Stuck in the Middle ( A Fred and George Fanfiction )

Chapter two: The Sorting Ceremony

I shuddered at the thought of my innocent little sister being placed into the most vile and brutal House in Hogwarts. I remember my first day at Hogwarts like it was yesterday...

~ 

We arrived to the school in small boats crossing what seemed to be and endless lake, I peered over the edge of the boat only to be welcomed by someone staring back. The water was pitch black and its reflective surface acted as a mirror. As we continued crossing the lake, the moon shone through the castle and onto the lake, the reflection of a silvery moon was so magical.



We entered the castle and were taken up many flights of stairs until we came to a halt at two towering doors, crafted so beautifully out of stone. Exited Murmurs started exploding throughout the crowd. I turned to Emily who, was taken aback by the castle and its magnificent interior. The murmurs were suddenly ceased when a lady, dressed in an emerald green gown and a matching hat strode to the front of the crowd.



"Welcome to Hogwarts" the lady said warmly


"I am professor McGonagall, and I welcome you to our school. Please follow me."
 She said as she walked towards the big stone doors, which looked far too heavy for her to open herself. Suddenly they creaked open to reveal the great hall. 



It was amazing! Four huge, lengthy tables occupied most of the space, and at the top of the four tables was another table, seating all of the Hogwarts teachers. We proceeded through the middle of the house tables, each inhabited by students wearing their house colours. 

We stopped at the top of the hall in front of all the teachers, and centred in the middle of the floor about a meter from an old man, with a shimmering beard and glittering eyes, was a stool. On top of this stool was what appeared to be, well.. a ratty old brown leather hat? 

The man with the shimmering beard stepped forward and gave a speech at the podium. 


"Welcome All. My name is Albus Dumbledore, and I am the headmaster of Hogwarts. To all the returning students, welcome back and I hope you'll enjoy your return. To all first years, welcome and I hope you will find knowledge and new friends." 


The hall erupted into a sea of applause. 

Professor McGonagall, stepped forward and exchanged places with Dumbledore. She cleared her throat and launched into a speech, her voice boomed throughout the hall.


"Attention, all first years must step forward and be sorted into their house by the sorting hat."



She reached behind her, and grabbed a parchment scroll. She unravelled it and said: 


"If your name is called, please step forward"


She pursed her lips and squinted her eyes, then read aloud the first name.


"Brianna Carmone!!"



A small girl with dark brown hair stepped forward and nervously sat down on the wooden stool. McGonagall placed the batted old hat on her head and to everyone's surprise, it spoke;

"Hmmmmm Hard working, caring... HUFFLEPUFF!!"


A grin exploded on her face and she ran towards the table cheering, and waving yellow flags. She was greeted by a sea of friendly smiles.

Next she called; 

"Ren Connelly!"


I felt a drop in my chest, I slowly approached the stool, and gazed across at all the smiling and nervous faces. I sat down and awaited the ratted hat. She placed it on my head and it started talking. 



"Hmmmmm smart, I can also sense a pure heart." the hat started.

I didn't realize but I was holding my breath. My chest was clenching, then the hat said;


"Gryffindor? No you'll be much better in... RAVENCLAW!!!!!"



I felt relieved and greatly exhaled; I could see Emily do the same. The look on her face was a mixture of happiness, and nervousness, that she, being my sister, would be next sorted.

I skipped over to the table wearing blue and cheering; I sat down and received friendly pats on the back, and high-fives. My cheeks, now Scarlett, I turned my attention to McGonagall who was announcing the next name.



"Emily-Jane Connelly!" 


I knew she would be next, Gotta love alphabetical order. Emily had been talking non-stop about wanting to be in the same house as me. I didn't appear to be nervous, but on the inside I was dying... I hoped she would be put in Ravenclaw with me, and a part of me was reassured that the sorting hat would put us in the same house, being sisters and all. But another part of me was still very anxious, knowing the sorting hat to be very unpredictable.



Emily gradually reached the seat and slowly sat down, very cautiously. The sorting hat was placed on her head and she seemed even more nervous than before. The hat started murmuring to Emily:


"hmmm you've got a smart head but your heart says something different, O- how I would love to put you in Gryffindor or another house but I think you're perfectly suited for...SLYTHERIN!!"



My mouth flung open, I never would have expected her to end up in Slytherin!! You could see Emily was fairly disappointed that she would have to venture through school life on her own. She would always have me, just not during classes. She slinked off to the cheering table. She shot me a look, screaming 'HELP ME!!' But a grin started appearing as she was welcomed by her fellow peers.She chose a seat next to a pale, pointed faced boy with glimmering grey eyes. He greeted her, and she seemed to relax immensely. 

~



Ever since that day she has developed a new characteristic, she's still bubbly and funny, but she also has a little more sarcasm than usual. Being a Slytherin has gotten to her. I looked at her, standing proud in her robes, she's come to like being in Slytherin. Oh well she's still my sister. And I will stand by her through thick and thin, but now being a Slytherin, it may be more difficult.



"Ren..?" Emily was snapping her fingers trying to get my attention.


I shook my head and smiled politely at her and put all those thoughts to the back of my mind, and started thinking about seeing all my friends again; suddenly I was in such a happier mood. I looked at Em-j, ready for school, her long blonde hair tied up; ready to study, then I glanced down at myself... My robes were a mess, I quickly fixed them up, and we continued out the door, not to return for another year.