Disclaimer- Anything in this
story that is recognizable is the ideas of the wonderful J.K. Rowling.
As well, this story was started before the release of the fifth book and
will be written as though I hadn't yet read it.
Corking Sorting Song
"Wonder when we'll get to see Hermione again," Ron grumbled, looking out the window of the horseless carriage he was sharing with Harry.
Harry ignored him. "Why isn't Hagrid here?"
Ron shrugged. "Dumbledore probably has him out working for him. Hermione said something about giants in one of her letters."
"Hagrid's not a giant."
Ron shook his head, giving Harry a look that showed he clearly thought him an idiot. "Of course not, but he is half. Maybe Dumbledore's finally cracked and is hiring full giants now."
Harry looked out the window, avoiding Ron's gaze. "Well, he's hiring wanted criminals, isn't he?"
Ron didn't say anything. He followed Harry's glance, and took to staring out the window as well. "Hermione's going to be worse than Percy now. Really, she'll be the next Big Headed girl..."
Ron continued on for quite some time, but Harry had long ago tuned him out. When the carriage stopped in front of Hogwarts, Harry was the first to leave. He didn't bother to wait for Ron, but instead hurried up the Hogwarts steps, past the Entrance Hall, and into the Great Hall. He sat near the end of the already rapidly filling Gryffindor table.
Ron quickly dropped beside him. With his long legs it hadn't taken him much effort to catch up. "And to think some people actually wait for their mates."
Harry mumbled a quick sorry and looked up to the staff table. Two spots were empty: Hagrid's and the Defense Against the Dark Arts' professor's. As his eyes ran up the length of the table, he noted, disdainfully, that Snape was there.
Shuddering somewhat, he realized that Snape's eyes were searching out his own. Harry turned his head and focused on Dumbledore who was avidly chatting with McGonagall. When she left (to gather the first years, Harry assumed) Dumbledore turned his attention to Harry. Harry shuddered, realizing there was no longer any sparkle in the old wizard's eyes.
He turned his attention to Ron, who was leaning against the table, seeming as if he were fighting to stay awake.
".. and then I had a shot of the very top. The Eiffel tower, you know, is.."
Harry wished he'd kept his attention on Dumbledore.
Colin Creevy, a lively, shutter happy young boy, was chattering across from Ron, clutching his camera tightly to him.
"Harry!"
"Colin."
Colin grinned. "I was just telling Ron here, about my summer. Would you like to hear?"
Harry shook his head. "That's quite all right, Colin. Besides, I think they're going to start the sorting."
Ron shot Harry a relieved look, and clapped him on the back. Harry almost smiled, which seemed to please Ron. As the first years, led by McGonagall, their Transfiguration professor, sidled in towards the stool and sorting hat at the front of the Great Hall, just before the staff table, Harry's eyes swept the rest of the Gryffindor table.
Fred and George Weasley sat a few seats up, laughing over something with Lee Jordan. Hermione sat up a bit farther with the other prefect, of which was Neville Longbottom. Harry was rendered speechless and was just about to elbow Ron when McGonagall drew an attention seeking cough.
Each student in the great hall fixed their attention on the ratty hat, in which a brim was opening, sitting upon the stool.
To the first year's amazement, the hat began to sing.
"Seven years you will attend
The finest school of all
But only in your very first
Will you adorn me and hear the call
Of Gryffindor or Ravenclaw,
Slytherin or Hufflepuff
Placing you in you house, with your
family
Where you will surely live out your
destiny
So no need to fear or fret
Just keep your thought in check
And for your favorite house
I hope you pray like heck.."
Several small first years standing directly before the hat giggled. So did many other students in the hall.
"Of founding fathers, Gryffindor
Was the most brave, by far
It was he who set out for impossible
tasks
And set risk takers upon the highest
par
His rival, ambitious Slytherin
Set these two houses apart
It was the cunning he so seeked
Those who were not, he thought as
only a tart.."
Those who hadn't laughed before were doing so now, especially the students at the Slytherin table, Draco Malfoy loudest of all.
"Dear Helga Hufflepuff, loyal was
she
Accepted no less than the hardest
workers
Into any house of hers,
Her loving antics suggesting her
quite corkers.."
Professor Sprout, head of Hufflepuff, had gone quite white. Professor McGonagall was busy stuffing her knuckles in her mouth.
"Ravenclaw was smarter than the rest
And suspected the same from her
students
It was those of studious habit,
she favored
This house, beyond all, seems to
have the most sense
No, I haven't lost my wits
I'm just as clever as I was a millennium
ago
I simply thought I'd add fun to
my song this year
Shouts around of, 'Hear! Hear!'"
The Great Hall burst into the said words, Ginny Weasley's shouts being heard even over the twins', despite that she was underneath the Gryffindor table rolling around in a right fit of laughter.
When the hall had quieted some Dumbledore rose and anyone still talking or laughing immediately stopped. Just as he opened his mouth, there was a loud crash at one side of the Great Hall and fearful screams erupted from the Hufflepuff table.
"Bloody hell," came Ron's gasp.
A/N- Review!