The Trouble With Firsties

3. The Sorting Hat

J.K.Rowling of the owner of the world in which this is set and any characters that came into our world through her marvelous writings. I just lay claim to my plot and the characters I made up :)

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The Great Hall clapped as the Sorting Hat delivered its song, as it does every year, and the first years who'd never seen or heard of such an object before gaped at it in wonder. When the noise died down Neville Longbottom stepped forwards to tell the first years what was going to happen next.

"I was delighted to see so many looks of wonder from you lot just then... when the Hat sang, you'll enjoy Hogwarts very much. Now I'm going read everyone's name from this list..." Will drowned out the sound of Professor Longbottom as he'd heard what was going to happen from his Mum. He stared at the Sorting Hat that was decidedly looking deceivingly innocent just sitting there eying them from his stool. The shabby, threadbare, dirty hat seemed to be trying to get a glimpse into their heads before they even touched the thing. Will felt someone elbow his side and turned to see Fred leaning in to talk quietly.

"Stop staring at the hat, mate"

James laughed from Will's other side. "Yeah, you'll burn a hole in it if you keep it up and then the dirty old thing might end up not sorting us into Gryffindor. That would be the start of the world going to pot – we were born Gryffindors mate."

"How can you be so sure?" Will asked, astounded by James's continuous insistence that all of them are without a doubt Gryffindors.

James lifted his hand and started counting the reasons on his fingers. "For one, our parents are Gryffindors. Second, we were raised by Gryffindors. Three, we're brave, daring, chivalrous and every other Gryffindor trait."

Will bit his lip, not totally convinced of James's argument but nodded and gave them what he hoped to be a reassuring smile, however it was more than likely to have been a grimace.

"There you go," Fred beamed at him, "Nothing to worry about."

"Will you lot keep it down?" A girl hushed from behind them. "The professor is about to start calling out names and I'd really rather not miss mine."

The three boys turned to see a haughty looking girl with black curly hair glaring at them. James cocked an eyebrow at her, seemingly unimpressed with the fact the girl had shushed them. "They call you up alphabetically using your last name." He informed her. "What's your name?"

"Cashlin McLaggen." She replied. "I'm the daughter of Cormac and Romilda McLaggen, although she was formally known as Romilda Vane. And you are?"

"James Potter."

Cashlin Mclaggen's eyes grew to the size of UFOs. "Harry and Ginny Potter's eldest son?" James nodded as she then turned to Fred. "You must be Fred Weasley II then, George and Angelina Weasley's son?"

Fred's eyebrows furrowed. "Yes... how- why do you know all this?"

"Well it's not exactly like your families aren't famous... and I made it my business to know everything about everyone who's anyone in our year – making friends with the right people and whatnot." She paused, clearly having forgotten about wanting to listen to Professor Longbottom calling out names. She frowned when she looked at Will. "I don't know who you are though..."

"I'm nobody important." Will said quickly, causing Fred to look at him curiously and James to look utterly bewildered.

"What on earth do you me-" James asked before Will shushed him.

"Shhh. My name will be called out soon – I can't miss it."

The four turned their attention back to the front of the hall just in time for Professor Longbottom to call out "Flint, Elisabeth!"