THE SORTING HAT

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The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face and Hayley's first thought was that this was not someone to cross. "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 fit the whole of the Dursleys' house in it. 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. Hayley 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 would usually 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 in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts."

 The Golden Quartet rolled their eyes at the statement, "Family, my foot" Hayley muttered under her breath, bitterly.    

"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 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." Her eyes lingered for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on Raphael's smudged nose. Hayley nervously tried to flatten her hair. "I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly." She left the chamber. Hayley swallowed. "How exactly do they sort us into houses?" she asked Draco and Teddy. "Some sort of test, I think. Tonks said it hurts a lot, but I think she was joking." Teddy told them nervously.

Teddy glared at Tonks, who was laughing loudly, "Merlin, you're face," 

"Nymphadora, really spooking kids is bad manners" Andromeda scolded lightly, "Don't call me, Nymphadora" Tonks snapped angrily. Now, Teddy was laughing hysterically as Tonks glared at him.  

"Wow, Andy, you're the one to say" Regulus and Sirius gave Andromeda a pointed look, "Oh stop moaning you two" Andromeda rolled her eyes at them.  

Hayley's heart gave a horrible jolt. She hadn't expected something like this the moment they arrived. She looked around anxiously and saw that everyone else looked terrified, too. No one was talking much except Hermione Granger, who was whispering very fast about all the spells she'd learned and wondering which one she'd need. Hayley tried hard not to listen to her. She'd never been more nervous, never. She kept her eyes fixed on the door. Any second now, Professor McGonagall would come back and lead her to her doom. Just as Professor McGonagall left, a boy, with blonde hair and grey eyes, just like Draco's came forward, towards Hayley. "It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Hayley Potter has come to Hogwarts" he said haughtily, Draco glared at him as other students whispered among themselves. "This is Crabbe, this is Goyle" he said pointing at two boys who stood on either side of him, "I'm Malfoy, Aries Malfoy" he forwarded hi hands for Hayley to shake. Before she could respond Draco sneered, "Stay away, brother dearest" Aries glared at him, "Well, well, if it isn't my blood traitor brother" The two boys glared at each other menacingly.      

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