Ginger

3

To say that Cassiopeia Lestrange had an eventful train ride to Hogwarts was an understatement, her ride had been an utter disaster, the Weasley twins, who had introduced themselves as Forge and Gred, when they tried to trick her, but Cassiopeia called them 'Overgrown child who fell on me' and 'Overgrown child with less freckles', had questioned her senseless to the point the she slammed her heels on their feet and threatened to murder them in cold blood while they were sleeping, of course that didn't stop the twins, it only made them smile and continue their inquiry of the raven haired girl. 

And when they arrived, after having changed from their clothes to their black robes, all the first years were led to boats on the shore of the Black Lake, being instructed to sit 4 people per boat, making the Lestrange witch believe that she could escape the annoying ginger twins, of course it had only been a foolish belief because before she had time to try and make her way to a boat with other people, she was pulled into one by the 'overgrown child who fell on her' to a boat where his twin and a dark skinned boy awaited. 

So far she wasn't liking her experience at Hogwarts, having heard great things from her aunt and uncle about the scenery of Scotland's hills and rivers, she was annoyed that she hadn't been able to see them due to the ginger pair that had annoyed her, so now her only and remaining hope was that the twins would not be in her house, which she hoped would be Slytherin. Slowly and magically the small dark wooden boats began to glide across the Lake, the dark and foggy lake that was known to everyone as The Black Lake, as soon as the higher fog began to clear slightly the 11 year old children were able to be marvelled, the great and famous castle was a mere silhouette at the top, where it's high and pointy towers touched the dark blue skies where as the  lower parts were illuminated my candles both on the inside and on the outside.

Gasps of astonishment were heard from every boat, most of the children leaning forward to see the castle better until they reached the shores of the magnificent castle, " 'ome on, this way." the half giant that was leading them said, "I hope to be in Gryffindor." the dark skinned boy said to the ginger twins as they walked behind Cassiopeia, "Us too." the twins replied with a huge grin before Fred Weasley approached the dark haired young witch and asked "What about you love? Which house would you like to be in?", "Any house but the one you're in, but preferably in Slytherin like my parents, grandparents and ancestors before me." Cassiopeia replied looking ahead at the large group of children.

In front of everyone stood a tall woman with green dress, a strict expression and a pointy hat resting on her brown hair "Welcome to Hogwarts," said the woman, who Cassiopeia knew to be 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." she started looking at every face with a seemingly mixture of boredom and amusement.

"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 honour. 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." she added before walking into the great hall.

"Well isn't she chirpy?" a sarcastic voice grumbled next to Cassiopeia making the foursome turn to look at the person who had spoken, a dark chocolate pin straight haired, fair skinned doe eyed girl stood leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, "And who might you be?" 'The overgrown child with less freckles' inquired looking at the girl up and down, "The girl that if you piss off will kill you the very next second." the girl replied glaring at the ginger who had spoken to her, "I'm Lee Jordan, and these are Fred and George Weasley." the dark skinned boy introduced himself, extending his hand to the pin straight haired girl.

Of course, she ignored him and turned to Cassiopeia asking "And who are you?" "The girl that's going to help you murder these three and bury their bodies." Cassiopeia replied with a shrug, both of the girls blandly ignoring the flash of fear that flew across the three boy's expressions. For the first time the new girl smiled and kicked off the wall, extended her had to Cassiopeia and said "I like your attitude, Lianna Greengrass." "Likewise, Cassiopeia Lestrange." Cassie introduced herself and shook Lianna's hand, "Lestrange? You're Bellatrix and Rudolph's daughter?" Lianna inquired with a cocked brow which Cassiopeia replied with a careless nod.

Soon enough McGonagall came back and said sharply "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start. Now, form a line, and follow me." Everyone rushed to make a neat line, Cassiopeia stood in front of 'the overgrown child who fell on her' and behind Lianna,  'the overgrown child with less freckles' behind his twin and Lee Jordan behind him, then the line began to walk forward, walking out of the chamber, back across the hall, and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.

Four large tables were placed down the hall with another long table at the end of the hall, the four tables had students from the age of 12 to 17 wearing black cloaks with rims of 4 different colours,  ocean blue on her left next to the wall, representing the Ravenclaw's, then was scarlet red right to her left, representing the Gryffindor's, goldish yellow right to her right, representing the Hufflepuff's, and finally emerald green on her right next to the wall, representing the house she hoped to get in the Slytherin's. Her eyes however were brought back to the from as the first years pooled around the stage that separated the table that belonged to the teachers and the students,  to see Professor McGonagall silently place a four-legged stool in front of the first years, on top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat, a  hat that was patched and frayed and extremely dirty.

Something that wouldn't be found in the Malfoy Manor, not even in anyone's wildest dreams, of course curiosity got the best of her and she stared at the hat, waiting to see what would happen next, obviously, it did the exact opposite of what Cassiopeia thought it would, t twitched and a rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth before it began to sing.

"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,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on!
Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"