The Gift From Death

Chapter 9: First year Part 3

4th, August, 1998...

Harry added the memory then went back to his seat. "This is my memory of the sorting and then of going up to the tower." he explained.

The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face

"Minnie!" the Marauders cheered making Minerva glare at them.

and Harry's first thought was that this was not someone to cross.

"At least you figured that out Harry it took your father and godfather three weeks and 21 detentions before they figured it out." Minerva commented smiling at a very red James and Sirius.

"We didn't mean to do it." James said defensivley.

"Yeah how were we to know it would explode?" Sirius added.

Remus had noticed the confused looks on the others face's so said, "We weren't friends at first I was considered loopy as I used to mutter to keep the wolf at bay when I could feel it coming close to the surface, but James and Sirius were nice enough about it then we gradually became friends." he explained, "These two decided to set up an indoor fireworks display on Halloween and it went wrong. No one was hurt but a few of the fireworks landed on the house tables just before they exploded and everyone got covered in food."

"We were first years, besides it worked in seccond year when you helped us Moony." James said.

"Yes it did and it was Dumbledore who stopped me from giving you three detention. He said it was in holiday spirit and it cheered everyone up, the war was getting worse, so I couldn't punish you for it." Minerva told them, they snickered.

"The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

She pulled the door wide. The Entrance Hall was so big you could have fitted the whole of the Dursleys' house in it.

"And even the Dursley's themselves. Which would be more of a challenge." Ron said chuckling.

The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.

They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Harry could hear the drone of 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 crowded in, standing rather closer together than they normally would have done, peering about nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be 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."

"That's exactly what you said to us. Word-for-Word." Lily told Minerva who just smiled.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor,"