Making Magic (n.s.)

first years

FALL

"Niall Horan!" Professor McGonagall announced from the front of Great Hall, shaking Niall out of his stupor at taking in all of his surroundings.

He hesitantly stepped forward from the crowd of first years that he was amongst, trying to shove his way through because even though they were still young, he was one of the shortest ones of the bunch.

Niall stumbled up the steps and glanced at Professor McGonagall nervously. She smiled the slightest at him and gestured to the stool, still holding the Sorting Hat from the previous student that had sat there.

The blonde boy sat down upon the stool and shifted a little bit, folding his hands in his lap. Soon he felt the weight of the raggedy hat upon his head and the tassels on his shoulders. His heart started beating faster as he thought of the prospect of this moment deciding something that would determine the next seven years of his life.

Would he be in Ravenclaw, the house of the wise?

Slytherin, the cunning and clever?

Hufflepuff, the house of the loyal?

Or Gryffindor, the house of the brave and his brother Greg?

"Hm," the Sorting Hat said, falling a little in the front of Niall's head. "Niall Horan. A smart, young boy. Ravenclaw would be an even choice, you have great potential."

Niall nervously gulped. He glanced towards the house of the wise and the people sitting there.

"Not Slytherin," the hat continued, and a few people chuckled. "Nor Gryffindor," at this, Niall saw Greg in the crowd, still smiling at him, and that made him hopeful.

"I see potential, yes, and creativity, but potential and creativity can come from any house. And in you I see more kindness and loyalty that overpower your other traits."

Then Niall made eye contact with the Harry boy from the train who was smirking at Niall, and his cheeks grew red.

"Hufflepuff!" the hat screamed suddenly, and Niall jumped off of the stool and said thank you to the hat, running over to the Hufflepuff table where he was greeting with happy cheers and warm hugs.

The young boy ate a little, still intently watching his class mates be sorted when Harry was called up to the stage and he swaggered up there, the smirk still present on his face.

It was no surprise when the Sorting Hat almost immediately sorted him into Slytherin and he was welcomed at the table, immediately taking his place as one of the more popular and liked first years.

When the two boys made eye contact from across the Hall one again, Niall immediately looked away and continued his conversation with an older girl Hufflepuff, but Harry kept looking at the blonde boy.

Later that night, Niall and Harry bumped into each other on their way to their house entrances, Niall one his way to the kitchens and Harry on his way to the dungeons.

"Sorry," Niall said quietly, moving on his way. Harry quickly stopped him though.

"So, Hufflepuff?" He said, and Niall just nodded. "Should've know." Harry said smugly.

Niall huffed. "What does that even mean? You've said that twice, ya know."

Harry just grinned and gestured to his house crest on his new robes. "Nothing, I'm just saying it's not surprising that a muggle-born like yourself would be placed in Hufflepuff, that's all."

Niall frowned a bit. "Well there's nothing wrong with being muggle-born nor being placed in Hufflepuff. I think it's an honor."

"I'm sure you do, for your standards," Harry said, shrugging nonchalantly. "But, a pure-blood like me being placed in Slytherin, now that is an honor."