บท 5: The Sorting Hat

"First years this way", Hagrid boomed over the crowd of students. Following his voice, I got my first look at the half-giant. Man, was he big? I knew he was big, but there's a difference between knowing and seeing. Excitement really start to build in my heart, I don't think it was until this moment staring at the 11 foot tall man that I turly accepted i was l, going hogwarts. His hair a wirey mess and a smile plasterd on his face, his clothes of a woodsman all hides and strange accessories. Standing in the crowd of first years, I could not help the huge smile on my face.

"This way, first years," Hagrid yelled, leading us to the docks. "Four per boat", Hagrid said as we got to the row boats. The boats were a rite of passage for Hogwarts students. Each year, first years would come by boats, and at the end, the graduating seventh years would leave via the boats, completing their Hogwarts journey. As the boats moved out of the Hogsmeade River and onto the black lake, I saw the castle for the first time. It was awe-inspiring, the black lake like a black mirror in its still reflection of the sky and castle danced upon its surface. A tune sprung into my head, and I couldn't help but hum. Of course I knew the tune, •hedwig's theme•, from the movies. What I didn't know, so wrapped up in my own world, was my boat companions started to feel my awe and excitement as they listened to my humming. Not only that but a group of creatures in the black lake were enthralled by the sound.

"Watch yer heads" hagrid said, as we entered the tunnel, only he would need to watch our heads but that didn't stop people from ducking all the same.

Entering the castle for the first time felt magical, with flickering lights from the lanterns, the aged stone and chatter of excitement from my classmates. A stern-looking witch greeted us.

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

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here," she replied. "This way", as she led us to the entrance hall. Statutes of the four founders lined the wall, and the house cup hourglasses sat in a corner.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "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 your house will be like your family in Hogwarts while you are here. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your dormitory, and spend free time in your common room." She explained.

"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 house points." she gestured at the hourglasses." 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." She smiled.

"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." she looked around at the first years. "I'll be back in a moment; please wait quietly."

I heard Draco's voice pipe up, and I stopped paying attention. Looking at the founders, I questioned which house I would be put in. Over the previous month, the question of whether I should interfere or not came again and again. My only answer was maybe, but not directly, at least not yet. I had decided that Hufflepuff would be the best house for me, maybe Ravenclaw. I wanted to study and get good at magic. I also need a way to make some money. And for those reasons, harry needed to go on his quest and while the first few years it wasn't dangerous, I assumed they where training schemes from Dumbledore, from the fourth onwards it will become harder and harder not to be involved. At least in hufflepuff I could get Cedric advice, easily the best young wizard of his age, being chosen as hogwarts champion is no easy feat. Plus, they were close to the kitchens.

"First years, they are ready for you." Professor McGonagall said, coming back in.

Walking into the great hall was a spectacle. The roof really did look like it opened into the night sky, and the stares from the older kids kind of got to you. Then, sitting on a stool was the Sorting hat. The hat twitched, the rim split like a mouth, and he 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!♫

Surprisingly, I could feel my magic stir with the hat's song, conjuring images of what the hat described and an accompanying melody in my mind. It was hard to resist humming the melody.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," Professor MacGonagall said. "Abbott, Hannah!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Bones, Susan"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

I knew the two of them were Hufflepuff. A few more names were called then.

"Carter, Edward", Professor McGonagall read out mine.

I walked calmly to the hat, sat on the stool, and put it on.

"Hmm carter is not a name I have heard in a long while" the hat whispered in my ear "plenty of knowledge in here, and you study before school good good."

'So put me in Ravenclaw, ' I thought to the hat.

"Ravenclaw, yes maybe, but your ambitions are your driving force, so", the hat whispered, then yelled.

"SLYTHERIN!"

'Crap', I thought, got up and walked to the Slytherin's table, taking an empty space. I looked over and saw something rare. Snape had a small smile on his face. Then he nodded to me. I nodded back, a bit shocked. Well, I'll be close to the kitchens, just not the closest. I was soon joined by other first years of Slytherins.

"Thanks again about the tip about the dinning cart" goyle said. "Names Gregory Goyle, but everyone calls me Goyle"

"Edward carter but everyone calls me eddie" I introduced my self. "Do you like everyone calling you Goyle, or would you prefer Gregory or Greg," I asked him. He looked at me, stumped.

"I like Greg", he muttered. "But I should be proud of my family name, so I don't mind."

Malfoy soon joined us, so Goyle shut up.

"So you a mud blood or something," Draco said, sneering at me.

"I don't know, I'm an orphan, might be, but the hat did say he had heard of my last name." I shrugged. "But I don't really care, I'm going to make an name for myself, people will be chanting my name not my families, when I'm done."

Draco looked a bit confused by that idea. And I ignored the insult. I planned to treat Draco like water and myself as ducks back.

"Well, anyway, looks like Gryffindor got Potter", Draco snarked.

The Gryffindors were chanting, "We got Potter."

"What are your thoughts about Harry," I said to Draco.

"Probably fame all went to his head", Draco sneered.

"Don't know about that; he was raised by muggles, right, so this is all probably a huge shock to him," I said. " I mean, it was to me as well."

"How could he not know?" Draco questioned. "He stopped the dark lord for Merlin's sake."

I could actually see a bit of hero worship in Draco's eyes.

"Maybe nobody told him what happened," I said. Draco got a thoughtful look.

The Sorting was done.

Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students; his arms opened wide as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.

"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I want to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

"Thank you!"

Everyone clapped and cheered as food appeared on the tables. I briefly wondered if that was the house elves' name.

We all started to dig in. The house ghost fluttered in, scaring some of the first years. I laughed.

After the feast, Dumbledore gave his warnings and then invited everyone to sing the Hogwarts song in whatever tune they preferred.

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 bare and full of air,

Dead flied 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.♫

Even though there was no order or cohesion, I once again felt my magic stir, not only my magic but Hogwarts's magic, too. It felt like she was so happy to be here to teach more students.

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