Turn Back Time // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Nine- The Sorting Ceremony

Fig and I entered the castle, better late than never, I presumed. We walked up to the doors of the great hall and FIg laid an ear on the door. "Oh good, we haven't missed the sorting ceremony!" he proclaimed.

"Sir, isn't this a bit redundant, I mean I already was sorted into Gryffindor, do I really have to do this again? I mean, won't that hat like... know?" I questioned.

"Hmm, interesting thought, but alas, no one knows you've ever been a student before, therefore, you must get sorted again. No doubt you'll probably get the same house, but just humor everyone I suppose." Fig answered. I nodded, nervous to stand in front of the whole school, again. "I'm no expert, but THAT, seems more appropriate." Fig said as he waved his wand, changing my clothes into black Hogwarts robes. "Madeline, for the moment, I ask you keep everything that happened today between you and me, you understand?" I nodded.

Fig opened the door, and a man I presumed to be the headmaster noticed us, and approached us hesitantly. Fig and I remained unseen behind the door. "Phinneas Nigellus Black," he groaned. "Prepare yourself to meet your new headmaster." Fig rolled his eyes. I never knew Hogwarts could have a headmaster that kind old Professor Fig wouldn't like.

The man, dark black hair, pompous look on his face. "Fig, nice of you to join us," Black said sarcastically. "The sorting ceremony is over." I let out a sigh of relief, I really didn't want to do this in front of all the students.

"There were... complications," Fig went on. "COMPLICATIONS?" Black interrupted rudely. "Yes," Fig went on, "it seems goblins...."

"ENOUGH!" Black interrupted again. Where did Hogwarts find this guy, I thought. "I have no time for rumors, and I'm quickly losing all patience I had left." Yuck, a bully.

"If you're lucky, we may be able to get you sorted this evening," Black looked at me. Great. Here I go. "I'll be in touch," Fig touched my arm warmly as he left. Here goes nothing, I thought.

Professor Black opened the double doors to the great hall, leading me down the hall to the front of the room. The room still loud with chatter from the students, but I couldn't help feel all eyes on me. I also couldn't help but overhear some commotion from the Slytherin table, someone was having a coughing fit, choking perhaps, but my eyes didn't dare look towards anyone but the professors ahead of me.

"Professor Weasley," Black went on, "we have one more to be sorted." Weasley! I had no idea the Weasley family dated back this far to Hogwarts. I looked over at the red haired woman, sorting hat in hand. She truly did resemble her family. I felt warm knowing I was in some familiar company.

My anxiety peaked as the room grew silent, all eyes on me. Silent yes, but I could hear the whispers. "Who is that?" "Bloody hell, that doesn't look like a first year to me." I blushed at that comment, embarrassed. "Is she new here?" "She sure knows how to make an entrance." I swear I heard it all. My eyes remained on the ground, hesitant to look up at my peers all staring at me. C'mon Maddz, I thought, it's time to open yourself up. I plucked up the courage to look up. Heart racing. I looked around at my fellow classmates. Their eyes were on me, but I felt a burning pair of eyes, stronger than the rest.

I dared look over to see who it was. My heart stopped. I felt like this moment stood still. I felt all the air from my lungs disappear as I saw him. Eyes wide, peering desperately into mine. He was pale, almost as if he'd seen a ghost. I must have looked the same, because there before me sat the freckled boy from my dreams, but was he as shocked to see me, as I was him. A Slytherin, I noted, as he sat with his fellow green colored students.

Our eyes didn't dare move from each other. Look away Maddz, you're so weird for this, I thought to myself. I looked away quickly, and looked back to see him still staring at me. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the sorting hat and I was zapped back to reality.