Chapter 12 - The Sorting Ceremony

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We (the first years) stepped into the hall. It was enormous, the ceiling had the image of the sky and candles floated above our heads. Four, long, wooden tables were situated in lines and students were seated on the benches. Heads turned our way when the students hears the stampede of first years entering the hall. 

"Now," Professor McGonnagall called, "First years come to the front." The crowd of first years congregated in front of the platform where the staff table was. My stomach churned with anticipation. Professor McGonnagal began yelling out names, and the first years stepped forward and sat on an old rickety stool. Then Professor McGonnagal placed a frayed hat ontop of the student's head. Finally, the hat bellowed out a house. 

"Edmund, Atlee!" Bellowed McGonnagal through the hall. She placed the old hat on the boy's head and stood back.

A few seconds passed and the the hat screamed out, "SLYTHERIN!"  A few more first years came up, 

"Knight, Valerie" Varlerie came up to the stool and sat down, her foot nervously jiggling. 

"GRYFFINDOR!" It boomed, Valerie beamed and sat among the other Gryffindors. 

A few more students came to the stool and left until, 

"Weasley, Charlotte!" I slowly walked up to the stool, my legs quivering. I sat on the stool and McGonnagal put the hat gently on my head. 

Ooh, nervous are we? The hat echoed in my head making me shake harder, Hmm... You want to be in Gryffindor? Not sure what to do, I nodded my head slightly, But - I can see ambition- and kindness... and wisdom. You could easily be in any house. 'I must be in Gryffindor!' I thought furiously. You sure made up your mind... People were begginning to stare at me oddly - I had been sitting there on the stool for over a minute, I see it now - you'll be in "GRYFFINDOR!" He yelled out the last part to the crowd.

I could not believe it! I got into Gryffindor!!! I happily skipped to the long Gryffindor house table and slid into a seat next to Valerie. 

Next it was Britt's turn, she strolled up to the stage like everyone else and she sat on the stool. Tense minutes past and the crowd waited anxiously, Britt appeared to be having a battle with the hat; her face was scrunched up and her hands were clenched on the stool. 

"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat screamed again. Britt opened her eyes and a broad grin spread across her face. She jogged over to me and Valerie and sat across from us, leaving a space where Andrew would hoefully be sitting soon. 

"The hat wanted to put me in Ravenclaw, but finally decided on Gryffindor!" she whispered to me.

More names passed and finally the last first year was called to the front - it was Andrew. I could see the anticipation in his eyes as he sat down and the hat was placed on his head. The students watched as the hat opened its 'mouth' for the last time that year, "RAVENCLAW!" 

Andrew was stunned, he remained seated and looked out blankly, and when the relization dawned on him he gasped. Andrew got up, stumbled to the Ravenclaw table and when he sat down, he looked me straight in the eyes, I could see the sadness imprinted there. I looked at Brit, shocked. I never imagined Andrew being in a different house. I always thought that he would always be with us. On the bright side, though, we would have a few classes together and in the summer we can see each other again. 

Proffessor McGonnagal stepped up onto the platform and stood infront of the staff table, addressing the students, 

"I hope that you are all happy with your houses - the sorting hat always knows, and I would like to anounce.... Let the feast begin!" The plates immediatly filled with a variety of dishes and I piled my golden plate high with my favorite meals.  

The night was very enjoyable - I soon forgot about Andrew and I met the others in my house: Lacey Fogg, a girl I had met a few times in the past, and three boys I had never met before- Arnold Middleton, Peter Godfrey, and James Groby, there was also a few others but they didn't say their names and kept to themselves. They were all very nice and the feast was soon coming to an end. 

Again, Proffesor McGonnagal rose from her chair and came to the front, she anounced to the students a few rules and such, "Finally, classes begin tomorrow morning so get a good night's sleep and have an excellent day of classes tomorrow!" 

The first years were all escorted to their houses, we were led by Bartholomew - the head boy prefect, and a Gryffindor. 

We arrived at the portrait hole, which was obscured by all the first year gryffindors fighting  to get to the front and get the first glimpse of the common room.

"Move aside! Move aside, let me through! I need to say the password!" Bartholowmew called, pushing through the small crowd to the front. He gasped, "She's gone! The fat lady is gone!" 

Charlotte WeasleyWhere stories live. Discover now