Tempting Fate

The Great Hall

     "Welcome ter Hogwarts ever'one. Stay here and wai' for Professor McGonagall. She wi' be righ' here in a mo'." Hagrid said, his bushy beard waggling around as he spoke. He walked past us, out the door to the room.

     "Hello new students. My name is Professor McGonagall. I am the transfiguration teacher here at Hogwarts. Your luggage has already been brought to your dorm rooms. If you will follow me into the Great Hall, we will get you all sorted and then you can enjoy the Welcoming Feast." A strict looking lady informed us, appearing behind the group. She skirted her way around the group and took a position at the front. All of the sudden, I heard a gasp and saw the oddest thing I will probably ever see. A head appeared, coming from the wall! 

     "Cool!" I shouted, then looked around, abashed.

     "Thank you, that will be all Sir Nicholas." Professor McGonagall said, waving her hand as though to shoo him away. The head vanished, and the professor led us through the large door that was in front of us.

     "Woah!"

     "Look! The plates are made of gold!"

     "The ceiling is bewitched to mimic the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."

     Those are just some of the things I heard as we entered the Great Hall. I didn't say a word, I was to busy fidgeting with my hands in nervousness. I passed by the tables and saw that the people were looking at me curiously. I hoped that the large scar that wrapped around the base of my neck could not be seen.

     "Stop." Professor McGonagall said, loud and clear. "When I call your name, come up to the front and sit on the stool. I will place this hat upon your head. Sorting Hat, take it away."

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

There daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just an loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

and unafraid of toil;