Magical Bonds

V. The Hand of Fate

I've been wondering for a while... how did I become friends with these four musketeers? I mean, considering how many messes I've had to pull them out of, I can't understand how my mom hasn't forced me to stay away from them. But then I remember that it would have been pointless because I would still hang out with them one way or another. That's probably why I'm sitting on Draco's right as Hagrid drives us toward the entrance, where Minnie is surely waiting for us.

I take a deep breath, holding the blond fool's hand to gather some courage in the meantime. Poor guy, I think he's holding back from yelling at me to ease up on my grip, as I might crush his bones with my strength. I chuckle at the thought, and we arrive in front of the large wooden doors. After my giant friend opens the doors, revealing Minnie in an emerald-colored cloak, her black hair tied in a bun, and with her usual stern expression that sometimes terrifies the students.

Only, I know how much kindness and maternal love she hides behind that facade. In fact, there are a few people who have touched her heart in such a way that she shows this side of herself, but they are no longer here to heal her soul, which is still trying to scar over. Granny, I wouldn't want to go through the same experiences as you because the pain of those I love already overwhelms me.

"First years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid makes the introductions.

"Thank you, Hagrid, I'll take them from here."

She opens the door wide. I don't know why, but stepping through these halls as a student makes my stomach churn with emotion. I've seen the Sorting Ceremony countless times, and yet, the emotions overwhelm me more than I expected.

We follow Minnie across the stone slabs, and I hear murmurs coming from somewhere in a room on the right. We are led into an empty room. We huddle together, much closer than we would normally, waiting anxiously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Minnie greets us. "The banquet in your honor will begin soon, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be led to your houses. The Sorting process is very difficult and important, as you will be like one big family while you study here. You will belong to a house, where you will learn together, sleep in the house's dormitory, and spend your free time there, all together. The four houses are: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own history and has produced remarkable witches and wizards. While you are here, through your efforts, your house will earn points, and any rule-breaking will cause your house to lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will receive the House Cup, a great honor for anyone. I hope you will bring pride to the house you will be part of. The Sorting Ceremony will begin in a few moments. Behave yourselves until your turn comes!"

Minnie, you have a talent for scaring students out of their wits, you have to teach me how to do that. Or maybe I'll just put into practice everything I've learned from Severus... either way, I have plenty of role models to draw from.

Her eyes linger on a boy in front of me, then on another boy, whom she recognizes almost immediately by his bright red hair. Finally, her dark eyes meet mine, and I smile warmly, reassuring her that I'm okay and that she can relay that to my mother. Poor thing, I bet she's been driving Severus mad, and they've probably had a fresh argument.

These two will become the stars of the new students—how much do you want to bet they'll start placing bets on them in no time? I hold back a laugh, especially when I see Granny raising an eyebrow. Maybe I've overdone it.

"I'll be back in a moment. Wait quietly, please!" Minnie leaves the room.

"So how do they sort us?" I hear Harry's voice, and I immediately turn to Dray. He motions for me to go over to them and smiles at the corner of his mouth.