5 Welcome to Slytherin

"And this is the dining room," the old Hogwarts headmaster said.

Fiona's heart dropped; the room was huge. Lots and lots of people would use a room of that size. 'And I'm not really in the mood to meet all those people," she thought bitterly.

"And you don't have to, child," Dumbledore stated softly as if he read Fiona's mind. "You can dine alone at your chambers...or you could come to dine with me at my office. There's so much I need to tell you." The man took a long pause. He wanted to give his guest a minute to process his words. "You could come here and join the others whenever you feel ready," he added when Fiona nodded slowly.

At least she found the place beautiful with all its charming wooden tables and elegant candle chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The carpets she was standing in were gorgeous and soft; the vivid colors and the exotic flowers that were intertwined with each other really caught her eye.

"But, first...I wanted you to try something," Albus added a few minutes later. He entered a small room at the back of the kitchen - which was kind of connected with the dining room - and came back with a wooden chair and an old, pointy hat.

"This is the Shorting Hat," the old man explained. "I want you to come sit on this chair I brought and wear the hat. Once you wear it, the hat will decide in which House you belong. Of course, you don't have to sleep in the same chambers with our students. You can have your own, unless you decide you'd like the full Hogwarts experience," Albus joked. Fiona gave him a thankful smile and nodded. She was ok with him putting the hat on her head - since the Hogwarts policy claimed that everyone should be sorted to one of the four Houses - and stated that she'd like to stay at her own chambers. "At least for now..." she added softly and Albus nodded.

Without any further ado, Fiona sat on the large chair Albus had brought. Soon enough, the Sorting Hat was on top of her head and its voice softly filled her ears.

The Hat started with a song. It was its way to start the sorting ritual. Everyone knew and found this kinda fun and charming, but Fiona was taken aback. She had seen many kinds of charmed objects and magical stuff, but not a talking hat. Not wanting to ruin the whole thing, though, Goode just closed her eyes and focused on the sorting procedure.

" 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 folks 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 hat soon stopped singing. The room went quiet for a moment before the Sorting Hat started talking again. "Well, let me see... I see you're a passionate woman...loyal...brave....have the wits to do anything you want to... and you're hardworking. But you're also cunning and ambitious and you'll do everything you can to achieve your goals... so, I'll put you in Slytherin," the Hat said and went quiet as suddenly as it had started talking.

Fiona opened her eyes slowly. The whole situation felt surreal; she couldn't decide if she enjoyed it or not. She felt, though, that after a very long time she finally belonged somewhere. It nearly felt like she was at home. 'Don't make such thoughts, Fiona,' she thought. 'It's too early.'

"Congratulations, child. You are now officially a member of the Hogwarts family. We should celebrate; of course, privately. But let me take off that dirty hat," Albus said as he quickly took off the Sorting Hat of Fiona's head. "And now, please follow me," he added and helped the blonde witch get up.

"Before I begin with the basics, is there anything you'd like to ask?"

Fiona took her time. She did not want to respond hastily. Actually, she had millions of questions. But, she refused his offer to answer them. "I'd like to hear whatever you need to tell me. Then, I'll see if there's anything more that I need to know".

They passed through a dimly lit hallway once they got out of the dining room. The candles were creating a romantic yet creepy atmosphere ; at least that's what Fiona thought. You see, it was getting harder and harder for her to stay in dimly lit or dark spaces. They reminded her things she wanted to forget.

"You'll get used to it eventually," Albus stated tenderly. "But for now, let me take you back to when it all began..."