Lord Phantom

Chapter 4: Sorting

There was one thing Danny was sure about, Hogwarts founders certainly knew, how to make first impression. Seriously, when you approach the castle on a boat, you can't help but be amazed at the sight. It was huge, with high towers, rising above ground. Yes, Phantom lived in a clocktower from another dimension, but this castle felt different. With his eyes glued to the Hogwarts, Danny didn't notice, how boats arrived to some kind of docks.

Phantom never liked stairs, and now he needed to go through this suffering. And after some time Danny was standing in front of giant oak doors, when stern looking woman in green robes arrived.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rulebreaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

Danny just stood there, having nothing better to do. He picked Cujo from the ground and started petting his friend. Suddenly, some first year girl asked question.

"Excuse me, Mr, why are you here?" Danny smiled.

"It's my first time here, just like you. I'm just going to start from fifth year"

"Is this a puppy?", "He is so cute!", "Can I pet him?",  kids started to ask questions non stop.

"Look, Cujo, someone is popular," said Phantom, earning happy bark from puppy.

"What can I say? I like attention," Cujo responded.

"How do you think we will be sorted?" Someone asked.

"My brother said there will be a dragon!" Danny laughed at that.

"Really? I haven't fought with one since the last time no one invited Dora on a dance!" Soon-to-be students had stars in their eyes.

"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."

Professor McGonagall had returned.

"Now, form a line," she told the first years, "and follow me."

The Great Hall was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the students up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Danny looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. Everyone saw an old torn hat, lying on the stool.

The whole school waited with bated breath. Then the rip near the hat's brim opened wide like a mouth and the Sorting Hat burst into song:

In times of old when I was new