Poppy Potter

The Sorting Hat

It was dark when we got there, and I was still blushing slightly as we went out onto the station floor, seeing Hagrid with a large lantern. "Right, then! First years! This way, please! Come on, now, don't be shy! Come on now, hurry up!"

We walked up to him, and I saw Hermione not far behind us. "Hello, Harry, hello, Poppy."

"Hi, Hagrid." Ron stared at the gargantuan man in bewilderment. "Right then. This way to the boats! Come on, now, follow me."

The entire of the first years were moved into a load of boats, Ron and Harry sat in front of me and Hermione as we drifted across the lake towards a beautiful castle with lights around it, making it sparkle in the dark night sky.

Once we were in the building, Harry and I took hands again, going up some stairs to find a woman waiting for us in dark green robes and a high up top knot, rapping her fingers on the stone railing. "Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin." She looked at a pale boy with hair the same colour as his skin for that final one, Slytherin. "Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup."

Then a scared looking boy spotted a toad on the top step, evidently Neville from earlier, and jumped forwards to grab it. "Trevor!" The Professor stared at him and he backed away quickly. "Sorry."

"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily."

The blonde boy spoke up, moving towards my brother and I from the back. "It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry and Poppy Potter have come to Hogwarts." Students started to whisper around us, saying our names as I wished that I hadn't stopped myself being able to hide behind my hair. "This is Crabbe, and Goyle and I'm Malfoy...Draco Malfoy." Ron next to me snickered at his name. " Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasley. Well soon find that some wizarding families are better than others, Potters. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He extended his hand to my brother as I backed away behind him.

But my brother was no idiot as Hermione managed to give me a small smile. "I think Poppy and I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks."

Malfoy glared at us before the professor returns and smacked him on the shoulder with a paper. He retreated with one last glare, this time at me as I continued to cower. "We're ready for you now."

She led everyone through two large doors and into the Great Hall, where there were four long tables with so many kids, as well as floating candles. The roof appeared to be the sky. "It's not real, the ceiling." Hermione said behind me as I went in side by side to my brother. "It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History." I needed to read so many books...

"All right, will you wait along here, please?" She asked us as we reached the end, and I looked to see Fred on a bench with George and he smiled at me. "Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."

The man from my card rose from the table, looking at everyone in the great hall. "I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you."

Then the lady took over again, holding scrolls of parchment. "When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses. Hermione Granger."