The True Half-Blood Prince

Chapter 2: The Sorting

"Hey, that's our brother's name!" Ron gasped, turning in the direction of his sister, Ginny.

Ginny and Hermione gave each other knowing looks, thinking the same thing: the new boy was not bad-looking at all. Quite the catch actually. Something told Harry that there was a strong connection between the two teenagers– maybe they were a couple or something?

"Our guests will be doing everything you do. Make them feel comfortable because they are here from a different crowd of wizardry and will only be staying here for the year. They will too be Sorted into houses–"

The front of the Gryffindor table jumped up with a cheer:

"Join the winning house!"
"Yeah, Gryffindor!"
"C'mon, you'd love it with us!"

Not wanting to get beaten by proud spirit, Slytherin joined in; then Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. The Annabeth girl giggled, while Percy scratched his head with confusion, not understanding what exactly was going on.

"Silence, please!" Dumbledore ordered as McGonagall walked into the Great Hall with the Sorting Hat.

Annabeth Chase looked flustered and before anyone could shout their house's name, she walked up to Dumbledore and whispered something in his ear. Students were muttering to their friends, wondering what Annabeth was talking about, until she nodded with satisfaction and stood next to Percy once again.

"Shall we continue?" McGonagall asked, walking towards Annabeth. She smiled and moved under the hat, eager to try something new already.

"Aahhhh, I see," the Sorting Hat spoke loudly.

"Woah!" Percy gasped, widening his eyes.

A crowd of students laughed at his shocked tone. Harry could have sworn that the gasp was fake...no, his mind was probably just playing tricks on him.

"Don't be surprised boy," the Hat assured Percy, "I've been doing this more than a century now. Nothing to be afraid of."

Annabeth looked to Percy nervously and bit her lip with a smile, showing how excited she was.

"Hhmmm, let me see... You are different–"

"You don't say," Annabeth said almost sarcastically.

"– You are very brave... Oh, but mostly intelligent and wise. Ravenclaw House, it is!"

The group cheered loudly, patting her on the back as she joined them. Percy was ordered to stand under the Hat next, commenting how nerve-wrecking it was. Harry decided that he actually liked the two guests, hoping that Percy wouldn't join Slytherin– anything but that.

"Loyal," the Hat said immediately, "very loyal. Kind-hearted and sensitive at times–"

At times, Percy mouthed incredulously, not accepting the comment.

"You seem a bit confused. I see, you're more the courageous type, aren't you? Brave, daring, strong. Well, now we know! Gryffindor!"

Harry rejoiced with his fellow friends as they congratulated Percy, cheered and gave him a warm welcome. Dumbledore ordered the Prefects and Heads to lead their Houses into their dorms.

"Welcome all," he concluded, "I know your top priority is to be well-rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say goodnight. Pip pip!"

Before everyone took off, Harry noticed Percy staring sadly at the blonde-haired girl with admiration as if it was hurtful for them to part. He saw the boy mouthing something to Annabeth and she nodded back wearily. They each turned to their new houses with enthusiastic hearts as if they hadn't met each other before in their lives.