Chapter Six
The door opened and out stepped Professor McGonagall. She was dressed differently than Harry had last seen her. She wore flowing, green robes and a large, black pointed hat on her head. She thanked Hagrid for bringing the students, and said she would take it from there. She pulled the door wide open and let Hagrid and the students inside the massive entrance hall. The students filled the hall, following the Professor. Harry could hear voices behind a door to the right. McGonagall led them to stand before the door, and motioned for them to wait.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress, Head of Gryffindor House, and Transfiguration Professor. The Start-of-Term Feast will begin momentarily, but first you must be sorted into your Houses. The four Houses are named after the four founders of Hogwarts, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you attend Hogwarts, your House will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points, while any rule breaking, will lose you points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points will be awarded the House Cup. You will sleep in the House dormitories, and spend free time in the Common Rooms."
"In a few minutes, you will enter the Great Hall to be sorted and join your classmates, but for now, I must ask you to wait here, while we prepare. I shall return momentarily and escort you inside. I suggest you take the time to smarten yourselves up to look your best. Now please, wait quietly." Professor McGonagall then turned and went back inside.
Ron whispered into Harry's ear. "Fred said we have to do some elaborate test to get sorted, like wrestling a troll or something. I'm sure he was joking though." Harry thought that would be quite a sight to see, a troll wrestling. He knew how to defend himself, learning fencing, karate, and boxing from his Father, though he'd never fought with something as large as a troll before.
Everyone was whispering amongst themselves, wondering what to expect. Suddenly somebody gave a shriek. Harry turned to see what the commotion was about when a large crowd of ghosts came streaming through the stone wall. Harry's eyes widened in excitement. He'd always wanted to meet a ghost. Several came floating above the students, talking amongst themselves. Two ghosts seemed to be having a disagreement.
"I say, forgive and forget, we ought to give him a second chance." Said the ghost of a pudgy friar. Another ghost with an Elizabethan ruff around his neck shook his head.
"My dear Friar, Peeves has been given countless chances, and he never improved his behavior. He gives the rest of us a bad name, he really should…oh look, new students!" The ghost with the ruff noticed the First Years standing in the entrance hall. The fat friar ghost smiled at the gathered children.
"Ah, hello my young friends. Welcome to Hogwarts! I hope to see some of you in Hufflepuff!"
"Yes, and some of you in Gryffindor, my own house of course!" said the other ghost.
Professor McGonagall returned and motioned for the students to follow her and the ghosts inside. As large as the entrance hall was, the Great Hall was even bigger. Floating up at the ceiling were hundreds of candles. The ceiling seemed to open up to the night sky; Hermione could be heard whispering that it was enchanted to show the sky outside, reading about it in Hogwarts: A History.
Four long tables stretched from one end of the room to the other. Students filled each side, some wore Red, some wore Green, some wore Blue. Harry assumed the tables were separated by house. In front of the students was another table, filled by various wizards and witches, the teachers of the school. In the middle of the front table sat Dumbledore.
Dumbledore wore brilliant robes of royal purple, his long silver hair and beard flowed about him. Dumbledore smiled wise and benevolently as the students filled the chamber. All eyes in the chamber, students, teachers, and ghosts were trained on the First Years. Professor McGonagall brought forth a wooden stool and sat down a tattered pointed hat. The hat was covered by stitches and patches.
Silence filled the hall as the attention shifted from the students to the hat. Suddenly the hat became animate, and a tear near the brim opened like a mouth. The hat began to sing in a reedy voice, about how it was created by the Founders of Hogwarts, to sort the students into the four houses. It detailed the four houses and what traits they represented. Once the song was over the Hat gave a brief bow to each of the tables.
Ron muttered about how he was gonna kill Fred for making him think they'd be wrestling a troll, when all they had to do was put on a hat. Harry felt a little disappointed, he'd been looking forward to the troll. Professor McGonagall pulled out a scroll of names.
"When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the Sorting Hat upon your head, and you will be sorted into your Houses." She cleared her throat and began to call out.
First was a girl named Hannah Abbot. A girl with pigtails came forth, sat upon the stool and the hat was placed upon her head. The hat sat motionless upon Hannah's head, then shouted out, HUFFLEPUFF! Hannah got up from the stool and her robes changed, gaining a yellow hem, and a crest of a badger. Hannah joined the other Hufflepuffs at their table.
Another girl named Susan Bones was sorted into Hufflepuff, followed by a boy named Terry Boot, going to Ravenclaw. Lavender Brown became the first Gryffindor, going to join Ron's cheering brothers. Millicent Bulstrode was sorted into Slytherin, her robes changing to green with a serpent. Harry glanced at the Slytherin table. Most sitting there looked rather unpleasant. They cheered for Millicent, but sneered at the other students.
Sometimes the Hat sorted students instantly, others it took its time with. Seamus Finnigan sat on the stool a whole minute until he was picked for Gryffindor. McGonagall then called out Hermione's name. Hermione ran up to the stool and jammed the Hat on her head. The hat sat on Hermione's head for quite some time. Finally, it shouted, GRFFINDOR! Ron stifled a groan that he would probably wind up in the same House as Hermione. Neville was finally called and was chosen for Gryffindor. He began running to the Gryffindor table, still wearing the Sorting Hat, and had to run back to give it back to McGonagall. Malfoy strutted up to the stool, and the Hat barely touched it head when it shouted, SLYTHERIN! Malfoy looked very smug as he walked to the Slytherin table.
Harry watched more students get sorted, wondering where the Hat would choose to put him. Ron was chosen, and as expected, sorted into Gryffindor. He joined his brothers who cheered for him. He wouldn't mind any of the houses, he was intelligent, brave, shrewd, a hard worker, he felt he'd fit in any of them. Finally, McGonagall called his name. He made a mental note to ask her to remember the Addams part of his name in the future. The minute his name was called the hall fell silent. Everyone began whispering, pointing, and watching as Harry walked up to the stool. Harry sat, and McGonagall placed the Hat on his head.
"Hmm, difficult, very difficult." A reedy voice whispered in Harry's ears. "Plenty of courage, not a bad mind either, a hard worker, there's talent there, yes, and a thirst to prove yourself. But where shall I put you?" The hat seemed able to read Harry's mind.
"Shouldn't' you ask permission before entering someone else's mind, first?" Harry asked the Hat. The little voice chuckled in his ear.
"It's my purpose to see inside students such as yourself. You have quite an impressive mind, Mr. Potter-Addams. You would do well in any of the houses, Gryffindor and Slytherin in particular. Slytherin could help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that, but Gryffindor would also be the beginning of success."
Harry asked the Hat to stop reading his mind for a moment, as he needed to think hard about where he wanted to be. If he joined Gryffindor, he would be joining Ron and his brothers. In Slytherin he would have to contend with Malfoy, but that could be an opportunity to make his life a living Hell. He did look fabulous in green though, and he was fond of snakes, though he did have a Lion at home as a family pet. He wished Wednesday was here, she could help him decide. He had spoken to Ron on the train, and after scaring Malfoy and his henchmen with Mano, Ron had said he wanted to be friends with Harry, no matter what house he was sorted into, even Slytherin.
"Time's ticking my boy, what's your decision?" asked the Hat. Finally, Harry made up his mind and told the Hat he was ready, the Sorting Hat opened its rip-like mouth and roared, GRYFFINDOR!
The whole hall erupted into cheering, excepting the Slytherin table. Professor McGonagall lifted the Hat and smiled proudly at Harry. Harry's robes changed gaining a red trim at the sleeves and hems, and the Hogwarts crest changed to fit Gryffindor House. Harry walked to the Gryffindor table and sat next to Ron whose brothers were cheering, 'WE GOT POTTER!'
Harry glanced up at the Staff table, able to see it more clearly. Nearest to him was Hagrid, who was grinning at him and gave a big thumbs up. Dumbledore gently clapped when each student was sorted. His eyes were twinkly blue, and passed over the entire hall, watching closely.
Once the rest of the new students were sorted, McGonagall took away the Hat and the stool. Professor Dumbledore stood from his elaborate golden throne and stood before a golden dais, shaped like an owl in flights. Dumbledore raised his arms to quiet down the Great Hall.
"Welcome one and all, to another year at Hogwarts. Before we begin our feast, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit, Blubber, Oddment, and Tweak! Thank you very much." Dumbledore chuckled at his little joke. Some of the students laughed too, though many looked confused. Dumbledore sat down and said, let the feast begin!
Suddenly the golden plates and platters were filled with foods of all kinds. Roasted and fried meats, boiled and roasted vegetables, sauces and condiments of all kinds. Ron piled his plate with some of nearly everything.
Harry inspected the food before putting it on his plate. He was rather disappointed by the fare provided, no roasted alligator, no hump of camel, no toadstool stew. He picked what few things seemed appetizing, some rare meat and steamed vegetables. The Gryffindor house ghost glanced at all the food, a wistful look on his face.
"My that does look delicious." He said, watching as the students ate. Harry turned to the Renaissance era ghost and apologized. Ghosts were unable to consume food and drink; not that they needed to, but it was a hard habit to break. The ghost thanked Harry and introduced himself.
"I am Sir. Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, at your service." He stood and gave a, little bow. Ron swallowed his mouthful and pointed to the ghost.
"I know you! You're Nearly-Headless Nick!" Sir. Nicholas looked perturbed by this remark, saying he preferred to known by his proper name and title. Hermione looked confused and asked how one could be nearly-headless.
"Like this my dear." Sir. Nicholas took hold of his ear and pulled. His head and neck came off his shoulders, exposing severed bone and tendon within. The head barely hung onto the body by a few inches of flesh. The students gasped and shrieked at the sight. Harry's eyes widened in fascination!
"Amazing! That's got to be the worst decapitation I've ever seen! The man must have been a fool!" Sir. Nicholas looked a little surprised at Harry's interest instead of horror, and explained that yes indeed, the ax used to decapitate him, over five hundred years ago, had been quite dull, and the executioner wasn't very experienced. He turned to the other students and changed the subject.
"So-new Gryffindors! I do hope you'll help to win the House Cup for us this year! Slytherin House has won it six years in a row! The Bloody Baron has been most unpleasantly smug about it." He pointed towards the Slytherin table. There was a ghost from the Middle-Ages, wearing a long, curly wig, and covered in silvery blood stains, sitting next to Malfoy, who looked rather unhappy about the seating arrangement.
Harry stared at the Baron for a moment, he seemed familiar. He felt like he'd seen his face somewhere. It finally came to him! Baron Sebastian von Addams! His Great Uncle, many times removed! It was said he murdered the woman he loved in a jealous rage then killed himself in regret! Harry made a mental note to go speak with him when he had a chance.
The students finished their dinner, feeling quite stuffed, when the leftover food vanished and was replaced by various desserts, ice cream, cakes, cookies, puddings. The once full students now got their second wind at the sight of the glorious desserts and filled their plates again. Harry cut a piece of dark chocolate cake, and picked at it as he talked with his new housemates.
"I'm half and half," said Seamus Finnegan. "Me Da's a muggle, while me Mam's a witch. Bit of a nasty shock to him, when he found out." Ron asked Neville about his own family.
"My Grandmother brought me up. Nearly all my family's magical, though they wondered about me for a while. My Great Uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off guard and shock the magic out of me! He kept doing it until I was about eight years old, when he dropped me out the top story window. Instead of crashing to the ground, I bounced! I bounced for several feet across the garden. Everyone was very pleased!" Algie was the one who gave me Trevor, my toad."
On Harry's opposite side, Hermione and Percy were discussing the upcoming classes. Hermione was very eager to begin her studies. Percy seemed to share her enthusiasm for getting good marks and following the rules.
Seamus and Neville then asked Harry about his own home life. Harry told them about his family, living in America, his adventures with Wednesday and Pugsley. Ron told them about their meeting with Malfoy in the train, everyone laughed as they imagined the sight on Malfoy with a living hand crawling all over him. Harry promised to show them Mano as soon as they got to Gryffindor tower.
Harry glanced back at the staff table. Hagrid was drinking deeply from a large wooden mug. Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore were having a conversation. Harry also spotted Professor Quirrell who was talking with a dark haired man with a hooked nose and pale skin. The dark haired wizard glanced in Harry's direction, his dark eyes looking right into Harry's. Suddenly Harry felt a sharp pain erupt in his scar. Harry clasped his forehead tightly. 'What was that?' he wondered. That had certainly never happened before. As soon as it had struck the pain was gone. Harry shook his head, and turned to Ron's brother Percy.
"Who is that man talking with Professor Quirrell?" Percy looked up.
"Oh, that's Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin House. He teaches Potions, but everyone knows it's the Dark Arts he fancies. He's been after Quirrell's job for years." Harry watched Snape for a while but he didn't look back at him again. Soon all the desserts vanished as well, and Professor Dumbledore stood up again. Everyone fell silent.
"Now that we have all been well fed, I have a few start-of-term notices I wish to announce. First Years will please note, that the Dark Forrest is strictly forbidden to all students, without express permission from a member of staff, and with a good reason for being there. Some of our older students would do well to remember this as well." He glanced at Fred and George Weasley when saying this.
"I have also been asked by our caretaker, Mr. Filch, to remind you that no magic shall be used between classes in the corridors. He also has a list of specific items which are forbidden from being brought into the school. You can find this list outside his office door; in case you are interested."
"Quidditch trials will also be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in signing up, must speak with our flying instructress, Madame Hooch. First Years however are discouraged from trying out, unless they have written permission from their Head of House."
"And now, finally, I must tell you, that the Third Floor Corridor, on the right hand side, has been made out of bounds to all who do not wish to suffer a most painful and unpleasant death." Harry was intrigued by this. He and his siblings loved exploring where they shouldn't be. One summer they explored the town's long since abandoned coal mine tunnels.
"And now, I believe it is time for us all to adjourn to our beds. Goodnight, and welcome once again!" everyone applauded Dumbledore's speech and began to stand. Percy Weasley stood and directed the First Years to follow him.
Harry and his classmates followed Percy out of the hall and up several flights of stairs. The walls were decorated with various portraits and pictures, all charmed to move and speak. The students pointed out the various pictures, wondering who was within them. As they walked, some of the flights of stairs changed in direction all on their own. Percy warned that the staircases liked to change where they went, so sometimes students would have to be careful when walking the Grand Staircase.
As they walked, a bundle of walking sticks floated up to the group and began throwing themselves at the students. Percy dodged and blocked against the barrage.
"PEEVES! Peeves show yourself right now!" suddenly a squat figure in garish clothes appeared floating in midair, carrying the walking sticks.
"Oooh, little Firsties! What fun!" The figure swooped at them, all. Percy yelled at the strange little man that he would fetch the Bloody Baron if he didn't leave. Peeves gave a sour look and blew a raspberry before leaving. Percy turned to the students.
"That's Peeves, the castle's poltergeist. He's always causing trouble. The only ones who can control him are the Headmaster and the Bloody Baron. He refuses to listen to anyone else. Anyways, follow me, we're almost there."
At last, the students reached a wall decorated by a portly woman in a pink dress. She looked at the students and asked for the password. Percy spoke the words, Caput Draconis, and the portrait swung open. Through the hole in the wall was the Gryffindor Common Room. The walls were decorated with scarlet wallpaper and rugs. Here and there were large, overstuffed armchairs. Percy turned to the First Years.
"Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room. Up towards the left, is the boys' dormitories, to the right, the girls. I suggest you all get to bed right away, so you can be up bright and early for tomorrow." The students walked up the two sets of staircases. The First Year boys were on the lowest landing. Inside were five, four poster beds. Their trunks were already set before them. Harry and his new roommates got ready for bed. As promised he introduced the others to Mano. Dean and Seamus were amazed to see a living, animate hand. Mano shook hand with each boy, even Neville, who was still kind of squeamish.
Harry got into bed, softer than he was used to, but it would manage. Harry placed a pillow on the bedside table for Mano to curl up in. Harry curled up in his warm blankets and drifted off to sleep, wondering what lay in store for him the next day.