Chapter 8: Sorting Hat

(Warning: Sorting Hat is a bit different)

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The whole hall started to clap when the hat finished the song. It bowed and then stayed still once more.

"So that's what Argus meant by it's quite simple. We just have to wear the hat. I'm going to kill Fred. He said we had to fight a troll," Argus heard Ron say to Harry.

"Yeah it is," Harry said with a forced smile. Argus shaked his head as he knew that Harry wanted this House Sorting to be private as he felt scared.

Professor McGonagall then stepped forward holding a long parchment.

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

A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails got out of line and put on the hat.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat shouted.

The table on the right whistled and chapped as Hannah went to sit down.

"Bones, Susan!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.

"Boot, Terry!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

The table second from the left now started to clap and some students even shaked Terry's hand.

"Brocklehurst, Mandy" went to Ravenclaw and "Brown, Lavender" was sent to Gryffindor and the table on the far left started to explode with cheers. Argus rolled his eyes when he saw one of the Weasley twins catcalling.

"Bulstrode, Millicent" became a Slytherin and Argus saw that Harry looked sort of disgusted when he looked at the Slytherins.

"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Sorting Hat sometimes called out the House immediately and sometimes after thinking for a while. For example, "Finnagan, Sean" had to sit for a minute before the Sorting Hat sent him to Gryffindor.

"Granger, Hermione!"

Argus saw Hermione excited face as she ran to the stool and hurriedly put the hat on her head.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat said. Ron groaned and Argus glared at him which Ron didn't realize.

When Neville was called, he fell over on his way to the stool. The hat took a long time to decide with Neville until it finally shouted, "GRYFFINDOR,". Neville ran off while still wearing it, and had to jog back to give it to "MacDougal, Morag. "

Draco walked forward with confidence when his name was called and the Hat immediately screamed, "SLYTHERIN!"

Draco went to join his friends Crabbe and Goyle as if being in Slytherin was the biggest award a witch or wizard can get.

Soon it was Argus' turn.

"Nidma, Argus," Professor McGonagall said as Argus calmly walked to the Sorting Hat while everyone was discussing topics similar to that of the things said about him at Diagon Alley. He put on the Sorting Hat and the Sorting Hat was quiet for a little while. And then it started to laugh.

"HAHAHA! You're the owner of that!" The Sorting Hat shouted and the room became silent. Even the calm Dumbledore sat up as he became intrigued.

Argus smiled as his only unique possession was the Yin and Yang Wand.

"Yes, I was fortunate enough for it to accept me," Argus said.

"Well, you better take care of it. I was starting to think that it would never find an owner. Well, after you're gone, it seems that I will be alone in this world," The Sorting Hat said with a sad smile. "Well I'm sure that I'll be alright. I've been alone here for a long time anyways. Sorting students is still fun... Well enough about that, let's put you in your House. Hmmm...That's weird, it seems that I can't access some of your memories,"

Dumbledore and the rest of the room once again were shocked by what they heard.

"Well no matter... However, this is quite difficult. Extremely gifted in the mind, loyal to the ones that you love especially her... Willing to deceive any enemies for gain, but ohhhh... This is interesting... You're not afraid. You know... yet you are not afraid. Interesting. This is the first time I wish that I had a new owner, but I cannot do that. I'm looking forward to see your adventures here. GRYFFINDOR!"

The silent hall slowly recovered from their shock and the Gryffindor table started to scream and clap even louder than they did before. Argus took off the hat and started to go to the Gryffindor table where a couple of the older students went to shake his hand.

"You better take care of it or else beware the troubles that may fall onto you," The Sorting Hat said.

Argus looked back and nodded as he found some space next to Hermione.

"That's amazing Argus. When I asked some of the older students, they said the have never seen or heard the Sorting Hat say anything more than the qualities of the student and the House. What did the Sorting Hat mean Argus?" Hermione asked with excitement.

"Oh it's nothing much," Argus said with a smile. "I just happened to own something extremely old and I suppose the Sorting Hat can see through me like a book,"

Hermione wasn't satisfied with this explanation, but Argus would not explain any more which made her pout a bit.

Soon it was Harry's turn to be sorted and after the crowd started talking about his past, the Sorting Hat sorted him to Gryffindor after some trouble. Harry slowly walked to the Gryffindor table where the cheer he received was just as loud as Argus'. Percy stood up and shook Harry's hand vigorously and the Weasley twins started to brag in front of the other tables.

Soon, there were only three people left to be sorted. "Thomas, Dean," joined Harry at the Gryffindor table. "Turpin, Lisa," became a Ravenclaw and then it was Ron's turn. Argus could see that he was shaking, but when he wore the hat, the hat assigned him to Gryffindor.

Argus clapped and Ron went to sit next to Harry.

"Well done, Ron, excellent," said Percy Weasley as "Zabini, Blaise," was made a Slytherin. Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and proceeded to pick up the Sorting Hat. However, the Sorting Hat had one last thing to say.

"Argus, I just hope that before you depart, you would allow me to see it for one last time. I could wait an entire century, but when you feel that it's time, please remember this message," The Sorting Hat said.

Argus nodded and the Sorting Hat smiled once more. Shocked by how much the Sorting Hat talked to Argus, Professor McGonagall looked at Argus before taking the hat away.

Argus felt his stomach grumbling and when he looked up, he saw Dumbledore stand up. He beamed at the students and his arms opened wide to show that there was nothing more pleasant than seeing them all there.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Before we begin our feast, I would like to say a couple of words. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"

"Thank you!"

Dumbledore sat back down and everyone started to clap and began to eat. Argus saw that the dishes were now filled with a large amount of food.

While everyone was eating, a ghost started to stare at Harry's food.

"That does look good," the ghost said.

"Can't you ---"

"No, we can't eat and don't need to eat, but it was quite the pleasure to eat when we were still alive. I don't think I've introduced myself? Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington at your service. I'm the resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower,"

"Oh, my brothers told me who you are!" Ron said. "Nearly Headless Nick,"

"I would prefer Sir Nicholas," Nearly Headless Nick said.

"Wait, how can you be nearly headless?" Hermione asked.

However, before Nearly Headless Nick could say anything, Argus answered her question.

"A person didn't behead him properly so he died without having his head fully chopped off,"

"Yes like this," Nearly Headless Nick said as he pulled on his ear and his head moved like a hinge. Argus got angry that he was shown such a disgusting thing while eating. Nearly Headless Nick put his head back and said, "Well, I hope that you guys can win the House Championship this year. Slytherin has won for 6 years in a row and the Bloody Baron has been quite annoying. He's the Slytherin ghost,"

When Argus looked, he saw a ghost with blank eyes and bloody robes.

"How did he get covered with blood? Seamus asked with interest.

"I've never asked," Nearly Headless Nick said delicately.

"He did something horrible," Argus said. "Although I can see why he did it however. It's quite interesting how the human mind works because I wouldn't think I'd do what he did, but if I was in that situation maybe I would do it,"

Nearly Headless Nick looked at Argus with shock.

"How... How do you know what happened to him?" The ghost asked.

"I just know..." Argus said. Seamus and many of the other first years tried to get the story out of Argus, but they soon gave up as they realized that Argus' lips were sealed. When the dinner disappeared, the desserts immediately appeared and while Seamus and Neville started to talk about their family, Hermione and Percy were talking about classes. Argus soon joined into their conversation.

"I'm excited about Transfiguration. I heard it was extremely difficult though," Hermione said.

"Don't worry," Percy said. "It's just turning matches into needles and other simple things like that. While Transfiguration is difficult, you also have to worry about Potions. Snape can be quite the strict teacher,"

"Well, it can't be that hard. Potions is mostly theoretical so as long as you have some experience with brewing potions, it should be relatively fine," Argus said.

"Yes, but Snape is strict. If you make one mistake, he might just fail you for the day," Percy said.

Soon the desserts disappeared and Dumbledore stood up once again and the hall became silent.

"I just have a few more things to say. Firstly, the Dark Forest is off-limits to all pupils. Secondly, Mr. Filch has told me to say that there should be no magic used in the corridors between classes. Thirdly, Quidditch tryouts will be held in the second week. Lastly, the third floor corridor on the right side will be forbidden to everyone who does not wish to die a painful death,"

Harry laughed and everyone looked at each other confused. Argus knew that this was about the Philosopher's stone. Hermione looked at Argus as she was questioning whether he would know what's going on or not.

"And now before we go to bed, let's sing the Hogwarts song,"

Dumbledore shook his wand and a golden ribbon flew out of his wand forming words.

"Alright everyone choose your tune and let's sing,"

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot, just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot. "

Everyone finished at different times and the final singers were the Weasley twins who sang along a slow funeral march. When they finished Dumbledore clapped the loudest.

"Ahh, music, a magic beyond every other magic we do here. And now bedtime. Off you go!"