Before the Sorting

The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face this was not someone to cross.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

She pulled the door wide. The entrance hall was huge. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches the ceiling was so high it was hard to make out, there was a magnificent marble staircase facing you that led to the upper floors.

You followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. You could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right the rest of the school must already be here -- but Professor McGonagall showed the us into a small, empty chamber off the hall. You were bunched in, standing rather close to other students that you would have liked.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room."

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rulebreaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours." She said not even needing to take a breath of air.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." Her eyes lingered for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on Ron's smudged nose. You could see Harry nervously trying to flatten his hair. You simply adjusted your robes.

"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly." She left the chamber.

"How exactly do they sort us into houses?" You heard Harry ask Ron.

"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking." You saw that it seemed to put Harry on edge he looked around anxiously and saw that everyone else looked terrified, you weren't showing fear but you could say you were incredibly nervous. You could hear Hermione Granger, who was whispering very fast about all the spells she'd learned and wondering which one she'd need. You were lucky that you had been taught a few spells by Kingsley Shacklebolt obviously he wasn't meant to but you had convinced him.

"So Its true then what they're saying on the train," A voice came from your left where a small White-blond haired boy came into view "Harry Potter, has come to Hogwarts and not only that Marvolo Gaunt is here too." A bust of whispers came from the crowd with a few people moving back a little from you although Hermione hadn't moved you weren't sure if she had accepted or that she was still thinking about her spells.

"This is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the pale boy carelessly. "And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." He directed his conversation towards Harry.

Ron gave a snigger which he tried to hide with a slight cough. Draco Malfoy looked at him.

"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. Red hair, and a hand-me-down robe, you must be a Weasley."

He turned back to Harry. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He held out his hand to shake Harry's, but Harry didn't take it.

"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks," he said coolly.

Draco Malfoy didn't go red, but a pink tinge appeared in his pale cheeks. You heard a few sniggers come from the others, You tried to keep the laugh in.

"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," he said slowly. "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either."

Draco looked at you after Harry had completely embarrassed him, "I hope you have more sense than Potter." Draco said before stalking off to sulk.

All of a sudden several people screamed behind you which made you look while Hermione who seemed to have come back to reality grabbed your arm tightly, Ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be arguing. You heard them saying about a 'Peeves' not sure what that is. "I say, what are you all doing here?" said a ghost wearing a ruff and tights noticing the new students. Nobody answered Hermione noticed she had grabbed your arm and moved her arm back, everyone was stunned into silence at some ghosts. Some of the ghosts noticed you were first years some of them started to hope you would be in there house.