POTTER

1

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, 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."

A scared looking boy called Neville Longbottom, spots his toad sitting near McGonagall. He jumps forward.

"Trevor!" he catches his toad; McGonagall stares down at him as some of the students laugh] Sorry. [He backs away, embarrassed.

"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily." She leaves to go into the Great Hall

"So it's true, then. What they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."

All the first years murmur in excitement, Draco indicates two boys next to him

"This is Crabbe, and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Ron snickers, Draco turns to glare at him

"Think my name's funny, do you? Well, no need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand-me-down-robe? You must be a Weasley." turns back to Harry

"You'll soon find out some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." offers his hand

"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks." Harry looks at draco coldly

McGonagall returns and taps Draco on the shoulder with a paper. He leaves Harry with one last glare.

"We're ready for you now. Follow me."

She leads everyone through two large doors and into the Great Hall, where there are four long tables with thousands of students, as well as floating candles. The roof appears to be the sky.

"It's not real, the ceiling. It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."

McGonagall leads the first-years to the front where the Sorting Hat lies on the stool.

"Will you wait along here, please? Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words." Dumbledore rises from the main table.

"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 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 wish 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."

"Oh, no. Okay, relax."

"Mental that one, I'm telling you."

Harry nods in agreement. Hermione sits on the stool and McGonagall places the sorting hat on her head