's the task for me!'

The whole school gave a huge round of applause as the hat finished its song.

"Your dad never mentioned that we have to try it on in front of the whole school then Albus!?" Scorpius hissed.

"No!" He said in a loud voice over the din.

The hall went abruptly quiet then, catching the boy called Freddy out, as he could be heard clearly to say, 'I'll kill dad! He said we had to wrestle a troll!'. The laughter the followed was even louder than the applause, although it was short lived, as Headmistress McGonagall could been seen giving the loudest perpetrators withering glares.

Professor Longbottom came forward with a roll of parchment and cleared his throat.

In the silence that followed, Scorpius was convinced that his heart was the loudest thing in the room, for the nerves that he had managed to squash in the earlier mirth had all come flooding back.

The Sorting was about to begin.

*that's a braid for any confused american reader (the same way bangs are what we Brits call a fringe)– you probably knew that already but just in case you didn't, now you know.

[A/N Bit of a shorter chapter this time, but by gum it took me ages to write the sorting song, even if it is still cringe-worthy! Big thanks to my lovely first reviewers, Tom, theworldaboveabove and bookworm – best birthday present ever! :) hugs! Every one else don't forget to review! It makes me happy to see people HAVE actually read it! Also I will want to write more ]