Breaking Tradition

Chapter Three

After crossing the lake(which was very exciting, with everyone shouting and pointing when they thought they saw mermen) we arrived at Hogwarts. As soon as it was visible I stopped breathing. I had seen plenty of pictures, and Al had told me all about it, but it was more beautiful then I ever could have imagined. We walked up the steps and waited in a room just outside the great hall, so we could be sorted. Now the excitement was unbearable! Mrs. Formby already told us what would happen. We would wait until she called our name then walk to the front of the hall. She would place the sorting hat on our heads, and after he sorted us we would go straight to our table. Hugo walked over to me. "Are you excited?" He asked "Of course I am! I've been waiting for this for almost four years!" Hugo nodded in agreement and nothing more was said as we waited. Finally Mrs. Formby took us inside and started calling out names. I just stood there, barely listening until my name was called. "Potter, Lily." The words rang out across the silent hall. I took a deep breath. Hugo patted me on the shoulder encouragingly. I started the long walk to the front. After what seemed like an eternity of whispering, staring, and pointing (which did NOT help the nerves) I got to the front, sat on the stool, and the sorting hat was placed on my head. I immediately heard a voice. 'Hhmm, another Potter. I feel a lot in you.. The courage, of course, is strong, but something else... Ambition! And a rebel streak, very interesting...' I wasn't even paying attention until that last part. 'Maybe a change is in order? Perhaps Slytherin would suit you?' I gasped. "What?" I said, out-loud "No!" Everyone stared at me, wondering what I was talking about. 'Maybe you don't see it yet, but you will.' The hat cooed. With that, the sorting hat started to speak out loud, and I just sat there, dreading what it was going to say. Then the loud voice rang out "SLYTHERIN!!"