Chapter 15 - Sorting Ceremony

As the three of us walked into the Great Hall, all eyes landed on us. I could tell that Ron only thought it was because he was far behind the other students, but Harry and I knew the truth. We were the Potter siblings, the ones that survived the Dark Lord. Also, it didn't help the fact that my scar was on show for everyone to see. My breathing grew faster and I could feel the sweat on the back of the neck. Harry's hand soon grabbed a hold on mine. I looked over to Harry and he squeezed my hand, a thing the both of us to do to calm each other down. I then looked away from Harry and looked around the room as we continued walking to the front where the other students were.

There were four large long tables, were all the students were seated. One for each house, I presume. Candles hung from the ceiling, making it look like the light sky. At the front, there was a long table were all the teachers were sat. All of them being sat on throne-like chairs. As Harry and I finally arrived at the front of the great hall, the Professor from before smiled down at me. She then proceeded to turn around and face the other teachers that were sat at their table.

" Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words?" She asked to the elderly looking man that was sat in the middle of all the teachers. He then rose from his seat and that's when I took the chance to take in his appearance. He was tall, thin and very old, judging by the silver of his hair and beard, which were both long enough to tuck into his belt. He was wearing long robes, a purple cloak which swept the ground and high-heeled, buckled boots. His blue eyes were light, bright and sparkling behind half-moon spectacles and his nose was very long and crooked, as though it had been broken at least twice. The man then cleared his throat before speaking.

"I have a few starts of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch," he says whilst pointing to a ragged- old man, with his cat which had red eyes.

"Has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you," The headmaster continued before sitting back down in throne-like chair.

The female Professor, who I soon learned from other students' whispers was called Professor McGonagall, turned back around to the first years and I with a scroll in her hand.

" When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses," she said to us all before pausing then continuing quickly.

" Hermione Granger!" She declares. The young girl that sat with Harry, Ron and I soon stepped forward mumbling under her breath. She walked over to the stool and sat herself down, then Professor McGonagall lifted up the sorting hat and placed it over Hermione's head.

" Mental that one, I'm telling you." Ron says to Harry next to me. There was a long pause in the room, then the sorting hat spoke.

" Ah, right then...hmm...right. Okay...Gryffindor!!"

Hermione jumped off the stool, smiling wide as other students cheered from the Gryffindor table. She made her way over to the table and sat down. The professor looks back at her scroll before announcing another name.

" Draco Malfoy!"

The boy with sleeked back blonde hair from before made his way up to the stool, walking with a bit too much confidence. Professor McGonagall waited until Draco was sat down on the stool before placing the sorting hat on his head.

" SLYTHERIN!" The hat said, the voice booming across the room. Many students cheered from the Slytherin table, clapping and patting Draco on the back as he approached the table.

"There isn't a witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin," Ron says to me as he gently nudges my arm.

" Susan Boyles!" McGonagall said.

A young girl with bright red fiery hair like Ron's approached the stool and sat down. A sharp pain came from my cheek, causing me to grab it in pain. When I looked up, my eyes landed on one of the professors that was sat at the teacher's table. He looked familiar, he had pale white skin along with shoulder length greasy black hair. He was wearing all black. Additionally, he was giving Harry and I a sinister look. Harry then puts his hand to the scar on his forehead, clearly feeling the same pain I was.

" Harry, what is it?" Ron says to Harry, clearly concerned.

" Don't worry, Ron. It's nothing, it happens to us all the time." I reassure him.

" HUFFLEPUFF!" The sorting hat shouts. As soon as Susan was off the stool, Professor McGonagall said another name.

" Ronald Weasley!"

Ron gulps then looks towards me. I send a small smile his way, then placed and comforting hand on his shoulder.

" It's okay, Ron. I'm sure you'll be placed in Gryffindor with your brothers. Go on," I say as I gently pushed him forward to where the stool was. He then sat himself down and the hat was placed on his head.

" Ha! Another Weasley. I know just what to do with you... Gryffindor!!" The sorting hat says. The students from Gryffindor cheer louder this time and I can see how relieved Ron is.

" Harry Potter!" McGonagall says loudly.

The room then falls silent, all eyes now landed on Harry and I. Placing my hand on Harry's shoulder, I leaned down and whispered in his ear. " Hey, don't worry. It doesn't matter what house you are placed in; I will always be here for you. Always. Don't forget that. I have a strong feeling that Mum and Dad are watching right now, and they are so proud of you. Just like I am. Now, go on you've got this."

Harry looks up at me and hugs my waist tightly," Thanks, you always know what to say."

I chuckle then wrap my arms around Harry, returning the hug before gently pushing him away and gesturing to the stool. Harry gives me one last look then walks up and sits on the stool.

" You've got this," I mouth to him. The sorting hat was then placed on top of his head.

"Hmm...difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage I see, not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes, and a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?" The sorting hat questions. Harry then closes his eyes before whispering, "Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin."

"Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head. And Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness! There's no doubt about that. No?" The hat raises his voice and questions my brother again.

"Not Slytherin....anything but Slytherin," Harry pleads.

" Well, if you're sure... better be... GRYFFINDOR!!" That Hat declares. Gryffindor cheered once more, but this time it was much louder.

" We got Harry Potter! We got Harry Potter!" Two familiar voices chant. I look in the direction the sound came from and my eyes land on the Weasley twins. They were both welcoming Harry with open arms, they both moved up so Harry could sit down next to them. A woman then clears their throat, which causes me to quickly turn around.

" I'm so sorry, Dear. But who are you?" Professor McGonagall asks me.

" My name is Iris. Iris Potter" I say with confidence. The Professor's eyes go wide. She then looks over to Professor Dumbledore and he just shrugs before taking a sip out of his goblet.

" I know I'm a few years late, Professor. But I couldn't just leave my brother, Harry, all alone in the household we were living in" I whisper just so she can hear me.

" No worries, Dear. We'll just place you into 3rd year like you are supposed to be in. However, you must be sorted so, may we?" She says as she places her hand on my back and gestures to the stool. I walk over and sit myself down on the stool. McGonagall then places the sorting hat on my head.

" Hmm...a few years late I see?" The hat questions.

" So many choices...you have the potential to be in almost every house. You have the loyalty and kindness to be in Hufflepuff. You are incredibly wise and sharp-minded for your age, so I would normally say Ravenclaw. But that doesn't feel right. You can make Slytherin due to you having so much intelligence. Gryffindor, you can also make because of your bravery and you are very daring...where to put you..."

I look to my right and I see Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore exchanging looks, the both of them look concerned.

" I have my final decision," the sorting hat says as he continues.

" You shall be placed in..... GRYFFINDOR!!!"

The whole room erupts into cheers and applause. I get up off the stool and McGonagall sends a wide smile my way. I then make my way over to the Gryffindor table. Harry runs up to me and hugs my waist tightly, not wanting to let me go. Ron then runs over and does the same.

" You was right!" They both said at the same time before pulling away. Harry grabs a hold of one of my hands whilst Ron grabs the other. They then drag me other to the Gryffindor table. Ron sits down on one side next to Hermione. Then all of a sudden I feel an arm wrap itself around my shoulders. I look up and lock eyes with the one and only Fred Weasley.

" Hey, stranger. Fancy seeing you here." Fred says whilst smiling before pulling me into a bone crushing hug. I could've stayed there longer but Fred was pushed away onto the floor by someone.

" Can't have her all to yourself now, can you brother?" Another voice says. I look down at Fred then up at the person that pushed him. It was George fricking Weasley. George looked down at his brother then stuck his tounge out at him. He then turned to me and pulled me into a tight hug. When he finally pulled away, he grabbed my hand and lead me over to where he was sitting and allowed me to sit down before he sat down next to me with Harry on his other side. Harry seemed to be sitting next to the Gryffindor Prefect.

" That's, Percy, my brother. The most annoying person I've met." George says to me. He was about to say something else but he was soon interrupted.

" Can I have your attention, please?" Professor McGonagall asks. Professor Dumbledore then rises from his seat.

" May the feast begin," he says. After he finished, food magically appeared on the table in front of me. I looked up at Professor Dumbledore and he raised his goblet and waves it slightly, his way of saying congratulations. I smile then reach forward and grab my cup and raised it, my way of saying thank you.

Heavy panting, drew my attention away from Professor Dumbledore. It was Fred, his robe was all over the place and his shirt was all untucked. He then pointed his finger at George.

" I can't believe you pushed me!"

George looks at his brother almost offended, he then placed his hand over his heart. " Push is such a strong word. I prefer to call it, giving you a slight nudge."

Fred walks past George and sits himself down next to me, Fred sitting next to me on my left and George on my right. Fred then leans back and points his hand at George.

" I'll give you a 'little nudge' when I shove my foot up your-"

I interrupt him by placing my hand over his mouth, " Now, now, Fred. There is no need for that type of language. There are children around."

Fred looks down at my hand then gently removes it, he then lifts my hand up to lips and gently places his lips on my hand before lowing it onto the table.

" Of course, Iris." He says, whilst giving George a dirty look. I nudge Fred with my elbow into his side, causing him to gasp.

" I thought you was better than that!" He says with a shocked expression.

" Okay, Okay. Fred enough with your little performance, wait until after school if you want to get into acting." I say as I pat Fred's back. This only causes George and others on the table to burst out laughing. Fred then blushes before turning around fully so he is facing the food on the table, he then leans forward and grabs a few items and places them on his plate. Which causes others to do the same.