12 Chapter 12: Sorting and Starting.
Minnie placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years and then a dusty old hat on it. While the firsties were thinking about what to do with the hat, the hat twitched and a tear opened up like a mouth as it started to sing.
You may not think I am pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I will 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 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 to Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry,
Set Gryffindor apart;
You may belong to Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil.
Or in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you are of ready mind.
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind.
Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You'll make real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So, put me on! don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap,
You are safe in my hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
The whole house burst into a round of applause and the hat bowed in the direction of each house and became quite ruddy, though it was hard to recognise with its hatty features.
Professor McGonagall stepped forth with a parchment in her hands,
"When I call your name, you will sit on the stool and wear the hat to be sorted."
Abbott Hannah!
A ruddy girl with pigtailed blond hair stepped up and put on the hat.
Hufflepuff!
The badgers cheered and welcomed the new member to their table.
Bones Susan!
Hufflepuff! The sorting hat declared and the girl skipped away to sit beside Hannah.
Boot Terry!
Ravenclaw! The ravens cheered the newest member of their house and welcomed him to the table.
After a few more chaps and girls, Thomas!
The students started whispering. "Where do you think the mini professor going to land?"
"10 sickles he lands with the lions." The Weasley twins made a bet.
"15 sickles he is sorted into Ravenclaw", Penelope whispered back.
"20, and I say he joins the Badgers", Cedric quipped.
"He is better off not in Slytherin." Marcus Flint said awkwardly.
A boy walked out of the line, tall for his age and had a lean figure. His face was beautiful and his golden eyes enhanced it even more.
He took off the hat he was wearing, ruffled his raven hair a bit and sat on the stool.
The first-year girls were smitten and were looking at him in shy glances, with blushed faces.
Ah, finally here to be sorted. You brat can be put in any house you want, for you already posses all the necessary traits the houses seek.
"Come on hatty, just make it quick. You've got others in line, toss a coin if you will."
"If you want fun, join Gryffindor, or if you fancy challenges, join Slytherin."
"Challenges and Slytherin it is then mate, I'll see you later hatty, I want your help on a project."
Slytherin!!
The Slytherin Head boy, Marcus Flint felt that someone had just given them a sucker punch. The rest of the students were loudly cheering.
The other houses felt a bit sad that they could not get him, but they knew that it was okay. Thomas was never a biased person and would still mingle with the others.
Severus had a triumphant smile, and swiftly took a pouch of coins from Hagrid and Flitwick.
Albus just chuckled, seeing Severus like this made him feel relieved. He thought that maybe, maybe Thomas will be able to remove the stigma from the Slytherin house and return its glory.
Weasley Ronald!
Another Weasley, I know just what to do with you, Gryffindor.
Granger Hermione!
Gryffindor!
Greengrass Daphne!
Slytherin!
Malfoy Draco!
The brat strutted out and stood in front of the hat, the sorting hat had barely touched his empty head and declared Slytherin.
After a few more, it came to a closure.
Potter Harry!
"Difficult, very difficult. Where to put you? Plenty of courage, not a bad mind either, loyal and you have a thirst to prove yourself."
Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin.
"Well, if you want to reach the farthest, you would want to be in Slytherin. ~ no?"
"Okay, then Gryffindor it is."
The Headmaster stood up and came to the podium.
"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"
Thank you!
He sat back down and everyone clapped and cheered. The empty dishes were now filled with mouth-watering delicacies.
"Hey Oddment, I'm sitting here tonight. Bring me my plate will you."
A silver plate appeared before Thomas and was filled with sweet bread.
The new students were confused, while for the old ones it was a regular habit.
"Draco, pass me the mashed potatoes" Thomas said.
Draco passed the plate and the two chatted about a bit of this and that and how Harry Potter was being a dick.
"Oh, it's your lack of delicacy that made him act like that. Ronald was his first friend here and you bloody insulted him on his face."
"What more do you expect, him jumping into your arms and promising a together forever?"
The others laughed while Draco's face turned beet red.
The ghosts came flying in and greeted the students and the Bloody Baron was hiding his face.
"Yo! Sir Nicholas, come here. I got a first-class ticket for you to join the headless hunt."
The ghost came rushing, and the students and professors alike were interested.
Baron just draw your sword and hold it here.
The baron did as Thomas asked. Thomas muttered a few words and tapped the ghost blade, which was incredulous, the ghosts or their items can't be touched.
He took the blade and slashed it cleanly at Sir Nicholas' head and 'pop'. His head came off and fell down.
"Nice blade Baron, here take it back and for the rest of you folks, don't try this unless you have the professors supervising or you have a simple death wish."
"Brilliant use of soul magic and enchantment Thomas, 40 points to Slytherin." Albus smiled and applauded, while the applause spread to the hall and a loud cheer was heard.
"Now that you are all fed and watered, let me give you a few notices."
"The forbidden forest is out of bounds and so is the third-floor corridor. Ones who transgress will face a very painful death."
"You are not allowed to do magic in the corridors between the classes. And a list of banned items is with Mr. Filch, you can look at it in his office."
"Now grab your favorite tune and let's sing the school song."
........................
