THE FEAST AND THE SORTING HAT!

SEPTEMBER 1991

1st Year

• • • •

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said as she stood before the first years in front of the Great Hall entrance, "Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup," The woman explained.

Suddenly a scared looking boy jumped forward, spotting his toad.

"Trevor!" He cried, before looking up at McGonagall - who stared down at him, "Sorry," He said, sheepishly backing away.

"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily," McGonagall said before leaving.

Annabelle smiled, turning back to Harry and Ron, about to say something when a familiar voice called her name.

"Annabelle!" The voice cried.

"Cora!" Annabelle smiled, hugging the brunette before turning to the boys, "Harry, Ron, this is Cora. Cora, this is my brother Harry and my friend Ron,"

Before anyone was able to get another word in, a loud, obnoxious voice joined the conversation.

"It's true then, what they're saying on the train," A slicked back haired, evil looking boy spoke up, "Harry and Annabelle Potter have come to Hogwarts," He said, walking up to the boy, making whispers ripple through the sea of students, "This is Crabbe, and Goyle," He said, nodding to the boys behind him, "And I'm Malfoy...Draco Malfoy," The boy introduced himself, making Ron snicker at his name, "Think my name's funny, do you?" He asked him, "No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasley," Draco drawled out, looking at the boy before turning back to the twins, "We'll soon find that some wizarding families are better than others, Potters. Dont want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there," He said, holding out his hand for either of the sibling to shake.

"I think we can tell who the wrong sort are for ourselves, thanks," The older twin spoke up for the both of them, steeping protectively in front of his sister.

Draco glared at the pair before McGonagall returned and smacked him on the shoulder with a roll of paper and the blonde boy retreated with one last glare.

"We're ready for you now," McGonagall announced.

The woman lead everyone through two large doors and into the Great Hall, where there were four long tables with many kids, as well as floating candles and the roof appears to be the sky.

Annabelle glanced around nervously, smiling slightly when she saw Fred give her a sly wink.

"It's not real, the ceiling," Hermione told Annabelle and Cora, "It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in-"

"Hogwarts: A History," All three girls finished together.

"All right, will you wait along here, please?" Professor McGonagall instructed the students, "Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbldedore would like to say a few words," She said and the man rose from the main table where all the members of staff were sitting.

"I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce," Dumbledore said The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch 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," The man announced, "Thank you," He said.

"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," McGonagall explained, "Hermione Granger," The professor said.

"Oh, no. Okay, relax," Hermione soothed herself as she went up to the stool.

"Mental that one, I'm telling you," Ron whispered to the Potters and Cora, making Harry nod in agreement and for his sister to slap his arm.

"Ah, right then...hmm...right. Okay...Gryffindor!!" The Sorting Hat exclaimed, making the Gryffindor table cheer as she walked over to them with a smile.

"Draco Malfoy," McGonagall read out.

Draco sauntered up proudly and the tattered hat nearly freaks before touching down on Draco's head.

"SLYTHERIN!" The hat cried, barely even touching the blonde's head.

"There isn't a witch or wizard who went bad who wasnt in Slytherin," Ron whispered to the Potters.

"Susan Bones," McGonagall read off the scroll and a small, redhead went up to the women.

Annabelle looked around and spotted a black haired, pale teacher looking at her, with recognition in his eyes.

"Ahh!" The twins said as they grabbed their forehead and right wrist in pain.

"Harry, Annabelle?" Ron asked the pair.

"What is it?" Cora continued.

"Nothing," Harry shook his head.

"Yeah, it's nothing, we're fine," Annabelle agreed as they slowly let go of their scars.

"Let's see...I know...Hufflepuff!" The hat cried and Susan went to the Hufflepuff table.

"What house do you want to be in?" Annabelle whispered to Cora.

"Hufflepuff," Cora whispered back, "You?"

"I... haven't thought about it," Annabelle answered honestly.

"Cora Thornburg," Professor McGonagall announced.

"Good luck," Annabelle smiled at her before the brunette walked up and sat on the stool.

"Right, let's see...hmm...HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat cried and Annabelle couldn't help when her face broke into a smile, happy for the girl.

"Ronald Weasley," McGonagall called.

Ron gulped, walking up. He sat down and the hat was put on him.

"Ah! Another Weasley. I know just where to put you...Gryffindor!!" The hat shouted and Ron sighed, going to sit with Hermione, his brothers and the rest of Gryffindor house.

"Harry Potter," McGonagall said.

Everything went silent.

Harry walked up and sat down.

Annabelle licked her lips in nervousness as she watched her brother sit on the stool, the Sorting Hat placed on his head. 

"Better be...GRYFFINDOR!!" The hat cried, making an immense amount of cheering bounce around the hall as Harry went and sat at the Gryffindor table.

"Annabelle Potter," McGonagall announced, immediately quietening the room once again.

The girl took a deep breath, licking her lips, before slowly walking towards the podium, not missing the wink Fred and George sent her on the way up.

Her hands trembled slightly as she sat on the stool.

"Hmm, right," The hat mumbled.

"Please not Slytherin," Annabelle mumbled.

"Not Slytherin?" The hat asked, "Are you sure about that?"

"Please. Not Slytherin," The young Potter repeated.

"Hmm, let's see then. You have wits, you're loyal, courageous...," The Sorting Hat said, "Hmm... GRYFFINDOR!" The hat, shouted, making it's decision, and for the Gryffindor table to erupt into cheers once again.

Annabelle smiled as she hopped off the stool and over to the Gryffindor table, being greeted with a large hug from her brother and shaking peoples' hands.

"We got the Potters! We got the Potters!" Fred and George chanted as Annabelle sat down.

"Your attention, please," McGonagall announced, dinging a spoon on her glass

"Let the feast...begin," Dumbledore said and food then magically appeared on all of the tables, and the hall was filled with awe and chatter.

"Wow," Harry and Annabelle asked, looking at each other with a smile.

"Dig in, Love," Fred told Annabelle - who ended up sitting next to him - making her laugh lightly and take a piece of chicken that was on front of her.

"Say, Percy, who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?" Harry asked the Weasley, causing Annabelle to listen in in their conversation.

"Oh, that's Professor Snape, head of Slytherin house," Percy answered.

"What does he teach?" The youngest Potter asked.

"Potions," Percy replied, "But everyone knows it's the Dark Arts he fancies. He's been after Quirrells job for years,"

Then, Ron, having just finished a chicken wing, reachef into the bowl for more, before a ghostly head popped out.

"Ahh!" Ron crier in fright.

"Hello! How are you? Welcome to Gryffindor," The head said as numerous ghosts came pouring from the walls, sailing along.

"Is he a-," Annabelle started to ask.

"Yes," Fred nodded, already knowing what she was about ask.

"Hello, Sir Nicholas. Have a nice summer?" Percy asked the ghost.

"Dismal. Once again, my request to join the headless hunt has been denied," Sir Nicholas answered, before began to leave.

"Hey, I know you! You're Nearly Headless Nick!" Ron exclaimed.

"I prefer Sir Nicholas if you don't mind," The ghost told him.

"Nearly headless? How can you be nearly headless?" Hermione's voice rang out, confusion clear on her face.

"Like this," Nicholas said, simply grabbing gis head and pulled it to the side, his head hanging on just by a thread.

"Ahh!" Ron cried.

"Eugh," Hermione grimaced.

"That was disgusting," Annabelle mumbled to herself.