| HIDDEN IN SECRETS |

chatper three

THE SORTING HAT

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Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Across the clear lake, on top of a high mountain, with its windows sparkling in the starry sky, a large castle stood with many turrets and towers. Damien had told Verena many things about Hogwarts. He favoured the boat ride across the lake, though a person had almost been drowned by a Grindylow. It was his first great impression of the castle grounds and its beauties.

"No more'n four in a boat!" Hagrid ordered, pointing to a fleet of boats sitting in the water by the shore.

"Come on, let's go," said Daphne excitedly, and she hurried into a boat, Pansy, Tracey, and Millicent filing in after her.

"I'll just sit with Draco," Verena assured Daphne, and she stepped into a boat with him. "Amazing isn't it?"

"My parents always told me things about it, but I've never had anyone around my age to tell me about it," said Draco, staring at the castle in awe.

"Damien loved many things," Verena told him, and then the boat began to move forward. "A Grindylow attacked a student on their journey to the grounds. The boat almost capsized when they tried pulling their friend in. I heard the boy got sorted into Hufflepuff."

She noticed Crabbe's fearful expression, smirked, and said, "Too late to turn back now. I hear the Forbidden Forest's got loads of dangerous creatures."

"Damien says our dorms are great, though kind of cold," Verena continued. "Part of it is actually under the lake if you can imagine. You could see everything just from outside your window."

"Sounds cool," Goyle beamed.

"How are the classes?" Draco asked.

"Well, Damien does best in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts," Verena replied. "I hear Gryffindor and Hufflepuff hold most of the Mudbloods. I can't imagine what would happen if I was sorted into one of those Houses. Slytherin and Ravenclaw are the only good Houses. They take the best witches and wizards."

When Crabbe and Goyle were distracted, Draco scooted closer toward Verena saying, "You seem troubled, Rena. What is it?"

"I am not troubled," Verena responded.

"Come on, I've known you since we were little," he said. "Are you scared you won't be in Slytherin?"

"No, I know I'll be there," Verena told him, but Draco was unconvinced. "Maybe it's just the nerves."

"Perhaps," he said.

"Draco, don't you ever feel frightened that you won't live up to your parents' expectations of you?" Verena asked though she knew well that Draco would never admit it.

"No," he replied. "Don't worry too much about it. As you said, Slytherin and Ravenclaw take the best. If you aren't sorted into one of the two, there's something wrong with them, not you."

"Would your parents be fine if I were sorted into anything other than Slytherin?" Verena asked. "They might tell you not to be friends with me, understandably so."

"The one thing I can stand up for against my parents is you," Draco said assuringly. "But I don't have any worries. It's probably just nerves. You'll be sorted into Slytherin."

The first-year students arrived at an underground harbour. Verena stepped out of the boat and onto rocks and pebbles. From there, they walked up stone staircases leading up to the castle. Once inside, they climbed marble staircases and were told to wait down the edge of the steps. A woman in emerald green robes and a black hat stood in front of the great oak doors, her posture straight as a line.