Russia glared in front of him in what he hoped was a vaguely intimidating manner at the very least. After they had got off the train they had been greeted by the man, Hagrid, who had escorted them through Diagon Alley . Hagrid then proceeded to organize them into groups on a positively tiny fleet of boats and show them to the Entrance hall where he and England were trying to restrain a panicking America from running out of the hall. "NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" were all the words that came from his mouth the moment he saw the ghosts. England sighed, he hated to do this but it was for his own good."ALFRED! will you just. calm. DOWN!"

Silence reigned for a moment until a ghost swooped down behind America and went "BOO!" that was the clincher, America curled up in a ball and began shaking and mumbling things. "Aww! is the ickle firsty scared? of ghosties! heheheheheheh..." Russia stood up from where he had knelt down near America to comfort him, an expression worthy of general winter on his face. "That's it! go away spirit." Peeves flipped upside down and giggled oblivious to the other ghosts and students horror. "Nah! don't think I will, thank you!" Russia glared, "Kol Kol Kol Kol Kol Kol Kol Kol Kol Kol Kol..." Unbeknownst to him as he clutched his pipe it had begun glowing. he grabbed Peeves by his collar and pointed his pipe at him ready to slice his spectral body in half but instead the pipe spat out a torrent of water at the ghost, soaking his clothes. Ron snorted, then full out laughed, soon the entire waiting area was full of it apart from a few people who looked horrified by the idea of laughing at that (cough cough Hermione).

McGonnagall chose that moment to walk in and was wearing a rather stern expression. "what are you- PEEVES! GET OUT!" Peeves pouted. "But-" "out." Sullenly he floated out leaving behind a shakily standing America guarded by his friends. Harry hung about the edges half wanting to help half afraid to intrude. As they were lead into the Great hall he shuffled nervously up to them with Ron trailing behind. "So, how do you reckon the sorting works...?" America stiffly shook his head "Don't know, Don't care." Harry sighed and walked over to his other friend striking up a conversation with him.

Russia sighed. 'First day here and Америка makes a fool of himself, I wonder if we will learn to grow normal plants here? It would be nice for some sunflowers...' "Braginsky, Ivan!" looking up from the ground he saw McGonnagall staring at him sternly. America prodded him "stool man! get on the stool!" shaking his hand off he strode forward confidently and sat on the stool and let the hat be placed upon his head.

Hmmm... what are you Braginsky? A roaring sea of voices is all I can see...

you see voices?

thoughts, more accurately but it's as if... as if they are all you and yet none are. I can't single anything out!

look for Russia, not my people.

... the country?

me.

ah! yes, that is you! A burning passion for flowers though none grow for you? how strange. your certainly hardworking, with your plants at least and most loyal to those who earn it! your worthy of-

No! not Hufflepuff, anywhere other than there, please!

I wouldn't pin you as the sort to beg but...well, your certainly brave, and rather intelligent too! not a lust for knowledge like the Ravens though. your only brave in times of need, why you can't even face your sister sometimes! your ambitious and your certainly cunning! Yes, you belong in-

"SLYTHERIN!"

Russia sighed, that took far too long. he probably had Lice by now. Making his way to the area in green decor he dimly noticed his Badge had changed as he sat down to a selection of glares and curious stares.

"Jones, Alfred F!"

A grinning America walked up to the stool with a bounce in his step. nearly snatching it from McGonnagall he jammed it on his head, the grin faltered a little but was quickly out back in place though it looked a little strained.

Another sea eh?

dude? Sea, what do you mean by 'sea'?!

You have lots of thoughts.

DUDE! of course I do after all, I'M THE HERO!

really.

totally.

right. anything to help me sort through this... mess.

my mind is not a mess!

are you able to see it?

no...

exactly. now, about that help...?

try looking for America. that's me! THE US OF A IS MEEEEEE!

right... hmm, your not exactly craving intelligence, not the most cunning either. your brave but another trait out ways it by far. you will be a sound fit in

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

America practically ripped the hat off his head and sulked his way over to the Hufflepuff his grin completely extinguished. The claps that had started when he was decided a Hufflepuff slowed down and stopped as they saw his half depressed half murderous expression then they scuttled away from him with fear.

"Kirkland, Arthur"

England sighed. he had half hoped it would take longer to get to him because he just knew the hat would recognise him as it was made within his borders, not Scottie's.

which country are you then? I seem to remember you though I haven't met...

England. just sort me already you bloody hat!

Loyal...? No, you switch far too quickly unless it's hard-earned. not exactly hunting for knowledge despite how much you have nor are you ambitious. your too brave to not be in-

"GRYFFINDOR!"

England sighed and made his way over to the table throwing the hat over his shoulder as he went. Hermione beamed at him. "Arthur! what do you think to where your friends are?" casting a tired glance to her he smiled. "It suits them. you looked more like a Raven to me though!" Hermione's face reddened and she stuttered in response to the compliment. "Just joshing with you!" she smiled nervously in relief and was about to reply when a chorus of "WE GOT POTTER! WE GOT POTTER!" surrounded the table and Hermione politely clapped as Harry made his way over to the table.

"Wow, that took much longer than I expected... how long till we can eat?" Harry questioned. England shrugged. "No idea. there's probably a speech or something-" "Nidwit, Oddment, Blubber, Tweak!" Food sprang up from the plates to the awe of the freshly sorted first years, minus England. "Finally! English food, I've waited too long..." A questioning glance was spared for England but people quickly began helping themselves to the food with joy, England more so.

America and Russia were simultaneously juggling whether or not to test it's edibility as the English people had likely had their taste buds mutilated. very mutilated. America jumped up and rushed over to the Slytherin table. He whispered something indiscernible into Russia's ear and the large nation smiled eerily. "Da, it would be safer than eating Englands food at least even if I will later have to find something... better to subside upon." A few bottles of clear liquid were passed to America in return for a hamburger. England was having a little conversation with Hermione when she glanced over to the trading students and gasped loudly. He turned his head and saw them.

America glanced over at him and gulped, " See you, Ivan." Russia carried on grinning madly even as his friend became mutilated by the angry Englishman. "This will be good for me..." Other Slytherins looked at him strangely and edged away from him with no hesitation when they spotted his grin.