Neville Longbottom and The Boy Who Lived

Chapter 3: The Sorting Ceremony

Chapter 3: The Sorting Ceremony

As Neville stepped through the grand oak doors of Hogwarts, his eyes widened in awe at the sight before him. The door swung open to reveal a tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes. Her stern expression made Neville feel rather uneasy, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence in her presence.

"The first-years, Professor McGonagall," The Man announced, his voice filled with respect for the formidable witch. "Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here," Professor McGonagall replied, her tone firm and authoritative as she pulled the door wide open. Neville and his new classmates followed Professor McGonagall into the Entrance Hall, which left them all speechless. The vast space was illuminated by flaming torches that lined the stone walls. The ceiling soared high above them, and a grand marble staircase stood prominently before them, leading to the upper floors of the castle. The distant sound of hundreds of voices drifted through a doorway to the right, signalling the presence of the rest of the school already gathered. However, Professor McGonagall led the first-years into a small, empty chamber off the hall, away from the noise and bustle of the main gathering. Professor McGonagall, with her stern demeanour softened ever so slightly, addressed the group.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she began, her words carrying a sense of gravity and importance. "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." The significance of the Sorting Ceremony was not lost on Neville and his peers. Professor McGonagall continued, "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. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house 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 honour. 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.' Professor McGonagall casted a discerning glance over Neville's cloak, causing him to feel a wave of nausea. However, her gaze shifted to a smudge on Ron's nose, momentarily alleviating Neville's unease as he realized he wasn't the only one being scrutinized. "I shall return when we are ready for you," Professor McGonagall announced before stepping away, leaving Neville and his fellow first-years to wait in silence. The weight of the impending Sorting Ceremony hung heavy in the air, and Neville's nerves only intensified as he overheard a conversation between Ron and Harry.

"How exactly do they sort us into houses?" Harry inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking," Ron replied, his words sending a shiver down Neville's spine. A test? Neville's mind raced with worry. He hadn't even had a chance to learn anything yet, and the thought of being tested in front of the entire school filled him with dread. As Neville surveyed his fellow first-years, he noticed the fear and uncertainty mirrored in their expressions, except for Hermione, who seemed absorbed in her own world, whispering about spells she had learned and contemplating which ones she might need. The air was thick with anxiety, each student lost in their thoughts, contemplating the houses they might be sorted into.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted behind Neville, causing him to startle and nearly lost his balance. The sound of screams filled the chamber, and Neville's heart raced as he turned to see what had caused the uproar. To his surprise, about twenty ghosts had materialized through the back wall, their pearly-white, transparent forms gliding effortlessly through the room. The ghosts paid little attention to the first-years as they drifted past, engaged in their own conversation. One ghost, resembling a fat little monk, was advocating for forgiveness and second chances. "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance," the monk-like ghost declared.  Another ghost, adorned in a ruff and tights replied 'My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost – I say, what are you all doing here?' Neville and his peers remained speechless.
"New students!" the Fat Friar greeted them, his gaze sweeping over the group. "About to be sorted, I suppose?" he inquired, eliciting a few nods of confirmation from the nervous students. "I hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" the Friar exclaimed cheerfully, a hint of nostalgia in his voice as he mentioned his former house. Neville couldn't help but smile faintly at the ghost's friendly demeanour, finding comfort in the spectral presence amidst the tension of the moment. Before any further pleasantries could be exchanged, Professor McGonagall's sharp voice cut through the chamber, signalling the imminent beginning of the Sorting Ceremony. The ghosts floated away through the opposite wall, disappearing from view.