We're A Miracle

Chapter Two: The Sorting and Dreams

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Lavender, and Parvati sat down at the table. Parvati looked up and down the table for Kodac while the others settled into their chairs. Parvati looked up when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

“Fancy seeing you here. Mind if I take a seat?” Kodac grinned. He sat down when Parvati nodded. She noticed the purple bags under Kodac’s eyes. She was about began to ask where they came from when Professor McGonagall led a line of new first years into the Great Hall. Tiny Professor Flitwick carried a stool, on which sat the old, frayed Sorting Hat, and placed it in front of the first years.

A wide rip at the brim opened, and the Hat began to sing the song that it sang in Harry remembered from his first year:

“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 folk 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 (thought I have none)

For I’m a Thinking Cap!”

As the entire hall burst into applause, the Sorting Hat bowed to each of the house tables and the Head Table. McGonagall unrolled a parchment and said, “When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Blaise, Herbert!”

A set of triplets, “Bennett, “Bennett,” “Bennett,” all went into Ravenclaw. Zabini’s younger brother strode over to the stool and disdainfully set the hat on his head. A few seconds later, the Hat shouted, “SLYTHERIN” and Herbert joined his brother at the Slytherin table. “Blunt, Ben” was sorted into Hufflepuff, but “Cunning, Vermont” became the first new Gryffindor.

The line slowly shrank as students were sorted to their houses. Finally, “Zampor, Snide” was put in Slytherin, and Dumbledore stood up.

“Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts. First years should note that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds. A few of our older students would do well to remember that as well,” he boomed, eyes twinkling in the direction of the Creevey brothers (who were just as good Beaters and trouble-makers as Fred and George Weasley). “Hogsmeade visits will be canceled this year, due to the present circumstances,” he waited for the moans and groans to dissipate, “to protect you all from the increasing darkness. Now, with those announcements out of the way, I have but one more thing to say.” He smiled. “Tuck in.”

The first years gasped as the food appeared on the plates, goblets, platters, and bowls arranged on the tables. As they quickly got over their astonishment, everyone else piled food on their plates and began to eat. Soon, the Hall was full of talk, laughter, and the clink and clatter of knives and forks.

Ron patted his stomach as he stuffed a large spoonful of mashed potatoes. “Ah, ‘ats mu’ betta!” he said with enthusiasm. Lavender giggled. She chuckled outright at the puzzled look on Ron’s face. He shook his head and attacked his plate again. Hermione and Kodac both exhibited perfect table manners. Harry ate quietly. Parvati and Lavender shoveled food down their throats despite their constant chatting (as if they hadn’t caught up at all during the train ride!) Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan looked like they might down more food than Ron, whom many believed to have the hollowest legs in Hogwarts and was constantly challenged to eating contests by younger students and occasionally by Crabbe and Goyle. He had succeeded against them, too.

Hermione, being Head Girl, lead the first years up to the portrait of the Fat Lady and gave them the password. They clambered groggily up the staircases to their dormitories with most of the older students. The more energetic ones stayed up for a bit. Ron, though tired, wasn’t fazed by the six plates of roast chicken and spotted dick he had eaten. He was up to a game of chess with Harry (Ron, of course, won) before going up. Lavender and Parvati didn’t stay long before going up. Hermione and Head Boy Harry waited until the rest of the students went up before saying goodnight and going to their respective chambers.