The Twin and Harry Potter

The Sorting Hat

The doors swing open to reveal a tall, black-haired witch with emerald-green robes. She looks stern, Vanessa would not want to cross that woman.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid smiles.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She pulls the door wide. Vanessa lets out another gasp at the entrance hall. It's huge, so big that it could fit the whole Dursley's house in it. Torches line the walls and a wonderful marble staircase leads to the upper floors. Vanessa can hardly believe she's going to be staying in a castle. It's so beautiful.

They follow Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Instead of going through the door that all the voices are coming from, they are lead into a small, empty chamber off the hall. Everyone crowds together. Neville stands very close to Vanessa, his toad is gripped tight in his hands.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall faces them. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has it's own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." She glances at Neville's crooked cloak and Ron's smudged nose. Vanessa notices Harry trying to straiten his hair, but it's no use of course.

"I shall return when we are ready for you," Professor McGonagall says. "Please wait quietly." She leaves the chamber, but not before letting her gaze rest on Harry and Vanessa.

"How exactly do they sort is into houses?" Harry asks Ron.

"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking." Ron's says nervously.

Vanessa gulps. She can't help but worry about what kind of test it will be. She has always been exceptionally well at written tests, but this being a magic school, they'll probably have to do a spell. Not that she doesn't know any, she's just never tried. It's hard to concentrate when Hermione is nearby whispering about what spells she will need and what not.

Suddenly some people behind her start screaming. She jumps, and feels Harry jump beside her as well. Vanessa is stunned at the sight before her. Just about twenty ghosts had streamed through the walls. They are pearly white and a bit translucent. They glide across the room talking amongst themselves, not even sparing a glance toward the frightened first years.

"Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance--" a fat monk says.

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost -- I say, what are you all doing here?" A ghost wearing a ruff and tights finally notices the students.

No one says a word as they stare mutely at the floating ghosts.

"New students!" Says the Fat Friar, smiling at them all. "About to be sorted, I suppose?" Some people around Vanessa nod stiffly. "Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" Says the Friar. "My old house, you know!"