Turning Violet

2 - Hats & Dorms

Violet shifted her weight from foot to foot as she dusted herself down, preparing for the sorting. She had no idea what it was composed of, nor what House she wanted to be in at this point.

Finally, the doors swung open, and they entered the hall. It was a starry, night sky above them with floating candles.

There was an old hat on a stool in front of the Great Hall, and as the first years were hoarded into a line by the front of the stage, it burst into song.

"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 than 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
You'll make 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 I'm a Thinking Cap!"

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," Professor McGonagall said, holding a large roll of parchment.

"Abbott, Hannah!"

Hannah stepped up to the stool, placing the hat on her head. Violet swallowed as the hat seemed to swallow her eyes and nose and top lip. There was a moments' silence, before the Hat screeched-
"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The stool vibrated gently as Hannah's robes became lined with a mustard yellow, and she smiled as she removed the hat and replaced it on the stool.

"Adindola, Temi!"
"RAVENCLAW!"

"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!"

"Brocklehurst, Mandy!"
"RAVENCLAW!"

"Brown, Lavender!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Bulstrode, Millicent!"
"SLYTHERIN!"

"Crabbe, Vincent!"
"SLYTHERIN!"

"Camicelli, Stephen!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"

Violet's stomach clenched apprehensively as all the C's passed, wondering why there were so many. It was practically agonising to try to be so patient.

"Corner, Michael!"
"RAVENCLAW!"

"Davis, Tracey!"
"SLYTHERIN!"

"Dinell, Violet!" Professor McGonagall finally called, and Violet took a deep breath and walked up to the platform. She put the hat on her head, and it fell past her eyes, causing her glasses to steam up.

"Well, what do we have here? My, this is interesting. Hufflepuff, you think? No, no, certainly not a Hufflepuff, no, you're much too mischievous, much too impatient. Mischief lover, indeed, a trait clear in this one. Oh, I say, you could be cunning and a lot more - you would do well in Slytherin!"