23 Chapter 23: Sorting Ceremony

Harry watched in wonder as he saw about twenty Pearly-white and slightly transparent, beings flying through the Wall across the room. 'Ghosts.' He realized as he identified them, he never saw one before but he learned about them, the imprints of a Soul with enough magic or similar power, bound to earth through a lingering regret or strong enough desire.

They were gliding through the room as they discussed another ghost named Peeves before they introduced themselves to the first years. Some of them tried to influence the first years to choose their House before Professor McGonagall arrived, sending the Ghost into the Great Hall to witness the Sorting.

"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."

Following the Professor in an orderly fashion, the group of first-years passed through the massive Double Door into the Great Hall. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting, whispering and muttering with each other as they watched the first years following the Professor. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting.

The Ceiling was a beautiful piece of Magic, a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. "Hermione whispered, "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History.", and Harry wondered 'How does it work? It would be an impressive view to have at home.'

Harry had to look down again, focusing on Professor McGonagall as they arrived in front of the Teachers table, where she put down a four-legged stool. On the Stool, she placed an old patched and frayed, and extremely dirty hat. He could feel the Magic radiating from it, it was old, at least a thousand years old, definitely a magical artifact, 'Is this the Artifact they use to sort us? What does it do?'

As he observed the Hat, it suddenly began to twitch and a rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth — and the hat began to sing. A strange but in its own way beautiful song describing its task and the Quality of each of the Houses, that he already learned from Hogwarts: A History. 'Didn't they mention the Sorting in that book, so it would be a surprise?' wondered Harry as the whole Hall was applauding, and the hat bowed.

Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said. "Abbott, Hannah!"

And thus the Sorting began, the first Girl landed in Hufflepuff, while Harry did his best to memorize each name and face during the Sorting. When they discussed the Houses they wished to land in, Hermione wished to be in Gryffindor because the Headmaster the greatest Wizard alive came from there. But Harry pointed out that her personality would probably conflict with the members of their House, since the House of the Brave sounded rather loud and hot-headed, this discussion seemed to have an impact on the Girl, as it took the hat for a while to sort the bushy-haired girl before finally shouting out "Ravenclaw!"

The next notable Sorting was that of Daphne Greengrass after Hermione, when the hat talked with her, he began to snicker before calling out "Ravenclaw!", as the Girl proudly walked over to the Blue and bronze colored table. While the Hall clapped you could see some confusion at the Green and Silver table of Slytherin.

One of the People Harry was watching out for, Draco Malfoy Sorting was very fast, the platinum blond boy didn't even make contact with the Hat before it already shouted "Slytherin!"

Student for Student was sorted into their respective Houses before Professor McGonagall halted for a moment, looking at the old Headmaster watching the Sorting from behind with his deep blue eyes, as he only nodded, and she continued to read out, "Potter, Harry!"

Instantly Silence spread over the Hall and Harry stepped forward, and the Students began to murmur. "Harry Potter?" "Is it really him?" "Didn't he die?" "I can't see a Scar his hair are in the way!" and similar mutters were heard all over the Hall, as he sat down on the Stool. The last thing he saw was the eyes all over the Hall watching him in suspension. The next second he was looking at the black inside of the hat.

"Hmm, a Devil how fascinating. No, a reincarnated Devil, I knew that Devils existed but that they can reincarnate Wizards is very interesting." said a small voice in his ear. "Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Also a strong mind with a powerful thirst for Knowledge. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes — and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting. But also resourcefulness and Cunning in spades, so it's you who I have to thank for 'being sorted in Slytherin Isn't Slytherin at all'... So where shall I put you?"

"Well let's analyze my Options, first Hufflepuff hard work and loyalty. Does it fit on me?" asked Harry in his mind.

"Hmm, not really. You have plenty of Loyalty to the People important to you. But it's not the kind of Loyalty important for a Hufflepuff, and your Hard work is towards Knowledge and Magic. So Hufflepuff is out. What's your Opinion Slytherin?"

"Well, as a Devil I have a lot of Slytherin traits, but as you already learned from Daphne being in Slytherin isn't Slytherin at all. So it's an option but I would prefer other options." Replied Harry as he thought about it, "Gryffindor will probably be similar to Hufflepuff, although I am brave, I am not really the heroic and brash type. I prefer to use my head. I wouldn't really fit into that House."

"You are probably right, although they would love to have you. Your Parents were in that House." Replied the Hat.

"I know but I am neither of my Parents, I walk my own path, and they would probably Support me wherever I went." Thought Harry after hesitating for a while.

"Well, then there is one option remaining, like your Mother you would fit there also right in with that bright Head of yours. Better be" "RAVENCLAW!" shouted the Hat into the Great Hall, as everyone was staring with anticipation at the Boy and the Hat. The Ravenclaw table broke out into loud applause, as Harry stepped down towards their Table being welcomed by a lot of Students as he sat down beside Hermione and Daphne.

Once the ruckus calmed down they continued with the Sorting, besides Tracey being sorted into Ravenclaw with a relieved smile, the only other noteworthy Sorting was from the Red haired boy Ronald Weasley. The Sorting hat and the boy had clearly an animated discussion about something before the boy got sent to Gryffindor with a disgruntled look. While walking down he sent longing glances towards Harry at the Ravenclaw table.

'Please no. I don't swing that way.' Thought Harry as he saw that.

As the Sorting was finished Professor Dumbledore stood up and welcomed the Students to a new year at Hogwarts before he opened the feast with a few mad words. During the feast, the first years got to know each other, and the older Students also joined them in their Conversations. Many had questions about Harry and what had happened to him. So he had to retell his cover Version about his death before they discussed other topics like the Ghosts of Hogwarts or who was who at the Teachers table.

The Meal ended and vanished with a wave of Dumbledore's Hands as he stood up once again and the Hall became Silent, "Ahem — just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you."

"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the two red-headed twins that must be related to Ronald Weasley as they resembled each other.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch."

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death." Said Dumbledore with a serious twinkle in his eyes.

'Is he serious' thought Harry, 'Why would be something so Dangerous in a School for Children?' A few Students laughed at that announcement but not many, most took it seriously.

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. Harry noticed that the other teachers' smiles had become rather fixed. Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words. "Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"

At this moment Harry heard the most chaotic Song of his Life, everyone was truly singing to their own tune, especially the Weasley Twins singing along to a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest. "Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

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