SuperPotterLock - The Order of the Phoenix

The Sorting Hat's New Song

Dean stared moodily out of the window, not bothering to join in the conversation in the carriage, thoughts of Cas swirling around in his mind. His eyes swept the grounds, but he didn't see any more bursts of light. He didn't even notice when the carriages had stopped and he had to be yanked out by Ron, and still no sign of Cas when he watched everyone climb down from their carriages. Dean grudgingly went inside, the smell of food pulling him in.

The Entrance Hall was ablaze with torches and echoing with footsteps as the students crossed the flagged stone floor for the double doors leading to the Great Hall.

The four long house tables were filling up under the starless black ceiling, which was just like the sky they could glimpse through the high windows. Candles floated in midair all along the tables, illuminating the silvery ghosts who were dotted around the Hall. If Dean had been paying attention, he would have noticed the stares and whispers being aimed at Harry and John.

Luna drifted off to the Ravenclaw table, and Sherlock lingered with John for a moment before going with her. The rest of them filed down the Gryffindor table and found seats about half way down, with Nearly-Headless Nick floating nearby.

As soon as he had taken a seat between John and Hermione, Dean began closely scanning the Ravenclaw table. Sherlock was beside Luna, and Dean spotted Padma Patil, the other fifth-year Prefect, but no Cas.

'Seen Cas?' he asked.

John didn't respond at first. His fists were clenched in front of him on the table, his eyes were flitting around and he was blinking rapidly. 'Erm...no...'he said eventually, then clamping his mouth shut.

'Who's that?' Hermione said sharply, drawing everyone's attention to the top table.

Dumbledore was in his usual seat, wearing deep purple robes scattered with silvery stars and a matching hat. His head was inclined towards the woman sitting next to him, who was talking in his ear. She had short, curly, mouse-brown hair, in which she had placed a horrible pink bow that matched the fluffy cardigan she was wearing over her robes. Then she turned her face, revealing pallid, toad like features, with a pair of prominent, pouchy eyes.

'It's that Umbridge woman!' said Harry.

'Who?' asked Hermione.

'She was at my hearing, she works for Fudge!'

Dean started as he recognised the name and wrinkled his nose. 'Not Dolores Umbridge?' he said in disgust. 'Her werewolf laws are awful.'

Then John spat out his drink, suddenly unable to suppress a laugh.

'Sorry, is werewolf discrimination funny, or...?'

John shook his head. 'I think I accidentally named my toad after her. Dolly.' John dissolved into laughter again.

'What on earth is she doing here?' Hermione frowned. She scanned the staff table, eyes narrowed. 'No,' she muttered, 'surely not...'

Before Dean could ask her to elaborate, the door to the Great Hall opened and a long line of first-years entered, led by Professor McGonagall. She was carrying the Sorting Hat and its three-legged stool.

The buzz of talk in the Hall faded away. The first-years lined up in front of the staff table and Professor McGonagall placed the hat and the stool before them.

Dean remembered how scared everyone around him had been, but he was more confused than anything else, and resigned to the fact that he wouldn't be going to Ilvermorny, and he would be spending the next few years in this strange country. He didn't even know what being sorted into Gryffindor would mean.