Reborn - A Harry Potter Fanfiction

i.viii chapter eight

Autumn, 1991; The Sorting

The door swung open immediately. A tall, grey-haired woman with a stern and serious face stood before them. She was dressed in long, emerald green robes with a pointy black hat.

"This firs' years, is Professor McGonagall" introduced Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here" she said, her thick, Scottish accent ringing through. "Follow me."

Ember didn't dare to disagree and so hurried after the woman with Ron and Harry beside her. It was unfortunate that she had to tackle even more stone steps, which Ember had swiftly decided were now the bane of her existence. Hogwarts was old and grand, lit with flaming torches that illuminated the ceiling that lay high above them. Soon the stone floor, turned to marble and in due time, Professor McGonagall stopped outside a large, golden double door before she turned around to face them all.

The first years managed to tuck themselves neatly around the top of the final staircase, all looking around nervously as they awaited instruction.

"Welcome to Hogwarts" said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet shall begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall you will be sorted into your houses."
The mention of the sorting created a flutter in Ember's chest. She remembered Bessie Fogarty, the kind innkeeper's wife, who mentioned something about the sorting and houses. Ron had also spoken about it on the train, explaining in great detail each one. Ember didn't know what she'd get, she just hoped it was right for her.

"The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here your house will be like your family within Hogwarts. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."

When Professor McGonagall announced Slytherin, Ember caught in the corner of her eye, Draco Malfoy grinning proudly. She glared at the back of his head, before Professor McGonagall's words snapped her out of it.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

Ember watched as the woman's eyes linger for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear before smiling and walking through the large golden doors in front of them. Ember nervously redid her pig tails, just so she didn't have only loose hairs. She wanted and needed to look her best if she was to make a good impression at all.

Turning to Ron and Harry, she noticed her friend still had dirt on his nose and so quickly rubbed it off with her sleeve.

"Let me" she smiled.

"Thanks."

"How exactly do they sort us into houses?" She asked Ron nervously, before turning to Harry to try and flatten his messy, black hair. The boy blushed red, letting her do her thing.

"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking."

Ember's heart gave a horrible jolt. A test? In front of the whole school? But she didn't know any magic yet -- what on earth would she have to do? She hadn't expected something like this, but by the look on Harry's terrified face, neither had he. Their panicked silence was soon broken however, by a familiar, sickening voice sounded from the stairs.

"It's true then. What they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts".

The noise left a nasty taste in her mouth and Ember took a step closer to Harry as Malfoy approached. Soon enough the boy was standing right in front of them, his eyes alight with ambition.