The Abyss

Percival Weasley sat on the Hogwarts Express. He was entirely alone, and he felt very peculiar. He had always been somewhat of the know-it-all, and had always been surrounded by his remaining brothers and young sister. He had never, ever been completely alone and without his family. His mother had homeschooled the children until they were of age to come to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, his next-eldest brother had long since graduated and moved out on his own. So here Percy was, without his family, without a friend in the world, and in a train car where no one else was sitting. He wished that the journey wasn't so far; the sandwich his mother had made him was long gone, and it wasn't even dark outside. Of course, he had some money that his mother had given him, but he wanted to save it to get a tinker game for his sister Ginny. She had seen it, and had fallen in love instantly, and Percy had resolved to save every penny and give it to her for Christmas.

Percy felt his stomach rumble in hunger. He curled up over several seats, putting up the armrests to make a couch. He rolled up his robes in a ball, put his head down, and fell into a fitful sleep.

Percy awoke to the sound of the train's whistle blowing, and a desperate need to use the lavatory. He stood up to find one, and noticed as he passed the windows that it was now pitch dark outside. As he made his way back down the hall, he passed another trembling girl his age. She looked pale and scared, and she brushed by him with a squeak. He watched her pass by, noticing that she had taken all of her luggage with her.

He wondered idly where she was going, when other students started a slow trickle out of their compartments. A passing boy looked at Percy.

"First year?" the boy asked; Percy nodded. "Well, then you better go get your robes on. We'll be coming into Hogsmeade Station shortly."

Percy thanked the older boy, and slipped back into his compartment. He put on his robes, and double-checked his luggage. He had just finished when he felt the train begin to slow.

A voice echoed through the train. "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

Percy made his way to the doors, and the train finally slowed to a halt. The doors slid open, and a first glimpse of Hogwarts could be seen over a small stand of pines, hovering high above a lake. A waxing half-moon shone brightly above, reflecting in lacy ripples across the water. Percy found himself breathless; it was one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen. He heard some girls giggling, and quickly turned around to see that they were a couple years older than he was. Worse yet, they had seen him ogling Hogwarts, and they were laughing at him. Mollified, he moved further away down the platform.

"Aren't they cute?" one girl said.

"Oh, definitely! Were we ever that small?" the other replied.

Suddenly, he heard a booming voice ring out. "Firs' years! Firs' years, over here!"

Glad he could get away from the giggling girls, he entered a group of other children his age. He was glad to see that the others of his age group were as awed and nervous as he was. He stood tall in line, smoothing the wrinkles from his robes. He stood there, waiting for the others to queue up behind him. As he was waiting, he felt somebody tumble into him. Percy managed to keep his footing, but only just.

"Oh! Sorry about that!" a voice called behind an impossibly large trunk. "It's murder trying to steer this thing..."

"That's okay; I'm still in one piece," said Percy. "You know you're supposed to keep the luggage on the train, right?"

A boy's blonde head poked around the end of the trunk. He laughed. "Yeah, but this is special. It's my new broom. It's the first of its kind, so I have to keep it safe."

Percy was surprised. "Keeping it safe, eh? Then you might not want to run into anyone else with it."

The boy rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He righted his trunk, and dusted off his hands. "By the way, I'm Dave. Dave Whitehorn." He extended a hand, and Percy shook it.

"Good to meet you, Dave. I'm Percy Weasley."

"A Weasley, eh? Your father Arthur?"

Percy smiled. "Yeah, that's right, mate."

"Hm! I think your dad and my dad went to Hogwarts together. Both Gryffindor, you know."

"Really! Who's your dad?"

"Devlin Whitehorn."

Percy stopped for a moment. He knew he should know that name for some reason.

"Isn't he...?" Percy started.

"Yeah, he helped design the Nimbus broom back in the 60's."

"Wow." Percy was amazed; he had met many famous wizards before since his father worked for the Ministry of Magic, but none as cool as Devlin Whitehorn. Percy thought a moment, and was about to say something when the loud, booming voice echoed out again.

"Hello, firs' years! All right, follow me!" a big, towering, lumbering man guided them forward. "I'm Hagrid, an' I'll be leadin' ye to Hogwarts."

Percy and Dave followed excitedly. They rounded a corner, and a fleet of small boats was sitting in the water by the shore. Percy picked up one end of Dave's trunk, and Dave grabbed the other.

"Only four to a boat!" Hagrid cried. Percy and Dave could only fit themselves plus the trunk, but it seemed to be more fun that way anyhow. "Everybody ready?" roared Hagrid. When no one answered shook his head. "Right. FORWARD!"

Suddenly, all the boats began to slide forward across the lake. It wasn't long before they arrived in a cave that seemed to be underneath Hogwarts castle. Hagrid was knocking on a door on the far wall when Dave and Percy managed to drag the trunk out of the boat. A witch with bright green eyes opened the door and was speaking to Hagrid when the boys joined the rest of the group. The witch eyed them standing there with the trunk, but didn't say anything.

"I'll take them from here, Hagrid," she said.

"Thanks, Professor," he replied.

Dave whispered, "That's Professor McGonagall."

Percy nodded; he had heard about her leading the first years to get Sorted into their new houses. It would determine what magical family they belonged with; however, Percy already knew he would be in Gryffindor. After all, both of his brothers and his father had been in that house. Still, it wasn't official until the Sorting Hat placed you there.

McGonagall gave a short speech about the importance of Sorting, then led them into the Great Hall. It was a splendid room, enormous in size, and accommodated the entire student body plus the faculty. The vaulted ceiling was bewitched to look like the night sky, and candles lit the whole hall. The tables were set with golden plates and goblets, and the first years stood staring about. Professor McGonagall placed a stool down in front of the hall where the teachers were sitting. She placed an old, dirty wizard's hat down upon the stool, and stepped aside. Suddenly, a tear in the brim opened like a mouth, and the hat began to sing.

"Oh I have been at Hogwarts

Since Hogwarts first began

And no other hat or person

Can tell you what I can.

I am a Sorting Hat

A different hat am I

No other cap has what I have

Here's the reason why

I see all your inner thoughts

And from what I see

I can tell where you belong

By what you long to be

You could be mighty Gryffindor

They are brave and they are daring

The bold and chivalrous are there

Red and Gold is what they're wearing

You could be loyal Hufflepuff

With good friends at your back

They work hard in every subject

Wearing Yellow and Black

Or you could be in Ravenclaw

If your wit is quick and true

If you're slick and if you're smart

You'll wear Bronze and Blue

Or you could be in Slytherin

If you're cunning and you're keen

Using all at your disposal

You'll get Silver and Green

So put me on and let's find out

What house that you'll be in

Your future lies just right ahead

Let the Sorting now begin!"

Applause rang out from the entire hall as the hat finished singing. All the singing had made Percy nervous, however. He didn't know how 'brave and daring' he was. If he was honest, either Ravenclaw or Slytherin sounded closer to his nature than Gryffindor. But he shrugged off the thought; everyone in his family belonged to Gryffindor, so he knew that's where he belonged.

Professor McGonagall began calling students forward and placing the hat upon their heads. As each was fitted with the hat, a different house name was called out from the hat's brim. Percy waited what felt like an eternity; since both he and Dave had a last name starting with a 'W', it was taking a long time to get to their names. Percy's stomach was churning. He seemed to have lost the ravenous appetite he had.

"Finchley, George," said McGonagall. An enthusiastic young boy bounced up to the stool, and put on the hat. Without any hesitation, the hat exclaimed, "HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hufflepuff table clapped heartily, and he high-fived several other boys there.

Percy wondered if he would be as well received. McGonagall called more names. "Harrison, Mitchell...Iverson, Irving...Lovejoy, Amanda...Mockridge, Melinda..."

A shaking, scared little girl sat down on the stool, and donned the hat. A few moments later, the hat roared, "RAVENCLAW!" A look of relief passed over her face, and she practically ran to the Ravenclaw table.

Percy was still watching Melinda when the next few names were called. He looked up after a few moments, and wondered how the list had suddenly become so short.

"Stockton, Lawrence...Thomas, Leslie...Victor, Maeve...Weasley, Percival," she called.

Time began to contract; he swallowed, and started to walk forward. Dave gave him a clap on the shoulder. "Good luck, mate," he whispered. Percy nodded, and stepped up to the stool. He felt like the world had slowed down, and everything was moving painfully slowly. He sat down, seeing the whole room focused on him. McGonagall put the hat down upon his head, and suddenly all he could see was the fabric inside of the hat. It was like staring into an abyss.

"Hmm," said a small voice into his ear. "Interesting. Yes, yes; quite shrewd. Quick wits...but an overriding thirst for power, yes."

Gryffindor, Percy thought desperately. I know I belong in Gryffindor.

"Gryffindor, eh?" inquired the small voice. "Really? You're smart enough for Ravenclaw, and cunning enough for Slytherin. Slytherin would help you become great, you know. You do want to become great, don't you?"

Please, Percy thought. It's where my heart tells me to go.

"Following your heart, eh? Well then it sounds like - GRYFFINDOR!"

The last word was shouted out to the whole hall. He removed the hat, his hands shaking with nervous reaction. McGonagall took the hat away from him, and Percy heard her say, "Whitehorn, David." Percy moved quickly over to the Gryffindor table, other Gryffindors were cheering as he sat down. He turned around to watch Dave being Sorted.

It seemed to take a very long time for the hat to decide. Finally, it bellowed "RAVENCLAW!" Percy realized he would probably not see much of Dave since he was sorted into a competing house, but he clapped for him nonetheless. Dave stood and dragged his trunk over to the Ravenclaw table, nodding at Percy as he went. Dave was the last to be Sorted, and McGonagall took the Sorting Hat away.

Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster, got to his feet. "Welcome to Hogwarts. There are times when it's appropriate to talk about this fine academy. But for now, let's eat!"

He plopped back down into his seat, and everyone clapped.

Suddenly, food appeared on the plates set before them. Food of every kind was spread out in a sumptuous feast. Roast beef, corned beef, chicken, pork, sausage, steaks, potatoes, puddings, vegetables, gravies and salads lined the tables. Pies, rolls and cakes were set out in beautiful array. Oddly, they were accompanied by a bowl full of lemon drops for each of the students. He wondered if he was supposed to wait for others to begin, but looked around the room and saw students and teachers alike all tucking in. His stomach growled, and he grabbed up all sorts of food. He was about to go back for another lamb chop when an older boy leaned over and said, "Careful there, mate. The flaming pudding is worth the wait." Percy nodded, and waited for his food to settle. Eventually, the dinner foods disappeared.

After a few minutes, the promised puddings appeared on the table. Percy was glad that he had waited; some other first years just looked at them and groaned. They were absolutely delicious, and Percy thought privately that even his mum couldn't make them this good. Of course, there was ice cream and pies, tarts and cakes, doughnuts, fruits and other puddings as well. But the flaming brandy pudding was the best of the bunch. He patted his belly in satisfaction, and yawned hugely.

Finally, the desserts disappeared. Professor Dumbledore stood up again, and suddenly the after dinner conversation quieted down. Dumbledore began speaking, but Percy found it extremely difficult to concentrate on his words. Percy was practically asleep already, but snapped awake when everyone began singing the Hogwarts school song. It was an utter cacophony; everyone was singing the words to the tune of a different song. He didn't know the song, so he picked an old lullaby that he knew, and hoped that soon he would be in bed. Everyone except little Percy sang:

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts

Teach us something please,

Weather we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

Since everyone sang a different song, they all ended at different times. The very last to finish were some jokers at the Slytherin table. They were singing it like an opera, and it looked as though Dumbledore wiped a tear from his eye as they finished. The whole school clapped.

"Well sung, well sung indeed. Ten points to Slytherin for that rousing rendition."

Slytherin house erupted in cheers. When they quieted down, Dumbledore continued, "Now! Time for bed. First years, follow your prefects. Goodnight, and welcome to Hogwarts!"

Percy sleepily marched up many staircases, some of them moving magically as they walked upwards. They made so many twists and turns that it was quite impossible for him to remember what direction he was going in his sleepy state. Eventually, they reached a painting of a very stout woman in a pink silk dress.

"Password?" she said.

"Venomous tentacula," said the prefect. The portrait opened forwards and a showed a round hole in the wall behind it. They walked through it, and for the first time Percy entered the Gryffindor common room. It was a round room with a fireplace, and it was full of old squashy armchairs. The girls were pointed towards their dormitory, and the boys were pointed towards theirs. At the top of a spiralling staircase, Percy finally saw his bed. It was a fantastic four-poster bed with velvet curtains. He almost tripped over his own trunk that was sitting on the end of his bed. He quickly changed into his pajamas, and fluffed his pillow. He climbed into the cold, moonlit sheets and drew the curtains. As he snuggled down, he felt warm, full and tired. His last thought as he fell asleep was That wasn't so bad. Maybe I'll get along fine after all.