When Swords Meet Wands

Crazy Talking Hats and One Very Awkward Ghost.

Percy

The demigods and Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny entered the Great Hall. The Hall was big, sure, but there was nothing 'Great' about it. Percy had seen bigger. One thing that did amaze Percy was the ceiling. It looked exactly like the night sky outside. He just hoped no demigod-destroying, wizard-eating monster dropped out of the sky.

Annabeth noticed Percy gaping at the ceiling and said, "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read it in Hogwarts: A History."

At this, Harry and Ron started laughing. Percy looked at them quizzically. Were they making fun of his Wise Girl? "Oh, no, it's nothing. Inside joke," Harry said, still laughing. Percy also noticed that Hermione didn't seem too pleased. She whacked them both on the head with such skill, Clarisse would've been proud. She'd obviously had much practise.

The demigods stood in line with a bunch of other younger kids. The others sat at a table with a red and gold banner with a roaring lion on top of it. Percy noticed that the other tables also had similar banners but with different colours and animals. Up front was the teachers' table. An old looking man with long white hair and beard sat in the middle. He was wearing half-moon glasses, through which his bright blue eyes twinkled back at Percy. He rested his chin on his linked fingers and watched at the students bustling about.

A stern looking professor came in and placed a tattered old hat on a very sad-looking three-legged stool. Percy immediately knew this was not someone to cross. Percy jumped when the hat started singing. Like literally, it had a voice and it started singing. The song was basically about the traits of the different houses. There was Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and another one which Percy couldn't remember. It was something like 'huffpuff'? Sounded like that fairy tale story. Three Little Pigs? 'The big bad wolf huffed and puffed and blew the house away.' Yeah, Percy really liked fairy tales. Especially Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. It's really good. Anyway, back to the Hat.

The professor started calling out names. One by one, the kids went up to the stool and put the hat on. The hat then called out the house the kids were sorted into. It took a lot longer for some kids than others. Finally, all the first-years were sorted. Percy couldn't wait for the Sorting to be over, he was starting to get hungry. He settled for daydreaming (or was it nightdreaming? Y'know, 'cause it was night, not day? But it's also not the same as normal dreams. Like when you sleep? No?) about double cheeseburgers with fries.

"As you can see, there are still some students left. This year," the stern-looking professor said, "Hogwarts is hosting exchange students from America. Please join me in welcoming the students from Hecate's Institution of Magic. I expect them to be treated with respect." Everyone clapped enthusiastically at this, some more than others. Quite a few students glanced at them warily.

"I will now call out the names for the Sorting." She then started calling out the demigods' names in alphabetical order.

"Chase, Annabeth!"

Annabeth quickly walked up to the stool, where the professor placed the hat on her head. Two seconds later, Annabeth jumped like a fish out of water. Then she calmed down, though she still held a look of worry. She winced several times. The hat looked like it was shivering. Finally, the hat shouted out, "RAVENCLAW!"

"That's the smart house, right?" Percy whispered to Piper. She nodded. No wonder then. Annabeth went to sit at the table which was cheering. It had a silver and blue banner with an eagle on it.

"di Angelo, Nico!"

Nico went up, walking stiffly. The hat slipped down almost to his nose. Percy couldn't help laughing; he was way too cute. Then Percy turned to look at Will, who was staring at Nico in the most obvious, lovesick-puppy way possible. Percy nudged Piper and pointed discreetly at Will. She stifled a laugh. Soon everyone (the demigods) was staring at Will, who was staring at Nico, who was glaring angrily at the floor. Will realised everyone was looking at him and closed his slightly open mouth before blushing a lovely shade of red.