Part Two: The Sorting Ceremony (Next part coming soon!): The train screeched to a halt, lanterns flickering as students spilled out onto the platform. Ana clutched her trunk, heart hammering. *This is it. Hogwarts. My new life.* "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" boomed a giant of a man with a wild beard. Ana's eyes widened. *He's enormous. Is he... part giant?* She hurried after Harry, Ron, and Hermione, following the crowd down to the lake. The boats rocked gently as they climbed in. Ana found herself squeezed in basic Hermione, who was still muttering about Neville's missing toad. Across the water, the castle loomed, lit with hundreds of glowing windows. Ana's breath caught. *It's... beautiful. More beautiful than I ever imagined.* _________________________________________________ Inside the castle, the first-years were herded into the Great Hall. Ana craned her neck at the enchanted ceiling, stars twinkling above. *It looks like the night sky. How is this even possible?* Professor McGonagall's voice rang out: "When I call your name, you will put on the Sorting Hat, and be sorted individually into your own house." Then, the Hat burst into song, startling some of the first-years, including her: | **"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 Gryffindor's 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 folk will 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 Sorting Hat's song finished, and the Hall erupted in applause. Ana's stomach twisted violently. *This is it, my turn will come. Please let me belong.* Then the names were called — Hermione to Gryffindor, Neville to Gryffindor, Harry to Gryffindor, Ron to Gryffindor, Susan Bones to Hufflepuff... and finally: "Thistlethorn, Ana!" Ana sat nervously on the stool, keenly aware of all the eyes on her, the Hat slipping over her eyes. Its voice whispered: "Hmm, yes, you'd do well in Gryffindor, which those friends you've already made... but your loyalty, kindness, and quiet strength would do better in Hufflepuff." Ana's heart pounded, her mind waging different wars. *I want to stay close to them... but I want to belong too.* She fidgeted with the hem of her robe, before the Hat finally shouted: "Better be... HUFFLEPUFF!" Ana hurried to the Hufflepuff table, cheeks flushed, welcomed with enthusiastic cheers. She now glanced across the Hall at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who waved from Gryffindor. *Hufflepuff or not, we'll stick together. This is only the beginning.* (Please no remixing, please and thank you! Under certain circumstances, though, I will allow specific people to remix.)
