~~CHAPTER IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION MEANING SOME PARTS ARE UNFINISHED AND THEREFORE MAY NOT MAKE SENSE~~

"Welcome to Hogwarts, my name is Professor McGonagall." the elderly woman said, "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room."

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." 

"Be prepared?" Ron muttered, "That does not sound good."

You nodded in agreement.

"I'm so nervous," Harry said, "what if I'm not sorted into any house? How does the Sorting Ceremony work anyways?"

"Harry, calm down," you lightly slapped his arm, "we're all nervous here, and you're just making it worse!"

"Sorry," Harry smiled sheepishly.

You rolled your eyes. 

Just then, Professor McGonagall came bursting through the doors. "It's time. We will enter the Great Hall and the sorting will begin. I do not want a single word out of your mouth. Now, single file after me."

You gulped, quite nervous.

What will everyone think of me? And what house will I be in?

You and all the other first years entered the Great Hall solemnly. In awe, you looked around the room. To your utter amazement, candles were floating in the air, brightly lit, and for some reason, wax was not dripping off them.

Magic,  you thought.

There were four long tables where hundreds of students sat at each. You noticed how each table seemed to have two theme colours. At one table sat students wearing silver and green, another table with a sea of blue and bronze, a different table with a bunch of cheerful students wearing yellow and black and the final table, the brightest one, with students proudly wearing red and gold.

Professor McGonagall stopped in front of a stool with an old, battered hat resting upon it.

You were quite confused.

What's that supposed to do?

An old man wearing robes stood and smiled. "Hello once again, students. In a moment, our first years will be sorted into their houses."

He waved at the Sorting Hat and instantly, it squeaked.

You jumped and stared at it in surprise.

A rip near the brim opened.

Did it just tear? But how? Who tore it?

The old hat began to speak:

"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!"

There was loud applause and cheering. You grinned and thought of how lucky you were to be here.

"SILENCE!" Professor McGonagall bellowed.

The sound died down quickly.

"When I call your name, you shall go sit on that stool,  have the Sorting Hat placed on your head, and get sorted into a house. Is that understood?"

The first years nodded, a few murmurs of agreement slipping out through several students' mouths.

Professor McGonagall looked at the long list that she was holding.

"Abbot, Hannah!"

"Hufflepuff!" the Sorting Hat said.

The table with all the students wearing yellow and black cheered at the top of their lungs. 

This process continued for a while. Then Professor McGonagall called out a certain name.

"Granger, Hermione!"

You felt something sharp collide with your ribs. You clutched your side and glared at the person on your left. Ron was standing beside you, smirking, as he looked at you with a knowing look.

"I know it's her," you mouthed, then waited for the Sorting Hat to speak.

"GRYFFINDOR!" it yelled.

You heard a popping sound and looked over at Ron. He had his mouth agape and was staring at Hermione in disbelief as she walked over to the sea of scarlet and gold.

Again, many more names were called out. Then:

"(L/N), (Y/N)!" Professor McGonagall called out.

Shakily, you walked up to the stool. You turned around and sat down, brushing off your robes nervously with your hands as you waited. You felt the hat being placed upon your head and hundreds of pairs of eyes on you. Then, you heard a voice inside your head.

"Hmm, you're quite tricky." the small voice hummed, "A rather intelligent being, I must say. Curious too. Perhaps Ravenclaw? You do have a just state of mind however, which makes me wonder if another house could help you reach your full potential? I can tell you have a true heart, and are loyal to those you love. The question is, are you willing to do whatever it takes to protect them?"

Of course.

The Hat's chuckle echoed in your mind. "Well, it's settled then - "

"GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat bellowed aloud.

By now, you knew that the Gryffindor table was the one wearing red and gold. Also, they were the ones who were cheering the loudest. You took a shaky breath, stood up, and walked over to them.

Meanwhile, McGonagall continued on with the list.

"Madison, Carol!"

A girl with long blonde hair walked up, rubbing her hands on her robe nervously. You watched as the Sorting Hat was placed on her head, her eyes darting about as she took in the entirety of the room. Her eyebrows suddenly furrowed, and she nodded, followed by the Hat yelling out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Sorting continued. Finally, Professor McGonagall called the name that everyone was waiting for. "Potter, Harry!"

There was silence. No one moved except for Harry, McGonagall and the hat. You watched with baited breath as Professor McGonagall slowly placed the Sorting Hat on Harry's head. It was silent for a quite a while.

I wonder what the Sorting Hat is thinking...? What house will Harry be in?

Finally, the Sorting Hat yelled out an answer. "GRYFFINDOR!"

You jumped up and screamed with joy. You noticed that you weren't the only one who did that, but you were just glad that your friend was in the same house as you. As Harry stood, you noticed his eyes scan the Gryffindor table. His face broke out into a smile as he spotted you and he walked over to sit beside you.

"It was scary, wasn't it?" he whispered, still smiling.

"Are you kidding?" you laughed, "it was terrifying!"

A few more kids got sorted, then it was your other friend's turn. "Weasley, Ronald!"

Ron stood up as a few people snickered. "Another Weasley..."

 You gave them your most frightening glare, which quickly shut them up.

Ron doesn't deserve to be laughed at. He's a good person.

Ron sat down on the stool and closed his eyes as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head. You noticed how he looked a little nervous...

Then again, we all were.

"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat bellowed.

You and Harry jumped up, cheering. You both had big grins on your face. Caught up in the moment, you hugged Harry. His smile grew wider and so did yours as Ron walked over. 

You were in Gryffindor, sorted with your friends, and frankly, you were quite excited to make new ones and learn things here at Hogwarts.

This is amazing...