Harry Potter and Hermione Granger: The Philosopher's Stone

The Sorting Hat

Dateline: September 1st, 1991 at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

A little ways after the boat ride on the lake, a plump boy, named Neville Longbottom found his long lost toad, Trevor, which he kept losing all the time. Not long after, The first-year students are at Hogwarts School, and they are journeying up the stairs where they see a woman dressed in a green robe with a witch's hat; Professor McGonagall was at the top, waiting for the first years and began to speak when the students were at the stairs.

''Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seat, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule-breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup. The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily.''

McGonagall walks out of the hall, and after she went, a blonde-haired boy spoke up unannounced.

''It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter and Hermione Granger has come to Hogwarts.'' The first years broke out in whispers of 'Harry Potter and Hermione Granger?' as the blonde-haired boy continued ''This is Crabbe and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy...Draco Malfoy.'' Ron snickered at the name of Malfoy, and Draco turned his head to Ron ''Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley.'' said Draco in a harsh tone and turned his head back towards Hermione and Harry. ''Well, soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter and Granger. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there.'' he said, extending both of his hands to Harry and Hermione. Harry only responded to that statement, and Hermione nodded, ''We think we can tell who the wrong sort are for ourselves, thanks.'' Draco glared at the two as McGonagall returned from her absence, and she tapped Draco on the shoulder with a scroll of parchment.

At that, Draco gave one more glare at the two, and McGonagall began to speak, ''We're ready for you now. Follow me.''

She leads the students from the hall to two large entrance doors, which opened to reveal a large hall filled with floating candles, four long tables, and a roof that appears to look like the sky.

''It's not real, the ceiling.'' Hermione said, quietly to Harry ''It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. We've read about it in Hogwarts: A History. ''

McGonagall led the students to the front of the hall to a teachers table and a brown wizard's hat on a stool.

''Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words,'' McGonagall said as Dumbledore stood up.

''I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years, please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch.'' he said, pointing to an old man with a cat in front of him. ''Has asked me to remind you that the 3rd-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not to die a most painful death. Thank you.''

''When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the Sorting Hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses. Hermione Granger.''

The students went silent as Hermione's name was called, and she sat on the stool, waiting to be sorted.

''Hmmm...right. Okay...Gryffindor!!'' said the Sorting Hat, excitedly as Hermione went over to the Gryffindor table.

''Draco Malfoy.''

Draco walked up proudly, and the hat didn't properly touch his head as he yelled, ''SLYTHERIN!'' with the Slytherin table cheering for Draco.

''Harry Potter.''

The crowd went into whispers but quieted down when Harry got to the stool, and the hat was placed onto his head. He waited.

''Hmm...'' said the small voice in his ear. ''Difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see, not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes, and a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?'' Harry gripped the edges of the stool and thought, ''Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin.'' ''Not Slytherin, eh?'' said the small voice. ''Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head. And Slytherin will help you on your way to greatness! There's no doubt about that. No? Well, if you're sure...better be... GRYFFINDOR!!''

The Gryffindor table was filled with cheers as Harry made his way over and the first person to greet him was Hermione as usual.

A little ways after Harry was sorted into Gryffindor, every person was sorted into their houses, and McGonagall tapped her glass with a spoon, interrupting the chatting. ''Your attention, please,'' she said in a sweet tone as Dumbledore stood up.

''Let the feast...begin,'' he said as food magically appeared from the table, which amazed Harry and Hermione. They had nothing but leftovers from the Dursleys during their 11 years. But, this time, it was a dream come true for them as they piled their plates with food and eating turned into talking.

''I'm half and half. Me dad's a muggle. Mam's a witch, Bit of a nasty shock for him when he found out.'' said a boy who looked like he was from the Irish country.

Hermione's next to Harry, and he was next to Percy, one of the boys Harry and Hermione saw at Kings Cross and asked him a question, ''Say, Percy, who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?''

''Oh, that's Professor Snape, head of Slytherin house.''

''What's he teach?'' Hermione cuts in.

''Potions. But everyone knows it's the Dark Arts he fancies. He's been after Quirrell's job for years.''

Suddenly, a ghost pops up from the table, startling most of the first years. ''Hello! How are you? Welcome to Gryffindor.'' said a ghost, looking around as other ghosts entered the hall.

''Hello, Sir Nicholas. Have a nice summer?'' said Percy, happy to see Sir Nicholas.

''Dismal. Once again, my request to join the headless hunt has been denied.'' said Nicholas ''And I would prefer Sir Nicholas if you don't mind my nearly headless corpse.''

''Nearly headless? How can you be nearly headless?'' Seamus asked, bemused

''Like this?'' Nick said, grabbing his head and pulls it to the side to reveal a head hanging on by a thread. The first years were disgusted as Nearly Headless Nick reattaches his head to his body.

After the feast, Percy leads the first-year Gryffindors through a staircase tower. ''Gryffindors, follow me, please. Keep up. Thank you. This is the most direct path to the dormitories. Oh, and keep an eye on the staircases...they like to change.'' he said as the camera pans up to reveal staircases changing left and right. ''Keep up, please, and follow me. Quickly now, come on. Come on.''

After journeying through many staircases, Percy and the rest of the first years come across a painting of a large woman in a pink dress. ''Password?'' said the woman

''Caput Draconis,'' Percy said, unlocking the door. ''Follow me, everyone. Keep up, quickly, come on.''

Everyone was amazed at the home base of Gryffindor as Percy spoke again, ''Gather 'round here. Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room. Boy's dormitories, upstairs and down to your left. Girls, the same on your right. You'll find that all your belongings have already been brought up.''

Harry and Hermione were in their pj's, looking out at the window petting their pets. They were looking for sure that they were going to love it here at Hogwarts for the next few years.