The Art of Fitting In

Chapter Four: The Sorting Ceramony

Upon arriving at Hogwarts the first year students were taken across the lake on boats to the largest castle Samson had ever seen. A professor had led them into the great hall. Samson craned his head up to the ceiling. Above him the walls seemed to disappear into the swirling vortex of the universe. He wished he could stay there staring forever but alas he had to continue walking.

At the front of the vast room there was a stool with what looked like it was just an old hat. The hat began to move its face; it was alive. The Sorting Hat opened his mouth and sang his song. When the hat was finished the whole hall clapped and the professor from before walked up to the podium and began to call names from the list. One by one students would have the hat placed on their heads and the hat would sort them into 4 different houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. 

Samson didn't know much about any of the houses but when he looked over at the Slytherin table he saw the two kids from the train ride. He knew that no matter what he couldn't be a Slytherin, they all looked so mean. Samson had never been more nervous. He was very glad he had slipped one of his many stim toys into his robe pocket, he wouldn't have been able to last through the whole thing.

When Samson heard his name called he took a deep breath in. What if he got put in Slytherin with those other kids? He was so nervous that his legs forgot how to leg properly causing him to trip up the steps in front of the whole school. From the Slytherin table he heard someone yell,

"That's what you get for wearing heels, girl!" Hot tears began to form in Samson's eyes. He was about to run away when Callie screamed,

"Get a life, loser!" in his defense. Samson stood up and walked up to the stool and sat down. The sorting hat was placed on his head.

A soft voice said "Oh Samson, what an interesting mind you have. So determined to be you, but so cunning to know just how to go about it. Yes Slytherin could do you good. But no, that's not right. You have a loyalty to those who treat you well and respect you. Yes, yes." The voice changed to a loud voice audible to the whole hall "HUFFLEPUFF"

The Hufflepuff table erupted in applause. The applause was loud enough that Samson couldn't hear the laughter coming from the Slytherin table. Samson sat down just in time to hear Callie get called up.

The hat was dropped on her head and remained silent for a few moments before it shouted "Slytherin!"

Samson couldn't believe it. The person he thought was his friend was a Slytherin the whole time. His hands started to shake slightly. Why couldn't she be a Hufflepuff with him? Now who would he be friends with?

Samson was so lost in thought he didn't notice that the sorting was over and food was on the table. Samson wasn't hungry now, although the food looked great. He ate a very small amount of food and soon the feast was over and it was time to leave.

A tall Hufflepuff stood up and asked all the Hufflepuff first years to follow him to the dormitories. He was lead a short way down a hallway, stopping at a stack of barrels.

"To gain access to the common room and our dormitories you must tap the barrel two from the bottom, middle of the second row to this rhythm" the boy said as he tapped the correct rhythm on the barrel, "tap the rhythm wrong or on the wrong barrel you will be doused with vinegar and denied access. Now single file follow me." Samson had not noticed that upon tapping the barrel the top had swung open revealing a passageway. One by one the students got in the barrel and crawled down the passage to the room below.

When Samson reached the bottom of the corridor he saw the most beautiful room he had ever seen. The room was perfectly round, all around were yellow and black arm chairs with handmade quilts draped over them. Although it was dark outside, a soft sunlight leaked in from the round windows, most likely an enchantment. Plants of all different kinds were scattered around; some were hanging in colorful pots, others were on tables or on the floor. There were plants that moved that Samson had never seen before. Surely these were magical plants. He wondered if he would be learning about these in his classes. He sure hoped so.

The head boy stood in front of the fireplace and when everyone had gotten down he said "to the left is the door to the girls dormitories and to the right is the boys. You'll find that all of your things have been brought in and your schedules are on your beds. Lights out is at 10:30. You have an hour to get settled"

Samson wasn't sure if he was supposed to go to the girls dorm or if he was allowed to go with the boys. He waited until most of the people had left before approaching the head boy who had taken up a black armchair next to a purple plant.

"Um e-excuse me," Samson begun but before he could finish the boy looked up and said,

"Oh you're Samson. I've been made aware of your situation and you've been put a room with a boy who is very accepting. Your room is the last room to the left down the boys hall."

Samson had the biggest grin. He was in the boys dorm. "T-thank you."

The head boy chuckled softly. "My name is Nathan. If you need anything, if anyone is bothering you, come find me. I'm in room number 10. Now go along and get settled."   

Samson nodded and entered the boys hall.