I Solemnly Swear || Book One of the Pure-Blooded series

Chapter Three: The Sorting

The door opened at once to reveal a tall, stern-looking witch in emerald-green robes, her hair pulled back in a bun. She rather reminded me of Mum.

     "Here ye are, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said, gesturing to us. "All safe an' sound."

     Professor McGonagall gave a sharp nod. "Thank you, Hagrid. All of you, follow me!" She pulled the door open wider, and marched back into the castle.

     The entrance hall was the biggest room I'd ever seen. Torches lit the bottom half, but when I looked up, the ceiling disappeared in darkness. Ahead was a grand marble staircase that must have led to the rest of the castle; the room was large, but it could only fill a fraction of the castle I'd seen from the outside.

     Whispers flew between us as we followed Professor McGonagall across the stone floor, but they were drowned out by the clamor of voices coming from another large set of doors off to the right. Perhaps it was the dining hall; my stomach rumbled at the very thought. We did not go in, however; instead, the professor led us to a small, empty room just off the hall. We all managed to squeeze in, although the Mudblood ended up squeaking out an apology to the grinning boy for standing on his toes.

     "Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall, peering at us through square spectacles. "The start-of-term banquet will begin in a moment, but before you can take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting Ceremony is a very important part of Hogwarts because, while you are here, your House will be like your family. You will attend classes with your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room.

     "There are four Houses you may be sorted into: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Each House has a noble history, and each has produced exceptional witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points. Any rule-breaking will lose points." Fred and George glanced at each other. "At the end of the school year, the House with the most points will be awarded the House Cup, a high honor. I hope that each one of you will be a credit to whichever House you are sorted into.

     "The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few moments in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up while you are waiting." I brushed my fingers through my dark hair. "I shall return when we are ready for you. Until then, wait quietly." Then she left.

     "How exactly are we sorted?" a tiny voice asked.

     "I'm not sure; my sister wouldn't tell me," answered another.

     "Do we have to perform a spell in front of the whole school?"

     "But we don't know any magic!"

     "Well maybe if you can't do it, you get kicked out!"

     "Maybe it's to show who the real witches and wizards are."

     I began to wrack my brains; how could I never have thought to ask Mum how we were sorted? I'd always assumed the professors picked us. Everyone was talking now, our voices bouncing off the stone walls.

     "You ninnies!" The voice rose above the others, and I turned to see Tyler, his arms folded across his chest. Seeing he had everyone's attention, his face turned smug. "It's a hat. My sister said so, and my mum."

     "A hat?"

     "No, he's right! That's what my dad said!"

     Tyler tilted his head back. "It's easy. You put the hat on, it looks around inside your head, and then sorts you into whatever House fits best." He shrugged. "Anybody who told you different was just in it for a laugh."