We had just got inside from the boats that took us to the castle, and we were following Professor McGonagall inside. "The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
She pulled the door wide. The entrance hall was so big you could have fit my whole house in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.
They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. I could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right -the rest of the school must already be here -- but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.
"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 rule breaking 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."
Her eyes lingered for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on Ron's smudged nose. I looked over to see Harry nervously trying to flatten his hair.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."
She left the chamber. Harry swallowed.
"How exactly do they sort us into houses?" he asked Ron.
"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking."
My heart gave a horrible jolt. A test? In front of the whole school? But I don't know any magic yet -- what on earth would I have to do? I hadn't expected something like this the moment they arrived. I looked around anxiously and saw that everyone else looked terrified, too. No one was talking much except Hermione Granger, who was whispering very fast about all the spells she'd learned and wondering which one she'd need. I looked over to see a boy, with platinum blonde hair, I thought he said his name was Malfoy? Draco? Maybe? I saw him give Ron a dirty look then turn back to Harry, I was quite a ways away from the boys, so I couldn't really hear what exactly was going on. I saw The Draco boy extended a hand to Harry, I faintly heard Harry say "I think I sort out the wrong type for myself thanks," and then Draco or Malfoy? Which ever it was withdraw his hand looking very offended.
Suddenly the doors to the great hall swung open we were greeted by Professor McGonagall, who beckoned us forward. We all line up and begin to walk into the great hall we suddenly stop at the front of the hall. We see a raggedy old hat sitting on top of a stool. Why was there such an old hat sitting there? A rip in the old hat opens as if it were a mouth, then it spoke, or more, sang?
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
