Running With Wolves

Chapter 2: Dumbledore's Warning

Chapter 2: Dumbledore's Warning

Every part of Remus' body was soaked through. Just minutes in the freezing rain and all four of them found themselves dripping heavily on the stone floor, shivering. Remus pulled out his wand, using it to dry his clothes with a stream of warm air, and followed his friends into the Great Hall.

The ceiling of the Great Hall reflected the storm outside. Sirius squinted at it, as though by some force of sheer will he could make the rain stop. Lightning flashed, followed closely by the rumble of thunder and Sirius jumped. Remus stifled his laughter into his sleeve, putting a hand between Sirius' shoulder blades and pushing him further down to catch up with James and Peter.

"God, I'm starving," Sirius said over the buzz of the hundreds of other students in the hall as they sat down. James stared at him incredulously.

"You just had about a dozen pounds of sweets on the train a few hours ago. How in Merlin's name are you already hungry?"

"I'm a growing boy, Prongsie, I need my food." James rolled his eyes. "I hope the sorting goes quickly this year."

"The sorting never goes quickly," grumbled Peter.

"Shut up the pair of you," said Remus, gesturing to the front of the Hall. The doors had opened, and a line of skinny little first years shuffled in behind Professor McGonogall, dripping wet and looking uncertain. McGonogall pulled out a battered looking old hat and a stool. She set the hat on the stool and stepped back. Everyone in the hall looked at it expectantly. The first years glanced around at each other, muttering their confusion. Half of them jumped when a rip in the hat split and it began to sing:

I welcome one and all of you

To Hogwarts every year

Created by the founders four,

My job was very clear,

To sort you in your houses,

That is what I'm for

And so it is for every batch

Of students evermore

And so it falls on me each year

To put you in your place

Which house will teach you best to fight

The challenges you'll face?

Come place me on you head,

And I'll, inside your mind assess

To find the house best suited to

The traits that you possess

Should you go to Ravenclaw?

Where knowledge is their prize?

This house will help you learn to see

The world through different eyes.

You might belong in Gryffindor

Where bravery is king

You'll find yourself in company of those

Who'll take you in their wing.

Or perhaps to Slytherin

You'll form such special ties

Fueled by your ambition

And through cunning will you rise.

Or else your place is Hufflepuff

If you're loving and you're loyal