Hufflepuff In The Family

The Sorting

Once we got off the train, all first years were ushered together by an incredibly large man. His voice was loud and gruff as he yelled for all first-years to come to him. Harry, Ron and I all stuck close together, terrified as older students shoved us out of their way to get to the carriages first. Harry waved awkwardly at the large man and he grinned once he saw the young boy cowering with us. 

"Y'all right, 'arry?" He asked. Harry blushed a violent red and nodded timidly. The man who Harry told us was Hagrid waved us all to follow him. He led us down to a dark lake, where multiple boats sat waiting for us. We climbed in one with Hagrid and it rocked violently as he fell in next to us. The boats floated elegantly across the lake. It was almost fully peaceful until a large splash terrified us. I peered over the edge and saw a dark black shape. It lurked just below the surface so I couldn't quite make it out but I knew anyway what it was.

"Ron!" I exclaimed.

"What?" He snapped at me. I pointed off the boat.

"Our brothers didn't lie! There actually is a giant squid." I laughed. He joined me in looking over the side and the boat rocked again as Harry joined us. We all laughed at the giant squid. I was just shocked that my brothers actually told me the truth for once. Before I knew it, the boats were docking on the shore on the opposite side of the lake. The castle looked massive this close, It loomed over all of us and every student stared up at the castle, jaws on the floor. I could barely contain my excitement. 

When you're standing outside the main hall doors, the fear eats inside of you. I was almost certain I would be sorted into Gryffindor, I mean my entire family had been in that house, there was no way I wouldn't. But still, a small part of my stomach felt uneasy as Professor McGonagall came to greet us. She told us about the houses and how the points system works. 

"I shall go see if they're ready for you now," she said. With a whirl of her cloak, she was gone. That woman is so unnerving. Ron's face looked as pale as mine felt but to portray confidence, I reached over and squeezed my brother's hand.

"So it's true, what people were saying on the train," a confident voice spoke out. "Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." Voices whispered as a small boy with greasy looking blond hair stepped out. His eyes conveyed malice and his smirk conveyed a look that made you want to punch him. "This is Crabbe and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." Upon hearing the boy's name, Ron could barely contain a snort. The boy's cold eyes fell upon Ron. "Think my name's funny, do you? Well, no need to ask your names." He gestured to Ron and me. "Red hair and hand-me-down robes? You're clearly Weasleys. Careful Potter, you don't want to go making friends with the wrong kind of wizard. I can help you there." He stuck his hand out to Harry. 

The skinny boy beside me looked down at the hand and said, "I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself thanks." I smiled at Harry as Draco furiously stalked back to his place. Soon, McGonagall called us into the hall. 

Walking into the Great Hall for the first time was like discovering magic all over again. The ceiling showed the most beautiful nights sky and hundreds (if not thousands) of candles floated gracefully among the stars. Students sat along four long thin tables that ran the length of the hall. At the end, sat the teachers at their own separate table and just in front of them, was a singular stool with a worn-out hat perched on the top. All the first years huddled at the front as McGonagall cleared her throat.

All of a sudden, the Sorting Hat burst into song. It was the most bizarre thing I've ever seen in my life. The Hat barely moved as it sang save for the seam in the middle that acted as its mouth. It sang the story of Hogwarts and its founding fathers. As wizard born children, the story of the Hogwarts founding fathers was drilled into us at a young age. There were 4 founders and all 4 named a house after themselves and allowed students into their house that possessed certain traits. After the hat finished singing, the entire hall burst into applause.