The Third Sister (A Marauders Era Fanfiction)

Chapter Four

We stood in a huge foyer. The ceiling went up so high that I wasn't sure where it ended. Alice, Grace, and Anna stood beside me, all of them looking around curiously. "Now, if I may have your attention," a sharp voice commanded from the front of the group of first years, "I am Professor McGonagall. I am the head of Gryffindor house. Right past those doors up ahead," the group of students look towards the large oak doors, "is the Great Hall. All of the other students have already arrived and are waiting for the sorting ceremony, in which you will each be sorted into one of the four houses here: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Your house will become like your family. You will sleep in your house dormitories, spend free time in the house common rooms, take classes with your house, eat with your house at meal times, and earn points for your house in order to win the house cup, but remember you can also lose points as punishment. Now, follow me please!"

The pack of first years followed Professor McGonagall through the oak doors and into the Great Hall. It, like the outside of the castle, caused me to marvel. The floating candles and ceiling that looked like it opened into the heavens amazed me. The first years lined up off to the side of the podium where a stool and old hat sat. The hat then sang a very long and confusing song about the houses. It gave me some information on to what qualified to put you into a house: You needed to be brave to be in Gryffindor, and smart to be in Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff wanted those were loyal, and Slytherin wanted those who were cunning. At the moment I felt as though I had none of those traits. "When I read your name off, please come forward," Professor McGonagall announced.

I didn't hear her name called, but I watched as a girl with straight black hair scurried quickly up to the front of the great hall and sat on the stool. The old hat was put on her head and several seconds later exclaimed, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Barton, Alice!" Professor McGonagall called out. Alice whisked away from my side and went up to the front. The hat was on her head for a minute or two before it sorted her into Gryffindor. It was then that I got an awful pain in my stomach that I wouldn't be placed with my new friend. Several names passed before they came to Curtis, William. The sandy haired boy marched confidently up to the podium. It was only on his head a few moments before it decided to put him in Ravenclaw. Donaghue, Danielle, a girl with long curly red hair, which reminded me of Lily, was sorted into Slytherin. Several more names were called before it was finally my turn.

"Evans, Rose!" Professor McGonagall shouted. I could barely feel my feet as I walked up to the stool. I sat down and looked over the mass of students in front of me before the hat fell over my eyes.

"Mmmmm...." a voice spoke in my ear, "interesting. Where should I put you.... You exhibit traits of all houses. I shall decide where you will do the most good though. And that is in GRYFFINDOR!" the hat exclaimed throughout the hall. The Gryffindor table erupted in applause. I made my way over and received many pats on the backs as I sat down beside Alice. Before long Grace had joined us at the table along with Kensington, John and Longbottom, Frank, whose mother had helped me on to the train platform. Anna was sorted into Hufflepuff, but seemed happy to be surrounded by those like her.

The first night in Gryffindor Tower was long. When we had arrived in the dormitory all of our trunks had been brought up. My trunk sat at the end of a bed in between Grace's bed and Alice's bed. The other two beds in the dormitory were taken up by a tall, bespectacled girl named Elizabeth and a short, plump girl named Patricia. Elizabeth insisted we call her Beth, while Patricia insisted on Patty. Once we had all gotten ready for bed, everyone fell asleep quite quickly, except for Beth and I. I sat with the drapes on my bed open, I was too excited to fall asleep. Beth had her drapes drawn, but a light was coming from behind them. I remembered Dad telling me about how muggle items that ran on electricity wouldn't work at Hogwarts. It baffled me as to what Beth had that was making the light.

I soon found myself standing beside her bed and asking, "What have you got that's making that light?" She ripped open the drapes quickly and looked at me with a startled expression.

"Oh, thank goodness it's just you Rose. I thought it was one of the professors," she whispered, sighing in relief.

"Is that a fire in a jar?" I marvelled, ignoring her statement completely.

"Yes, it is. My Dad gave it to me before I left. It never goes out," she explained.

"Wicked..." I gaped.

"Yeah. You can't sleep either?" Beth asked.

"I'm too excited," I responded.

"Really? I'm nervous," she told me.

"Why?" I questioned.

"There are first years who have been taught magic from their parents since they were little. My parents taught me almost nothing! That's why I've been reading," she explained, gesturing to the book on her lap.

"I see, well I better try and sleep. Goodnight," I said before moving back to my bed. I got under the covers and pulled the drapes shut, but I couldn't get her words out of my head. I didn't know I was a witch until a little over a month ago. I was the one who was behind. The nervousness took over my body and I didn't fall asleep until the early hours of the morning.