The Sorting Hat
“Anything off the cart, dear?”
Lily looked up from her book. She was sitting in one of the train compartments, alongside Albus and James, who had concluded that the Lightningstreak was the better broom and had moved on to whether unicorns were girly or not. The Trolley Witch was standing in the doorway of her compartment. Lily jumped up and paid her eight Sickles and two Knuts for some Pumpkin Pasties and a couple of Chocolate Frogs. James and Albus were too busy arguing to notice.
Sitting down, she unwrapped a Chocolate Frog and pulled out a card. Lily grinned at the sight of her father smiling up at her from the card. She carefully slipped the card inside her trunk, to show her father when she had the chance, and then ate the rest of her sweets.
A few hours later, the train chugged to a halt and students began to get off the train. “Firs’ years! Firs’ years over here!” a giant of a man with a big, hairy face was shouting. “Ah, you must be Lily! Another Potter, eh?” he chuckled as he saw Lily. Murmurs rose and faces turned towards her and her brothers upon hearing the name Potter.
“Hey, Albus!” someone sneered. Lily turned and came face-to-face with a pale face with slicked back blonde hair. As the boy’s dark eyes met hers’, a faint blush crept up his cheeks.
“Nice to see you, Scorpius,” James answered with equal venom in his voice. “Stay away from us, Malfoy.” Lily glanced over her shoulder as they walked away. The boy was standing with his mouth slightly open. He quickly looked away when she saw him looking at her.
“Who was that?” Lily asked her brothers.
“He’s Draco Malfoy’s son,” replied Albus, glaring over his shoulder at the boy.
“Draco Malfoy? Dad’s rival?”
James nodded. “Stay away from him, Lily. He’s bad news.”
They separated at a bend. Lily followed the other first years along a narrow pathway, while James and Albus went in a different direction. They rounded a corner and the narrow path they were on opened onto the edge of a black lake. A majestic castle with several turrets and towers, its windows glittering, was perched atop a tall mountain on the other side.
“Four to a boat, please!” Hagrid called, indicating the fleet of boats floating in the water nearby. Lily looked around. The pale, slight figure of Scorpius Malfoy caught her eye. He was standing alone, looking lost. He caught her eye and scowled at her. She stepped towards him and his eyes widened. Just because he’s the son of Dad’s archenemy doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a bad guy, thought Lily. She gave him a tiny smile and he blushed deeply. Turning, she climbed into an empty boat and waited. Scorpius’ gaze darted around anxiously his movements jittery. He hesitated for a moment, then, seeming to make a decision, climbed into the boat after Lily. He sat with his head turned away from her, determinedly avoiding her gaze. Well, that’s fine, thought Lily. She wasn’t intending to become best friends with hm anyway.
A slim girl with shiny black hair and large eyes climbed into their boat, followed closely by a boy with a freckled face. Lily gave them a smile and the boy returned it hesitantly, but the black-haired girl just stared coolly at her. Feeling a little uncomfortable, Lily averted her gaze and they sat in silence for the rest of the journey.
Minutes later, they reached the enormous oak front doors of the castle, on which Hagrid knocked three times. The doors creaked open. A tall, stern-looking witch was standing there. “Welcome to Hogwarts, first years. The start-of-term banquet is beginning shortly, but first, you will be Sorted into your Houses.” Professor McGonagall led them through a pair of double doors, into the Great Hall.
Thousands of lit candles floated over four long tables in the middle of the hall, where students in their school robes were seated. On the tables were placed shining golden plates and goblets. At the head of the hall sat the rest of the teachers. Professor McGonagall placed a short stool in front of the first years, who were lined up in front of the teachers’ table, facing the students. On top of the stool was a pointed, frayed and dirty wizard’s hat. It was sagging in places and for some reason was scorched at the corners.
The Sorting Hat jerked and a rip opened wide like a mouth. It began to sing in a hoarse voice:
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
I have served this school for many years,
Yet often I wonder,
Might the end be near?
Years ago, when the Dark Lord was alive,
I warned you all
That a battle might arise.
And so it did, and now I must caution
The past might repeat itself,
For the Augurey has blossomed.
But, oh, don’t I sound like
The oracle of Delphi,
Predicting the future
Soon you’ll be asking, Will I win that Quidditch trophy?
So I’ll do my job, and sort you into your Houses
But beware, the future is near.
I’ve never been once wrong
So slip me about your ears,
For the Sorting Ceremony starts here.
The Sorting Hat fell silent. There was a stunned silence in the Great Hall for a moment, then someone started clapping and the rest of the Hall followed quickly, despite the outbreak of murmuring about the Sorting Hat’s curious song. Professor McGonagall, however, appeared unruffled, calling out, “When I say your name, please put on the hat and sit on the stool. Ames, Jake!”
A dark-haired boy scrambled onto the stool and put on the hat, which covered his eyes completely. Then – “RAVENCLAW!” yelled the hat.
The Ravenclaw table, second from the left, applauded enthusiastically as Jake went over.
“Armony, Gregory!”
“HUFFLEPUFF!” shouted the hat. Gregory joined the table on the right as they cheered.
“Bane, Ada!”
The black-haired girl whom Lily had sat with in the boat on the way to Hogwarts stood up and walked calmly to the stool. Lily watched her nervously.
“SLYTHERIN!” screamed the hat.
The Slytherin table erupted in applause as Ada went to join them.
“Berry, Clarrisa” became a Gryffindor, and so did “Barbara, James.”
Right after “Melliot, Aces” came “Malfoy, Scorpius”. Lily watched as Scorpius, pale-faced yet composed, put on the hat and waited. There was silence for a few moments, but Lily could see the colour draining out of Scorpius’ face rapidly.
“RAVENCLAW!” shouted the hat.
The hall was silent as Scorpius took off the hat shakily and reluctantly walked over to the Ravenclaw table.
Lily was suddenly envious of him.
Finally, “Potter, Lily.”
A hush fell over the Hall as Lily went up to the stool. Shakily she put on the hat and sat down. “Hmm, another Potter,” mused a voice in her ear. “Family’s all Gryffindors, eh? But you…hmm…you are different.” Ravencl – no, Gryffindor. I mustn’t disappoint my family, Lily thought furiously. The Sorting Hat laughed. “Yes, exactly what I was thinking. Ravenclaw would be the best House for you. I had a hard time deciding for you father too, you know. He would’ve made a fantastic Slytherin, yet I put him in Gryffindor. I’ve wondered whether I made a huge mistake, doing that. If I did…then, well, I’m not going to do the same thing to you. RAVENCLAW!” This last word was yelled to the whole hall.
An astonished silence swept the hall.
Stunned and not completely sure what had just happened, Lily took off the hat and walked toward the cheering Ravenclaw table. As she passed the Gryffindor table, she caught sight of James and Albus staring at her in shock. Seeing the sympathy in their eyes, something sparked inside her. Why, she had gotten her wish, hadn’t she? She was proud to be a Ravenclaw. She wasn’t ashamed, unlike her brothers. Holding her head up high, she continued walking to the Ravenclaws and grinned as they all jostled to shake her hand.
Life With Heidi 