Eveline Wood ~A Harry Potter slow burn~

🤍6~ The sorting and the feast

She leads you back through the entrance hall, and the large doors of the Great Hall swing open. You're met with a breathtaking sight—four long tables filled with students, all turned to watch as you enter. Above, the ceiling is enchanted to look like the night sky, complete with twinkling stars. Floating candles illuminate the hall, casting a warm, golden glow over everything.

At the front of the hall is a fifth table, where the teachers sit, and in the centre of it all, on a raised platform, is an ancient, frayed hat—the Sorting Hat.

Professor McGonagall steps forward, holding a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will come forward, place the hat on your head, and be sorted into your house," she instructs.

The Great Hall buzzed with anticipation as the Sorting Ceremony continued. Each new student's name was called, and the Sorting Hat made its decision, shaping their Hogwarts journey.

"Hannah Abbott!" called Professor McGonagall. A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, pulling the hat over her eyes. After a moment's pause, the hat shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Hufflepuff table erupted in cheers, the Fat Friar waving merrily at Hannah as she took her seat.

"Susan Bones!" was next. She scuttled off to join Hannah at the Hufflepuff table as the hat again declared, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Terry Boot!" was sorted into Ravenclaw, earning handshakes and applause as he joined his new housemates.

McGonogall called out Lavenders name and you gave her a reassuring smile, you could tell the girl was very nervous. The hat seemed to be taking a while but in the end "GRYFFINDOR!"

You joined in cheering as Lavender became the first new Gryffindor, a surge of excitement coursing through the table.

"Milicent Bulstrode" was placed in Slytherin, and then "Seamus Finnigan" who sat on the stool for nearly a minute before the hat declared him a Gryffindor.

As you watched each student step forward, your nerves intensified. Some were sorted quickly, while others took a bit more time. You could see the mix of excitement and anxiety in each face as they awaited the Sorting Hat's decision.

"Hermione Granger!" was called, and she practically ran to the stool, jamming the hat eagerly on her head. "GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted and you cheer loudly for her

Next was Neville and he unfortunately tripped on his way to the stool, and the hat seemed to take its time deciding. When it finally shouted "GRYFFINDOR," Neville dashed off, still wearing the hat, prompting laughter as he had to jog back to return it.

"MacDougal, Morag" followed. Then came, "Draco Malfoy" You rolled your eyes as he swaggered forward. The hat barely touched his head before it screamed, "SLYTHERIN!" Malfoy smirked as he joined Crabbe and Goyle at the Slytherin table, looking smug.

There weren't many names left. "Moon," "Nott," "Parkinson," and then a pair of twins, "Padma" and "Parvati Patil." "Perks, Sally-Anne," was sorted next, and finally, Professor McGonagall called, "Potter, Harry!"

The hall fell silent, all eyes on Harry. The hat deliberated for a moment before shouting, "GRYFFINDOR!" The Gryffindor table exploded in applause as the Boy Who Lived sat down at the Gryffindor table. Eveline had obviously heard of Harry but it was so surreal seeing the boy who single handedly stopped You know who...

Then, it was your turn.

"Eveline Wood" Professor McGonagall announced.

Your heart raced as you stepped forward, palms sweating. You glanced at Oliver, who gave you a reassuring nod, his expression confident. You nervously walked up to the Sorting Hat, feeling a whirlwind of excitement and nerves.