7 Chapter 5: The Sorting Hat

The hat twitched, and then a rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth- and the hat began to sing:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll 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 can 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 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 burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

After the song, the sorting ceremony started with a pink-faced girl named Abbott Hannah who went to Hufflepuff, Bones Susan was also sorted in Hufflepuff, Boot Trey was sorted in Ravenclaw, Brocklehurst Mandy went to Ravenclaw too, Brown Laven became the first Gryffindor, Bulstrode Millicent was the first Slytherin in our year, Finch-Fletchley Justin was placed in Hufflepuff, Finnigan Seamus in Gryffindor.

The hat almost took four minutes to sort Granger Hermione into Gryffindor. The same was the case with Longbottom Neville, who also took almost four-minute to be sorted in Gryffindor. MacDougal Morag was sorted in Ravenclaw, Malfoy Draco was the quickest to be sorted in Slytherin 'At least he got his wish' was my thought.

Molon Roger went to Hufflepuff, Moon Lily went to Hufflepuff, Nott Theodore went to Slytherin, Parkinson Pansy went to Slytherin, Patil Padma went to Ravenclaw, Patil Parvati went to Gryffindor, Perks Sally-Anne went to Hufflepuff.

Then Professor McGonagall called, "Potter Harry!" and the entire Great Hall went silent as I walked to the stool with the sorting hat. There were several murmurs like:

"Potter, did she say?"

"The Harry Potter?"

But I was busy putting my experiences, memories, feelings, and emotions of my previous life into the strongest occlumency shield and then taking all my current life's memory and placing it at the front in my mind. I also placed my visits to Camelot in the stronger occlumency shields for obvious reasons.

Just then, Professor McGonagall placed the hat on my head, and all I saw after that was the black inside of the hat when I heard a voice whisper in my head.

"Hmm," the hat said, "No I can't literally eat myself even if you made a hat smarter than me, though I highly doubt that you would be able to make one."

"Hmm, now let's see what's in here," he said as started scanning all my previous ten years' worth of memory except of course the part's that I have removed.

"Difficult. Very difficult," said the hat, "You don't particularly fear anything and have a lot of courage, an ideal Gryffindor. But then you are fascinated by any kind of new knowledge, an ideal trait of a Ravenclaw. But that's not all, such cunning nature for a kid, Salazar would be proud to have you as a student, and even with all these qualities you have, you want to protect those who are dear to you. Boy, I'm confused, I can put you in any house and you will perform splendidly."

"Well, it's your choice. You are the sorting hat," I said calmly. Though I was hoping to be put in Gryffindor since Hermione and most probably Ron will be in Gryffindor.

Hermoine has been a dear friend to me. Sure she can be a bit too bossy, but her thirst for knowledge and a desire to prove herself reminds me of my younger self.

Ron on the other hand suffers from a severe inferiority complex, but if I look past it. He has a great sense of humor and loves Quidditch, what? do I need anything more to justify my statement, Nah, we both share the same love for Quidditch and that is sufficient for me.

As I was thinking about all of this, the sorting was in its own world, thinking of the best house for me. It has already been about nine minutes since I put this hat on.

"Ah, yes. I'll put you in the same house as your friend. Because one of the greatest gifts of life is friendship and you seem to have a really good friend in-" the hat said in my mind and shouted the last part.

"GRYFFINDOR"

I put the hat back on the stool and walked toward the Gryffindor table. I was getting the loudest cheers yet, the older Ravenclaws seem particularly impressed with me while the Gryffindor house has quite literally exploded with cheers, Ron's elder twins were shouting, "We got Potter!" repeatedly. Sitting next to Hermione, who was sitting beside Percy Weasley who shook my hand vigorously while introducing himself. The rest of the Gryffindors also welcomed me enthusiastically.

The sorting continued while I was looking at the high tables and judging all the unknown professors. The one who caught my eye was the one seated in the middle of the high table, Albus Dumbledore, he had almost the same amount of magical energy as Morgana Le Fay which was impressive in its own right.

Anyway, Ron was sorted in Gryffindor just like I had expected and the sorting ceremony ended with Zabini Blaise being sorted in Slytherin. Then McGonagall took away the hat and the stool and came back to sit beside Dumbledore.

Albus Dumbledore then got up from his seat. He was beaming at us the student body, his arms opened wide as if not even sliced bread could have pleased him more than to see us all here.

"Welcome," he said, "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! It seems that we have a new record for Hatstall. Now to all our first years, Hatstall is an archaic Hogwarts term for any new student whose Sorting takes longer than five minutes. This is an exceptionally long time for the Sorting Hat to deliberate, and occurs rarely, perhaps once every fifty years. The previous record was held by none other than Professor McGonagall for the last forty-four years, where the hat took five and a half minutes to sort her to Gryffindor, but we have a new record-"

Dumbledore paused for a second while everyone was looking at me, 'I wasn't trying to. It was the hat's fault for thinking that long' was the only thought in my head as I just shrugged.

"Mr. Harry Potter," Dumbledore continued, "made the hat agonize for a staggering nine and a half minutes."

As Dumbledore said that, there was a huge round of applause from every house except the Slytherin, the professors were also clapping. McGonagall looked ecstatic.

Then Dumbledore raised his hand and the great hall went quiet again.

"Now, Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" he said, "Thank you."

Everybody clapped and cheered while I could only say a word, "Brilliant!"

"Brilliant?" said Percy airily, "Yes, He's Brilliant! Best wizard in the world! But he is a bit mad. Potatoes Harry?"

As I took some potatoes I replied to Percy, "He's not mad. To be able to summarise the current situations of the four houses in Hogwarts in four words, that's Brilliant."

"What do you mean Harry?" asked Hermione. The rest of the first-year Gryffindors were also curious, and some of the higher years like Percy were also listening.

"Well, I guess it was not that simple to understand, but Dumbledore sure is smart to be able to hint this so subtly," I said.

"By Nitwit he is referring to Ravenclaws. They pride themselves on being quick-witted and wise. To them "others" who are not selected in their house are "nitwits" or dummies.

Blubber, in contrast, is an alternative word for 'fat' and those sorted in Gryffindor's house, see the "others" as less physically bold or courageous, for which condition, we would probably find "blubber" a handy signifier.

Oddment means a small portion of the cut-off fabric that is left and as such is not significant or useful in any way. Slytherins are lovers of "pure-blood" and, in this, "wholeness" or "integrity" The "others" to a Slytherin is any witch or wizard born with insufficient purity, an insufficiency that makes them an oddment of less, even no value.

Tweak means to slightly adjust something. Hufflepuff is the Hogwarts House for magical folk who were not smart, bold, or pure enough for the three Houses as I described before. They look at the "others" and see "excess" or "imbalance" not "excellence" and "virtue" they lack. Hufflepuff witches and wizards are humble, and real people. The "others" need to be "tweaked" or adjusted to refine their excess and bring it to the mean, which as Aristotle teaches, is where virtue really lies.

The headmaster is trying to convey where each house is going wrong, but I doubt any other student would have understood the true meaning of his words. Most people would probably chalk it up to Dumbledore being a bit mad and thus ignore his sheer brilliance."

By the end of my speech, most of the Gryffindors looked at me in awe. There was silence on the Gryffindor table as most were speculating about what I just said. Some students from the other houses were also listening to my little speech while at the teacher's table, Professor McGonagall looked proud, and Dumbledore's eye was twinkling as he raised his goblet while looking at me and smiling as if he has found the most interesting thing in the world.

Seeing Dumbledore raise his goblet, most of the Gryffindors were convinced that I had correctly deduced Dumbledore's words.

"I think I can now respect Dumbledore a lot more," Said Fred and George simultaneously.

"I think I know why the sorting hat took more than nine minutes to sort you," said a little awestruck Percy.

Just like that, the dinner continued as Ron and I went back to our discussion and he was now describing how wizard's chess is such a cool game. We even talked to the resident ghost of Gryffindor who introduced himself as Nicholas de Mimsy-Poroington. Though Ron outed him as Nearly headless Nick.

Percy also told me each of the Professor's names and what they teach and I was as ready as anyone can be to crush all the records in this entire school. I was a bit disappointed after finding out that Dumbledore doesn't teach any subject unless in an emergency.

Hermione was busy discussing studies with Percy while we, the first-year Gryffindor boys were giving introductions.

"I'm Seamus Finnigan," one of the boys said, "I'm half-and-half. My dad's a muggle. Mom didn't tell him she was a witch till after they married. Bit of a nasty shock for him."

Neville's background didn't seem all that great.

When we were done eating, all the food vanished and the plates were left spotless. After which lots of desserts were served and I satisfied my sweet tooth.

Once everyone was done eating, the Headmaster rose from his seat once again.

"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," he said while looking towards the Weasley twins.

"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." he continued, "Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house 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."

The finishing sentence caught my attention but before I could ponder on it any further.

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song," cried Dumbledore in joy, although the smile on the faces of the remaining professors look rather stiff. He removed his wand and waved it and some lyrics were floating in the air.

What happened next was a complete disaster, there was complete Mayhem as the school song was butchered by many.

After the school song was over, we followed Percy through the marble staircase when a bundle of walking sticks came floating toward us. I was not really listening to any of the conversations because sleep was taking over me and my legs were working in auto piolet.

When we finally came towards the portrait of a fat lady, Percy gave her some kind of password and the portrait slid to show the Gryffindor Common Room.

When Percy had shown us the way to our dormitory, I just fell on my bed and drifted to sleep without even changing my clothes

The next day I woke up at half-past six and was ready for the day by seven when I got to our common room. There were many older Gryffindors chatting and catching up with things. But, I just walked up to a sofa and sat on it.

This castle is practically unrecognizable from what I had given the founders. They indeed put a lot of effort into rebuilding it to the needs of their students. The only thing remaining of the previous castle is the outer structure of Hogwarts.

As I was getting ready to have a stroll in the castle, someone called out to me.

"Harry, wait!" said Hermione while jogging towards me. She was also in her uniform.

"You're up early?" I asked as we both got out of the Gryffindor common room.

"Well, I was so excited that I wasn't even able to sleep. Though I was a bit sad this past month. You know, I was thinking that I won't be able to meet with you often because I would have to go to Hogwarts and Professor McGonagall had strictly prohibited me from informing any of my friends about it. But it turns out that you are here as well and I was sad over nothing. Though I always felt it odd that I never knew your full name before the Hogwarts Express." Hermione blabbered.

"And I had almost forgotten how much you talk," I replied.

We then roamed around Hogwarts while catching up with each other until half-past eight when we went to the Great Hall to eat breakfast. Ron was a bit sleepy while Hermione was really nervous about our first class. Professor McGonagall came around the Gryffindor table distributing the Time Table. I could also see a lot of older students seeking glances at me, maybe because I'm famous?

Just like that, four days passed.

One of the most confusing things in Hogwarts was the hundred and forty staircases, most of which were constantly on the move. Wide, sweeping ones, narrow, rickety ones. Not just that, there are different kinds of doors with different requirements to open them, then there is Peeves. There is also Argus Filch, the caretaker, and her cat Mrs. Norris.

But I was over these problems after my first day. Though sometimes because of Ron I get late to a class.

Speaking about the classes themselves. Starting with Herbology, it is a pleasant subject but there is nothing to learn for me. Though Professor sprout is a good teacher. She is the head of the house for Hufflepuffs.

Then there is our charms professor, a half-goblin, and the head of Ravenclaw house- Professor Flitwick. He is one ecstatic teacher. In our first class, while he was taking attendance, he gave an excited squeak and fell from the pile of books that he stands on when he called my name.

Professor McGonagall was our Transfiguration teacher and the Head of the house for Gryffindor. She is a strict teacher who does not like any nonsense in her class.

During her first class, her introduction went something like this:

"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts," she said. "Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned."

Then she changed her desk into a pig and back again. The Gryffindors looked excited. Only Hermione and I knew that these things weren't as simple as they appeared.

She gave us a lot of notes about the theories and working of transfiguration and only after she had explained in great detail about intent and visualization being the driving factor for transfiguration did she give us a matchstick and told us to turn it into a silver needle.

Only I was able to transfigure the matchstick and Professor McGonagall looked pleased. Hermione was able to transfigure half of her matchstick.

Then is our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Quirrell. He is basically a stuttering mess and his classes are practically a joke. His classroom smells strongly of garlic which the Weasley Twins say he keeps to ward off Vampires. Professor Quirrell also likes to boast about how he received his Turban from an African prince for getting rid of some zombies. Though I can smell something rotting inside his turban, but that's probably just my nose overreacting to all the garlic smell in the room.

So, today is Friday. Ron and I entered the Great hall for breakfast.

"So, what have we got today?" I asked as I saw Ron pouring five spoons of sugar into his porridge.

"Double potions with Slytherin," said Ron as he devoured his porridge.

Professor Snape is our Potions teacher and today will be our first class with him. He is also the Head of Slytherin's house and many describe him as a very biased teacher. The Weasley Twins have also said that he greatly dislikes any and all students in Gryffindor.

While eating, Hedwig delivered me Hagrid's letter who has invited me for tea and to discuss my first week of Hogwarts experience with him. Ron was busy eating his porridge. Dean, Neville, and Seamus were busy discussing something, and Hermione was talking with Parvati. Meanwhile, I was busy writing my reply to Hagrid. After which I joined the boy's conversation and they were criticizing Snape for being a biased teacher and whatnot (mainly Ron).

So, with all that thought in mind Ron, Seamus, Dean, Neville and I headed toward the dungeon, because Snape's classroom is located there.

----------------------------------------

Alright guys, it's with great displeasure that I inform you that Dad remembered about taking my laptop, he also bought a book of sample papers for me to solve. So, from tomorrow till August, I won't be able to post any more chapters.

Add this fanfiction to your library. So that when I do continue, you all will be notified.

The next chapter will probably be posted by the end of August, till then I hope that you all will take care of yourselves.

Then I will see all of you in August.

Wish me luck for my entrance exams.

🥂CHEERS🥂