Chapter 3 – The Sorting Ceremony
As Harry and Hermione stepped off the Hogwarts Express, they were greeted by the chilly autumn air and the bustling sounds of Hogsmeade Station. The station was a small, picturesque building made of red brick. Hagrid's voice boomed across the platform, calling out to the first-year students. Harry and Hermione quickly made their way through the crowds, leaving their luggage behind on the train, and soon spotted Tonks leading the way for the newcomers, with Jingles in her arms.
"Hey Tonks," greeted Hermione, her face beaming with joy. "And hey Jingles," she added, petting the cat as he purred contentedly. "Hey Hermione, hey Harry," Tonks responded warmly. "I hope you had a good time on the rest of the ride without me to entertain you," she added with a smile.
Harry chimed in, "It was alright. We talked about how exciting it is to finally learn magic and our hopes for our first classes." Tonks nodded, "Well, for your first year, you'll be taking a boat tour over the Black Lake to get to Hogwarts. Make sure to take in the scenery. It's not every day you get to experience that." She continued to smile warmly. Suddenly, Jingles let out a low 'meow' causing Tonks to laugh. "Are you already hungry?" she jokingly asked, scratching behind his ear. "Anyway, see that big guy over there?" She pointed towards Hagrid. "He'll get you on the boat tour I mentioned. Just head over to him and we'll see each other at the feast. I better go before this little princess" she gestured towards Jingles "gets even crankier. Bye-bye!" With that, she hurried off.
~~~o~~~
As Harry and Hermione approached Hagrid, he greeted them with a beaming smile. "'Arry, yeh finally made it!" he exclaimed, giving him a friendly pat on the back. "Oh, and I jus' realized I haven't been properly introduced to yer friend here," he added, gesturing towards Hermione.
"Of course, sorry about that," Harry said apologetically. "Hagrid, this is Hermione Granger. We met her on the day we went to get our school supplies with Professor McGonagall."
Hermione smiled warmly at Hagrid. "It's lovely to meet you, Hagrid," she said.
A wide smile spread across Hagrid's face as he returned Hermione's warm expression. "Nice to meet yeh too, Hermione." He then pulled out his watch and checked the time. "Well, we'd better get movin'. Go ahead and choose a boat, but remember, no more than four people in each one," he instructed.
Harry and Hermione walked down the pier towards the water's edge. The pier was made of old, creaky wood and rocked back and forth slightly as students scurried past. The smell of fresh lake water mixed with the scent of damp wood and the cool breeze rustled through their hair. The boats were lined up neatly along the edge of the pier, each one swaying slightly in the water.
As they searched for an empty boat, they couldn't help but notice the excitement in the air. The chatter of students filled the air as they eagerly anticipated the start of their journey across the lake. Finally, Harry and Hermione found an empty boat and hopped in. Harry's gaze shifted towards the group of girls he had spotted earlier, who had just settled into an empty boat. He couldn't help but fixate on Daphne Greengrass, her face still etched in his mind. He pondered why there was a flicker of fear in her eyes when he had introduced himself to her. It was a puzzle he was determined to unravel.
A plump boy approached their boat, interrupting Harry's thoughts. "H-hello," he stuttered. "Do you still have room in your boat?"
Hermione smiled warmly at the boy. "Yes, so far it's just us. Feel free to join us."
The boy gave a thankful nod and sat down. "I'm Neville Longbottom, by the way. Pleasure to meet you," he said while extending his hand out.
Hermione took it first. "I'm Hermione Granger," she said. When Harry shook his hand and said "I am Harry Potter" Neville's eyes widened.
Harry sighed at the usual reaction he got when he introduced himself. Why did everyone know him? And even worse, why did everyone act so weird around him? He just wanted to be normal.
Luckily, Hagrid's booming voice interrupted any further uncomfortable conversation "Alright everyone, hold tight! We are going to cross the lake now" he shouted from the front boat. The sound echoed across the water, causing ripples to spread out from under the boats.
After getting a good overview that everyone was seated firmly, Hagrid clapped his giant hands which caused all the boats to start moving simultaneously. Harry couldn't help but once again be amazed at the wonders of magic. As they glided across the smooth surface of the Black Lake, Harry felt the cool mist on his face and heard the gentle sound of the water lapping against the sides of the boat. He closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh, crisp air.
~~~o~~~
Shortly after they left the pier, they could see the lights from the castle looming ahead, casting a golden glow over the water. The sight was breathtaking, and Harry couldn't help but stare in wonder. A group of girls in a nearby boat shrieked in excitement, and when Harry followed their eyes he could see a magnificent creature watching from the edge of the forest. It was a unicorn, its white coat shimmering in the moonlight. Harry felt a sense of awe and reverence wash over him as he gazed upon the majestic creature.
As Harry gazed out over the black lake, he noticed a group of majestic creatures soaring through the air towards the forest. They looked like winged horses, but with talons and beaks like an eagle. He had never seen anything like them before, and he wondered what they could be. As they drew closer, he heard the sound of powerful wings beating the air and felt the rush of wind they created as they flew past.
Suddenly, Hagrid's voice boomed out, interrupting Harry's thoughts, "Those are Hippogriffs! They're amazin' creatures. Yeh'll learn all about 'em in Care of Magical Creatures." Harry couldn't wait to find out more about these incredible beasts and their place in the wizarding world.
The thought of magical creatures brought Harry's mind back to Jingles, the curious cat he had met on the train just hours before. He couldn't help but wonder if there were differences in intelligence among magical creatures, or if they were all as clever as Jingles.
Harry was lost in thought, the rhythmic sound of the water splashing against the boats lulling him into a trance. Suddenly, his peaceful musings were interrupted by piercing screams from the front boats. Harry looked up and saw massive tentacles poking out of the water, dangerously close to the boats.
"Don' worry ev'ryone, this is jus' Squirt, 'e is jus' sayin' hello. 'E doesn't harm anyone, quite the opposite actually, if yeh ever find yerself in a dangerous situation in this lake, 'e will most certainly come to yer aid," Hagrid shouted across the lake, his voice booming over the water.
"'Squirt'? Who names a giant squid monster 'Squirt'?" Hermione's voice broke through the tension.
Harry shrugged, trying to hide the fear that he felt in the pit of his stomach. "Well, it is a cute name, don't you think so?"
Hermione and Neville chuckled at Harry's attempt to lighten the mood. As they settled back into their seats, another scream caught their attention. They watched as the tentacles slowly retreated back into the depths of the lake, causing a massive splash that drenched Daphne's boat. The girls shrieked in surprise and were left shivering from the cold water.
Harry watched in amazement as Daphne produced her wand and cast a spell on each of the girls, who seemed content afterwards. He turned to Hermione and asked, "Did you see that?"
"Yes, I did," Hermione replied with a smile. "I suspect she used either a drying charm or a warming charm. Both are spells we will learn during our first year at Hogwarts." Hermione noticed the look of surprise on both Harry and Neville's faces. "I may have already read ahead in most of our textbooks," she added sheepishly.
"She looked rather confident when casting the charm," Harry observed. "I guess she has been practicing magic for quite some time now."
Hermione perked up. "Yes, and it seems so unfair. We have only known about magic for two months now, and we can't even practice at home. The Statute of Secrecy is so frustrating. Why does it even exist?" she said, her frustration clear in her voice.
The boats continued to move across the black lake towards the castle. The wind had picked up, causing the surface of the water to ripple and the boat to sway slightly.
To their surprise, Neville chimed in to join the conversation. "Well, I can understand your frustration to a certain extent, but the reason why the Statute of Secrecy exists should be quite clear," he said.
Harry and Hermione exchanged a puzzled glance, prompting Neville to elaborate. "I thought Muggles also learned about the Salem witch trials and the witch hunts. It was after those events that the Statute of Secrecy was put into place, to prevent further tragedies like that from happening."
Hermione was taken aback. "Wait, those were real witches?" she asked incredulously. Before Neville could respond, she corrected herself. "Of course they were real. Everything in our history regarding magic is probably real," she muttered to herself. She then looked up at Neville, offering a warm smile. "Thank you for explaining this, Neville."
Neville nodded his head and turned towards Harry "Also about your remark earlier Harry, Pureblood families tend to hire tutors for their children when they're around nine or ten years old to prepare them for Hogwarts. That's probably why Daphne can already cast some spells we're going to learn this year," he explained with a small shrug.
"Did you have a tutor, Neville?" Harry asked, curious.
Neville's smile turned sheepish. "Yeah, I did, but I didn't really get far with anything. My grandmother called me a lost cause," he admitted.
The group sat in contemplative silence for a moment, listening to the gentle lapping of the water against the boats.
"Don't worry Neville," Hermione spoke up, breaking the silence. "Everyone learns at their own pace. With some practice and determination, you'll get the hang of it," she said with a warm smile. A light breeze carried the sound of Hermione's encouraging words across the lake.
Hermione turned to Harry with an intense look in her eyes. "Why are you so fixated on Daphne?" she asked bluntly.
Harry's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I'm not fixated on her," he defended himself. "It's just that she caught my attention when we met at Madam Malkin's. She didn't react like everyone else when I introduced myself."
"I see," Hermione nodded. "But what exactly did she do? I didn't see anything out of the ordinary."
"Well," Harry paused, trying to gather his thoughts. "It's just that when I said my name, she looked scared for a second before covering it up with a fake smile. And her father's behaviour towards her was odd too. I can't help but wonder if it's related to me, or something else entirely."
Hermione turned her gaze to Harry, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Scared? Are you sure you just didn't misunderstand her expression?" she asked, a note of scepticism in her voice.
Harry shook his head, his expression serious. "No, I'm sure. It was just a split-second thing, but I saw a hint of fear in her eyes when I told her my name."
"Do you remember the comment Professor McGonagall made? About her being potentially used for political gain?" Hermione said thoughtfully.
"I do now that you mention it. It all seems so strange to me. Who would use their own child in such a way?" Harry replied.
Neville then interjected, "It's an outdated custom, but some families still use their children to gain political power, especially daughters. Marrying into the right family can significantly elevate one's status in the wizarding world. However, this practice is typically only followed by the more dark-leaning families."
Hermione's eyes widened at Neville's words. "That's barbaric," she exclaimed. "So, you're telling me that her father is probably trying to get her married into a family that will give him as much political power as possible?"
Neville nodded grimly. "It's possible. I've heard of families doing worse things for power."
Harry and Hermione exchanged worried glances, even though they had met Daphne only briefly that was a fate they wouldn't wish upon anyone.
~~~o~~~
As the boats glided smoothly across the black waters of the lake, the looming outline of a pier gradually came into view. As they drew closer, Harry and Hermione could make out the faint shape of a large boathouse sitting at the end of the pier, with several smaller boats moored alongside it. The boathouse appeared to be made of dark wood, with a steeply pitched roof and a series of tall, narrow windows along the sides.
Hagrid's voice echoed across the water, signalling the end of the ride as they neared the pier. The students looked up from their boats to see the pier looming closer, and the boathouse at the end of it becoming more and more distinct. Finally, the boats glided effortlessly into place alongside the pier, neatly docking themselves in a line.
Stepping out of the boats onto the pier, a gust of cool wind blew through the air, bringing with it the refreshing scent of the lake. Hagrid rounded up the group of first-years and led them up a winding flight of stone stairs. The sound of water lapping against the shore slowly faded away as they made their way up the staircase, the steps feeling solid and unyielding beneath their feet.
As they ascended higher and higher, the view of the castle became more and more impressive. Harry couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of Hogwarts, the towering turrets and sweeping arches reaching up to the sky. The castle looked as if it had been carved out of the very mountains themselves, the stones aged and worn by the passage of time.
The students crossed the threshold into the castle and were immediately enveloped by a musty smell that hung in the air. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the stone walls, bouncing off the high ceiling and mingling with the faint crackle of torches. Hagrid led them deeper into the castle, his massive form dwarfing the small group of first-years as they trailed behind him. The passageways they traversed were narrow and seemed to stretch on endlessly in every direction. But despite the labyrinthine layout, the students couldn't help but marvel at the intricate carvings etched into the walls and the intricate stained-glass windows that adorned some of the corridors. It was like they were walking through a medieval castle, with all its mystery and grandeur. Eventually, Hagrid pointed out a towering wooden door ahead of them, and they gathered around him, eager to see what lay beyond.
"Well, yeh all wait here, I'll get Professor McGonagall so we can get yeh sorted" Hagrid said, and then he went through the giant doors. As Hagrid disappeared behind the giant doors, the students were left waiting in a spacious entryway. The stone walls were lined with tapestries depicting historic battles and magical creatures, and the floor was made of smooth, cold stone that echoed with every footstep. The air was thick with the scent of old books and candle wax, and the sound of distant footsteps echoed down the corridors.
The students huddled together, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as they waited for Hagrid's return. They exchanged nervous glances and whispered to each other, wondering what the Sorting ceremony would be like and which House they would end up in.
"Well, it seems then the rumours were true – Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts" a blonde boy said loudly, interrupting all ongoing conversations. He then stepped in front of Harry, closely followed by two other boys. Harry's nostrils flared as he caught the overpowering scent of the boys' cologne.
"I am Draco Malfoy, and these two are Crabbe and Goyle," he introduced, his voice ringing in the corridor. He then glanced over at Neville and Hermione who were standing beside Harry. "I can clearly see that you are in dire need of help, Potter. We wouldn't want you making friends with the wrong kind," Malfoy said while extending his hand out. The smell of his expensive cologne filled Harry's nose, causing him to wrinkle it in disgust.
Harry made no effort to shake Malfoy's hand. "Thank you, but I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself," he said with a mischievous grin. Malfoy's face contorted to anger, but before he could say anything else, the Giant Doors opened, and Professor McGonagall appeared through them. The sound of the doors creaking echoed throughout the hallway.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, I am Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall," she began as she entered the antechamber filled with first-year students. "In a moment, you will proceed through those doors and find a stool at the podium. I will call each of you to take a seat and place the Sorting Hat on your head. Once sorted, you will join your House at their table. Any questions before we begin?" Professor McGonagall paused, but the students remained silent. "Very well, follow me," she said, opening the giant doors for the students to follow.
As the first-years made their way into the Great Hall, their eyes widened in amazement at the grandeur of the room. Four giant tables, each stretching the length of the hall, were filled with students from all houses, chatting and laughing excitedly. The room was so vast that it seemed to stretch on endlessly, and the soft light from the floating candles added to the ethereal atmosphere. Above, the enchanted ceiling was a masterpiece, with a clear night sky filled with stars, and the occasional shooting star.
At the head of the hall, in front of the teacher's table, stood a grand podium, adorned with the Hogwarts crest. The teachers sat behind the podium, watching over their students with a watchful eye. The room was filled with the sounds chattering students, and the occasional burst of laughter.
The first-years made their way through the maze of tables, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls, until they gathered around the podium where Professor McGonagall stood. A stool with an old, tattered hat rested in front of her. The hat appeared to be made of patched-up pieces of different materials. She began reading from a scroll, her voice clear and commanding. "Abott, Hannah," she called out.
A blonde girl stepped forward, her eyes wide with anticipation. She took her place on the stool, and as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head, a hush fell over the room. The hat seemed to study her for a moment, and then shouted "Hufflepuff!" in less than ten seconds. The Hufflepuff table erupted into cheers and applause, welcoming their new member with open arms.
Harry's gaze followed the girl as she made her way to her new house's table. Then he noticed Tonks sitting further up the table, her bright hair standing out in the crowd. When she caught his eye, she flashed him a big smile. On the table in front of her, Jingles was happily munching on what appeared to be a bowl of juicy red meat.
As Harry watched the sorting process unfold, the floating candles cast flickering shadows on the faces of the nervous first-years. When it was Hermione's turn, she let out a nervous breath and walked towards the stool. Harry gave her an encouraging smile, remembering their promise to stay friends no matter what house they were sorted into.
Professor McGonagall carefully placed the sorting hat on Hermione's head, and for Harry, the seconds seemed to drag on like hours. The hat finally shouted "Gryffindor!" and Hermione made her way to the Gryffindor table, her eyes scanning the other tables as she went.
She spotted Tonks, her vibrant pink hair standing out against the sea of black robes, and beside her was Jingles, happily chowing down on his bowl of meat. Hermione felt a bit disappointed as the cat didn't even acknowledge her presence. She then flashed a smile towards Tonks, as Professor McGonagall called out the next name. "Greengrass, Daphne."
To Hermione's surprise, Jingles stopped eating from his bowl and lifted his head, his eyes fixated on the blonde girl who was making her way to the sorting stool. Hermione couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. She had met Jingles on the train, and he hadn't shown any interest in her sorting, yet here he was, suddenly captivated by Daphne Greengrass. She tried to shake off the feeling and turned her attention to the sorting ceremony, trying to mask her frustration.
When Daphne sat on the stool, her long blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her face. The sorting hat seemed to take forever to decide where to place her. The Great Hall was completely silent, with everyone holding their breath in anticipation. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the hat shouted out "Slytherin!" The Slytherin table erupted into cheers and applause, welcoming their newest member. Daphne made her way to the table and sat down to the same dark skinned girl which Harry and Hermione had seen on her boat.
As Harry observed the sorting ceremony, he couldn't help but notice the vast differences in the time it took the hat to determine each student's fate. Daphne's sorting had been the lengthiest so far, with the hat seemingly taking its time to deliberate for over a minute. On the other hand, Draco Malfoy's sorting had been the shortest, with the hat barely touching his blonde hair before declaring him a Slytherin. It was impressive in its own way, Harry mused, how quickly the hat had assessed and assigned Draco to his rightful house. But he couldn't help but wonder about the criteria the hat used to make its decisions.
As the tension mounted in the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall finally called out the name they had all been waiting for, "Potter, Harry." The entire hall fell silent, even Jingles had stopped munching on his meal to gaze intently at the boy wizard. Harry walked up to the stool and took a seat, scanning the room as he did. His eyes first met Hermione's, who offered him a reassuring smile.
As Harry's gaze roamed around the hall, he caught sight of Tonks, who looked as thrilled as ever. But it was Jingles' sudden change in behaviour that caught his attention. The cat had been engrossed in his food for the entire sorting ceremony, but now he was fixated on Harry's sorting. Harry glanced at his bowl and saw that he still had food left, which made him wonder why Jingles was so interested in his sorting. Before he could ponder this further, Professor McGonagall placed the sorting hat on his head, and Harry felt a new presence enter his mind.
~~~o~~~
"The day has finally come, Harry Potter. You're on everyone's mind these days, and I'm eager to see where you belong," the sorting hat remarked in Harry's mind. "I must say, most people's impressions of you are clearly wrong. I can see what you've been through, and it's quite a lot. To answer your questions, yes, I know all your memories, but I'm not permitted to share them with anyone, not even the Headmaster."
The sorting hat let out a sigh before continuing, "The abuse you've suffered rules out Hufflepuff. While they're known for their loyalty to friends, they're also naturally outgoing and trusting. You have shown loyalty to your only friend so far, but you are not someone who easily makes friends. Look at Tonks as an example; her nature allows her to befriend anyone easily."
The sorting hat grunted thoughtfully before speaking again. "Ravenclaw is not a fit either, despite your intelligence. You may have a thirst for knowledge, but you lack the drive to pursue it wholeheartedly. That book you bought on Professor McGonagall's recommendation, for instance. You haven't even opened it yet. Perhaps you should inquire about Miss Granger's progress with it." Harry felt a twinge of guilt at the sorting hat's words. He knew he needed to work on his focus and dedication.
"That only leaves two options for you, Mr. Potter: Slytherin or Gryffindor. On the one hand, we have Slytherin, a house that would be a good fit for you if you were willing to embrace your fame. With the political power attached to both your name and your family's name, you would be a force to be reckoned with, once you fully understand the situation. Miss Greengrass, whom you seem to be curious about, would be a valuable ally if you choose this path. However, you should keep in mind that Slytherins tend to be cunning and rarely offer help without expecting something in return."
Harry considered the sorting hat's words carefully. He was curious about Daphne, but the idea of using his fame to gain power did not sit well with him. On the other hand, it did have its appeal. As he was lost in thought, the hat interrupted him, "I can sense your confliction, Mr. Potter. That leaves us with only one option: Gryffindor. While I personally think you would excel in Slytherin, I believe it's important to consider the student's preference. Before I make the announcement, indulge me for a moment, Mr. Potter."
As Harry sat nervously on the stool, the sound of his own heartbeat filled his ears. The Sorting Hat's voice boomed in his head, causing his scalp to tingle with anticipation. "Very few know of this rule Mr. Potter," it continued, "but you can request to talk with me anytime via your Head of House. I would very much like for us to have a lengthier chat once you have settled in at Hogwarts. Perhaps toward the end of the school year." The hat then chuckled "Funny isn't it. It's been years since I have told anyone about this rule, and now I have told it twice in one evening." Harry's mind raced with questions, but before he could ask, the hat concluded, "With that I bid you farewell."
Suddenly, the hat shouted across the hall "Gryffindor!" to which the Gryffindor Table erupted in thunderous applause, the sound ringing in Harry's ears. Some started even chanting 'we got Potter!' as Harry made his way over to the table, feeling a rush of excitement and anticipation. He took a seat next to Hermione, feeling the warmth of the room and the buzz of energy that seemed to surround him.
As Harry settled in at the Gryffindor table, Blaise Zabini was the only remaining boy to be sorted. The sorting hat wasted no time in placing him in Slytherin. The first years were now all at their seats at their respective house tables, eagerly anticipating the start of their magical journey. Suddenly, Professor McGonagall's flicked her wand and the sorting stool vanished in a blur of motion, leaving the new students in awe and wonder. Some gasped in surprise, as they marvelled at the Professors display of magic.
~~~o~~~
An aged, bearded man stepped up to the podium, extending his arms as the Great Hall gradually hushed. "To all those beginning their journey at Hogwarts: Welcome," he announced, his voice echoing through the hall. "I am Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster. And to all returning students: Welcome back. As always, before we begin our feast, I have a few announcements to make. Firstly, our caretaker Mr. Filch has added several new items to the 'banned items' list, which you can find near the Teachers Tower. Secondly, the third-floor corridor-"
As Professor Dumbledore was about to make his announcements, Jingles suddenly jumped up onto the podium. Sitting directly in front of the headmaster, Jingles turned to face the students, capturing their attention. With a chuckle, Professor Dumbledore gestured towards the feline and began his introduction. "Well, I guess we'll do your announcement first then. This is Jingles. He doesn't have an owner, so he's essentially a pet to all of you. Please treat him with the same respect you would show to any other pet. But don't try to push your luck. If he's pulling away or hissing at you when you try to pet him, I recommend you stop immediately, or you might find yourself with a nasty scratch." As he spoke, Professor Dumbledore's warm smile radiated throughout the Great Hall.
"For our returning students, this is nothing new as Jingles has been a resident of Hogwarts for the past ten years. However, this year holds a special occasion. As many of you may know, Jingles has a tendency to favour one student over others. Some of you may have even referred to this student as 'the favourite.' In the past, Jingles has stuck with this student for the most part, even going home with them over the holidays. In the past few years his 'favourite' has been none other than our Head Girl, Nymphadora Tonks," Dumbledore explained, motioning towards Tonks who beamed as many students turned to look at her.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and addressed the students once more. "This year he'll be choosing a new favourite student since Miss Tonks is in her final year and won't be returning next year. And let me tell you, many have tried to curry Jingles' favour in the past, but his loyalty can't be bought with treats or bribes."
The Headmaster's eyes twinkled merrily as he continued, "I can't say for certain what criteria Jingles uses to choose his favourite, but he's known to roam the halls and even attend classes uninvited. So keep an eye out for him, and treat him kindly - he may just decide to befriend you. And with that, I wish you all good luck in making a new feline friend." The Great Hall erupted into whispers and murmurs, as students speculated on who Jingles' new favourite is going to be.
As Dumbledore concluded his speech Jingles stretched his legs and hopped off the podium, landing gracefully on the floor. He took a moment to shake himself out, then turned to face the sea of students in the Great Hall. His piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd, as if searching for something or someone. Some students couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by the magical cat's gaze, while others were eager to make a connection with him. Jingles remained silent, his eyes darting back and forth, as if he was deep in thought.
Professor Dumbledore paused momentarily before continuing. "Now, to return to the matter of the third-floor corridor, I must remind you all that it is strictly off-limits to students this year. This is for your own safety, so I implore you to obey this rule and not take any unnecessary risks."
The Headmasters expression softened as he spoke his final words. "And with that, we conclude our announcements. The moment we have all been waiting for has arrived. Let the feast begin!" As he finished, a feast of delicious food and drink appeared on the tables, and the students eagerly dug in.
Harry's eyes widened in amazement at the sheer amount and variety of food that had just appeared before him. The tantalizing aromas of roasted meat, fresh bread, and savoury vegetables wafted up from the table, making his mouth water. There were bowls of steaming soup, platters of roasted turkey, ham, and lamb, and piles of buttery mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. His stomach grumbled hungrily, and he couldn't help but grab a plateful of roasted turkey, a mound of mashed potatoes, and a heap of roasted vegetables before adding a thick slice of warm bread to his plate. He slathered it with a generous amount of butter, savouring the rich, creamy flavour, and took a big bite, feeling the warmth and comfort of the food filling him up.
Suddenly, Hermione let out a delighted squeak beside him, drawing his attention. He followed her gaze and saw Jingles making his way towards them. The magical cat elegantly walked across the table, deftly avoiding both the food and the students reaching out to touch him. Jingles then came to a stop directly in front of Harry and sat down, staring up at him with his piercing blue eyes filled with curiosity.
"Hey, Jingles!" Harry greeted him with a smile, glad to see the friendly feline again. He gently began to stroke Jingles, eliciting a soft purr of contentment from the cat. Hermione wasted no time in joining Harry and petting Jingles, her eyes alight with wonder at the sight of the magical creature.
As Harry and Hermione petted Jingles, some of the surrounding students watching them with surprised expressions. Some of the students murmured to each other, casting surprised glances at the friendly interaction between Harry and Jingles. A few of them even leaned in closer to get a better look, their mouths slightly agape in awe. But Harry and Hermione were too engrossed in their petting of the magical cat to notice the attention they were drawing.
~~~o~~~
Meanwhile at the Slytherin Table – Daphne's POV
Lost in thought about her conversation with the sorting hat, as well as her troubled home life, Daphne mechanically chewed on her beef until Tracey nudged her on the shoulder. Looking up, Daphne saw Tracey pointing towards the Gryffindor Table with excitement. "Look, Daphne! That cat is walking on the table," Tracey exclaimed. Jingles, the black magical cat from the Headmasters speech, was indeed gracefully navigating through the Gryffindor students' plates, evading their attempts to pet him.
Jingles then stopped in front of none other than Harry Potter, and many students watched with bated breath to see what would happen. To their surprise, Jingles allowed Harry to pet him, causing disappointment in many students who had hoped to become Jingles' favourite. Daphne loved cats and would have loved nothing more than to befriend Jingles, but since Jingles showed interest in Harry Potter, whom she could not associate with, she realized that befriending the magical cat was now seemingly impossible.
Daphne's attention was caught by an older Slytherin girl who spoke up, "It's rather unsurprising, really. Jingles has never been seen hanging out with a Slytherin before, let alone visiting our table. It's a pity, though. There are rumours that whoever Jingles chooses as his favourite will be blessed with academic success. Tonks, for instance, is a talented witch, but she used to struggle with the theoretical part of her exams until Jingles picked her as his favourite."
Then an older Slytherin boy interjected, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Don't be too hasty to jump to conclusions, folks. Jingles always inspects multiple students up close, and it's no surprise that he's checking out Potter first. After all, the cat has been living here for a decade now, and he's probably heard the tale of the boy who lived many times. He's just sizing him up. And let's be honest, that cat acts like he owns the place anyway," he added with a chuckle.
Excited gasps drew everyone's attention back to the Gryffindor table, where Jingles was on the move once more. About a fifth of the student body was eagerly following his graceful movements with their gaze. Suddenly, Jingles jumped from the Gryffindor table to the Slytherin table, causing even more surprised gasps. Daphne was stunned as she watched the beautiful black cat slowly making his way towards her. Unlike the Gryffindors, the Slytherins made no attempts to stop or pet Jingles as he walked across their table. The sound of his paws padding across the wood echoed through the Great Hall. When he finally reached Daphne, he stopped and sat down right in front of her plate. She didn't know what to do, frozen in awe as the blue-eyed cat stared at her with intense curiosity. Pansy from her left extended her hand in an effort to pet Jingles, but retracted as soon as he started hissing at her.
Tracey's voice rose with excitement as she gestured towards Jingles, "Look at him up close! His glossy black coat and those stunning blue eyes. He's the most beautiful cat I've ever seen!" Daphne followed her friend's gaze, admiring Jingles' sleek form as he sat gracefully in front of her.
Tentatively, Daphne extended her hand towards Jingles, her heart pounding with excitement. The cat nuzzled into her hand, and she felt a rush of joy as his soft fur brushed against her skin. As she started to stroke him, she felt his purring vibrations reverberate through her fingertips. She closed her eyes, savouring the sensation, lost in the moment of pure delight.
As Daphne sat there, lost in thought, she suddenly felt a powerful surge of magic coursing through her veins. It was a sensation that was familiar yet different, like the first time she had held her wand, but stronger. The excitement it brought was overwhelming, causing her heart to race with anticipation. Could this be because of Jingles, the magical cat? Her mind raced with questions, but before she could dwell on it any longer, Jingles let out a soft meow and glanced at her plate.
Daphne offered a piece of beef to the cat, who promptly hopped into her lap and curled up. She could feel the gentle weight of his body as he settled in. Tracey let out a delighted "aww" at the sight, but Daphne was lost in her thoughts once again.
Did Jingles want her to finish her meal? Was this his way of telling her that she needed to keep up her strength for the challenges ahead? With newfound determination, she dug into her food, savouring the flavours and textures. The sound of her fork scraping against the plate and the murmur of conversation around her faded into the background as she focused on her meal and the cat curled up in her lap.
~~~o~~~
Daphne finished the last bite of her meal, feeling content and satisfied. As she wiped her mouth with a napkin, the older girl from earlier spoke up again, her voice laced with a hint of amusement.
"You seem to be a lucky girl," she said, her eyes flickering towards Jingles who was now purring contentedly on Daphne's lap. "Sights like Potter and the girl next to him getting to pet Jingles aren't that rare. That little rascal loves attention. But for him to curl up in anyone's lap so fast? I haven't seen that in my time here so far."
Daphne looked up at the girl and was surprised to see a small smile playing on her lips. The girl seemed friendly enough, so Daphne returned the smile and waited for her to continue.
"I'm Gemma Farley, by the way," the girl said. "Fifth-year prefect for Slytherin house. And you are...?"
"I'm Daphne Greengrass, pleasure to meet you." Daphne replied.
After finishing her meal, Gemma stood up and announced that she would lead the first-years to their common room. Daphne looked down at Jingles, who was still nestled contentedly in her lap. She turned to Tracey, seeking advice on what to do next. "Trace, what do I do now? You have a cat at home. I need your guidance!" she pleaded.
Tracey chuckled and offered some helpful tips. "Oh, Daph, you can be so silly sometimes. Just try to gently pick him up and take him with you. If he tries to get away from you, just put him down and let him walk his own way."
Daphne nodded, and with care, she scooped up Jingles from her lap. The cat seemed content with being carried and let out a soft purr. As Gemma led the way, Daphne and Tracey followed along with the other first-years, all the while holding onto the magical cat who had so unexpectedly captured her heart.
Gemma led the group of first-years into the dungeon, towards a dimly lit room where a serpent statue was pressed against the wall. She gestured to the statue and explained, "This is the entrance to our common room. To gain entry, you must speak the correct password to the serpent statue."
As Gemma spoke the words "Snake eyes" to the statue, the serpent began to coil upwards, forming an archway with a door. "Please remember the password," Gemma reminded the group. "It changes every month, and the new one will be posted inside the common room. Now follow me to your rooms."
With that, she opened the doors and led the first-years into the common room.
The common room was grand and spacious, the flickering fire casting a warm glow across the room. Several floating candles provided additional light, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Although there were windows, they were situated too far below the surface of the Black Lake to offer much of a view.
Gemma led the first-years down a hallway lined with seven corridors. She paused in front of the second corridor from the right and explained, "This is your corridor. Each corridor corresponds to a year, and yours is on the second from the right. Don't worry about shuffling around each year. The corridor to your left will always be one year above you, and it wraps around at the end. That means the second years are on your left, and the seventh years on your right."
She then gestured to the doors lining the hallway. "Each of you has a room. The girls' rooms are in the front, and the boys' rooms are in the back. Your room will have a name tag on it so you can identify it easily. Your belongings have already been moved inside, and you should make sure to lock your door when you're not there. It's a privilege we have over other houses, so don't abuse it or it might be taken away. Breakfast starts at 8AM tomorrow, so don't be late."
With a final goodbye, Gemma left the first-years to their confusion over how one might abuse the privilege of having their own locked room.
Daphne beamed as she realized her room was right next to Tracey's. She wished her best friend goodnight before entering her new abode, Jingles the black cat still nestled in her arms. As she took a look around the room, Daphne noted it was smaller than her room at home, but it would suffice for her needs. The enchanted ceiling provided a breathtaking view of the Black Lake from below, the water shimmering with magic.
Daphne carefully placed Jingles on her bed, watching as the feline curled up in contentment. She then turned her attention to her trunk, which had been placed neatly against the bed. Deciding to unpack tomorrow, she rummaged through her belongings to gather her nightgown and toiletries. As she lifted the latter, she realized that Gemma hadn't mentioned where to find the bathroom.
Looking around the room, Daphne spotted a door which led to a small, cosy bathroom complete with a bathtub. Her heart filled with delight - she loved nothing more than a relaxing bath. After brushing her teeth, she changed into her nightgown and climbed into bed. Jingles snuggled against her chest, purring softly as Daphne drifted off into a peaceful sleep, her worries momentarily forgotten.