Sin For Me

Ch. 2-Sorted

Ebony's mother had had a previous discussion with professor McGonagall regarding her sorting. She figured it would be bad enough that she'd be an outsider to begin with, being the new girl. Embarrassing her by making her go through the sorting process in front of the whole school with all the first years, was deemed a bad idea. So they agreed to let her come down to McGonagall's office before dinner to do her sorting in private. Upon arrival, Ebony split up from Ron Harry and Hermione, and hurried off to be sorted. She figured the sooner she could get this over with, the better.
She approached the old wooden door and knocked firmly three times. She jumped back slightly when it opened almost immediately. McGonagall was sat stiffly at her desk, a beaten old brown hat laying next to her on a chair.
"Miss Ebony Lockhart I presume?"
"Yes m'am. That would be me."
"Wonderful. Come now have a seat and we'll have you sorted in no time."
She lifted up the hat and patted the chair next to her. Ebony haf heard stories about the famous Sorting Hat, but standing here before it made her quite nervous. This could determine how easy or how difficult it would be to accomplish what she came here for. She shuffled over to the chair and sat down. McGonagall placed the hat gently on Ebony's head.
"Hhmmm" said the hat.
"This is a tricky one we have here. Many great qualities yes, but where would they be best put to work?"
Ebony's hands started to sweat.
"We have lots of kindness towards other, the Hufflepuffs would love that, but so much intelligence to, perfect for Ravenclaw. Though I sense I little bit of deviousness in you, very Slytherin, though somewhere deep within you lies courage, something Gryffindors admire."
"Like hell I have courage." Ebony thought. She couldn't remember a time when she'd actually stood up for herself. She wished she could be brave, but she didn't know how. After all she'd been raised by a coward. It seemed as though the sorting hat knew this, because it's next words came as a shock.
"Gryffindor it is"!
"Oh wonderful!" said McGonagall.
"I'll be your head of house. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask". She smiled down at Ebony. Though she seemed like a stern woman, she made her feel warm and welcome.
"Now follow me, we'll make our way to the Great Hall for supper. You may take a seat with the other Gryffindors."
She nodded and followed McGonagall out of her study, and towards the Great Hall.
• • •
Ebony envisioned the the Great Hall as just being an ordinary large dining room, but the truth was far from ordinary. The doors are probably tall enough to permit entrance to a small troll, and the room itself was even more impressive. The ceiling was bewitched to look like the night sky, and candles hung just below it to look like the stars. Four incredibly long tables were lined up in the center of the hall, and at the front of the room sat all staff, waiting patiently for all their students to file in.
Ebony caught a glimpse of Ron's red hair sitting towards the middle of the table. She decided they would be her best bet at a decent seat, and give her the opportunity to meet more people.
Without looking where she was going, she hurried towards the Gryffindor table, stopping only when she ran into someone along the way. She stumbled backwards looking up at a sour-faced boy with bleach blond hair and pale skin.
Watch where you're going next time yeah?" he looked at her with disgust.
"I'm so sorry" Ebony pleaded, not wanting any trouble.
"Oh, you will be". He turned away and continued walking to his table. Cautiously, Ebony continued moving towards to the Gryffindor table, much slower this time.