Whispers of Hogwarts

Chapter 2: The Sorting Ceremony

The Great Hall was as magnificent as Albus remembered. Floating candles illuminated the room, casting a warm glow on the four long tables filled with students. The enchanted ceiling mirrored the night sky, twinkling with stars, and the smell of delicious food wafted through the air. Albus took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves as they entered.

Faith walked beside him, her eyes wide with awe. "This place is incredible," she whispered, glancing up at the ceiling. "I can't believe I'm finally here."

"You'll get used to it," Albus replied, though he felt a mix of excitement and anxiety himself. He could see his brother James joking around with some first years, while Rose was deep in conversation with Scorpius about their favorite spells.

As they reached the front of the hall, the students lined up before the Sorting Hat. Albus's stomach churned with apprehension. What if the Hat sent him to Slytherin? Would he have to face the legacy of being a Malfoy's friend?

"Next, we have Faith Montrose!" Professor McGonagall called, and the hall fell silent, all eyes on Faith.

"Go on, you'll do great!" James encouraged, giving her a thumbs-up.

Faith smiled nervously and stepped forward, her heart pounding. The Sorting Hat was placed on her head, and for a moment, she swayed on her feet as it began to sing its annual song.

Albus watched anxiously, barely listening to the words of the Hat. He leaned closer to Rose. "What if it doesn't choose her for Gryffindor? What if she ends up somewhere else?"

"Relax, Al. She seems brave enough," Rose reassured him. "And besides, you're friends with her now. She'll find her way."

After a moment that felt like an eternity, the Hat finally shouted, "Gryffindor!" The table erupted in applause as Faith beamed with joy, joining the Gryffindor table and high-fiving James as she passed.

Next, it was Albus's turn. The weight of the Hat felt heavy on his head as it whispered in his ear, "Ah, another Potter! So much potential... But where shall I put you?"

Albus's heart raced. "Not Slytherin, please," he thought desperately.

"Gryffindor?" the Hat mused. "Or Slytherin? You have courage, but there's ambition in you as well. Hmm... Yes, you could do great things. Where to place you..."

"Please, Gryffindor!" Albus pleaded inwardly, imagining his family's proud faces.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Hat bellowed, "Gryffindor!"

A wave of relief washed over him as cheers erupted from his new housemates. He hurried to join Faith, James, and the others, who welcomed him with open arms.

"You made it!" James grinned, slapping Albus on the back. "Now we're all in the same house!"

As the sorting continued, Albus felt a sense of belonging. He caught Faith's eye across the table, and she smiled brightly, a spark of friendship igniting between them. She was talking animatedly with Rose about her time at Beauxbatons, which Albus found fascinating.

After all the first years were sorted, the feast began. The tables filled with platters of food—roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pasties. Laughter and chatter filled the hall, and for the first time in a long while, Albus felt a sense of hope and excitement for the year ahead.

"Did you hear about the ghost that haunts the Ravenclaw common room?" Faith said, her voice animated as she leaned in closer to the group. "Apparently, it only appears during the full moon, and it asks riddles to anyone who wants to enter!"

"Sounds like a waste of time," James said dismissively, but Albus noticed the glimmer of curiosity in his brother's eyes.

"No way! I want to meet it!" Lily exclaimed, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "What if it has a hidden treasure?"

Albus laughed, feeling lighter. As the night wore on, they shared stories, joked about their past summers, and speculated about what the school year would hold.

Finally, as dessert plates were cleared and the night's excitement began to settle, Professor McGonagall stood, her voice commanding attention. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. We have exciting events planned, and I urge you all to stay safe and respectful of one another. Remember, magic can be both wondrous and dangerous."

As she spoke, Albus glanced at Faith, who was looking around the hall with wide eyes. He felt a kinship with her—a sense that they were both navigating this new world together.

After the feast, the first years were led to their dormitories. Albus climbed the stairs to Gryffindor Tower, feeling a mix of exhilaration and exhaustion. As he settled into his new bed, he couldn't shake the feeling that this year would be different. With friends like James, Lily, Rose, Scorpius, and now Faith, he sensed that they were destined for adventures beyond anything he had imagined.

And in the quiet of the night, a faint whisper echoed in his mind, reminding him of the secrets waiting to be uncovered.