A Hogwarts Rose Year 1

Chapter 6

We walked using only the light from the large metal lamp that Hagrid was carrying to guide us, I noticed some of the kids around me shiver as the breeze picked up slightly. I ignored it; I was way too excited to let it get me down. Soon I heard the gentle sounds of water lapping against the shore and I realised we were near a lake, when we reached the shore line I saw there were at least thirty little boats floating in the water.

'Everybody board the boats!' Hagrid commanded getting into the largest, then it drifted further into the lake before stopping and waiting for the rest of us. Hagrid looked over his shoulder and called to us: 'Only two in a boat, please.' Harry and Ron went together and I went with Hermione, but we went in boats that were next to each other.

We sat in silence as the boats glided smoothly over the water and my eyes grew wide as the castle finally came into view. It was huge! There was a lot of ooh's and ah's, followed by talking. Hagrid turned to look at us from his boat and he winked at Harry, Ron, Hermione and I, we looked at each other confused as to why, but decided not to dwell on the question and just enjoyed the remainder of the ride. Soon we entered a small tunnel which led underneath the castle where we docked the boats and walked up inside it. It was just as magnificent on the inside as it was on the outside, in fact maybe more so. When we made it to the ground floor we found ourselves in the "entrance hall", it was large and was lit by flaming torches on that hung on the walls. The ceiling in this room was so high I could hardly see it. We walked up a set of steps then Hagrid left us there and told us that another Professor would tell us more.

We stood on the steps in front a room with closed doors blocking us from seeing what was inside. A female teacher wearing emerald green robes and a pointed witch hat to match with grey hair and a kind face was waiting for us.

'Welcome to Hogwarts I am Professor McGonagall. Now in a few moments you will go through the doors and you will be sorted into your houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. While you're here your house will be like your family, your triumphs will earn you points, any rule breaking and you will lose points.' She paused before continuing. 'Wait here.' Then she opened the doors enought for her to get through and closed them behind her so we still couldn't see anything. Chatter started to build up until a boy with almost platinum blonde hair made an announcement that caused even more chatting.

'So it's true what everyone was saying on the train; Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts.' Harry's name spread like wild fire and soon everyone was whispering it (except for Harry, Hermione, Ron and me of course). He walked over to us with two other, fatter, boys behind him. 'This is Crabbe and Goyle. I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy.' Ron snorted. 'Think my name's funny do ya? No need to ask you yours; red hair and a hand-me-down robe: you must be a Weasley.' He sneered.

'Shove off Malfoy.' I growled, he looked at me and his eyes widened slightly before he looked back to Harry.

'You'll soon find out that some Wizarding families are better than others Potter, you don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there.' He stuck out his hand for Harry to shake, Harry ignored it.

'I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself thanks.' Harry replied bitterly. Draco was shocked, then Professor McGonagall appeared behind Draco and tapped him on the shoulder. The look on her face said that she was not impressed and sent him back to his previous spot as the smile returned to her face.

'We are ready for you now.' She announced then she faced the doors once again and this time they opened wide for us to walk in. It was a huge hall filled with students and they were all sitting at four tables really long tables, which I assumed were separated into the four houses. The was another long table going horizontally at the front of the hall where the rest of the teachers where sitting facing us. I looked up at the ceiling and was amazed I couldn't see the ceiling, just the night sky with its thousands of glittering stars, Hermione explained that it was just bewitched to look that way.

'I read it in Hogwarts: A History.' She added.

As we walked down the centre the rest of the students watched in excitement wondering which house we would be sorted into. Professor McGonagall went to the front of the hall near the table where the teachers sat and she pulled out a long scroll. 'Now, when I call your name you must come sit on the stool and I will place the Sorting Hat on your head. Hermione Granger.' Hermione nervously walked up to the small wooden stool and sat on it staring out into the other students. The hat seemed to come to life and it had a face (which I found so cool!), then it started to mumble to itself until it shouted:

'Gryffindor!' The Gryffindor table applauded wildly as Hermione ran over to it and sat down. When the noise died down Professor McGonagall read the next name from the list

'Susan Bones.' Susan walked shyly up to the front of the hall and sat on the stool and the hat was put on her head, a few seconds later it shouted:

'Hufflepuff!' The Hufflepuff table cheered as Susan joined them.

'Neville Longbottom.' A boy walked up and sat down, I noticed Draco whispering and making fun of him with his friends, so I "accidentally" stomped on his foot.

'Gryffindor!'

'Dean Thomas.'

'Gryffindor!'

'Cho Chang.'

'Ravenclaw!'

'Draco Malfoy.' After hearing about the houses and seeing what Malfoy was like what came next was no surprise to me. As soon as the sorting hat touched his head it shouted:

'Slytherin!'

'Harry Potter.' Muttering erupted in the hall, even some of the teachers sat up in their seats and paid close attention.

'Good luck.' I whispered just before he went up, he smiled at me as he sat on the stool, but it soon faded as the hat began to mumble.

'Hmm, difficult. VERY difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes. And a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?

'Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin.' Harry whispered over and over.

'Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head. And Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness! There's no doubt about that. No?'

'Oh please, please. Anything but Slytherin.'

'Well if you're sure, better be... GRYFFINDOR!' Harry relaxed and went over to the Gryffindor table who cheered and whooped madly. Everyone else clapped for him, even the teachers and he sat with Hermione as they waited for Ron and I to be sorted.

'Stephanie Partridge.' I made my way out of the ever shrinking crowd of new students and sat on the stool, excitement was bubbling in my stomach as the hat was placed in my head. I really didn't mind where I got put so long as it wasn't with Malfoy in Slytherin, but if I was honest Gryffindor would be my preference so that I could be with Harry and Hermione.

'Hmmm.........Bravery, kindness, courage and there is passion no doubt about that. There is resourcefulness and cunning, but there is anger and a want to be noticed. Slytherin.' I nearly went to get off and go over to the Slytherin table when I realised the hat had merely whispered it.

'Is that your decision?' I asked almost silently.

'No..........Gryffindor!' I jumped off the stool and ran to the Gryffindor table, happy that the hat had changed it's mind and I was glad to have it over with. The next name called was:

'Ronald Weasley.' Ron was so nervous I thought he was going to faint and when the Sorting Hat was put on his head it hissed.

'Ah! Another Weasley, I know just what to do with you. GRYFFINDOR!' Ron sighed in relief and ran to the table to join us.