A Snake's Crutch Book 1

Part 4: Out of Place

Sarah jumped in line with y/n right behind her, and Draco behind y/n. As they walked out of the small room, y/n started to get very nervous. She was about to be displayed in front of the whole school, while a hat said her thoughts out loud. Her legs felt like cement as she walked behind Sarah.

A bit of y/n's nerves were washed away at the sight of the great hall, though. Hundreds of thousands of candles were floating above the tables and the ceiling didn't look like a ceiling at all, but rather a starry night sky instead. The room itself was lined with five long tables. At the front, facing the students, was the staff table, while the rest of the four tables were side by side, each seating a different house. 

Professor McGonagall led the students to stand in front of the room, in a line, with their backs to the teachers. At the front of the room, y/n realized just how many students went to Hogwarts and knots twisted in her stomach. She looked over at Sarah and Sarah looked back, also nervous. The girls took hands and held on tight as they waited for what happened next.

Professor McGonagall, who had stepped out of view, had returned with a four legged stool. And there, on top, was the Sorting Hat. It looked very old, with patches everywhere, and incredibly dirty. Silently, the whole room waited for the hat to awaken, staring. And when it did, a face appeared, and the hat began its song:

"Oh, you my 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 top them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't 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 you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.