Chapter 7

The Sorting Hat

The great door opened, and an older looking witch came out that I remember from past memories. I remember her being Professor McGonagall from the night we were brought to the Dursleys. I remember her insisting that we were brought somewhere else because of how awful they seemed. Knowing that made me like her even more. She was dressed in beautiful emerald green robes and her graying black hair was pulled in a tight bun under her tall black pointed hat. Her lips were in a firm line on her stern face. After taking us off Hagrid's hands, she opened the door wide and ushered us into an entrance hall that was bigger than any house on Privet Drive. The walls were lined with ancient lit torches, illuminating the hall with a soft glow. The ceiling was too high to see and the sounds of other students were echoing from another room closed off with another pair of giant doors. McGonagall gathered us in front of the doors and got our attention and began to speak.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you can take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The houses are Gryffindor, Huffelpuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. While you are here, your house will be like your family. You will have classed together, eat together, sleep in the same dormitory, and earn and lose points together. You will earn points with triumphs and lose them for any rule breaking. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will win the house cup. I hope each of you will be a credit for whichever house you end up in. I will return when we are ready for you."

She opened the door slightly enough for her to get through, but to hide the image of the Great Hall from us. I look over to Harry to see him shaking a bit from nerves. He turned towards Ron.

"How exactly do they sort us into houses?"

Ron shrugged his shoulders.

"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking."

I silently chuckled. The Twins had told me that it was putting on a magic hat, but there was no way I was ruining their fun of messing with their brother so I kept quiet. I then looked up and noticed many silvery things floating above us. When I looked closer I noticed that they were in the shape of people. They were talking with each other and two of them seemed to be arguing. One of them was a small monk and the other was dressed like he was from the renaissance.

"Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance."

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost - I say, what are you all doing here?"

The two of them were now looking at us. The Friar gave us a kind smile.

"New students? About to be stored I suppose?"

We all nodded at the kind ghost.

"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house, you know."

The door to the Great Hall opened slightly once again and Professor McGonagall came back out.

"Move along now, the Sorting Ceromony's about to start. Now form a line, and follow me."

Everyone lined up and I took a deep breath as she opened the doors. The Great Hall was something I've never seen before. It was beautiful. There were hundreds of floating candles above four long tables where previous year students sat. around the room were many different ghosts shimmering in the candlelight. Above the candles was the beautiful ceiling that was identical to the night sky outside, it was almost like there was no ceiling at all. In front was one long table that held all the professors. In the middle, eyes twinkling and robes brightly colored, was Dumbledoor. I looked at him with a smile and he gave a knowing smile back as if he could read my mind. Professor McGonagall led us to the end of the hall where a four legged stool sat with a patched up old hat on top. Everyone's eyes were trained on it, like they were waiting on something. Then I saw it start to twitch. A long tear opened up, and the tear turned out to be a mouth. It then started to sing.

Oh you may not think i'm pretty,

But dont judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!

The song was met with applause filling the entire hall, it bowed to each of the tables then went back to its still position. I could hear Ron grumble to me and Harry.

"So we've just got to try on a hat? I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll."

I started snickering at the prank, Ron looked over to me and narrowed his eyes.

"You knew didn't you?"

I put on my best innocent look.

"Who, me? I don't know what you're talking about."

First rule of pranks, never let them pin it on you unless it was amazing and you want the glory. Ron just blew a gust of wind in frustration.

"Oh great, you're as bad as them."

Harry just silently chuckled at Ron as the three of us turned our attention to the front once more to hear Professor McGonagall tell us how it works.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."

She got out a long parchment and started shouting out names alphabetically starting with a girl named Hannah Abbot who was put in Hufflepuff. After each person was sorted, their new house would give an applause for their new house member, making them feel welcome. The names went on, and when she got to the G's she called the bushy-haired girl from the train.

"Hermionie Granger."

You could tell the poor girl was nervous by the way she was gnawing on her lip. She went to the stool and sat down while the hat was placed on her head. Not long after the hat shouted.

"Gryffindor."

She eagerly ran to the table that held all the other Gryffindors. Ron groned, unhappy he would have to put up with her for the rest of his school years, but I decided then that if I was in her house I would give her a chance. She seemed a lot like me in some ways, and I could see us becoming good friends in the future. I turned back to the front to see a round boy with blond hair come up to the stool after the name Longbottom was called. He looked more nervous than Hermionie. After a couple of minutes the hat announced

"Gryffindor"

And he ran off the stool taking the hat with him. He got halfway to the table before he realized what he did, then turned around, brought the hat back, then took his place at the Gryffindor table. After a few more names, the little priss from the train was called and he practically swaggered to the stool. The hat didn't even really touch his head before it announced,

"Slytherin."

Why am I not surprised. He smirked as he got off the stool and walked to his new table. One day, that little ferret is going to get his arse kicked, and I'm going to be the one doing the kicking. Mcgonagall then went on with the names going through each letter and name, most taking only a minute, until she got to our names.

"Potter, Harry"

Whispers broke out in the hall as people whispered about us. People need to get a life, it looked as though every house was on the edge of their seats, hoping we were placed with them. Harry went up and sat on the stool, then had the hat placed on his head. While most people took about a minute, maybe two, his took almost five minutes. By the look on his face and the way he was moving his lips, he was arguing with the hat. Finally the moth opened and it shouted,

"Gryffindor."

A cheer almost as loud as thunder broke out at the Gryffindor table, but as soon as it came it became silent again. There was still one more Potter to be placed.

"Potter, Hope."

I slowly went up to the hat, a little nervous. I think I already knew where I would be, but you never know. I turned and looked at the houses and then I was plunged in darkness as the hat was placed on my head. Then I could hear the hat's voice in my head.

"Well, well, well, we have another Potter, quite different from your brother, very brave, and extremely intelligent. You could do great in Ravenclaw, but you also have an unwavering loyalty like a Hufflepuff, but with this streak of mischievousness would also put you in Slytherin."

"Oh just make up your mind already you pile of patches."

"Oh fine, better be Gryffindor."

The thundering broke out again but this time it was filled with,

"WE'VE GOT BOTH POTTERS!"

I quickly ran over to my new housemates with a wide smile. I got to the table and was quickly pulled to sit between the twins with Fred on my left and George on my right. Next to George was their brother Percy who was talking with my brother. And in front of me was Hermionie who I tried to get to know a bit better past the know-it-all I met earlier. I learned that her and I love similar fantasy muggle books and are excited about the same classes. Fred and George even chimed into our conversations a bit with their own opinions. I turned my attention back to the sorting when I heard Ron's name called. He shakely sat on the stool and jumped when the hat was placed on his head. In almost no time, the hat called out,

"Gryffindor."

And his shoulders slumped in relief. We all clapped, happy to know that he was now part of the same house as the rest of his family. The sorting continued until a boy by the last name of Zabini was pronounced a Slytherin and sat with his new housemates. Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and the hat was taken away. When everything was cleared away Professor Dumbldoor stood from his seat and opened his arms wide with a smile while the entire hall hushed to hear his announcement..

"Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddoment! Tweak! Thank you."

He sat back down and all along the table food and drinks had appeared. My jaw dropped at all the mountains of food. There were meats ranging from roasts to chops and any kind of side you could think of. I started adding all different types of food on my plate and was eating away when a ghost brushed through the table as if he were trying to taste all the food. He rose to full height and I saw he was dressed with a feathered hat and puffy clothes. He tipped his feathered hat in greeting and introduced himself.

"Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Popington at your service. Resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower."

Ron put his food down and stared at the ghost.

"I know who you are! You're Nearly Headless Nick!"

The ghost became disgruntled at the name.

"I would prefer you to call me Sir Nicholas if you don't mind!"

Hermionie being as curious as she is decided to ask,

"Nearly Headless? How can you be nearly Headless?"

The ghost became more annoyed and decided to show us EXACTLY why he was called that by pulling off his almost severed head from his body and had it hanging by the tiniest bit of ghost flesh. When I saw this I wanted to look away but at the same time couldn't take my eyes off of it. Seeing our disgusted or stunned looks, Nicholas smirked, put his head back into place, and smirked at us before speaking again.

"So - New Gryffindors! I hope you're going to help us win the house championship this year? Gryffindors have never gone so long without winning. Slytherins have got the cup six years in a row! The Bloody Baron's becoming almost unbearable - he's the Slytherin ghost."

I move my head to look around him and I see a silvery ghost conversing with a few students at the Slytherin table. He was wearing a puffy outfit like most of the ghosts here but on his was the splattering of silver that appeared to be blood with his face hollow and his eyes blank. I raise my eyebrow and look back at Nick.

"The ghost who looks like if he could kill himself he would, is teasing you?"

Nick looks at me and smirks again.

"Don't be fooled by his looks, he can be quite frightening, he is the only one who can keep that blasted poltergeist Peeves under control."

I then placed that piece of information in the back of my mind for later. Nick then floated away just as the many deserts appeared on the table consisting of any cake, candy, or treat there was. I then grabbed a few different sweets and continued to eat and talk with my housemates. Most of the conversations were about where people were from and how they discovered their magic. One boy named Seamus Finnigan had a muggle father and a witch mother, that his father was uninformed of when they got married, and another nervous looking boy was worried that he wouldn't have magic until his uncle threw him out a window to test them and he bounced instead of going splat. Across from me Hermionie was talking with Percy about the upcoming lessons, and from both sides Fred and George were discussing new ideas for pranks and were getting my opinions and ideas included. I looked at the long table that held all the teachers. Up there I could see Hagrid drinking and eating his giant food portions, McGonagall talking with the many different teachers, and Professor Quirrel in hois turan talking to a teacher dressed all in black. He had a sharp face with a hooked nose. He had jet black hair that looked shiney with grease and his face held what looked like a permanent sneer. I poked Fred to get his attention and pointed to the dark teacher.

"Who the hell is that?"

He looked at the man I was pointing at and realization flitted over his face."

"Ahh, I see you've noticed the bat of the dungeons. That our dear apprentice is the potions teacher Professor Snape."

George as usual when his brother is talking decoded toi join the conversation.

"He hates any house that isn't his. He gives all the points to the SLytherins and takes all the points away from the other houses, especially ours."

The second I heard his name a memory came to my mind. I was one of my parents talking, well more like arguing. Dad didn't like mom bringing an old friend up, one named severus, or snivillus as my dad called him. She was arguing back that he was who he was because of how dad would treat him. She then carried me out of the room and that's all I could remember. I was brought out by the memory from a nudge from Fred. I look and see him looking at me with concern on his face.

"You ok?"

I nodded and brushed it off.

"Yeah I'm fine."

He looked like he didn't believe me but he let it go knowing I wouldn't tell him anything. We heard the noise in the great hall start to quiet down and I looked to the front to see Professor Dumbledoor stand up again but this time he walked around and in front of the Head Table and stood at a podium with a large owl with its wings displayed on the front.

"Ahem - just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

I look to the two boys on either side of me with a raised eyebrow. They averted their eyes and looked around to avoid my questioning stare.

"I have also been asked by Mr.Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors."

Ha! I bet no one follows that rule.

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madame Hooch."

Both of the twins put an arm on me.

"Next year you will be joining us"

"No question."

I smiled at both of them.

"Thanks boys."

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a painful death."

All the first years, including me, looked at him like has lost his mind. I thought this was a school for children, schools don't usually have things that will cause you a painful death. Even with the many confused and horrified looks, Dumbleddor continued on aws if he said nothing unusual.

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song."

He turned around and waved his wand. What came out of it was a long golden ribbon that flew up above the teachers heads and would twist into different words.

"Everyone pick their favorite tune, and off we go."

The hall filled with the sound of a very badly sung song, a song which was one of the weirdest songs I've ever heard. Of course since everyone was singing their own version, everyone finished at different points. The last ones were of course Fred and George because they decided to make their song a slow funeral march. Once they finished the ribbons of words disappeared and Dumbledor was wiping tears from his eyes.

"Ah, music, A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

Each table stood and began to shuffle out of the great hall following their houses' prefects. Outside each of them split off in different directions going to their respective common rooms. Our group started climbing a marble staircase that led to the Gryffindor tower. Every student was dragging their legs from being so full and sleepy after a long day. As we walked we noticed all the portraits moving and greeting us. I looked up at the multiple staircases to see them moving side to side and up and down leading to different corridors and floors. After climbing so many stairs and going through many corridors we stopped and I thought we had finally arrived when I saw Percy being pelted with walking sticks. I giggled and leaned against Fred who put his arm around me. Suddenly a small ghost appeared who was little and round like a ball appeared and started laughing at Percy. Suddenly he was rushing down towards our heads and we all ducked to avoid him. From all this messing around I could tell this must be Peeves the poltergeist. Finally I was fed up, I was tired and wanted to go to bed for pete's sake. I stood up straight and glared at the pesky poltergeist.

"Hey you floating beach ball, knock it off, i want to go to bed."

He stopped and turned to me with a smirk.

"Well well, what's this? A brave ickle firstie is it? Why should I stop my fun?"

I smirked and crossed my arms.

"Nicholas told me all about how you're afraid of the bloody baron, I'm sure he would love an excuse to deal with you? Maybe I should tell him how you were saying he was a pompous arse."

His pale ghost face might have gone whiter.

"You wouldn't, you little brat."

"Try it, beach ball."

His little face scrunched up and he blew his tongue out at me then disappeared. The rest of the students got up and the older ones looked at me in awe. Apparently I was the first to stand up to Peeves and beat him at his own game. Fred and George were impressed and Fred rewarded me with a piggyback ride for the rest of the walk to the tower. After that, they were convinced I was a Slytherin in a Gryffindor disguise. We got to the end of the corridor where a large portrait of a lady in frilly pink was painted. She looked at Percy.

"Password?"

He responded with our new password and I made sure to listen carefully so I wouldn't get locked out in the future.

"Caput Draconis."

The portrait swung out to reveal an opening in the wall that led to the common room. Fred carried me through the opening and softly let me down so I could stand and look around. It was a huge and comfy looking room. It was decorated in reds and golds, with squishy arm chairs and a warm fire. It was the coziest looking room I had ever seen. I gave Fred a big hug and a thank you for carrying me and was directed by percy towards a staircase leading to the girls dormitory. I went over to my brother and pulled him into a hug.

"You realize that this will be the first time we won't be sharing a room?"

His arms squeeze me tighter at that realization. While I was glad to be with only girls for once, I knew I would miss him. We were all that each other had. He pulled away first and had some tears in his eyes.

"I'll miss you."

I smiled at him and kissed the top of his head.

"Don't worry, I'll meet you here in the comonroom bright and early tomorrow. Then we will go eat together."

He nodded and went to start climbing the stairs to his new room. Before Ron could, I grabbed his arm.

"You watch out for him alright? You are the first friend he has had other than me, so I'm trusting you to look out for him when I can't, got it?"

I could tell he was a little frightened of me, which I considered a good thing, but nodded his head nonetheless. So I let go of his arm and allowed him to follow Harry upstairs. The twins came over to me to say goodnight.

"Aww look Freddie, Hope is worried about her brother."

"I know Georgie, even scared our little brother into doing the same."

"Hey don't judge me, you would do the same for each other, now if you two excuse me, im off to bed."

I reached up and gave each a kiss on the cheek and went to bed. I don't know why I feel so close to them after only knowing them for a few hours, but I feel like I've known them my whole life, like they were family. With that thought I got ready for the night and climbed into my new four poster bed, and drifted to sleep with a smile on my face, thinking about the people I can now call my family.