Things Not Seen

Chapter 18

Delilah and Mark helped guide me up the shore of the lake and into the Great Hall. "Wow! It's huge! There's even floating candles! The house tables are just like Jonathan said they were!" Mark said excitedly. "It sounds amazing. Wish I could see it." "It's ok Vale! You don't need to see it with me here to describe it to you!" I grinned. "Thanks Mark." "Anytime!" He then started describing the Great Hall in lots of detail.

After a few minutes of Mark's vivid descriptions we were all told to line up. Since Mark's last name started with a B he left and went to the front of the line. I headed towards the back and anxiously awaited my turn to be sorted.

Mark had told me previously that there was a magical hat that was rumored to be as old as the founders. He had said that it sorted the first years and always sung a song before the sorting. When I had asked him what the song was about he had just said "You'll see." It had left me confused, but excited to experience the sorting hat song.

I understood what Mark had meant when I heard the sorting hat sing its song about the houses. It described the features of each house and left me even more curious to find out which house I would be sorted into. When it had finished students were called out and the hat would stay silent for a few moments and then shout out a house. "Mark Burke!"

I perked up when I heard Mark's name. Only a moment later the hat shouted out "GRYFFINDOR!"  I knew that was one of the houses that he had wanted to get sorted into and I clapped for him. I heard loud cheers coming from the left side of the Great Hall. I grinned.

I estimated it had been about fifteen minutes later when the student in front of me was called up. I shifted nervously as they got sorted into Ravenclaw. "Vale Sinclair!" I walked forward, trying desperately not to trip. I heard students whispering as Delilah helped guide me to the stool. I felt something heavy placed on my head and I almost jumped off the stool when I heard a voice in my head.

"Hmm...Sinclair...haven't heard that name before are you a muggle born?" "Um I-I think so." "Let's see...not particularly ambitious...not very much of an out of the box thinker...you do have a flare of artsy talent...I see your blind....Headmaster's reaching out...hmm...I think you would do well in.....

"GRYFFINDOR!"