Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 4 – The Sorting Ceremony

The huge oak door swung open to reveal a tall, stern-looking witch in emerald green robes.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

Professor McGonagall led the first-years through the vast Entrance Hall and into a smaller chamber off to the side. Once everybody had crowded in, she spoke.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your houses 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.

"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 you house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. 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. I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."

She left the chamber.

No one talked much while she was gone, with the exception of Hermione Granger who was whispering very fast about all of the spells she'd learnt and wondering which of them would be required in the Sorting Ceremony. She was only cut off when several ghosts floated through the wall causing several people to scream. Iris gasped. Did this mean her parents could still be around somewhere, in ghost form? She wasn't sure what she'd even say to them if they were, or if she'd even want to see them now she was so used to them not being around.

Soon, McGonagall returned and the first-years formed a line before being led back into the Entrance Hall, then through some grand doors into what Iris supposed must be the Great Hall. Four long tables which students were sat at filled most of the space, with a fifth table for teachers at the far end. Above her, there were thousands of candles floating in mid-air and above those was the night sky. There didn't appear to be any roof in here. "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside, I read about it in Hogwarts: A History," she heard Hermione whisper.

Professor McGonagall placed a very patched and frayed hat on top of a four-legged stool in front of the first-years, then stood back. Then a rip near the brim of the hat opened wide like it was a mouth – and the hat began 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,

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 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.

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

Professor McGonagall 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. "Abbott, Hannah!"

A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails rushed forward and put on the hat. A moment passed.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.

The table on the right cheered loudly as Hannah walked over to sit down.

"Bones, Susan!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat again, and Susan half-ran over to join Hannah.

"Boot, Terry!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

The table second from the left erupted into cheers this time.

"Brocklehurst, Mandy!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Brown, Lavender!"

A pretty girl with brown hair and a slightly red face walked to the stool and placed the hat on her head.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The table of the far left now cheered raucously. Iris spotted Fred and George Weasley among the crowd of students wearing red and gold ties.

"Bulstrode, Millicent!"

A huge girl emerged from the group of first-years to take her turn.

"SLYTHERIN!"

She looked nonplussed as she skulked over to the Slytherin table.

The Sorting continued in this fashion for a while. Malfoy's lackeys, Crabbe and Goyle, as well as two pretty girls named Davis and Greengrass became Slytherins. Meanwhile, Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom were declared Gryffindors. When Malfoy himself was called, he swaggered up confidently and was made a Slytherin as soon as the Sorting Hat touched his head.

Iris was struck by how soon it would be her turn. She didn't know what house to expect at all – she didn't really feel brave, clever, cunning or patient at the moment.

Nott and Parkinson were also sent to Slytherin, then two twins named Patil were split up into Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Sally-Anne Perks went to Hufflepuff and then the moment came.

"Potter, Iris!"

Whispers broke out all around the Hall. Iris ignored them, walking forward and letting the hat drop over her eyes, obscuring all the other students from view.

"Hmm," said a small voice in her ear. "Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see, but also a fair amount of cunning and ambition. You would certainly make a great Slytherin."

Iris' heart beat faster. Ron really made Slytherin sound like the evil house. Did she really want to belong in the same house as the man who murdered her parents.

"Ah, but I sense hesitation," said the small voice. "Perhaps life would become more complicated for you if I were to make you a Slytherin. However, you certainly have the courage to face any challenge that would come your way … then again, it is precisely that courage which makes you a GRYFFINDOR!"

The hat shouted the final word to the rest of the school. She placed the hat back on the stool and walked shakily to the Gryffindor table, barely registering the fact she was getting the loudest cheer yet. Ron's brother, Percy, stood up and shook her hand vigorously whilst the twins yelled, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"

Iris sat down next to Lavender Brown and looked up at the staff table properly for the first time. Hagrid caught her eye and put his thumbs up. Professor Quirrell was sat on the other side of the High Table, now wearing a large purple turban. And in the centre of the table, in a large gold chair resembling a throne, sat Albus Dumbledore. He was clapping politely and smiling. Iris couldn't help but feel a jolt of anger go through her. This was the man who'd ordered her to be dropped at the Dursleys when she was a baby then never checked on her afterwards.

The rest of the Sorting went by much more quickly. Iris clapped for Ron when he was sorted into Gryffindor and took the seat on the other side of her. Finally, a handsome dark-skinned boy with black hair was sorted into Slytherin and Professor McGonagall took the Sorting Hat away.

Albus Dumbledore stood up, beaming at everyone with his arms open wide.

"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!"

He sat back down to cheers and applause as the plates in front of everyone filled up with piles of the most delicious food Iris had ever seen.

"Is he mad?" she asked Ron seriously, as she moved some roast chicken onto her plate.

"Mad?" it was Percy who answered. "He's a genius! Best wizard in the world! But he is a bit mad, yes. Potatoes, Iris?"

She accepted some potatoes but took everything he said with a grain of salt. If Dumbledore was such a genius, then why would he possibly think it was a good idea to send Iris to live with Muggles?

There wasn't too much talking with dinner as everyone was very hungry after the long train journey, but as the leftovers were replaced with a wide array of desserts, the first-years began to introduce themselves to one another.

"I'm half and half," said Seamus Finnigan. "Me dad's a Muggle. Mam didn't tell him she was a witch 'til after they were married. Bit of a nasty shock for him."

The others laughed but Iris wondered why on earth Seamus' mother chose to marry a Muggle.

"What about you, Neville?" said Ron.

"Well, my gran brought me up and she's a witch," said Neville, "but the family thought I was all Muggle for ages. My great-uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off 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 tea and he was hanging me out of an upstairs window by the ankles when my 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."

"My parents are both Muggles," said Dean Thomas. "At least I think they are. I never really knew my dad, so I can't be sure."

On the other side of the table, Hermione was excitedly chatting with Percy about lessons. Iris tuned them out and looked up at the staff table. Professor McGonagall was talking to Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Quirrell was talking to a teacher with greasy black hair and a hooked nose. As she watched, the hook-nosed teacher looked straight past Quirrell's turban and straight into Iris' eyes.

"Ouch!" She clapped a hand to her forehead. At precisely the moment the greasy-haired professor's eyes met her, a sharp hot pain shot across her lightning-shaped scar.

"Are you okay?" asked Lavender Brown, who was sat to Iris' right.

"Yeah … fine," she said, still looking up at the mystery professor. "Does anyone know who that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell is?"

"Oh, you know Quirrell already, do you?" said Percy. "No wonder he's looking so nervous, that's Professor Snape. He teaches Potions, but he doesn't want to – everyone knows he's after Quirrell's job. Knows an awful lot about the Dark Arts, Snape."

Snape didn't look at Iris again, and soon the desserts finished and Professor Dumbledore stood again.

"Ahem – just a few more words now we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.

"First-years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few older students would do well to remember that as well."

Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins.

"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.

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of 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 not wish to die a very painful death."

"Bit extreme," Iris muttered.

"Odd, more like," said Percy. "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 might have told us Prefects, at least."

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. Iris noticed that the rest of the staff as well as some students now looked slightly reluctant.

Dumbledore flicked his wand and a golden ribbon came out, which rose into the air and twisted itself into lyrics.

"Everyone pick a favourite tune and odd we go!" said Dumbledore.

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 bare and 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 all rot

Those who sang finished the song all at different times, the Weasley twins being last of everyone. Iris thought it seemed a bit silly, but participated, albeit unenthusiastically, regardless.

"Ah music," said Dumbledore, wiping at his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

Percy led the Gryffindor first-years out of the Great Hall and up hundreds of stairs, through hidden passages, and down vast corridors. They were held up once by a poltergeist called Peeves throwing walking sticks, but they soon came to a halt in front of a portrait of a fat woman in a pink silk dress.

"Password?" she said.

"Caput Draconis," said Percy, and the portrait swung forward to reveal a round hole in the wall. They all climbed through it to see a comfortable looking common room, with lots of squashy armchairs and fireplace on one wall, bathing the room in warm, flickering light.

Percy directed the boys to one door and the girls to another, and they climbed a spiral staircase to find their dormitory.

Inside, there were four four-poster beds hung with dark red curtains. Their trunks had been brought up for them too, with each lying next to one of the beds.

Parvati Patil and Lavender, who already seemed to get on very well, chatted happily as the four girls changed into their pyjamas. Iris hated the fact hers were still old ones of Dudley's. She needed to buy herself some new ones with some of the money from her vault at Gringotts.

"Ewww, where did you get those?" asked Lavender, pointing at Iris' pyjamas. Iris couldn't blame her – they were ugly and far too big for her.

"From my cousin who grew out of them," said Iris bitterly. "I've never owned any clothes of my own."

Lavender looked horrified and started rummaging around in her trunk.

"Here, you can borrow these," she said, handing Iris a grey top and short shorts. "These are my spare pyjamas."

"I can pay you for them," offered Iris.

"No, seriously, just take them," smiled Lavender.

Iris gave her a tentative smile back. "Thanks."

"How come you've never owned your own clothes?" asked Parvati curiously. "I mean, I would've thought you of all people …"

"I was living with Muggles," Iris explained. "They've hated me my whole life because they were jealous I'm magic and they're not. I didn't even know why they hated me until Hagrid told me I was a witch last month."

Parvati and Lavender stared at her with open mouths and wide eyes.

"Why were you even living with them in the first place?" Parvati questioned. "I bet loads of wizarding families would have loved to adopt you."

"All I know is it was on Dumbledore's orders," said Iris. "Apparently he thought I'd somehow be safer there with Voldemort's followers still out looking for me."

Lavender and Parvati flinched at Voldemort's name but another voice spoke up from behind Iris.

"It must have been then," said Hermione. "Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of the century, there must have been a good reason why he sent you there."

"And I intend to ask him what that reason is," said Iris.

"But how could you possibly be safer with Muggles than with wizards?" said Parvati. "They would at least have been able to defend you better."

"And then you would have at least known you were a witch!" said Lavender vehemently. "And been able to own your own clothes! I never knew Muggles were so cruel!"

"They're not all like that," defended Hermione. "I own my own clothes."

"Yeah, but no one knew you were a witch until recently," Parvati pointed out.

"My parents were thrilled about it though," said Hermione. "They said they were proud and they always knew I was special."

"Maybe it was just an act," said Iris cynically. "They know you're more powerful than them and would rather have you like them than hate them."

"It's not like that!" said Hermione, her cheeks colouring. "I'm still their daughter! They still love me!"

Iris raised her hands in mock surrender. Hermione huffed, climbed into bed and shut her curtains.

"Well, goodnight then," said Lavender, half-smiling.

Iris and Parvati said goodnight and climbed into their beds.

Iris supposed it probably wasn't the nicest thing to hear about your parents on your first day at school but she was just trying to be realistic. She'd seen how scared the Dursleys were of her now – she would be willing to bet that the Grangers felt the same way about their daughter – the only difference was that the Grangers had treated Hermione well throughout her childhood, since they thought she was a normal child, so Hermione currently liked them. Obviously they would want to hide their reactions so they didn't turn Hermione against them.

Iris took off Dudley's old pyjamas and pulled on the set Lavender had given her. They felt so much more comfortable and Iris felt a little freer wearing them, as though the ugly taint of the Dursleys was gone. She threw Dudley's clothes off of her bed and vowed to burn them when she got the opportunity.

Iris was glad she was made a Gryffindor. The people were nice – even Hermione didn't seem too bad – and she was secretly quite happy to not have been placed in the same house as Voldemort. The fact the hat had even considered placing her there had felt like a small betrayal to her parent's memory.

She wondered when she was going to get the opportunity to have a talk with Dumbledore; she had so many unanswered questions that she wanted to ask him, the most important of them being if she could leave the Dursleys forever now.

The soft sound of snoring reached Iris' ears from the direction of Parvati's bed. Sleeping sounded like a good idea right now. They had lessons in the morning after all, and Iris couldn't wait to actually learn some magic.

With that exciting prospect in mind, Iris finally drifted off to sleep.