Chapter 4 - Sorting

We walked though the halls with Professor McGonagall to just outside the Great Hall where we would be having all of our meals at. She had us all gather around in front of her on the stairs which we did all still really excited about what was going to happen. "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 houses. The Sorting is very important ceremony because, while you were here, your house be something like your family was in Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, and your house dormitory, and spend free time and your common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own Noble history produced outstanding witches and wizards. Well you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your 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 honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whatever house becomes yours. A sorting ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourself up while you are waiting. I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly." Then she turned and headed inside the Great Hall and we all started talking about what was about to happen. I was lost in my own thoughts that I didnt hear Harry asking about the test but I did jump when the ghosts started going into the Great Hall beacuse people started screaming. 

"Move along now now, the Sorting ceremony is about to begin." I watched as the ghosts went through the door while we waited around trying to figure out what to do next. "Now form a line, and follow me." We quickly did as she said before following her into the Great Hall, when we walked in I saw that we were walking down the middle of the four tables. We kept walking until we got to the front of the hall were we crowded around waiting to be told what to do next. The ceiling was beautiful as well and I heard Hermione say that it was bewitched to look like the night sky, that she read about it in Hogwarts, A History. They then brought out a latched, frayed and extremely dirty hat, and placed it on a four legged stool. Then the hat started moving and a mouth appeared on it which was cool from the reading point but creepy seeing it in action, then it began to sing. 

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see, 

I'll wet 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 Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hifflepuff's are true

And unafraid of toil; 

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a mind,

Where those of wit and learning, 

Will always find their kind; 

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friend,

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 place lit up with applause when the hat finished singing which had me smiling at Harry who I knew was worried about this. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted." Then she started calling off people from a list she had on a piece of scroll, so I just waited for my name to be called but I was happy that Hermione got into Gryffindor. When it came for Draco to be announced he swaggered forward like he owned the place only for the hat to sort him into Slytherin just as the hat was placed on his head. I sighed knowing he would get that since he was a conniving little brat who did whatever he could to get his way. Then it kept going on and on until it finally got to the P's and Harry was called up but everyone went silent before starting to whisper about him. I couldn't hear what the hat said but I had a feeling it was talking to Harry about where to place him which had me smiling. "Gryffindor!" I smiled at him waving a little as he headed off to the Gryffindor table while knowing I would be called up next. "Potter, Serena!" I sighed stepping up to the stool to have the hat placed on my head but I was surprised at what it said.

"Hmm very difficult... even more so than your brother. You have qualities for each house Loyalty and Patient for Hufflepuff, Chivalry and Daring for Gryffindor, Wise and a love to learn from Ravenclaw, Cunning, and a fierce protectiveness you'll do anything you can to get what you need for Slytherin... so its very hard to place you my dear as you belong to every house. This is the first time something like this has happened my dear." I started wondering what was going to happen now and if I was going to be placed in a house or not. "Do not worry child you may belong to all the houses but the one that calls out for you is - GRYFFINDOR!!!" I smiled as I hoped down from the still once the hat was taken off before walking over to the Gryffindor table. I could hear Fred and George yelling out that Gryffindor got the Potters which had me giggling. I knew I needed to talk to someone about what happened so I looked around and spotted Professor Snape. When he saw us he nodded slightly in our direction so I tapped my head before pointing to him and he nodded again. 

So I expanded my mind to his knowing I was going to have a huge headache later because of this. 'What do you need Serena?' I allowed what the Sorting hat said to replay in my head so he would understand why I had called for him. 'Dont worry Serena I'll talk with Dumbledore about this and send you a letter about our decision later.' I nodded pulling away only to be rewarded with a headache which had me rubbing my temples sighing. Then Dumbledore said a brief welcome speech before food appeared in front of us which had our stomachs growling. So we started filling our plates with food which had me happy but the I felt someone enter my mind, and looked over at Professor Snape who motioned for me to come to him so I told Harry and went to him. When I got to him, he pulled out something from his robes before handing it to me which had me confused. "Drink it, it's a potion that should help elevate the headache. I'll let you know about training for it later." He said motioning to his head which had me nodding at him before I did what he told me before handing back the vile. Then I headed back to my seat sighing glad to have the headache gone when I got back everyone was talking about there families which had me upset since I didnt know much about my own. Then out of no-where my hand started hurting which had me holding on to it while Harry rubbed his scar. 

When I looked at Harry I saw that he was looking at Professor Snape but when I looked at the guy next to him my hand became inflamed. "Percy, who's that guy talking to Professor Snape?" I looked back to Harry to see that he was talking to a red haired boy so I knew it had to be Ron's older brother the prefect. "That's Professor Quirrell he teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts." I leaned further into Harry not really liking this Professor Quirrell and I could tell Harry didnt either. I nearly jumped when Dumbledore started talking to us again making everyone quiet as the food disappeared. "Ahem - just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I had a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." I knew he was talking to the Weasley twins when he said that since they were always getting into trouble. "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 trails will be held in the the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for there house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand is out of bounds to anyone who does not wish to die a very horrible death." I had a very bad feeling about what he said while a few people laughed, Harry included but I knew something was off. I heard Harry ask Percy if Dumbledore was serious but I could tell that he was mostly because I had already read what happens but I did hear Percy say. "Must be, it's odd, because he usually gives us a reason why were not allowed to go somewhere - the forests full of dangerous beasts, everyone knows that. I do think he might have told us prefects, at least."

I sighed looking back at Dumbledore knowing it was about time for us to be heading to our dorm and I couldn't wait I was tired. "And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" I sighed knowing this was going to be hell outta mostly because I hated singing even if people liked my voice. "Everyone pick their favorite tune and off we go." He said after he had waved his wand slightly which had the words for each song come up and then we began. 

"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 brave 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, well do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

We had to wait until the Weasley twins finished since they were singing the Funeral March song which had Dumbledore clapping the loudest at the end. "Ah, music, a magic beyond all we do here! And no, bedtime. Off you trot!" I sighed getting up and following Percy all the way to our dorm which was a long way but I had a feeling I would be alright with finding my way. After a run in with the poltergeist named Peeves we made it to a portrait of a fat lady that moved within the painting. "Password." I looked at her curious since normal paintings dont do this but Percy just walked up to her and said. "Caput Draconis." Then the portrait swung open to a long narrow passageway which we all followed down. When we got into he common room I had to smile since the e tire room was red everywhere and a roaring fire. There were couches facing it and tables with chairs scattered about the room for us to work on which had me smiling. "The girls dorm is upstairs and to the left while the boys dorm is to the right, boys will not be able to enter the girls dorm and the same vice versa." I tried to hold back my yawn before we were dismissed to go to bed and get some rest for classes tomorrow. When I got into my room noticed that I was sharing with Hermione and two other girls but I just quickly changed into my pajamas before letting Shina out. She immediately started looking around trying to figure out where she was now which had me smiling at her. The minute I sat down on the bed she was climbing up the covers making us all laugh before I helped her onto the bed. "Sorry Shina you'll have to wait until your bigger to do it by yourself." She just meowed a little annoyed before she curled up next to me under the blanket before falling asleep. I had a really weird dream I was walking through Hogwarts when I came across Professor Quirrell but when I did I couldn't move it was almost like I was in a trance. I saw myself go up to him only to watch him take off his turban to see another head on the back which had me nearly jumping out of bed. I looked at the time to see that it was still really early so I tried to go back to sleep with little luck.

Then when Hermione woke up I was already getting my things ready for my shower before I headed to the bathroom. Then I quickly changed into my uniform before heading back to my room to get my books and things for my classes. We had astronomy every Wensday at midnight that was really fun but tiring since you had to stay awake. We had Herbology, three times a week with Professor Sprout were we learned how to care for plants and fungi and what they were used for. It was hard to stay awake in History of Magic because taught by a ghost who had died in a staff room fire. His name was Professor Binns but I managed to stay awake so I could take notes for the tests he would be giving. Professor Flitwick was our charms teacher but it was kinda funny how he fell over when he said Harry's and my name during role call. McGonagall was different from the others she was kind but strict she gave us a small lecture about what was going to happen in her class. "Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned." 

I loved being in her class because we could transform into animals or turn objects into other things it was a lot of fun. I noticed that Hermione also liked this class because she got praised for turning a match a little silver on the tip. I kinda topped her though since I managed to turn the whole thing into a needle since I really wanted to see one. Turns out my magic is a little to strong since I also turned some of the desk silver as well. Then it was time for our defense against the dark arts class but unlike everyone else I wasn't looking forward to it. I had a really bad feeling about the teacher and he never liked talking about his adventures. Although Harry seemed to be happy that other students were the same with him about not being miles behind those who grew up in wizarding families. These classes went by quickly during the weeks we were at Hogwarts and I couldn't wait until we had our first Potions class. Although it seemed that the others didnt like it to well since we were doing it with the Slytherins which meant with Draco. I was still trying to find a way to get back at him for insulting my family the way he did and I was thinking of asking the Weasley twins about the pranks. Since they were able to get away with it easily plus they might have a good idea or a brilliant one to use. We were sitting in the Great Hall for breakfast I was reading my Potions book to recap since I had read ahead a lot I wanted to make sure I knew what to expect. 

Harry started complaining about how Snape favored the Slytherins while wishing McGonagall did the same for us. "Harry it's not there job to favor us and why do you think Snape favors the Slytherins? Maybe they actually do what there supposed to do, when have you two actually paid attention in class and did what you were told?" That seemed to shut them up quickly just as the mail arrived for everyone by our owls, I was still waiting on a letter from Snape about what I had told him my first day here. However I was surprised when a medium sized package and a few letters landed in my lap. Kaito landed on my shoulder carefully before he started rubbing against my check making me smile. I pulled the letters out so I could look through them, I saw I got one from Hagrid and opened it before reading it. 

"Dear Serena,

I know you get Friday afternoons off, so would you like to come and have a cup of tea with me around three? I want to hear all about your first week. Send us an answer back with Hedwig or Kaito.

Hagrid."

I pulled my quill out and inscribed yes, please, see you later on the back of the note before attaching it to Kaito smiling knowing he knew to wait until I had gone through all my mail. I also saw that I got a letter from both Snape and Dumbledore so I opened the one from Snape first.

"Dear Ms. Potter, 

Dumbledore and I have talked about your situation, we have decided to have you practice with me on how to control it. Meet with me tomorrow after your flying lesson."

I pulled out a piece of parchment so I could write my reply to him before attaching that to Kaito as well. Then I pulled out my other letter from Dumbledore smiling and opened it up to read it as well.

"I have talked to Professor Snape about what you showed him and would like to discuss it with you tomorrow after your lesson with Professor Snape. He will bring you to my office once your done with your practice lesson."

I quickly wrote back to him as well letting him know that I would see him then and would be ready to tell him what happened. I handed it over to Kaito who stayed there to see if I needed to send out another letter. I opened the box I got, I was surprised to see a book on rare creatures and a beautiful necklace in it. I pulled out the note attached inside the box to see green handwriting which had me knowing someone in Slytherin had sent this to me.

"Dear Serena,

I saw this and knew it would look beautiful on you.

Draco Malfoy."

I groaned before pulling out another piece of paper and writing to him to thank him for the gift but he didn't have to send me these things. If he was going to insult my family then he could stay far away from me and to stop sending me things. Then I handed Kaito the letter which he took in his beak before taking off only to swirl around to drop the letter with Malfoy before heading to the teachers table.