After The War - FORSAKEN MAGIC (HP8)

Chapter 7 - The Sorting

Harry was used to the pointing and staring. He knew that if he came back to Hogwarts, it would be worse. So he just ignored everyone and followed Ron and Hermione into the great hall.

The great hall was magnificent as ever. Under the endless ceiling which was enchanted to look like the sky outside there were thousands of floating candles above four long tables, one for each house. There was another long table in front for all the teachers. McGonagall and Flitwick were the only known staff members who were not there. There was only one witch who Harry had never seen before.

"New Defence against the dark arts teacher you reckon?" Harry asked, nodding towards the witch. She was a short young witch with short sleek brown hair which was so straight, Harry wondered it would cut her shoulders. She wore black robes and was sitting with her arms crossed, staring at the table, making sure that her plate and cutlery were perfectly arranged.

"Wonder what she is like." Ron said, frowning at her behavior. "She does not look like she could last long here."

Just then McGonagall entered the great hall, followed by Hagrid. They took their place at the table.

"Where are the first years? When is the sorting going to take place?" Ron said impatiently.

Then the doors opened again and Flitwick arrived, carrying a scroll of parchment and a dirty patchy old hat. It was the sorting hat. He was followed by a huge crowd of first years.

The whole hall erupted in mummers about the number of first years, who were nervously admiring the great hall.

Flitwick placed the sorting hat on the stool in front of the tables and then cleared his throat. Everyone fell silent. The brim of the hat suddenly opened and it spoke:

Years ago, there were four,
Unique to their very core
Together they came with a plan,
To help the entire Wizarding clan.

Together a school they built,
For as many as they could fit.
To teach them about plants potions and charms,
And to protect their loved ones from harm.

Brave Gryffindor gave them strength, 
Having adventures was a day well spent.
Leading battles everywhere,
There was no time to despair.

Sweet Hufflepuff showed them care,
Kindness, passion and to be fair.
Second chances often bestowed,
To stop them taking the darker road.

Good Ravenclaw made them wise,
So that the fallen may arise.
Bringing strength to mind and soul,
That was their ultimate goal.

Proud Slytherin taught them ambition,
Chose the worthy for admission.
Loyal and true to ones chosen,
All gone once trust is broken.

When the four could not decide,
Who to let inside.
They called upon a higher power,
Summoned at the highest tower.

Through the storm and through the rain,
I began to feel pain.
Then the Unknown came to be,
Something only I could see.

All those thoughts in your mind,
All the thoughts only I could find.
Everything that made you, you,
All I needed was a clue.

On your head I sat,
Sorting through this and that,
Till I find that piece I need,
Which determines where you need to be.

The sorting hat lay motionless again. The Great Hall erupted in cheers!

"Start the sorting already!" Ron grumbled, his stomach growling loudly. "This is going to take forever!" He added looking at the long line of students waiting to be sorted.