The Forgotten Twin

Chapter 19

Suddenly, some ghosts appeared and began chattering about which house was the best.After a while of hearing the ghost's endless babble, there came a sharp voice.Move along now. The Sorting Ceremonys about to start.

Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite

wall.

Now, form a line, Professor McGonagall told the first years, and follow me.

When they went into the great hall, Lisa gasped and whispered to Azalea "Wow! What a splendid place!" It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair 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. Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver.

The velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. Hermione, the bossy girl, whisper, Its bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History.

Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in

front of the first years. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizards hat. This hat was patched

and frayed and extremely dirty.Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide

like a mouth — and the hat began to sing:

Oh, you may not think Im pretty,

But dont judge on what you see,

Ill eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For Im the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

Theres nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat cant see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

if youve a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

Youll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Dont be afraid!

And dont get in a flap!