As Carly entered the office, she was taken aback by the abundance of random items scattered throughout the seemingly small room. It was almost too much to take in. Sitting behind a very cluttered desk sat a man with a very peculiar hat, that matched perfectly with his ensemble. The white beard on his face faintly reminded carly of Santa Claus when paired with the half moon spectacles resting on his nose. The black haired man sat across from the desk, wearing the same annoyed expression as he gave her a quick once over out of the corner of his eye. Next to him sat a very stern looking woman, with a bun tight enough to do brain damage. Albus really was all this necessary? The poor child is probably scared half to death! She droned, her arms tightly folded across her chest. The old man chuckled All will be explained in due course minerva. The woman scoffed turning her head away in disgust. The old man turned to Carly, extending his hand to gesture at a stool placed next to the desk. Welcome, my dear, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. I am Albus Dumbledore, headmaster and in front of you are severus snape, potionsmaster as well as head of slytherin, one of four houses here and Minerva Mcgonagall, transfigurations teacher and head of Gryffindor. As you have read my letter, you are aware that you need to be sorted. So please, take a seat. Carl's knees shook as she took her place on the stool. Her head was spinning from all of the new found information, and as Dumbledore placed a rather old - looking witches hat on her head, she began to wonder if she should have come at all. It was at that moment the brim of the cap opened and the hat began to speak!
"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."
Dumbledore clapped as the song ended, a childlike grin on his face. The potionsmaster rolled his eyes as the hat began to speak again
Well well well, what do we have here? You have a gift I have never seen before in a witch or wizard. Very difficult. Hmm where to put you? Brave, but insecure. Maybe Ravenclaw? No no that will never do. Clever and cunning as well? I know just where to put you! SLYTHERIN! The hat shouted in triumph before the flap closed and it became lifeless again. Carly sat in her stool with what she could only imagine to be a look of deep shock on her face. A talking hat? I think I need to lie down before my head explodes. She turned to Dumbledore and for the first time since she arrived spoke. With all do respect sir, I think I need to lie down. I need to process all of this new information. Dumbledore chuckled very well my dear professor Snape here will show you to your dormitory, as he is your head of house. Breakfast starts at 7 am tomorrow morning. You will receive your class schedule at that time. As you are new to the magical world, and this may all come as a shock, I will allow you to skip the sorting feast tonight if you so choose. Carly let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in. Thank you sir . She hopped off of the stool rather gracefully, and made her way to the door oh and Miss Elise? Please be aware that the forbidden forest is strictly forbidden to students. She nodded although she had no idea what that meant, following the black cloaked man down the stairs. He had a rather stern look to his face, and carly felt a little intimidated by him. So much so, that she didn't dare utter a word and followed silently most of the way down the staircases. They entered the dungeon area, which frightened Carly the deeper they went. She knew the man could sense her fear, as a smirk formed on his face. She knew her fear of the dark was irrational at times, but she couldnt help it. Carly's heart pounded, and as a result she lost her control. Oh no, not again..i was doing so well...Her footsteps turned to drumbeats, vibrating the floor with such intensity that the cloaked man stopped walking, and turned to Carly with raised brows. What is that? He muttered with annoyance. I...I'm sorry. I..I.. Carly started sputtering I can't control it sometimes she said, finally regaining some self control. The man said nothing, merely turned and continued walking. As they reached the portrait, Snape uttered the password and showed her to her dorm. This is where you will be sleeping. Your belongings have already been brought up for you. Curfew is 10pm, if you are caught out of bed after hours you will be punished. Any questions? Carly nodded would it be possible to get something to eat without going to the sorting ceremony? Snape scoffed as he snapped his fingers. In front of her eyes, a rather worn looking elf appeared out of thin air, it's clothes ragged but it looked happy nontheless. Tell the elf what you want and it will be brought to you and with that her new head of house stormed out of the room, Cape flowing behind him. Carly couldn't help but think the man had a certain mysterious allure to him. He isn't the most attractive man I've ever seen that's for sure and with a personality like that it would be a major surprise if he has a wife. Although I didn't see a ring. Carly shook her head of the thought and ordered her food before unpacking her belongings. As she dug through her trunk her hand grazed the turquoise locket hidden within the clothing. A small smile came to her face as she pulled it out and placed it on her neck. Although Carly had a home and family, she always knew deep down that her faster family did not like her. In fact, she was pretty sure they were afraid of her and her strange powers. They did not understand that she had no control. So whenever something in the house would get broken by one of the 6 other foster children in the home, Carly would be blamed and as a result she would receive a heavy beating and get sent to her room. When she was not in her room, Carly would spend her time at her neighbors house. She was an older woman,and she went by the name of Miss Brenda. Although she was unmarried and had no children of her own, Brenda was a happy and nurturing soul, and often had little tea parties at her house for her and Carly. Carly considered Miss Brenda the only motherly figure she ever had. So when the news came that Miss Brenda had died, Carly had made her decision to come to hogwarts. The day before she left however, she went to the woman's house one last time. On the table, where carly and Brenda had many tea parties sat an envelope with Carly's name on it in Brenda's trademark script. Carly clasped the locket between her fingers, smiling as she to reread the letter.
My dearest Carly,
Although you were not born of my womb, I have always considered you my daughter. It has been an honor to watch you grow into the beautiful young woman you are today. It breaks my heart to write you this letter because it means my life with you will be ending far too soon. Do not grieve for me, my dear child, as I will always be with you. One day your time will come as well and we will be together again. Enclosed in this letter is a locket, engraved with our favorite words and hidden inside a picture of the two of us ( one of the very few we have taken, and now looking back I wish it had been more). Whenever you are feeling lonely or scared or sad just hold the locket close, and remember that you are never truly alone as I am always with you in spirit. I have also left you the key to my vault at Gringotts Wizard Bank, which I have transferred into your name. I was a very wealthy woman Carly, so you will never have to worry about finances again for the rest of your life. I wish we had more time together, so I could tell you about all the magical things you will experience while at hogwarts, and so we could work more together on controlling your powers. Always remember carly that your weaknesses can also be your strengths, and always let your music be your guide.
All my Love,
Mum
" where words fail, music speaks"
Tears fell from Carly's eyes as she opened the locket to look once more at the picture inside. She was just a little girl in the picture, maybe seven at most. She looked so happy with Miss Brenda, as they sat at their special tea table, holding teacups in the air in a mock toast. They laughed as the cups touched, taking a sip with pinkys raised. Carly smiled as she shut the locket again, finishing her unpacking and tucking into her dinner before falling fast asleep, dreaming of what her classes would be like.
