Chapter Six - The Pre-Pudding Meal
Soon the train was slowing and the trio, now dressed in their school robes, exited the scarlet engine to the cries of: 'Firs'-years firs-years over here!' These cries emerged from what Skye could only describe as a giant. She could only hope that he was the big, friendly kind. The group that had gathered started down a woodland path. Tabitha was practically skipping at Skye's side.
"Woah!" Mikey breathed as they came around a bend. This was accompanied by a range of exclamations from the surrounding students.
"Well, there yer 'ave it. Hogwarts at its fines'," he beamed. "Now, four to a boat and mind yer step."
Tabitha raced to claim a boat sitting at the edge of the dark water. Skye followed with a roll of her eyes directed at Mikey and a grin that revealed her bubbling excitement, which he returned.
"Can I join your boat?" a boy inquired.
"As long as you don't mind taking a dip in the lake. I think Tabitha's fidgeting is going to send us in," Mikey laughed. Tabitha stuck out her tongue in response. The boy seemed to contemplate the risk before stepping into the boat.
"Righ' then, FORWARD," the giant commanded. In response the boats glided smoothly across the lake. Skye gazed around, ducking her head at the warning their leader gave them before passing through the ivy hanging from the cliff face. Reaching the shore at the end of the tunnel, they exited the boats to approach a large set of wooden doors that swung open in response to three great big knocks.
Skye immediately spotted Professor McGonagall who gazed around at the first years that Hagrid, Skye had picked up his name amongst the whispers, had indicated. Her gaze seemed to rest on Skye that was beaming up at her.
"Follow me," she commanded them, leading them towards a large entrance hall and diverting off to an empty chamber that reminded Skye of the room that a priest would prepare in at church. She turned to the group that had gathered nervously. "Welcome to Hogwarts. Soon, you will be undergoing the sorting ritual that places you in one of four Hogwarts houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. This will dictate your so-called family at Hogwarts that you will spend most of your time with. It will also govern the house that you will win, or lose, house points for, which ultimately leads to the presentation of the House Cup at the end of the year. Therefore, I suggest, whatever your house, that you do them proud and ensure your time at Hogwarts is well spent." She glanced around at the students that were hanging on her every word. Listening for any more tibet's of information that might suggest what was to come next. However, the only thing left to be said was "Please wait here quietly until you are called."
"Right, we're aiming for Gryffindor," Tabitha whispered.
"I don't think we can do that. We don't even know how they decide," Skye breathed back.
"They judge your qualities. I'm obviously an evil genius bound for Slytherin, but you're too nice for that," Skye felt almost offended for being called 'too nice'. "Mikey is obviously Mr Hufflepuff, but I'm too short tempered for that, and you are probably a Ravenclaw, but, again, I've got no chance," she concluded.
"It seems you're the one limiting our choice of house," Mikey mused.
"We don't have to be in the same house. We're already friends," Skye pointed out, already the keeper of peace.
"Well, at least try," Tabitha had commanded them a little too loudly. This earned her a stern stare from Professor McGonagall, as she returned to collect the anxious first years.
"Form a line and follow me," she governed. Skye was a nervous wreck. She was pretty sure she was about to float off given the amount of butterflies in her stomach. Then she was startled by a hard punch to her arm. As she glanced at Tabitha in annoyance she saw the girl's head indicate upwards. Skye followed her line of direction and gawped at the ceiling, which resembled the night sky, the flickering of candles joining the twinkling stars.
Skye's attention was then drawn by a simple wooden stool that was placed in front of the group, which, momentarily, was accompanied by a shabby looking wizard's hat.
Hide your worried faces,
Take a seat and see,
Where you will be placed today,
Will be governed by me.
So, the hat was singing.
Mikey seemed to be taken aback. Looks like hats would be added to his list of things that could potentially eat him. Tabitha was humming along as the hat began listing the traits of each house. This caused Skye's thoughts to wonder. Would she be a Ravenclaw like Tabitha said? But her mum wanted her to be a Gryffindor, like her father. Skye couldn't imagine the disappointment she would receive if she didn't follow in his footsteps.
So keep your ears open wide,
Listen carefully for your name,
My decision is final (no one can rival),
This hat's final claim.
The whole school, separated between four long tables, erupted into applause. Skye's heart seemed to be beating just as fast.
"Upon hearing your name, please take a seat and place the hat on your head," the Professor projected across the hall as she took out a roll of parchment. "Belby, Marcus!"
The hat was silent for a full minute once Marcus had sat down and allowed the hat to cover his eyes. "RAVENCLAW!" Came the cry of the hat.
Soon the sorting was well underway with 'Bell, Katie' becoming the first Gryffindor. 'Carmichael, Eddie' and 'Chang, Cho' both joining Marcus in Ravenclaw.
Soon it was the turn of 'Felton, Michael' and Skye was surprised to see Mikey step forward to place the hat on his head. Skye was pretty sure the hat was broken with the long silence that followed. McGonagall even began glancing at her watch.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat shouted, causing Skye to jump at the disturbance to the silence. The table on the right cheered and began whispering amongst themselves as Mikey headed over with one last glance over his shoulder as he hesitated, looking at the two girls still waiting to be called. Skye beamed at him, motioning him to join the table that awaited his arrival. He grinned and took an empty seat.
'Griffin, Lilith' seemed disgruntled that Mikey still had most of the attention of the hall, but smirked as she was sorted into Slytherin. Then the boy who joined them in their boat, 'Griffiths, Adam', was sorted into Hufflepuff. Skye smiled as she saw Mikey indicate the seat next to him. He wasn't alone.
The call of 'Hart, Tabitha' also seemed to cause a stir in the hall. Skye expected that most remembered her from the laps she did at Kings Cross. The hat took a few moments before yelling 'GRYFFINDOR', which caused Tabitha to whoop and throw the hat in the air as if she had just graduated, before leaping off the steps towards the table that was hooting with her. McGonagall wasn't pleased as she retrieved the hat for 'Hunter, Luke'.
It wasn't long before 'Knight, Skye' was being read from the parchment. Skye took a deep breath, sat down, and placed the hat on her head.
"So… you're the one causing me problems, eh?" the hat whispered in her ear. "But you're not mad. Oh no, the loyalty you show could definitely be valued in Hufflepuff as well. But this mind is eager for knowledge isn't it? Ravenclaw could certainly feed that for you." Skye's mind flashed with the thought of her mother's excitement as she presented Skye with the Gryffindor scarf.
"Oh, Gryffindor is it? Dreams of grandeur isn't enough, but yes… There it is. Not even a second thought when you stopped that boy from falling. Better be, GRYFFINDOR!" The hall erupted and Tabitha actually stood up to clap Skye on the back as she joined the table.
Skye watched the rest of the sorting, cheering along with everyone else when the next Gryffindor 'McLaggen, Cormac' headed over. The final girl, quite tall for her age, appeared quite disgruntled about being sorted last.
It was not long before Dumbledore had stood to gaze at his students. "Welcome to Hogwarts: a great supporter of pudding. Now, let us begin the pre-pudding meal. Thank you."
The school erupted in applause. Skye joined in for the man she greatly appreciated, despite a short visit.
"Why is everyone clapping? He's barking!" Tabitha exclaimed.
"What, don't you like pudding?" Skye laughed. Then she began grabbing slices of roast beef and dolloping mash on her plate. This was accompanied by peas, carrots, and broccoli before a generous helping of gravy. The pre-pudding meal, Skye mused, was delicious.
XxX
"All first years, follow me," came the cries of the Prefects leading the first year students to their dormitories.
"Skye! Tabitha!" came a familiar shout behind them. It was Mikey. "Sorry! I…"
"Well, I should think so! The betrayal!" Tabitha declared dramatically.
"That's Tabitha speak for she wishes you could be with us, but we'll see you tomorrow," Skye smiled.
"Really, you mean it?" his eyes lit up.
"We'll be sitting four feet from you, dummy," Tabitha scoffed. Skye was pleased to see she wasn't too mad at him. "Now let's go before we're all lost. I don't want to run into that poltergeist."
"Poltergeist?" he squeaked. Skye hoped that Tabitha was joking, but given Dumbledore's warning about The Forbidden Forest in his speech, Skye was beginning to think that anything was possible at Hogwarts.