Life in its Simplest

6. The Sorting

On shaky legs the mass of eleven year olds followed the stern looking woman up a large elegant flight of stairs. The pictures which plastered the walls gossiped as the bewildered muggleborns gaped at them. 

"Look at that boy! He must tame that hair!"  "And that boy's got a speck on his nose!" "That one must be Lucius' son... its the hair. Ugh that boy caused all the trouble!" at this a boy with white/blond hair scowled. 

The group reached the landing with the gossip laying forgotten behind them. The woman abruptly turned around to face the group. Her face was withered and she had a wizened look in her eye. Her lips were tight and little wisps of gray hair were poking out of her otherwise flawless bun. 

"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall." a chorus of nervous 'hello ma'ams' followed this. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be like your family within Hogwarts. These are the people you will have classes with and sleep with- no Mr. Goyle that is not what I meant. You will also spend your free time in your house common room. 

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Each house has a noble history and each has produce outstanding wizards and witches. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be rewarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to which ever house becomes yours. 

"The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much you can." she said the last bit with a pointed look at Neville. "I shall return for you when we are ready. Please wait quietly." And with a swish of her emerald cloak she left. 

"So the rumours are true then." the blond, cocky looking boy smirked stepping forward as soon as Professor McGonagall left. "Neville Longbottom has finally come to Hogwarts." Whispers broke out among the students. The boy turned to face Neville and stuck out his pale hand "I'm Draco. Draco Malfoy." Ron snickered. 

"I told you he was Lucius' son!" cried the picture on the wall. 

"Think my names funny do you?" sneered Draco rounding on Ron "No need to ask who you are. Dirty redhair, hand-me-down robes, you must be a Weasley!" Draco cockily crossed his arms and smirked as Ron turned the same color as his famous fiery red hair. "As I was saying you will soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others. I can help you there.'' He jerked his already out stretched hand as an invitation of friendship or at least a deal. Neville nervously looked at the hand in front of him. He hadn't been living under a rock; he knew the Malfoy's were in a very powerful wizarding family and was said to be in league with You-Know-Who. He didn't want to mess with him but it was wrong. He had friends; he had the Weasleys and the Potters; he had Gran. But he might send He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named onto him. What if-

"Obviously Malfoy you don't know Neville here very well because he seems to have some wonderful friends already." Harry butted in to Neville's relief. 

"Yeah!" piped up a boy with brown hair and an Irish accent "Look around. Take your head out of your a-"

"We are ready for you." Professor McGonagall said as she re-entered the room. A fog of nervousness seemed to settle over the first-years again. Two by two the group followed the professor in to the Great Hall. The room was huge! It was beautiful, candle-lit and had an old, majestic feeling to it. The candles floated above the four long tables. Each table was laid with golden platters, plates and goblets. The ceiling looked light a beautiful night sky, a deep, velvety midnight blue, dotted with stars. The moon was full and bright. An eerie glow floated around it.