Julia Swan-Black

Chapter 2

The great hall looked its usual splendid self, decorated for the start-of-term feast. Golden plates and goblets gleamed by the light of hundreds and hundreds of candles, floating over the tables in mid-air. The four long house tables were packed with chattering students; at the top of the hall, the staff sat along one side of the fifth table, facing their pupils. 

It was much warmer inside compared to the raging storm outside. Julia pitied the first years taking their boats across the lake. As everyone settled down inside Harry mumbled under his breath, "I hope the first years are sorted soon, I'm hungry." Julia let out a laugh, "I didn't think you would be hungry still after all those sweets you ate." She said as he mock glared at her. 

Draco smirked, "Julia is right, you had a whole pile to yourself." He said as the others chuckled quietly. Harry fake pouted at them before their pureblood masks settle back into place. Julia looked up at the staff table, there was more empty seats than normal. Hagrid was with the first years leading them across the lake. Professor McGonagall was supervising the drying of the entrance hall. 

"Hey, isn't there a new defence against the dark arts teacher?" Julia asked the table confused. the others looked up and around but there was no new faces. Draco looked at her confused, "I heard from my father that Dumbledore got Alastor Moody out of retirement for the post. I wonder where he is." He said to them. "Mad-eye?" Harry asked causing Draco and Julia to hold back a laugh. 

The sorting was about to start and Julia loved watching it. Seeing all the new talents and families. It was informative that way too. The great hall fell silent as Professor McGonagall came in leading a long line of first years up to the head of the hall. They were soaking wet and dripping everywhere, it looked like they fell in the lake. 

All of them were shivering with a combination of cold and nervousness. She stopped in front of the staff table putting a three legged stool and the sorting hat down in front of them. The first years started at it in confusion. It was a well protected secret after all. For a moment there was silence. Then the tear near the brim of the hat opened and it broke into a new song for that year. 

'A thousand years or more ago,                                             

When I was newly sewn, 

There lived four wizards of renown, 

Whose names are still well known;

Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,

Fair Ravenclaw, from glen, 

Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad, 

Shrewd Slytherin, from fen. 

They shared a wish, a hope, a dream, 

They hatched a daring plan

To educate a daring plan

To educate young sorcerers

Thus Hogwarts School began. 

Now each of these four founders

Formed their own house, for each 

Did value different virtues

In the ones they had to teach. 

By Gryffindor, the bravest were 

Prized far beyond the rest; 

For Ravenclaw, the cleverest

Would always be the best;

For Hufflepuff, hard workers were

Most worthy of admission;