𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬 & 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 // a Harry Potter fanfiction

Chapter 11: The Sorting Ceremony

The first years, led by Hagrid, were ushered into Hogwarts's large entrance hall. Evelyn tried her best to look as equally captivated by the stone walls lit by flaming torches, the high ceiling, and the flagged stone floor. While the room was magnificent, it wasn't exactly new to her; however, anyone who could possibly be watching her – which she dearly hoped they weren't – didn't need to be clued into that.

Evelyn's eyes spied a woman stood waiting at the top of the stairs, her fingers tapping on the stone railing, before moving forward to greet the newcomers. The witch – who Evelyn assumed was Professor McGonagall – wore emerald-green robes and a stern expression. Her greying strands of hair were meticulously arranged, lending her an air of authority.

"Welcome to Hogwarts", she began, her words echoing throughout the chamber, demanding silence from the children in front of her. "In a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses." McGonagall paused to survey the students who were all tense with anticipation.

"They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards." Evelyn wondered which peculiarly named house she would end up in. Judging by the fidgeting of her peers as each house was named, she suspected that some had their favourites. "Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup-"

"-Trevor!" Evelyn flinched when the scared looking 'Neville' boy from earlier exclaimed rather loudly and unexpectedly. He ran forward to catch a toad, which was sat near Professor McGonagall's feet. The students laughed when she stared down at him and his toad in displeasure, before he backed away with a sheepish and embarrassed "Sorry..."

McGonagall soldiered on, despite the interruption, adding, "I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. Now, the sorting ceremony will begin momentarily, so I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly." Despite the professor's request, talking erupted in the group as soon as she left, multiple voices passing through the large, wooden open door from the Great Hall as she entered.

"Ron?" Evelyn heard Harry's voice, so she turned her head towards him. He was speaking to the ginger boy she hadn't discovered a name for up until that point. "How exactly do they sort us into houses?" Harry questioned.

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

Oh, well that's just brilliant.

Evelyn's apprehension due to Ron's words was only amplified by Hermione whispering about all the spells she'd learned, and if she'd need them for the test. The only spell Evelyn knew was 'Lumos'.

She had to focus to hear Ron's words when he whispered, "Let's just hope neither of us end up in Slytherin, mate. There's not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin."

"It's true then, what they're saying on the train." A voice loudly spoke, causing all the other students to go quiet, their heads swivelling to watch as a rather self-confident boy with platinum blonde hair walked forward, flanked by two larger boys who resembled hench-men. "Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."

Collectively, students began to gossip between each other, pointing at... Harry, as they whispered 'Harry Potter!?' with no absence of shock and... adoration? Evelyn suddenly realized that the 'Harry' who'd helped her out of the boat, wasn't just some friendly kid that Hagrid adored, but he was some sort of celebrity, judging by the reaction of her peers.