Twisted- HARRY POTTER

#9

"Firs' years Professor McGonagall!" Hagrid boomed. The shy timid first years shyly walked up the large staircase that led to a chamber off the Great Hall. The chamber was made from large stone bricks, like the rest of the castle. Along the walls of the chamber were large torches that provided a warm glow in the room.

"Before you take your seats, you must Be sorted into your houses" came Minerva McGonagall's loud and clear. "The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Form a line in an orderly manner and follow me into the Great Hall." All the first years formed a line quietly and quickly, each lost in their own thoughts. The great hall was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in mid-air over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting... The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight... Harry looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars... It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all, and that the Great Hall didn't simply open on to the heavens. Professor McGonagall lead the line of students towards the staff table. "When I call your name, you will walk up to the stool and place the sorting hat on your head. Once you have been sorted you will walk to your house table. Do you understand?" the sea of students nodded.

Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see

I'll eat 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 an I'll tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor

Where dwell the brave at heart

Their daring nerve and chivalry

Set Gryffindor's apart.

You might belong in Hufflepuff

Where they are just and loyal

Those patients Hufflepuff's are true

And unafraid of toil.

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw

If you've a ready mind

Where those of wit and learning

Will always find their kind

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make real friends

Those cunning folk use by 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!

As the Sorting Hat finished Its song Professor McGonagall started calling out names.

"Abbot, Hannah!"

Hannah Abbot walked timidly up to the stool and placed the Sorting Hat on her head.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" the sorting hat suddenly said. This continued for a while before 'Granger, Hermione' Hermione gave Neville and Harry a big smile and confidently strode up to the stool and placed the hat on her head. It took forever for the hat to say anything but suddenly

"RAVENCLAW!"

McGonagall continued call names Patil (Ravenclaw), and Patil (Gryffindor), Finnigan (Gryffindor), Flitwick (Slytherin) Thomas (Ravenclaw), Brown (Hufflepuff), until she got to Neville's name.

"Longbottom, Neville!"

Neville's face turned white. He pushed his way through the remainder of the students and sat on the stool.

"Mmm. Haven't seen one quite like you in a while. Plenty wisdom right in there... Kind mhmm.. Aha! I kno-ow what about GRYFFINDOR!" A wide smile spread across Neville's face. He was so happy he ran off to the Gryffindor table still wearing the sorting hat.

"Uh Longbottom? The Sorting Hat Please?"

Neville's face turned bright red, and he had to run back and give it to Harry. Ron got sorted into Hufflepuff and Harry in Gryffindor. Neville was too excited to pay attention to Malfoy's sorting, but Harry had informed him that he had joined the Ravenclaw's, to the shock of everyone, for every Malfoy had been sorted into Slytherin. Now it was time for Dumbledore's start of term speech.

"Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"

"Is he, a bit mad?" Neville asked George

"No, He's supposed to be really smart, but if I'm honest, I think old McGonagall does all the work for him. Potatoes, Neville?"

After everyone had finished their meals, Dumbledore got up again to make another speech. "So! Now that we are all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention, while I give out a few notices. Quidditch Trials are next week, 5th years and 7th years Study hard. Class schedules will be handed out in the morning. I think that's it?" he said looking inquiringly at the other staff members. They all nodded except Filch. He gestured to Dumbledore. "Oh yes! Anyone wishing to see the banned products can check on the list on Mr Filch's door which consists of 400 items I think." He winked. "Now, one more thing. The third-floor corridor is banned to all not wanting to die an untimely death! Off to bed now! Pip Pip!"

The huge group of students followed their prefects to the common room, finding out passwords and tricks. For example, the stairs were constantly changing, and your leg could be sucked into some of the steps. Harry and Neville said goodbye to Ron and asked him where Hermione was. Ron said, very spitefully, that she was talking and laughing with Draco Malfoy. They headed up to bed, leaving Ron with Hannah Abbot, who was also in Hufflepuff. Neville and Harry both had sleepless nights, Neville thinking about a professor by the name of Severus Snape, and Harry thinking about Draco and Hermione. They couldn't be friends. Could they? From the moment they had met, he had known that Hermione was a beautiful girl. But that was just fact. It wasn't more. Was it?