Always Together

4. Sorting

First of all -- DISCLAIMER!! I don't own Gemma Farley's speech in this chapter; it's from Pottermore!

---

Chapter 4 | sorting

"Firs' years! This way! Come one, don't be shy! Hurry up!" an extremely tall man said as the students started getting out of the Hogwarts Express.

The first years followed him through the side aisle in the outdoor station to a very dark lake where there were boats waiting for them. And more ahead there was a magnificent castle with many towers.

"Only four in each boat," the giant continued.

Caitlyn sat along Harry, Ron and Hermione and they talked during the small tripped -- well, Harry and Ron talked with Caitlyn, but Hermione only started whispering things in Caitlyn's ear, such as 'don't you think the castle is beautiful?', or 'I can't believe we're finally here'. Caitlyn always smiled politely at her, still trying to hear Ron telling everything about the Houses. But he focused on Gryffindor, mostly.

Then they entered the castle -- they passed the Entrance Hall and stopped at the doors of the Great Hall, on a staircase, where there was a woman at the end. She wore green robes and a pointed hat. She seemed old, but had a very warm smile on her face -- opposite to Mrs Cole, as Caitlyn would say. The woman spoke.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. but before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your Houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Now, while you're here, your House will be like your family. Your triumphs with earn you House points. And rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, theHhouse with the most points is awarded the House Cup."

She was interrupted by the boy that had gone to Draco, Crabbe, Goyle and Caitlyn's compartment. He jumped forward and picked up a green toad that was at the woman's feet. He yelled, "Trevor!" when he caught it and then got very embarrassed when he understood that everyone heard and saw him and got back to his place, after the woman gave him a deadly look.

"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily," she announced, opening the doors of the Great Hall and everyone got a perfect view of it.

There were five tables. Four vertically and one horizontally on a higher level. The vertical ones were filled with students and the other for the professors. All faces turned to the first years. There was a stool in between the higher table and the other ones at the centre. A hat was on it. And it sang,

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you find,

A smartest 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 see,

So try me on and I'll tell you

When you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve and chivalry