Mauraders 2.0

The Sorting & The First Night

Harry's POV
The boats dock in some form of cave, a hidden lake under a ridge, under the grounds of the castle. Everyone exits the boats and we are led up the longest flight of stairs I've ever seen. At the top, we are met by a tall, thin and slightly intimidating woman. When everyone one is present and accounted for, she introduces herself.

"Good evening, boys and girls. My name is Professor McGonagall, and I am the deputy headmistress here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In a moment, you will be sorted into your houses. Your house will be your family throughout your years at Hogwarts. Good behaviour will earn house points, but any misdemeanor will lose house points. The houses are: Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin."

She steps inside the large ornate wooden doors in front of us. Less than 5 minutes later, she reappears.

"We're ready for you now."

As she leads us up the aisle between the long dining tables, whispers erupt between the students already seated. Among the first years, many gasps of awe could be heard as they notice the floating candles and ceiling that matches the night sky. As confusion sparks about the latter matter, a familiar voice pipes up.

Draco's POV
"Its enchanted to look like the sky, no matter what time of day."

Ah, Hermione. Of course she knows, she's read every book on magic and Hogwarts that she could get her hands on. I admire her desire to learn and improve. She could easily become one of the smartest students here, despite her background and blood status.

Arriving at the front of the Great Hall, McGonagall steps up onto the dias and proceeds to explain the sorting process.

"When I call your name, please sit on the stall and place the hat on your head."

After the brief explanation, the professor begins to call names of the first year students.

"Abbott, Hannah.... Boot, Terry.... Granger, Hermione.... Macmillan, Ernie.... Malfoy, Draco."

At the sound of my name, I follow the lead of the other students and sit upon the stool. The deputy headmistress places the ancient, threadbare hat on my head and, as it comes into contact with my hair, I can hear the thoughts of the hat. The hat that is going to be deciding which house I am to reside in for the next 7 years.

"A Malfoy, eh? I haven't had to sort anyone from your family since your father. And naturally, he was a Slytherin, following the family tradition. But I don't see any of the Slytherin traits in you besides ambition. But your ambition is of a different kind. Your ambition is to be different, not to blindly follow your father's ideals. You're smart, but Ravenclaw wouldn't suit you. You have the loyalty and kindness of a Hufflepuff, but you would not do well among the naïve. So that leaves.... GRYFFINDOR!!"

Shock. That's all I can feel. Shock, and maybe a little fear. My father is going to be furious!! He'll kill me for sure after this!!

As I walk to the table designated to the Gryffindors, I recognise a few familiar and friendly faces: Hermione, the Weasley twins and an older Weasley, a prefect according to the badge on his robes. I did with Hermione, the only one of my friends to be sorted before me, and turn just in time to hear the professor call another name.

"Potter, Harry."

I watch as my first friend walks up the stool, stubbornly ignoring the gasps and fingers directed at him. Like with me, the hat appears to be having a debate about where to place the boy. Finally, the rip along the brim of the hat that serves as a mouth opens with the joyous shout of....

"GRYFFINDOR!!"

Harry comes and joins Hermione and I, and so does Ron not 10 minutes later after one of the shortest sorting periods of the evening. After a speech from Headmaster Dumbledore, food appears along the table and we all dig in, allowing me to momentarily forget my housing dilemma.