Disclaimer: I in no way have any rights to Harry Potter, that right belongs to J.K. Rowling
Authors Note: I appreciate all of the support not only for my story but for myself and my health as well. While it is still hard to type a bit I am still able to, but much slower than I am used to. Hence why it took so long to get this chapter up. Thank you all for your patience. Enjoy!
The door swung open at once to show a tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes. She had a very stern face and Harry's first thought at seeing her was 'This is not someone to cross'.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall." Said the Giant.
"Thank you Hagrid, I will take them from here."
So saying the woman pulled the door wide. The entrance hall was so big you could have fit the whole of the Dursley's house inside of it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches. Which Harry thought a bit odd, but then figured it was just something that came with having a school in a castle.
Looking up the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors. For the first years it was amazing to see.
They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. The drone of hundreds of voices could be heard from a doorway on their right as they passed. The rest of the school was already there, but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They all crowded in, standing rather closer than they would usually have done, peering about nervously. Harry was glad that he had already changed into his 'school' look. There would be questions he was sure from Neville and Hermione, but he was glad that he would be questioned only by two people instead of the large group of first years. That would have been awkward (and upset his Aunt).
He was thinking so deeply about the possible questions that Neville and Hermione would pepper him with that he missed the beginning of the Professor's speech. Dudley had had to elbow him in the side to get his attention. Startled Harry was about to ask his cousin why he had elbowed him when he got a glare from said cousin and a pointed thumb point towards the Professor. With a soft "oh", Harry started listening to the Professor.
"….important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room."
Hearing this Harry was curious on how inter-House friendships worked as everything seemed House related.
"The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule breaking will lose your House points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours."
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
Her eyes lingered for a few moments on Neville's crooked cloak and then swept the room lingering on students who had one thing or another wrong. Harry ignored this as he was nervously thinking about his new friends and what their reaction would be to his change in looks.
The Professor continued on her way out of the chamber, "I shall return when we are ready for you."
As soon as she was gone Harry heard his cousin ask Neville, "How exactly do they sort us into Houses?"
Turning to Dudley Neville saw Harry's new look. He was a little shocked by it, but being the shy boy he was did not say anything. Instead he looked at Dudley and answered his question.
"No..Not sure, G-Gran wouldn't say. Told me it was a surprise and would go against tradition to tell me," With a shrug Neville turned back to the front of the small crowd.
Harry heard several people asking the same thing and not getting much of an answer in return; that is except for the red-headed idiot. He kept going on about how his brother's Fred and George had told him it was some sort of test. Which made all those close to him very nervous, but made Harry, and his new friends laugh. They had met both Fred and George and could see them pranking their little brother. Dudley was laughing even harder as having sat with the boy all day knew how easy it was to prank him.
Harry seeing that his classmates were busy got both Neville's and Hermione's attention. Wondering what was going on they both looked at him questioningly. Quickly gesturing to his hair and eyes he whispered, "Any questions?"
Eyes widening in understanding Hermione in a no-nonsense manner stated calmly, "I thought that you just removed your wig and contacts when you had to use the loo."
Neville looked very confused. He had no idea what the things Hermione just mentioned were. Nodding his thanks to the obviously smart girl (though her speculations were wrong; he did not want to tell her that yet) Harry turned to Neville and quietly explained what a wig was.
"It is fake hair to cover your natural hair."
"Wh...why would you use that?"
With a groan Harry was about to explain that he needed to hide from potential rabid fans. When Dudley broke into telling the two about the incident in London when he was six. Which made Harry groan again, this time in embarrassment.
Harry was just wondering what rock he could crawl under when several people behind them screamed. Making them jump in shock.
Harry gasped as did Dudley and Hermione. About twenty ghosts had just appeared through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be having an argument. What looked to be a fat little monk was saying; "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?"
A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years. Nobody answered, most were in shock at being address by a ghost.
"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them. "About to be sorted, I presume?"
A few people nodded mutely, too scared to say anything.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar jovially. "My old House, you know."
"Move along now." said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall. Harry shuddered, he was glad they were gone. They were a little creepy. It was one thing to read about them in his books, it was quiet another to see them.
"Now, form a line." Professor McGonagall told the first years, "And follow me."
Harry hastily did as he was told. Glad his friends were alright with his 'subterfuge'. He found himself behind Neville and unfortunately had the red-headed idiot behind him. As they walked the idiot kept going on about how he had 'looked all over for you, mate', which made Harry roll his eyes as he knew the idiot had not moved away from the free (for him) treats. Harry was brooding about his misfortune as they walked out of the chamber and across the hall to enter through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall. Harry had been wondering how long it would take the idiot to recognize him, well now he knew… ugh...looking behind the idiot he saw his cousin silently laughing at him. With an irritated glare Harry turned around to look around the hall.
He had never imagined such a strange and splendid place. It was lit by thousands of floating candles that were over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting.
They were walking up an aisle between two tables each had the students wearing different colors. The one on the left had the students wearing yellow, while the one on the right was blue. It was while they were walking up to the dais where the teachers sat that Harry heard a whisper from the right. As it was not the red-headed idiot Harry was eager to listen to anything to distract him from the idiots dialogue. The whisper was asking a question of its neighbor. It was what they said that drew Harry's attention and ire away from the red-headed idiot.
"Wonder which of the first years they will target this year."
"Shh… you don't want a firstie to hear do you?" was the whispered reply.
Harry wasn't sure how, but he instinctively knew that they were talking about bullying. He grit his teeth. It seemed he and Dudley had their work cut out for them. They hated bullies!
Harry was brought back to his fellow first years when he heard Hermione mention; "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History." Looking up Harry saw what she meant. Harry had yet to read the book, but looking up at the ceiling it was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all, and that the Great Hall didn't simply open onto the heavens.
Harry was once again elbowed by his cousin who had made his way up next to him, they had all stopped and gathered together in the front of the hall. Looking at Dudley irritated Harry mouthed 'what'. In answer his cousin simply pointed to Professor McGonagall. Harry now saw that she was silently standing next to a four-legged stool, on which stood what looked like an ancient, frayed and filthy hat. Aunt Petunia wouldn't have let the thing within five yards of their front door.
Looking at it Harry was just confused. What did the hat have to do with anything? Looking at Dudley he saw the same confusion. Seeing the hat twitch Harry stared as a rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth and of all things the hat started to sing!
"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't 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,
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 folk 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 whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It then bowed to each of the four tables and then was once again still. Behind him Harry could hear the red-headed idiot sputtering about killing his brothers and something about fighting a troll. He smirked thinking of the twins, and how it seemed they took advantage of their brother's thick-headedness to pull a prank.
Looking at the hat it seemed it was easy enough though he wasn't looking forward to trying it on with everyone watching. Nor was he looking forward to seeing how everyone would react to hearing his name. Admittedly he only conceptually understood that he was famous; he had yet to truly see it first hand. (Beyond Malfoy looking for him on the train and the red-headed idiot clamping on to him like a limpet.) He was just sure there was going to be some sort of reaction, and he really was not looking forward to it. Harry hated unwarranted attention.
Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," She said then called the first student to be sorted,
"Abbott, Hannah!"
A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of the line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moments pause….
"Hufflepuff!" Shouted the hat.
The table on the left cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table.
"Bones, Susan!"
"Hufflepuff!" Shouted the hat again, and Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hannah.
"Boot, Terry!"
"Ravenclaw!"
The table on the right clapped this time, several Ravenclaws stood up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them. Harry watched them through narrowed eyes. Wondering whose whisper he had heard.
"Brocklehurst, Mandy" Also went to Ravenclaw, but "Brown, Lavender" became the first new Gryffindor, and the table on the far right exploded with cheers. Harry could even see the twins cat-calling.
"Bulstrode, Millicent" then became a Slytherin. Perhaps it was just his imagination, but it looked like the Slytherins were an unpleasant lot. Looking at some of them fiercely reminded Harry of some of the more dimwitted idiots he and Dudley used to play pranks on. Nothing mean, of course but they were usually the muscle behind the crueler of the schoolyard bullies.
"Dursley, Dudley" Hearing his cousins name brought Harry's mind back to the sorting. He watched as Dudley who was currently one of the tallest of the first years, nervously walked up to the stool. He was sitting there barely less than thirty seconds when the hat shouted, "Gryffindor" with a sigh Dudley walked over to the now roaring table and wished his cousin good luck with a double thumbs up.
"Finch-Fletchley, Justin"
"Hufflepuff"
Harry had noticed that sometimes the hat shouted out the House at once, but at others it took a little while to decide. "Finnigan, Seamus," Sat on the stool for almost a whole minute before he was declared a Gryffindor.
"Granger, Hermione" Harry saw Hermione almost run to the stool she was so excited. Which made him grin, he was glad his new friend was excited for her sorting. "Gryffindor!" shouted the hat. Harry's grin grew and he cheered in support of his friend, completely ignoring the red-heads groaning behind him.
When Neville's name was called, he tripped and fell over on his way to the stool. The hat took a long time to decide with Neville. When it finally shouted, "Gryffindor," Neville ran off to go sit with Hermione and Dudley, forgetting he still had the hat on his head. He had to jog back; red faced with embarrassment amid the halls laughter to give it to "MacDougal, Morag."
When Malfoy's name was called he strutted up to the stool, Harry was sorely tempted to prank him then and there, but reminded himself he had yet to plan out his prank on the boy. He noticed the hat had barely touched his head before it shouted, "Slytherin!" Malfoy went to join his friends Crabbe and Goyle or as Hermione had aptly named them earlier the 'Moronic Baboons'.
There weren't many people left now.
"Moon"… "Nott"…, "Parkinson"…., Then a pair of twin girls, "Patil" and "Patil" Interestingly the girls were split up into two different Houses. Then "Perks, Sally-Anne" Harry just knew he would be next; and sure enough….
"Potter, Harry!"
As he stepped forwards he could just hear the whispers break out like wildfire all over the Hall. He knew… He knew there was going to be a reaction, and he hated how right he had been. The reaction was worse than he had feared. Some of them he could hear,
"Potter, did she say?"
"The Harry Potter?"
"He looks just like his photograph?"
"Ooh…. He is soo...cute!"
The last one made him shudder. He really did not want to deal with crushes as well as fans…. Getting used to his 'new' celebrity would be hard enough.
With a troubled sigh Harry put the hat on. The last thing he saw before it covered his eyes were all of the people in the Hall craning their necks to get a good look at him. Next thing he saw was a wall of black fabric. He was now looking at the inside of the hat. He was curious about what was going to happen next. His not being able to see all of the faces looking at him allowed him to think about, just how did the Sorting Hat work?
Harry's thoughts were interrupter by a soft voice spoke in his ear.
"Hmmm…. Curious are we Mr. Potter?"
Harry gasped from the shock of hearing the hat talk in a voice that seemed to echo within his own mind. Something Harry had thought impossible left him unable to respond. Hearing a chuckle from what he could only presume to be the Sorting hat only made Harry even more curious. He wondered if he could ask the Hat how it was made and if he could possibly replicate it in a prank… "Only after years of study Mr. Potter. There is much of magic you need to learn before you could even attempt it…. Though many have tried your father and mother included…"
"Whoa...really?"
Harry was so excited to learn something new about his parents that he almost forgot about the sorting.
"Hmm… Mr. Potter you have quite a mind much like they did" The hat whispered in his ear chuckling before stating, "You are quite like your father, he was prank inclined himself, though what you have from your mother seems to have balanced you out… Hmmm… difficult...very difficult.."
"What is difficult?"
"You are Mr. Potter. I have not had the pleasure to sort a mind so organized in many a year, your friend Miss Granger came close but most children come to me with very cluttered minds...hmmm… interesting!"
"You hide some very interesting secrets Mr. Potter. Yes… I can see why you are so organized now. Yes, it would be a good idea to keep those secrets for as long as you can. Especially here."
"Now then on to your sorting… Highly intelligent I see, but you learn not only to understand but to actually use….not many of the current crop of Ravenclaw would understand you...hmm… whats this?"
For when the Hat brought up Ravenclaw Harry remembered the whisper he had heard. Harry could actually feel the hat bristling around him. The hat was agitated and angry.
A little confused and concerned Harry was about to ask it what was wrong when the Hat started sputtering…. "Tho….tho..those students are bullying first years? That is against every ideal Rowena Ravenclaw stood for. That House is meant to be for those who love to learn, thirst for knowledge and understanding no matter the source and allow them to excel…"
Harry could really feel the Hats anger now.
"Now Mr. Potter, no that won't do at all. You would harass them to no end. Though I see you already have plans...hmm… not a bad idea. I shall notify the Headmaster." the hat then muttered lowly, "Not that it will do much."
"No that will not do at all." was said much louder.
"Again Mr. Potter we must refocus on your sorting. Hufflepuff won't do despite your admiration of their ethics no…"
Harry was left wondering why Hufflepuff wouldn't do when the hat continued on.
"Gryffindor or Slytherin Mr. Potter?"
Just thinking of Slytherin House reminded Harry of Malfoy and he honestly did not want to put up with the pompous toddler longer than he had too.
"Not Slytherin aye…?" The hat queried.
Harry mentally gave an emphatic 'Heck, no!'
"Are you sure? Slytherin could help you to greatness you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on your way to greatness, no doubt about that. Sigh…." The Hat then continued. "Can't fault your reasoning though. It would make for a difficult learning environment to deal with that everyday. Hmm… than it better be Gryffindor!"
The last was shouted to the whole Hall and received with great cheers. As he took the hat off to join his cousin and new friends, he noticed he was receiving the biggest cheer yet. They were still sheering as he got to the table. Percy the Prefect was even shaking his hand, quite vigorously. While the Weasley twins were shouting, "We got Potter", "We got Potter." Harry just laughed and shook his head at their antics sitting down next to his cousin who was sitting in shock at the breadth of reactions his cousin's sorting was getting.
After the celebrations of Harry's sorting finally died down and the sorting continued Dudley leaned over and whispered, "Kind of makes it real, huh?"
Harry could only nod. For everything was feeling like it was crashing down on him. It felt like it was almost too much. Thankfully he remembered the words his Aunt had whispered in his ear before they left on the train. "Your Parents would be proud of you." Yes his parents would be proud, and despite whatever may happen he would continue doing his best to make them proud of him!
Albus Dumbledore was pleased. Oh yes, the Sorting was going perfectly. All was happening according to plan, though why young Mr. Potter did not wear glasses was curious. Though it was good to see his appearance charms at work. Mr. Potter looked exactly how he needed to. He could already see the hate for the young man building in his Potions Professor. Perfect. Ah yes things were going well. Mr. Potter even managed to be sorted into the right house without his overt interference. Suggesting to Molly Weasley that young Harry may not know how to get onto the platform was genius on his part. And it looks like young Ronald already made friends with the boy (seeing as he was standing so close to him).
Hmm.. though it might be best to be sure.. Yes he might need to use that spell. He sincerely hoped he did not, but he readied his wand in his sleeve just in case. He needed young Ronald in Gryffindor with Harry to make sure he had an influence..cough...cough (spy) with the boy.
Listening carefully to the hat Dumbledore waited for his moment. The hat had just barely opened its rip and the first syllable Dumbledore heard was "Huf…" That was all he needed to know before casting his spell.
The spell was an ancient one. One created not even a hundred years after the founders had established the Sorting Ceremony. The Headmaster at the time, did not want the heirs of feuding families to be given access to each other. So had created the spell so he could keep them apart. The spell had been lost to time until Dumbledore in his second year of his Headmaster-ship rediscovered it hidden behind one of the bookshelves in his personal library. Since then he has used it sparingly due to the cost involved. The last time he had used it was in the sorting of Regulus Black. He had been meant for Ravenclaw, but Dumbledore's plans required the boy to be in Slytherin and be an unwitting spy on the darkness growing within the house. Of course it mattered not to Dumbledore that he had destroyed a fraying sibling relationship, nor that his actions led to the boys eventual death.
But the cost to Dumbledore himself was his magic had been drained for nigh on two months. It mattered little when he had access to House-elfs to help with his daily work. But it was enough of a deterrent that he did not take this action lightly.
Yes… this would be perfect. Young Ronald will be the perfect tool to help him keep watch on young Harry. Just as Regulus Black had been his tool to keep watch on the dark leaning Slytherins, just as Severus now did for him. Yes, this was perfect.
Dumbledore watched the young Weasley sit with his brother Percy across from Harry. Happy his machinations were going well Dumbledore stood to start the feast.
Harry watched as the sorting continued. He saw an old man with long shining silver hair sitting on a golden throne. Nudging Percy Harry asked, "Is that Professor Dumbledore?"
Slightly shocked that the hero of the wizarding world would not know Dumbledore Percy answered quickly.
"Yes, that is Headmaster Dumbledore, the greatest wizard in this century." Percy confirmed pompously.
With a nod of thanks Harry quickly put his attention back on the sorting.
When Ron was sorted to Gryffindor both Harry and Dudley groaned… they could tell the boy was going to be trouble. No matter how easy it was to prank the sod. His hanging unto Harry like a limpet was clue enough that he would be causing trouble (if nothing else in not giving Harry his space).
When Ron collapsed into the seat next to his brother Percy, Harry had to bite back a groan. Percy was too busy congratulating his brother to notice.
"Well done, Ron, Excellent," was said while "Zabini, Blaise" was sorted into Slytherin. Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away.
Harry was looking at his golden plate wondering how he was going to get rid of the red-headed idiot or just maintain his personal space. Sadly he couldn't come up with anything that did not drop into the malicious that he and Dudley did not allow themselves to go even close to. With a heavy sigh Harry was just reconciling having to share a dorm with the boy when he noticed the Headmaster standing.
Albus Dumbledore was standing with his arms open wide. Beaming at the students as if nothing pleased him more than to see all of the students there.
"Welcome!" He said. "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! Oddment! Tweak!"
"Thank you!"
The Headmaster Dumbledore sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered. Harry looked at Dudley and saw the confusion and mirth crossing his face and knew his cousin was just as equally baffled as well as humored by the Headmasters antics.
"Is he- a bit mad?" he asked Percy uncertainly.
"Mad?" Said Percy airily, "He's a genius! Best wizard in the world! But he is a bit mad, yes. Potatoes, Harry?"
Harry's mouth fell open. The dishes in front of him were now piled with food. He had never imagined such a thing possible. There was so much he liked to eat just filling the dishes in front of him. Roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, and lamb chops. Sausages, bacon, and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and for some strange reason, peppermint humbugs.
While he and Dudley had used their magic growing up they had never even tried something to this degree. And it all looked so good. Harry piled his plate with a bit of everything except the peppermints and began to eat. It was all delicious.
"That does look good," said the ghost in the ruff sadly, watching Harry cut up his steak.
"Can't you-?"
"I haven't eaten for nearly five hundred years," said the ghost.
"Oh?" queried Dudley who was intrigued by the ghost.
"I don't need to. Of course, but one does miss it. I don't think I've introduced myself? Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington at your service. Resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower."
"I know who you are!" said Ron suddenly. "My brothers told me about you- you're Nearly Headless Nick!"
"I would prefer you call me Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-" the ghost began stiffly, but sandy haired Seamus Finnigan interrupted.
"Nearly Headless? How can you be nearly headless?"
Sir Nicholas looked extremely miffed, as if their little chat wasn't going at all the way he wanted.
"Like this," he said irritably. He seized his left ear and pulled. His whole head swung off his neck and fell unto his shoulder as if it was on a hinge. Someone had obviously tried to behead him, but not done it properly. Looking pleased at the stunned looks on their faces, Nearly Headless Nick flipped his head back unto his neck, coughed, and said, "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."
Harry and Dudley both looked over at the Slytherin table and saw a horrible ghost sitting there, with blank staring eyes, a gaunt face, and robes stained with silver blood. He was right next to Malfoy who, Harry was pleased to see, didn't look too pleased with the seating arrangements.
"How did he get covered in blood?" asked Seamus with great interest.
"I've never asked," said Nearly Headless Nick delicately.
Harry could hear Dudley mumble to himself about asking and if they had a chance of being answered. Harry just shook his head in amusement and went back to eating.
When everyone had eaten as much as they could, the remains of the food faded from the plates, leaving them sparkling clean as before. A moment later the desserts appeared. Blocks of ice cream in every flavor you could think of, apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate eclairs and jam donuts, trifle, strawberries, Jell-O, rice pudding….
As Harry helped himself to a treacle tart, the talk turned to their families.
"I'm half-and-half," said Seamus. "Me dad's a muggle. Mum didn't tell him she was a witch 'til after they were married. Bit of a nasty shock for him."
The others laughed. If some were laughing uncomfortably it was not commented upon.
"What about you Neville?" Ron (the red-headed idiot) asked.
"Well, my gran brought me up and she's a witch," said Neville., "But the family thought I was a squib for ages. My Great Uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off my guard and force some magic out of me- he pushed me off the end of Blackpool pier once, I nearly drowned- but nothing happened until I was eight. Great Uncle Algie came round for dinner, and he was hanging me out of an upstairs window by the ankles when Great Auntie Enid offered him a meringue and he accidentally let go. But I bounced- all the way down the garden and into the road. They were all really pleased, Gran was crying, she was so happy. And you should have seen their faces when I got in here- they thought I might not be magic enough to come, you see. Great Uncle Algie was so pleased he bought me my toad."
Dudley was confused. He had never heard the term squib before. So he leaned over to Neville and asked quietly, "What's a squib?"
Neville glad that his new friend had asked his question quietly answered, "It is someone born to a magical family who has no magic of their own."
"Oh!" Dudley answered. He could see how difficult that circumstance could possibly be. Growing up hearing stories of the oppisite with his Aunt Lily and his Mother had let him understand the opposite problem. So he felt he could understand his new friend better.
On Harry's other side, Percy Weasley and Hermione were talking about lessons (I do hope they start right away, There's so much to learn, I'm particularly interested in Transfiguration, you know, turning something into something else, of course, it's supposed to be more difficult-"; "You'll be starting small, just matches into needles and that sort of thing-").
Harry looked over to his cousin and saw that he was thinking deeply. Nudging his cousin shoulder he whispered, "You okay Dud?"
Getting a smile and nod in return Harry returned to his meal.
Harry, who was starting to feel warm and sleepy, looked up at the High Table again. Hagrid (the giant) was drinking deeply from his goblet. Professor McGonagall was talking to Professor Dumbledore. There was a Professor in an absurd turban talking to a Professor with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow skin.
Harry wandered why the Professor with greasy hair was looking at him with such loathing. He was looking back at the professor with curiosity when he felt a stab of pain in his forehead. The pain reminded him of how it felt having the Sorting Hat in his mind. Keeping in mind what he read in 'Occlumency, the Art and Science of' Harry strengthened what walls he had been able to build within his mind. Feeling the pain intensify he pushed against the pain. The pain stopped suddenly making Harry wonder what had been going on. He saw the Professor now looking at him curiously making Harry feel uneasy.
He turned towards Percy and asked, "Who is the Professor talking to the man in the turban?"
"Oh, that's Professor Snape. He teaches Potions, but he doesn't want to- everyone knows that he is after Quirrell's job- the man in the turban. Knows an awful lot about the Dark Arts, Snape"
Harry watched Snape for awhile, but Snape didn't look at him again.
At last the desserts too disappeared, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent.
"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."
Harry noticed that the Headmaster had paused and was looking around, it seemed he was waiting for something.
"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."
The last was said with twinkling eyes directed towards the Weasley twins Harry noted.
"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."
"Quiditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch."
"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 nor wish to die a very painful death."
Harry was not sure why but he felt that the Headmaster had been looking at him intently while he had said this.
Thinking the whole thing odd he leaned over and asked Percy. "He's not serious?"
"Must be." said Percy, frowning at Dumbledore. "It's odd, because he usually gives us a reason why we're not allowed to go somewhere- the forest's full of dangerous beasts, everyone knows that. I do think he should have told us prefects, at least."
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. Harry noticed that the other teachers smiles had become rather fixed.
Dumbledore gave his wand a flick as if to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"
And the school bellowed:
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're are full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
and learn until our brains rot."
Everybody finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest.
"Ah, music" he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime, Off you trot!"
The Gryffindor first years followed Percy through the chattering crowds, out of the Great Hall, and up the marble staircase. Harry looked around him in wonder as they walked. Seeing the portraits as the passed whispering and pointing at them. Dudley even pointed out how Percy had led them through doorways hidden behind sliding panels and hanging tapestries. They would definitely need to find the library to make their own map. He had planned on making one later on to help with pranking as the Mauraders map did, but they were going past so many corners and false doors that Harry was getting the feeling that in the morning he was going to get lost. He did not like the feeling at all!
Harry was just beginning to wonder how much further they had to go when they came to a sudden halt.
A bundle of walking sticks was floating in midair in ahead of them, and as Percy took a step toward them they started throwing themselves at him.
"Peeves," Percy whispered to the first years, "A poltergeist," He raised his voice, "Peeves- show yourself."
A loud, rude sound, like the air let out of a balloon, answered.
"Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron."
There was a pop, and a little man with wicked, dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, floating cross-legged in the air, clutching the walking sticks.
"Oooooh!" He said with an evil cackle. "Ickle Firsties! What fun!"
He swooped suddenly at them. They all ducked.
"Go away, Peeves, or the Baron'll hear about this, I mean it!" barked Percy.
Harry could tell the poltergeist was trouble, and listened to no one. As he could see by Peeves sticking his tongue out before vanishing. Luckily he was next to Neville at the moment the walking Peeves had been carrying dropped down. He had been able to pull Neville closer to him so they only glanced his shoulder instead of dropping unto his head. Both Harry and Neville winced. Harry in sympathy, Neville with pain from the blow of multiple walking sticks. They all heard the poltergeist zooming away, cackling, and rattling suits of armor as he passed.
"You want to watch out for Peeves." said Percy as they set off again. "The Bloody Baron's the only one who can control him, he won't even listen to us prefects. Here we are."
At the very end of the corridor hung a potrait of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress.
"Password?" she said.
"Caput Draconis," said Percy, and the portrait swung forward to reveal a rounded hole in the wall. They all scrambled through it- Neville needed a leg up- and found themselves in the Gryffindor common room, a cozy, round room full of squashy armchairs.
Percy directed the girls through one door to their dormitory, Hermione waved goodnight to the boys before she followed the other girls up to their dorm. Percy then waved to another door leading to the boys dormitory. At the top of a spiral staircase- they were obliviously in one of the towers- they found their beds at last: six four poster beds hung with deep red, velvet curtains. Their trunks had already been brought up. Too tired to talk the boys got ready for bed and climbed in. Harry was grateful that Dudley, and Neville had claimed the beds on either side of him as he saw Ron try to make his way towards Harry. Unfortunately for Dudley and his dislike of rats Ron had chosen the bed on the other side of his.
It was certainly going to be an interesting year. Harry made sure to jot down a note to write his Aunt and Uncle in the morning. He hoped that it would be easy to find where ever the owls were kept so he could send the letter without problems. He also hoped as he fell into a pleasant dream that he would be able to find the library easily.
Across the castle Albus Dumbledore sat behind his desk deep in thought. Now that he was no longer needing to keep up the jovial old man routine he was free to think. He had not expected to need to use that spell on the youngest Weasley. All previous Weasley's of this generation had gone to Gryffindor without any interference. As had their parents before them. So why would this one be different. Dumbledore was troubled by this thought and wondered what was different about young Ronald and whether he would need to interfere more than he already had to make sure the boy was as helpful as he needed him to be.
Ah.. no matter there was nothing he could do for the next two months but watch and wait to see his plans come about and start young Mr, Potter on the path that he Albus Dumbledore would dictate.
Authors Note: I hope you enjoyed reading this. It was harder than the others due to not being a rewrite, but also I had realized halfway though that the sorting is very hard to change when you are writing a fan-fiction that is trying to stay close to the original works in the beginning at least. I also have a question for you all. Would it help to have an obvious break/symbol in between the different point of views? leave a review of private message to let me know.