AFTERWARDS

Chapter 3

"Firs' yers follow me" shouted a loud voice I knew to be Hagrids. He'd visited my house several times before and had broken several of our chairs! Hagrid looked rough around the edges and I understood that all of my other peers looked terrified. If he wanted to; Hagrid could squish one of us underneath his dustpan lid like feet. He wouldn't of course, Hagrid wouldn't hurt a fly.

I ran towards him as fast as my feet would carry me, wrapped by arms around him. I was so happy to see a familiar face. Nothing would be as scary now.

*Time Skip, to outside the hall*

"Now children line up in alphabetical order" ordered Professor McGonagall "who's first? Milly Aftulst? Yes go on you first"

Everybody lined up and waited to be called in.

Professor McGonagall looked at her watch and nodded to herself. "Now them children quieten down. It's time." She opened the double doors leading into the Great Hall, and oh boy, it lived up to its name. There were 4 long wooden tables lined up next to each other. Thousand of candles hovered in mid air all around the room sending mesmerising shadows dancing across the walls. The ceiling was pitch black with stars glittering across it. Of course daddy had told be about it before, but wow... It couldn't be put into words.

We all walked along the front of the hall, greeted by claps and cheers from all houses. The professor led us up to that small platform in front of the school. We lined up along the back and waited to be told what to do.

In front of us was a 3 legged stool with an old brown hat sitting on top. Before I knew it, it began singing:

"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 then 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,

Where you'll meet 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 a Thinking Cap."

Everybody clapped and murmurs about how this year should be calm as the sorting hat had not predicted anything bad. McGonagall marched to the front and instructed us to come forward when our names were called, and place the hat on our heads, and wait to be sorted. When we were told what house we were in, we were to walk to the table and take a seat. And then it began.

"Aftulst,Milly"

The hat was placed on her head.

"Hufflepuff!"

"Brunder, Sammy"

"Ravenclaw!"

It went on and on until we got to P. Then my nerves got the better of me.

"Pallogram,Leighton"

"Slytherin"

All of the slytherins had bad streaks in them, and sometimes they turned to the dark side. at least that's what I've been told.

"Potter,Lily"

"Hmm, this looks to be Mr Harry Potters daughter. This is the third potter child. I see great success here..."

I bit my lip

"It'll have to be..."

My fingernails were digging into my clammy palms

"GRIFFINDOOR"

Everybody on the gryfindoor table stood up. I grinned from ear to ear and ran over to their table. I seated myself next to Helen Lofam. She seemed sweet. Her long, caramel coloured hair was nearly tied into a plait down her back.

"Daunting isn't it?" She said

"Definitely" I agreed

We were going to be friends... I could tell.

Soon enough, my cousin Hugo was being sorted and of course he got gryfindoor, just like his relatives.

Just across the table was Teddy, his blue hair shone as bright as his smile. because daddy was his godfather, he came round a lot. I knew he would be kind to me.

The Feast came and I ate until I was fit to pop. When the head boy and girl ( Teddy and a girl named Sylvie) of gryfindoor led is to the painting of the fat lady. I was almost relieved. I was so tired, my feet were threatening to give way.

"Powerful and brave" said Teddy to the fat lady and she swung forwards "Thats the password guys! remember it, or sleep in the corridor. I'm not joking. My god father told me a story about a boy named Neville, you all probably know him. He always forgot things, like his pet toad, or his work. But one time he forgot the password and nobody was around to let him in, so he slept on the floor out here"

Everybody sniggered. I could tell already that people looked up to Teddy. I was excited for the year ahead.

In bed I wrote a list of things I wanted to achieve this year:

• Ace all of my lessons

•Make new friends

•Be kind to people and always offer to help

•Write to mummy and daddy at least once a week

I knew o would add to it throughout the year, but it was a good start.

As soon as the Lights turned off, I drifted off into a peaceful and dreamless sleep