Love Never Dies. (Draco Malfoy Fan Fiction) (Watty Awards 2013 Winner)

Chapter 4: The Sorting Ceremony.

The prefects opened the doors for us to exit and when we got off the train, we were greeted very warmly by a large hairy man, who had big bushy hair and a big bushy beard. He looked a lot like a troll in the dim light. He wore a large vest and his clothes were dirty and torn. 

"Come along, first years. Don't be shy!" he said as he gestured for all the first years to gather around. 

Naturally, we all arrange ourselves into two rows. Of course, I partnered up with my cousin, Hermione. Neville partnered another boy named Seamus Finnigan, he was so chripy and bubbly it was impossible not to smile when you were talking to him. 

"Now follow me," the large man's voice was booming loud all of us could hear. Slowly and carefully, we followed him into the darkness. 

"Now, four to a boat, one of ya will 'ave to 'old this lamp," he called us to get into the boats.

My boat was with Neville, Seamus and Hermione. Seamus volunteered to hold the lamp. Magically, when the four of us sat in the boat, it rowed itself forward. No one had oars in their hands so we just let the boat do the work and it took us to the school that was about a ten-minute boat ride away. When we reached the school, we were led up two wide flights of stairs. Everyone gawked at the intricatly carved marble walls and the ridiculously high ceilings. When we reached the top of the two flights of stairs, a lady clad in a dark green robe and a pointed hat greeted us. She had a rather stern-looking face that made me fear her almost immediately. 

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your classmates, but before you take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Griffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Now 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 said, her eyes darting back and forth. "At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup," with that, she walked back into a large hall which was full of students. Small talk was created by students while waiting. 

All of a sudden, a blond-haired boy walked to the front of the whole group of first-years. I wasn't much of a surprise that he was a Malfoy. My family and his were close so I did know him. I spoke to him once or twice. But somehow after a year, my family and his cut ties.

"So it's true then, Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts," the blond-haired boy with grey eyes walked to the front of the whole group of first years. "I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy," He said to Harry, raising his eyebrows. 

At that statement, Ron let out a stifled laugh.

"No need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley!" Draco spat at Ron, who looked at Draco with much hatred. "You'll soon learn that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. I can help you with that," Draco held his hand out to Harry, as if making a deal. 

"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks," Harry curtly declined the offer from Draco, refusing to take his hand.

Their conversation was soon halted when Professor McGonagall came forward and tapped Draco's shoulder with her stick and got him to go back to his spot with his friends. 

"We are ready for you now, follow me," Professor McGonagall asked us to follow behind her as she led us through the Great Hall. 

I looked up into the ceiling to be amazed to see the night sky. 

Noticing my amusment, Hermione said, "It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."  

"Cool," I comment to Hermione who was looking at it in awe as well.