Captain Revealed

Chapter Four: Sorted

"Don't speak, I know just what you're thinking..."
-No Doubt

* * * * *

Luella and Legos made their way up seemingly never-ending stone steps. They had been going up for at least ten minutes, and Luella's thighs were screaming in protest.

"Bloody hell!" The boy with yellow eyes behind her swore. "Can't we use some sort of magic? Me mum never made me exercise!"

Hagrid looked ahead at him sternly. "Yer gonna have ta live with it." Despite 'never having to exercise', the boy was in very good shape, though a bit scrawny. He looked as if maybe he lived under a storeroom his whole life.

Finally they came inside the first chamber of Hogwarts. Large wooden doors with iron hinges loomed before the group. They had caught up with the other students, some of them completely calm, others really nervous. One large boy in particular, had wet his pants. Noticing Legos stifle a giggle, Luella couldn't help but smile.

"Well, we're here. Are you nervous?" he asked her, his blue eyes reflecting hers.

"Not a bit." She lied, but somehow knew that her companion could tell the truth. Searching the crowd for her friends, Luella turned her attention elsewhere. Besides not knowing where she was going, she had not a clue who most of these people were. It was going to take a lot of adjustment to call this place home.

Someone behind her cleared his or her throat. Legolas turned towards the doors and smiled. "Hey Velia, I'd wondered when I would see you again!"

"Oh yes," she sarcastically replied with a grin. "Seeing you on the train is just too long ago, right brother?"

"Heheh," Legolas laughed.

"Luella..." Velia turned with a more serious expression on her face. "I'm so, so sorry. I didn't mean to snap, its just I'm nervous I won't fit in, or they won't accept me, or I wasn't supposed to come here...I'm sorry."

"It's quite alright, I think I'm a pretty forgiving person. Did you see Velma up there, by the doors?"

"No, I didn't. I wonder if she's behind us?"

"Not likely, we were with the last of the group," Legos chimed in. "Anyways, who is Velma?"

"One of my friends, my best friend actually. We've known each other since we were three..." Luella paused, looking unsure if she should continue. "Um...I...uh...did either of you meet a certain Oliver Wood?"

Legolas' face grew hard. "Yes, he wanted to sit down, but..."

"Ahem..." Velia broke in. "Me and Legolas were in a compartment, and he came in, wondering if he could sit down. I said yes, Legos said no. I guess he was a wee jealous of his looks, right?"

"Hell no! Not in a million years!" Legolas cried, looking shocked. "He was hitting on you Velia. I had to kick him out."

Luella bit her lip. Did this mean that Oliver was just a womanizer?

"Don't worry, he's just joking. Oliver was being a good sport about sitting with strangers. He's a first year too, but I didn't see him when we were walking up." Velia pitched in when seeing the look on her new friend's face.

"Poppy-cock." Luella giggled at Legos' expression. Suddenly, very clearly, Velma came out of the crowd. She wore a sorrowful expression as she marched toward them.

"Sorry Velia, for being so rude," she said, moving her hand back and forth from her mouth, covering it, and then moving it back. It looked as if she was swatting a fly.

"You must be Velma. I'm Orlando Legolas Covikia, her brother." Legos introduced himself, holding his hand out to shake hers. But Velma didn't move. She was ogling at the stranger, her eyes almost bulging out. Swallowing, Velma reached out her hand. They shook, and Velma turned to her friend.

"Ok." She sighed, and began to say something else when the doors opened.

A stern woman with her hair up tightly in a bun walked in. She wore glasses and a dark green robe.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am Professor McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House and Deputy Headmistress. Thank you for bringing them Hagrid." The woman's stern eyes turned to the giant. "I will take them from here. Now, at the beginning of term, we have a banquet, and that will start shortly. But... before you take your seats we must place you in the school, where you are to sleep, study, and spend free time."

"You mean...like houses?" Velia interrupted.

"Yes, are you thick?" The yellow-eyed boy sneered. "Who doesn't know about Hogwarts' Houses?"

"Excuse me, if I am able to continue? There are four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin and Ravenclaw. Each house has its own wonderful history and has produced fine young wizards and witches. Triumphs in your studies will earn you house points, while slacking off will cost you points. At the end of term the house with most points will win a prize, the House Cup Award.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a moment, so please... straighten yourselves up while you wait." Professor McGonagall wrinkled her nose at the boy who had wet his pants and saw how others were standing at least two feet away from him.

"Imperpious!" she murmured, her wand suddenly in her hand. A thin yellow line shot forward, emitting dust and sparks. The boy's pants lost the dark stain between his legs, and the stench was replaced with a flowery smell. With that, Professor McGonagall turned and left.

"Phew! That odor was making me nauseous!" Velma fanned the air in front of her nose. "She seems like an apt teacher, am I right?"

"How will we be sorted? Do you know?" Luella shivered, turning to Velia and ignoring Velma's question.

"Oh yes. It's fairly easy. There is a hat involved...Pops said 'don't worry about it, its just a hat'. He didn't clarify, he just said, 'you'll find out for yourself'." Velia smiled. "I do hope I'm in Gryffindor... It does sound by far the best. Slytherin seems dreadful though, I hear its all... all about winning!"

"Winning isn't always a bad thing!" Luella frowned, looking hurt.

"Come now children! The hall is ready." Professor McGonagall had returned. "Hurry up, the Sorting Ceremony will be starting soon. Form a line and follow closely." Luella got in line behind Velma, who was behind Velia. Legolas got behind Luella, putting his hands in his robe's pockets.

They marched in a single file, some glancing at the surroundings, others shuffling their feet and staring at the floor. As they passed the double doors, the Great Hall opened up to them.

The atrium was even more beautiful than Luella could have imagined. Thousands of floating candles illuminated even the darkest corners. Four tables with students wearing different colored robes sat, golden plates, goblets and silverware at their places. In the front of the hall was a raised platform where another long table was set up where adults, presumably the teachers, sat. Professor McGonagall stopped the first years abruptly in front of what seemed to be the whole school. Second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh years all looked upon them with anticipation.

Blushing, Luella resumed her gaze on the floor. Taking his elbow to jab her in the stomach, Legolas pointed towards the ceiling. "Check it out!" He whispered. The ceiling was almost silky, dotted with white lights. As she stared, several of the lights blinked out as a looming shape covered them.

"Wow..." It was hard to believe that it was a ceiling at all; Luella almost fell backwards staring at it.

Suddenly there was a squeaking sound, the sound of wood on wood. Luella quickly turned back around and saw Professor McGonagall scooting a wooden stool forward. On that stool was a hat, a very old and patched purple hat. It was pointed and looked like it one had been in use, though been too much trouble to continue repairing. The hall hushed, and Velia, not noticing, said quite loudly-

"Whoa! Why don't they throw that thing out?" A small amount of snickers came from the crowd, and a few of the professors looked at her sternly. For a few seconds, there was an uneasy silence. Shivers ran through the first years as they wondered what kind of thing they would be subjected to. Then, the hat moved. Slightly at first, and then it started shuddering. Finally, a rip near the brim, like a mouth, opened wide and revealed the shiny insides. Then it began to sing, to all of their amazement.


"Do I look ragged and weather-beaten?
Forlorn and mistreated?
It is true that I am old.
But in my head, I do hold
The knowledge that will decide your fate
So now you will just have to wait
For your future lies before you
But just for now I'll give you a clue.

Ravenclaw is for the clever bunch.
And if you're smart I have a hunch
That is where you will be
But you will just have to wait and see.

Gryffindor is known for bravery
Not for any yellow belly!
Courage is admired in this tight knit group,
And those whose resolve never droops.

Slytherins are very crafty, even if that's not always good
They can sometimes be a little shady, their face covered with a hood
But this is not always the case
In fact it's not even commonplace! But if you got ambition
The Slytherin house should be your mission.

Finally Hufflepuff, for those who are loyal and true.
Do you think that this house is the right one for you?
These people are not afraid of work
And here's a little perk,
You'll be a trusted friend
Until the very end.

Now the decision is not yours to make.
Because that responsibility I will take.
Just put me on top of your head.
You know you have nothing to dread.

For while you're here within this hall,
No harm will you befall.
Now come and find what the choice will be,
For in here lies your destiny!


Everyone burst into applause as the hat stilled once again. Whistles and distinguished woops broke through, making the first years cheer even louder. At the head table the teachers were clapping politely. *This won't be so bad!* Luella giggled.

Professor McGonagall came forward from her seat yet again. She was carrying a large yellow parchment that reached the ground.

"When I call your name, please step forward and place the had on your head. Sit on the stool to be sorted. Keg, Macy!"

A black haired girl with braids down to her waist stood forward slowly. She was sniffling as she put the hat on her head and sat down. It fell down over her eyes and almost to the bridge of her nose. A moment's silence followed, the hat vibrating silently with what seemed to be indecision.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" it finally shouted, shaking so that the girl's wild eyes shone for a few mere seconds as it jumped off her head. One of the tables erupted in cheers as she came by to sit down with them. Suddenly, the first years gasped as pale, translucent specters walked through the wall.

"Sorry! Sorry!" One of them, a ghost wearing a ruff and tights, bowed. He floated to one of the middle tables and sat down to a redheaded boy with very pale skin. "Had to deal with Peeves, we did! What did we miss?"

"Albeturki, Zachary!" Professor McGonagall continued, looking quite peeved at the interruption.

"SLYTHERIN!" Another table erupted into cheers, and what sounded like hisses. Luella bit her lip, suddenly realizing how odious the lot seemed to be; and she began reconsidering being in that house.

"Larks, Benjamin!"

"RAVENCLAW!" Yet another table erupted in cheers, and as Ben, the boy who had wet himself, went to sit down.

"Hancocki, Sophie!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Clarke, Mandy!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

The only house left was Gryffindor, but no one seemed to be chosen for it. After about seven more minutes, the first years had dwindled to about 12. Luella was beginning to become nervous. What if no one was good enough? What if she alone was sitting there for ages and the hat started screaming that she wasn't good enough to even be here? Could that be possible?

Looking around as 'Michel, Curtis' was made a Slytherin, Luella noticed Velma biting her nails, a nasty habit, while Legolas was staring calmly. Velia was gazing at the back of Dan's head, her smile making her look almost retarded.

"Valendinburk, Daniel!" Velia snapped out of her gaze and watched her crush walk slowly up the steps. His hand, almost deathly white, shook as it grabbed at the hat. Cramming it onto his head, Dan sat at the stool. His hand twitched absentmindedly for almost a minute until the hat shouted,

"GRYFFINDOR!" Luella's ears were about to burst from the amount of cheering. For being brave, those people sure had a set of lungs! Velia began muttering nonchalantly "Gryffindor! Gryffindor!"

"Bergh, Velma!" Giving her thumbs up, Luella crossed her fingers for her best friend as she stumbled up to the hat. Twitching, Velma grabbed the hat and thrust it on her head, much like Dan had done. Almost immediately the hat shouted-

* * * * *

"Bergh, Velma!" Professor McGonagall shouted. Velma quivered with fear even though she saw Luella give her very enthusiastic thumbs up. Shuddering, Velma repeated over and over in her head that it would be fine.

Upon reaching the hat, she grabbed it. It was silky yet rough on her hands as she thrust it onto her head. Thank goodness this thing goes over my eyes, Velma thought. My eye is twitching again!

"Ah..." a small voice said in her ear, Velma could only guess it was the hat, deciding her fate. "A very good mind, indeed. Not much courage, sorry to say... Ambition is there, but not as much will! Loyalty, yes...Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff?"

"Ravenclaw..." Velma murmured, happy that she had a choice.

"All right... RAVENCLAW!" The hat shouted, and Velma heard the table shout out. She smiled, happy that she was finally at ease, and slid off the stool.

* * * * *

"Alright!" Velia called, clapping for Velma as she ran to the Ravenclaw table. She shook hands with some fifth year girls and clapped hands with some of the third year boys.

"That's her color anyways..." Luella muttered under her breath.

"What?" Velia frowned. "What are on about?"

"She loves blue!" Luella pointed to the Ravenclaw banner, it had a bronze eagle and a blue background. Velia laughed as 'Veryhan, Sam' was made a Hufflepuff.

"Junz, Trinity!" A short blonde girl ran forward, her curls bouncy and thick. Her pale face was rosy and delighted, and she eagerly pulled the hat over her blue eyes. After a few moments, the hat screamed,

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Ekben, Molly!" A brunette slowly made her way up to the hat. Her face was full of freckles, and she had big hoop earrings in her ears.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Anders, Kari!" Another brunette with shoulder length hair and brown eyes moved forward. She put the hat on and it screamed,

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Wood, Oliver!" Velia heard Luella gasp, but she quickly stifled it. His tall personage lumbered up and sat on the stool. A few seconds later it cried,

"GRYFFINDOR!" Smiling broadly, Oliver walked down past Luella, giving her a smile.

"Covikia, Velia!"

Hearing her name, Velia's heart began racing. It was almost unbearable, and she almost started crying. It hurt. She repeated 'Gryffindor' faster. Walking up the stairs, she tripped and landed on her arm. Behind her, about two thirds of the students said "Ow!" or "Oh man, you ok?" but from the Slytherin side she heard laughter.

Blushing like mad, Velia got up and rammed the hat on her head as if to block the sounds. *Only I would screw that up!*

"Oh...want to be in Gryffindor egh? Yes, you have plenty of courage. Yes...loyalty... Hmm... Loyalty...Courage... GRYFFINDOR!"

"YES!" Velia shouted, as she ripped off the hat, ran down the steps and leapt into Dan's arms. He had stood to hug her, but was forced to sit back down with an 'Oomph!' Gryffindors laughed at her display of affection, and Velia dug her face into Dan's shirt. YES!

* * * * *

"Nickson, Luella!" Professor McGonagall cried. Luella walked up the steps, looking back at Legolas, Percy and the yellow-eyed boy who were staring at her with different expressions. She shivered, and sat on the stool as she put on her hat.

"Now where to put you..." The voice seemed to yawn, as if it was getting tired. "You've got plenty of brains, yes... lots of courage too... loyalty is strong, yes, but ambition rises above the rest. Shall I put you in Slytherin my dear?"