Red Lion [2] // Harry Potter// Draco Malfoy

The Sorting

CHAPTER THREE: The Sorting

When we got to the castle, slipping on the step – Draco balanced me before we ran into the castle. Drizella growled at Ron's rat as she passed.
Hadleigh and I hugged Padma as we met her at the Ravenclaw table after she said bye to Parvati. Sitting with the other third years in our house we watched as the new first years paraded in the look of awe and amazement on their face. If only they knew how dangerous it can be.

Every year September 1st, I'm called to do my duty.
To attend the Hogwarts Welcome Banquet
And show you all my inner beauty.
I know you think I'm worn and ugly
And should be thrown away,
But I hold the key to your future here Starting from today.
I have no easy task before me
For alone I must decide.
By looking into your deepest thoughts I shall tell you which house to reside.

There are four houses to choose from:
Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Gryffindor.
Four great wizards who once chose for themselves,
But can no longer for they are no more.
What Helga Hufflepuff valued most
hard work, loyalty, and determination.
And Rowena Ravenclaw believed Great knowledge should be their inspiration.
Three words that describe Salazar Slytherin,
Are ambitious, sly, and cunning.
He thought they should stop at nothing
To get what they are craving.
And finally, there's Godric Gryffindor,
Courageous, noble and brave.
He preferred that his students
Stay chivalrous to the grave.
Four houses great and mighty,
All excelling in their own way.
Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Gryffindor
Would be proud if they were here today.
So put me on upon your head,
And let's get the sorting underway.

"Avalos, Antonio."
The boy walked up, his eyes widening when the hat started to talk to him; the hat looked like it was thinking deeply.
"Hufflepuff!"

"Avalos, Bianca."
The girl we assumed was his twin sister, took her place upon the stool.
"Ravenclaw."

We clapped loudly as she slid off the stool, giving the hat  back to Professor McGonagall. It wasn't often the hat separated twins, but it happens; the girl looked over at her brother who was seated next to a boy dressed in yellow as she walked over to our table.

The sorting went as well as it could – some were confused by the house they were placed in, others disappointed and the majority ended up happy.
The Frog choir stood at the steps in front of the top table – my eyes wandering to the man with the scar running down his face.
He did look familiar, maybe from a memory or a photograph.

Professor Flitwick stood in front of his choir with a conductor's stick in his hand.

Double, double, toil and trouble; 
Fire burn and cauldron bubble. 
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Something wicked this way comes!

Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and howlet's wing.

Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Something wicked this way comes!

In the cauldron boil and bake,
Fillet of a fenny snake,
Scale of dragon,
tooth of wolf,
Witches' mummy, maw and gulf.

Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble;

Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

The frogs croaked and they stopped, out of politeness we clapped as they put the toads back.
Dumbledore stood up wearing Lilac and his beard tied in a thin string, the Headteacher looked brighter than he usually did in past years.
"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I myself am particularly looking forward to the flaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for those of us with facial hair." McGonagall coughed as Dumbledore got distracted, "Mm. Yes. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor."
We gave him a round of applause, as he stood up giving a small bow.
"He'll need all the luck he can get with the current track record," Anthony said as he clapped.
Mandy nodded, "He appears like he knew what to do on the train earlier."
"As some of you may know," Dumbledore continued when the clapping died down," Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid!"
We clapped a little louder for him,  the Gryffindor table stood up and howled at the new teacher which contradicted the gloom radiating off the Slytherin's who didn't look pleased by this new arrangement.
McGonagall elbowed Hagrid in the ribs; he stood up accidentally knocking the glasses over table spilling water and wine over the oak table.
Hagrid eventually sat down, as the cheers quietened down – knowing how much he cared for Drizella when I was... preoccupied last year I was no doubt going to give the overly friendly half-giant a chance.
"Finally, on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts - at the request of the Ministry of Magic - will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban."
Mutters filled the room as everyone became nervous about the idea, our first encounter with them was bad enough.
Professor Dumbledore raised his hand to silence the Hall, "The Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders not to enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities. Under no circumstances are you to approach them. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving."
Looking over at our unsure face, he made eye contact with every single one of us as he waved his hand, extinguishing one candle," But happiness can be found in the darkest of times, only if one remembers to turn on the light."