Mafalda Prewett-Weasley

The Sorting Hat

When at last we reached Hogwarts, I got a sense of great excitement. I was about to begin my journey of the next ten years, and become one of the most powerful magic-users the Wizarding World had ever seen!

But to start out small, I was first escorted to the school by way of boat, and made an excellent entrance in the Great Hall. That's when the sorting began. Every single Weasley since I can remember was been sorted into Gryffindor house. Thing is, I didn't want to be in Gryffindor house. I hadn't told anyone. Anyone at all! For years, it had been my big secret. Problem: I didn't know what other house I wanted to be in.

Well, I had a full four minutes or so to think about it: Professor McGonagall –who was reading the names— went in alphabetical order. Georgie Able, (Ravenclaw) Cain Maverick, (Hufflepuff) Teagan Keppel (Ravenclaw): eventually, she got to the W's.

"Mafalda Weasley,"

There was some buzz around the Gryffindor table as I stepped up to McGonagall with pride. I sat down on the stool, and silenced my beating heart as the Sorting Hat was placed on my head.

It appeared to be using telepathic-sort powers, as it read what I was thinking.

"Not Gryffindor?" It spoke to me without moving its mouth. "Why ever not? I have sorted nearly every  Weasley into that house for hundreds of generations. Why not you?"

"Because," I thought. "I don't like them. I don't want to be like them. They're all just so dumb and ridiculous....I wish to be the most powerful Weasley anyone has ever seen!"

It didn't say anything for the next few moments.

Then, it shouted,

"SLYTHERIN!!!"

The Slytherin table stayed silent for a second: A Weasley? In Slytherin? That simply wasn't right!

Dumbledore coughed, and looked down at them through his spectacles.

They reluctantly broke into a short applause as I walked solemnly to the Slytherins, and took a seat. I conveniently sat right next to Draco's "girlfriend", Pansy. She frowned, but kept her lips shut tight. Nobody congratulated me, like how the other Houses had for their newcomers.

I looked over at the Gryffindor table: Ron caught my eye, and glared. Gryffindor and Slytherin had been well known rivals since the very beginning; it was war.

And, honestly...I was okay with that. I had never really liked Ron in the first place.

A few more students were sorted, and then Headmaster Dumbledore sat up to speak.

"Well, now that we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement."

I blinked.

"This castle will not only be your home this year..." he smiled. "Along with some very special guests as well,"

The door was creaked open in the middle of this sentence by a short, not-so-put-together man. He began running up the isle between the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables, and towards the front.

"You see, Hogwarts has been chosen..." the man reached Dumbledore, and whispered something in his ear.

All the students around me were whispering to each other, curious; much was the remainder of the room.

They continued this heated, whispered conversation, until the man went and ran down the aisle. The Headmaster regained his composure.

"So, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event: the Triwizard Tournament."

The whispering got louder, with different reactions coming from each person in the room.

Honestly, I didn't care. I slipped a copy of "Enchanted Objects" out of my robe's sleeve and began reading. More than a few Slytherins looked at me funny; I ignored them all. I was good at multitasking, and could hear Dumbledore's voice speaking in the background.

"Now, for those of you that don't know, the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single student is selected to compete. Let me be clear; if chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say, these contests are not for the faint-hearted."