Chapter 4: Sorting Ceremony

The Great Hall buzzed with excitement as the first-year students gathered at the front of the room. The enchanted ceiling above mimicked a clear night sky, complete with twinkling stars and a crescent moon. The four long tables of the Hogwarts houses stretched out before them, each adorned with its distinct colors and banners.

Nathaniel Bullstrode stood among the other first years, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. 'The sorting ceremony... Finally.'

At the head of the hall, the faculty members, including Professor McGonagall, sat at the staff table. 

The Sorting Hat, an ancient and tattered wizard's hat, sat atop a weathered stool in the center of the room. Its frayed brim twitched as though it were eager to begin its task of sorting the new students into their respective houses.

Professor McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration teacher, stepped forward to address the first years. Her voice carried through the hall, commanding the attention of all.

"Welcome, first years, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," she began. "Before we begin our feast, we will commence the sorting ceremony. When I call your name, you will step forward, place the Sorting Hat on your head, and it will determine which house you belong to."

Nathaniel listened intently as Professor McGonagall began to call out the names of the first-year students one by one. Some students looked excited, while others appeared apprehensive as they approached the stool and donned the Sorting Hat.

She rattled off a few names, Gryffindor's, Hufflepuff's, and then a ravenclaw until finally.

"Millicent Bullstrode!" Professor McGonagall yelled and his sister rushed to the front.

She placed the sorting hat on her head and gave Nathaniel a dirty look as if she was trying to make some sort of point.

"Slytherin!" The table all the way at the end began cheering as the first Slytherin was welcomed into the house. Millicent Bullstrode, with a look of satisfaction, joined her new housemates. Nathaniel couldn't help but feel a bit of resentment as he watched his sister.

'For her there is no need to fear, no need to doubt...' He thought to himself.

"Nathaniel Bullstrode!" 

He took a deep breath and walked forward, looking up at the teacher and staff before sitting down on the stool and quickly placing the hat on his head.

Inside his mind, the Sorting Hat's voice echoed, its words known only to him. It seemed to take its time, considering the many facets of his character and potential.

"Very interesting stuff you got here boy... You're not too bad a kid, maybe Hufflepuff?"

As Nathaniel heard that he gulped and couldn't help but plead silently with the hat.

"Skytherin," he whispered almost desperately, his hands beginning to shake. Even if he became the most powerful wizard in existence, if he ended up in Hufflepuff his life would be over, he'd be killed!

The Sorting Hat, as if acknowledging his plea, engaged in a brief conversation with him. "You're quite ambitious, aren't you, young Bullstrode?" it whispered in his mind.

Nathaniel's thoughts raced, and he found himself responding, "Yes, but I value fairness, loyalty, and hard work too. I can be a hard worker in any house. So please, make it Slytherin."

The Sorting Hat seemed to consider his words carefully, and Nathaniel held his breath, hoping for a different outcome. But then, after what felt like an eternity, the hat made its decision.

"Slytherin!" A cheer erupted from the Slytherin table as Nathaniel removed the hat and joined his new housemates. He couldn't help but feel a mixture of surprise and acceptance as he took his seat among the silver and green-clad students.

"Huh, I'm surprised," Millicent said with a scoff as he sat across from her.

"Me as well, I thought you'd end up in Hufflepuff or something," Nathaniel shot back, smirking as his sister growled.

He ignored the sorting ceremony for a while before a name hushed everyone.

"Harry Potter!"

Nathaniel watched as all eyes turned to the front of the Great Hall when the name "Harry Potter" was called. The atmosphere seemed to shift as the legendary name echoed through the hall. Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, was about to be sorted into his Hogwarts house.

Whispers broke out at the Slytherin table, and Draco Malfoy, who sat next to Nathaniel with Crabbe and Goyle, had the most to say.

"From how he was on the train I wouldn't be surprised if he gets placed in no house, what do you think Nathan?" 

Nathaniel nodded silently, ignoring the nickname.

As Harry approached the stool and placed the Sorting Hat on his head.

The Sorting Hat, as if recognizing the weight of the moment, seemed to deliberate longer than usual. It whispered words of wisdom and courage, considering the destiny that lay ahead for Harry.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the hat declared its decision. "Gryffindor!"

A thunderous cheer erupted from the Gryffindor table as Harry removed the hat and joined his new housemates.

"Oh well Draco, guess you'll have to put up with him for the next 7 years huh?" Nathaniel said with a laugh as he nudged Draco Malfoy, who sat next to him. Draco smirked in response but said nothing, his eyes still fixed on Harry Potter.

The atmosphere in the Great Hall had shifted with Harry's sorting. The legendary Boy Who Lived was now sitting among them. A childhood bedtime story now very much real.

Neville Longbottom, much to Draco's surprise and Nathaniel's dissapointment, also found his home in Gryffindor.

The feast resumed with a variety of delicious dishes appearing on the tables, and the chatter in the Great Hall grew louder as students began to enjoy their meals. Nathaniel engaged in conversations with his fellow Slytherins, who welcomed him with open arms. Despite his initial reservations about the house, he was starting to feel a sense of belonging.

Millicent, his sister, sat across from him, and they exchanged occasional glances and snarky remarks. Nathaniel knew that their sibling rivalry would continue throughout their time at Hogwarts, but he couldn't deny that he was glad to have family nearby, even if that particular family member carved into his skin with a pocketknife every once in a while.

Throughout the feast, Nathaniel couldn't help but steal glances at Harry Potter, who was engrossed in conversation with Hermione Granger and some red haired boy. They seemed to be hitting it off, and Nathaniel wondered what it was like to talk to Harry Potter.

As the night wore on, Professor Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, rose from his seat at the staff table. The hall fell silent as he addressed the students with a warm smile.

"Welcome!" He said, "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"

Everyone stared silently up at the old man. The legendary Dumbledore? This was that wizard.

"He must be senile," Draco muttered to which Nathaniel couldn't help but agree.

As Dumbledore continued his peculiar speech, Nathaniel exchanged amused glances with some of his fellow Slytherins. It seemed that the Headmaster had a penchant for eccentricity, and his choice of words left the students both bewildered and entertained.

The feast resumed with the appearance of delectable desserts, and the students indulged in a variety of sweets. Nathaniel's plate was filled with treacle tart and chocolate frogs, and he savored each bite as he chatted with his new friends in Slytherin. The atmosphere in the Great Hall had shifted from awe to camaraderie, and Nathaniel felt a growing sense of belonging within his house.

After the feast, the prefects led the first-year students to their respective house common rooms. Nathaniel followed his fellow Slytherins through winding corridors and down into the dungeons. The Slytherin common room was an elegant, dimly lit space with green and silver décor, and the large windows provided a view of the Black Lake.

"Get some rest, you'll have class first thing in the mornings, you should already have your schedules..." And with those words the first year boys found their respective bunks.

"Care to bunk with me Bullstrode? Crabbe and Goyle are a bit too unhygienic for their own good," Malfoy said as Nathaniel sat on a bottom bunk, sliding his trunk in front of it.

"I don't mind..." He said as he laid down on his bed.

"What's with you?" Draco asked, placing his trunk next to Nathaniels and giving him a weird look.

"I've... Never had one before," Nathaniel said slowly, feeling heat rushing to his face.

"What your own room? Don't worry no more bunking with your sister-"

"A bed... I've ever had a bed," Nathaniel said solemnly as he turned over, closing his eyes and leaving Draco Malfoy shocked.

'I think I'm gonna like this place...'