Chapter 8: The Sorting (Part 1)

The journey to Hogwarts was marked by a series of eventful moments.

Hermione continued her search for Neville's toad—

During which she discovered Orli's potion notes and engaged in a brief but animated discussion about brewing Scabies Solution.

The insufferable Malfoy made his appearance with his lackeys—

Not content with merely mocking the Weasleys, he took particular pleasure in sneering at the impoverished Waters family.

Orli, knowing full well how this would play out, couldn't be bothered to engage, and indeed the only casualty was Goyle receiving a bite from Scabbers the rat.

The day-long train journey proved exhausting. While the two boys maintained an almost constant stream of chatter, Orli only occasionally contributed to the conversation.

Before long, the initial awkwardness between Ron and Orli from their platform encounter had completely dissipated as they all grew more comfortable with each other.

After all, it's rather difficult to maintain any animosity when a boy who can only afford a rat discovers that his companion can't even afford that much and is an orphan. By lunchtime, Ron had even shared Mrs. Weasley's corned beef sandwiches with Orli. Perhaps there was a hint of sympathetic condescension in his gesture, but Orli was content to let it slide.

When Hermione inquired about Orli's pallid complexion, she attributed it to a migraine. The boys, showing unexpected consideration, maintained a more subdued volume for the remainder of the journey.

As dusk settled, the announcement "Five minutes to Hogwarts" resonated through the compartment, rousing Orli from what she hadn't realized had become a deep slumber.

The boys had already donned their school robes. Harry's face betrayed his nervousness with its paleness, while Ron busied himself stuffing the remaining sweets into his already bulging pockets.

"Has your headache improved?" Harry asked, helping Orli to her feet. "Hermione stopped by earlier with some Muggle painkillers, if you're willing to try them..."

"Muggle medicine?" Ron muttered skeptically under his breath. "Surely potions would be more appropriate for our kind."

They joined the throng of students in the corridor, eventually emerging onto a tiny, dark platform.

The crisp September evening air helped clear Orli's foggy mind.

"I'm fine now, much more alert," she assured them with a dismissive wave.

Soon after, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Orli found themselves sharing a small boat, following the traditional route before being led to wait outside the Great Hall for the sorting ceremony that had most first-years trembling with anticipation.

Except for Orli, none of the new students knew what the sorting entailed. Ron, thoroughly rattled by his brothers' tales of wrestling trolls, looked on the verge of collapse.

Only Orli maintained her composure, though her mind raced with considerations: whether her rudimentary Occlumency could shield her thoughts from the Sorting Hat, and whether she should aim for Ravenclaw with its extensive library and scenic views, or Hufflepuff with its convenient proximity to the kitchens and welcoming atmosphere.

Perhaps fearing the entire school might starve, they were soon led into the magnificent Great Hall. As the Sorting Hat began its song, Orli stood in the second row of first-years, carefully scanning her surroundings.

Slytherin... no familiar faces.

Young Malfoy was probably somewhere among the first-years beside her, hands and feet ice-cold with fear that he might not make it into the House of Snakes and be disowned by the Malfoy family.

Ravenclaw... the only Asian face, Cho Chang, a year ahead of the protagonist group, was whispering with the girls beside her.

Hufflepuff... well, Cedric was impossible to miss.

Gryffindor... a cluster of familiar red heads.

The twins were looking in her direction, their eyes meeting Orli's - or perhaps they were looking at Ron or Harry beside her. Either way, they waved enthusiastically and dramatically, then pointed at the Gryffindor table while gesturing wildly like amateur mime artists.

Ron was visibly eager, while Harry managed a tight-lipped smile through his nervousness.

Orli thought to herself sarcastically:

"Oh please, Gryffindor? Whoever wants to go there can go ahead, but count me out."