Half Blood Royalty

The Sorting Hat

The door swung open at once. A tall, black haired witch in emerald green robes stood in front of us. She had a very stern face that stated her as being someone you wouldn't want to cross.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall." the large man informed her.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here." She pulled the door wide. The Entrance Hall was massive. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors. The first years all followed Professor McGonagall across the stone floor, and I could hear about hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right - the rest of the school must already be here, but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They all crowded in, being rather close together than they would've typically have done, peering around nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts." said Professor McGonagall, "The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses."

I gulped. Butterflies fluttering in my stomach once more. I've never longed for the comfort of my best friend more... or that of my father. A small part of me wished they could've stood right next to me.

"The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room." She explained to all of us, "The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each of these houses has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. 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."

I quickly fixed my hair, looking around at all the other first years waiting aside me. The redheaded girl from the shop at Diagon Alley had been standing next to me, and was also looking around nervously, same as me. Our eyes locked almost immediately, but neither of us said anything to the other.

"I shall return when we are ready for you." said Professor McGonagall, "Please wait quietly." She left the chamber.

i swallowed. The sorting ceremony couldn't be all bad. Draco told me about it- being sorted into what will become of your family for the next seven years. Some witches and wizards would know which house they'd be sorted into immediately, like Draco for example... or, well, like The Weasleys (as my father would explain to me). Others had no idea what would happen the second that hat went on top their heads. For me, I hoped for Slytherin to stay close to those I already knew. But, as my older brother was apart of Gryffindor, what better way to get to know of him? Would the Malfoys really be so upset if I was sorted into a different house than each of them had been sorted into? My dad already told me he'd be proud of me, no matter which house I received, but my mind couldn't stop thinking about Draco's opinion for some reason. I'd hate if he would be upset with me over the sorting. Geez, Melody. It'll be fine. You'll be fine. Everything is going to be just fine. I looked around to notice how anxious everyone else had looked as well. As we all stood, waiting, something happened that made all the first years jump- myself included.

"What in the-" I gasped. About twenty ghosts had just came floating through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to each other and hardly even noticing the first years. They all seemed to be arguing.