Leah Riddle (Book 1)

Chapter Sixteen

A professor named McGonagall led us up to large wooden doors. I could hear talking from inside and laughing as well. Claire was excitedly holding my hand, which I was not happy about. McGonagall opened the large doors and ushered us inside. I could see all the tables lined up. Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor, were all seated in their correct houses, waiting for us to be sorted. Everything quieted down and McGonagall pulled out a dusty old hat. Then... it started singing.

"A thousand years or more ago,

When I was newly sewn

There lived four wizards of renown

Whose names are still well known:

Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,

Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,

Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,

Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.

They shared a wish, a hope, a dream;

they hatched a daring plan

to educate young sorcerers

Thus Hogwarts School began.

Now each of these four founders

formed their own house, for each

did value different virtues

in the ones they had to teach.

By Gryffindor, the bravest were

prized far beyond the rest;

For Ravenclaw, the cleverest

would always be the best;

For Hufflepuff, hard workers were

Most worthy of admission;

and power-hungry Slytherin

loved those of great ambition.

While still alive they did divide

their favorites from the throng,

yet how to pick the worthy ones

when they were dead and gone?

'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,

He whipped me off his head

the founders put some brains in me

so I could choose instead!

Now slip me snug about your ears,

I've never yet been wrong,

I'll have a look inside your mind

and tell where you belong!

Now, let the sorting begin! Ackerley, Stewart," the professor said.

"RAVENCLAW!" the hat announced after a moment. The little boy smiled and ran over to the Ravenclaw table. He was greeted with cheers and smiles. I scanned the Slytherin table for Draco and found him staring directly at me. I smirked and he gave me a wide smile in return. I zoned out as two other names were called, both in Hufflepuff, and then searched for Granger, Potter, and the Weasel. They were watching with mild interest and then found me staring at them. I gave a weak smile before turning back to McGonagall.

"Baddock, Malcolm!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Branstone, Eleanor!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Cauldwell, Owen."

"HUFFLEPUFF."