Good Afternoon!

I have decided to be generous and post another chapter. I've had this written for a while ande I polished it up this morning. I suppose that it makes little sense to withhold finished chapters, in fact it's kind of mean. You really will have to wait a week for the next installment though. It's not quite finished but it does have over 2500 words already.

This is also an excellent time to tell you all that I have recently acquired a Live Journal which I am dedicating to my fics, and other Harry Potter related endeavors. I will post about updates on there or if there has been a lack of updates you will be likely to find the reason there too. Since I can't link directly from here, you can find it directly from my author profile under "homepage".

Well, that's enough waffling for now. On with the story!

The Sorting

The echo of Hagrid's last knock was being carried away by the wind as the oak front door swung open. Silhouetted in the light from the entrance hall was Professor McGonagall wearing long witch's robes of the deepest emerald.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," rumbled Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid, I will take them from here." She held the door open for the students as they entered. Hermione was once again rendered breathless at the sight of the enormous flag-stoned entrance hall. The ceiling was so high that it was not visible in the gloom. Double doors on the right opened into a large brightly lit room where the voices of many students chatted happily. That must be the great hall thought Hermione. However, Professor McGonagall didn't lead the first years into the hall, but instead to a small, empty chamber on the left.

They all crowded in. Hermione was squashed between Neville and a sandy-haired boy she didn't know. Professor McGonagall shut the door behind her and began to speak.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said. 'The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.

The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarted yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

McGonagall's eyes lingered briefly on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on the still dirty nose of Ron Weasley. Hermione did her best to smooth her bushy hair and hastily straightened her robes.

"I will return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly," finished McGonagall and then she was gone.

Anxious chattering broke out around her. Hermione was so nervous that she felt quite nauseous. Turning to the sandy haired boy next to her she asked, "What spells do you think we have to know?" The boy seemed too scared to speak, but Hermione was too frightened to be quiet. She began listing off all the spells she could do and everything she knew about them. Then something very important occurred to her. She had never been able to transfigure something completely. She had tried to change a match into a needle at home but she had only made it silver and pointy. It was still definitely made out of wood. What if they were asked to transfigure something and she got kicked out because she didn't know how? She whispered all of this very quickly to the boy next to her. He was starting to look rather green.

Then something happened that almost made Hermione forget about how she was about to fail to transfigure something and get kicked out of Hogwarts on her first night. Several pearly white and transparent things…. ghosts perhaps…. had just floated through the wall. Hermione let out a shriek of surprise. She wasn't the only one.

Once the screams of fright had died away Hermione could hear the ghosts, for that was what she had decided they were, arguing about someone named Peeves and whether or not he deserved another chance. Another chance at what, Hermione couldn't tell. A ghost wearing a ruff and tights, who seemed to think Peeves had already been given all the chances he deserved, finally noticed the group of eleven year-olds.

"I say, what are you all doing here?"

No one said anything. Hermione's instinct to answer any question was overpowered by her nerves and the shock at seeing a real live – well, not quite live – ghost.

"New students!" exclaimed a short and fat ghost in a friar's habit. "About to be sorted, I suppose?"

Hermione and several others nodded but still said nothing.

"Hope to see you in Hufflepuf!" chortled the friar, "my old house you know."

At that moment Professor McGonagall returned. "Move along now," she said to the ghosts, "The sorting ceremony is about to start." McGonagall instructed the first years to form a single file line. She led them back across the entrance hall and through the doors into the great hall.

The hall was enormous and brightly lit with thousands of candles floating in mid-air above four long tables decorated in the house colors. Above the candles was the famous ceiling, enchanted to look like the sky outside. Hermione heard several people speculating about it behind her, and to give herself something else to think about whispered to them, "it's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts: a History."

The first years were led between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuf tables towards what was clearly a table for the teachers. Hermione's stomach was full of butterflies and she was perspiring slightly. They reached the professors' table and then turned to face the students. It was very uncomfortable to be watched by so many pairs of eyes. Professor McGonagall disappeared around the back of the head table for a moment and returned with a four legged stool. She set the stool in front of the first years and placed on top of it an old, frayed, and dirty hat that had been patched in many places.

McGonagall stepped back and all the students in the hall stared intently at the hat. Hermione stared at it too. At first it seemed as though nothing would happen. Suddenly, the hat twitched, a rip opened near the brim, and it began to sing.

Oh you may not think me 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.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 folks use any means
To achieve their ends.

You might belong in

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!

A surge of relief flooded through Hermione. All she had to do was try on a hat! That was easy enough. Hermione applauded with everyone else in the hall as the sorting hat bowed to the four house tables and then stilled. Professor McGonagall unrolled a long roll of parchment and said, "When I call your name you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."

Her crisp voice then rang through the hall, "Abbot, Hannah"

Hermione watched Hannah join the Hufflepuf table and tried to wait patiently for Professor McGonagall to reach the Gs. Patience seemed to be hard to come by tonight and Hermione's was waning fast.

Finally the Fs were finished with Seamus Finnigan who became a Gryffindor. Hermione waited with bated breath while Gregory Goyle, the boy who had been bitten by Ron Weasley's rat, was sorted. At last he joined the Slytherin table.

"Granger, Hermione!"

Hermione was so nervous and excited that she very nearly ran to the stool and shoved the hat on her head with a little more force than was strictly necessary.

"Well, now, what do we have here?" said a small voice in Hermione's ear. "A brilliant mind, I see, but also courage, and loyalty, and oooh quite a bit of cunning and ambition too. So, where shall I put you?"

"Please Gryffindor," thought Hermione anxiously.

"Gryffindor, eh? You'd make a great Ravenclaw with this mind, oh yes, you would."

"What good are brains if I don't know how to use them to do good things?" Hermione countered mentally.

"True, perfectly true," replied the hat. "You've got the courage of a Gryffindor, no doubt about that. So if you're sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Then let it be GRYFFINDOR!"

The hat shouted the last word so that the entire school could hear. Hermione removed the hat, placed it back on the stool, and scurried off to join the scarlet and gold Gryffindor table. She took an empty seat next to a red-haired boy who congratulated her and introduced himself as "Percy Weasley, Gryffindor Prefect."

Hermione watched the rest of the sorting with interest, trying to remember all the names of her new class mates and pleased to note that she was in the same house as Harry Potter, who seemed like a nice enough boy, even if he had rude friends. As the last student, Blaise Zabini, became a Slytherin the applause and cheers died down into silence. Once everyone was quiet, Albus Dumbledore stood, resplendent in midnight blue robes with twinkling stars, and addressed the school.

"Welcome," he said, "welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"

The hall burst into applause again as he resumed his seat. Hermione thought this was a rather strange message and was wondering if there was a special meaning behind them. She heard Harry Potter asking Percy Weasley if Dumbledore was a bit mad. If Hermione hadn't read so many books citing Dumbledore as the greatest wizard of modern times, she might have been asking the same question.

At that moment the golden plates were no longer empty, but teeming with food of every kind. There were a dozen or more varieties of meat; boiled, baked, steamed, and fried vegetables; salads; soups; and a large array of condiments. Hermione wasn't sure what to eat first so she took a little from every serving platter near her and began to tuck in.

Soon she was involved in a discussion with Percy Weasley about Hogwarts. He was very knowledgeable. Indeed, he was the only other student in the vicinity who seemed to have read Hogwarts: A History.

"What can you tell me about the teachers?" she asked Percy, gesturing to the staff table.

"Well," said Percy, "furthest on the left you have Hagrid. He's not actually a teacher, but the gamekeeper. He knows a lot about both magical and mundane creatures, knows a lot about plants too. Next to him is Mr. Filch, the caretaker. Filch has a horrible cat, Mrs. Norris, definitely don't want to get on the wrong side of either of them. Madame Pince is next. She's the librarian. Don't ever damage one of her books or she'll kick you out of the library. Next to her is Madame Pomfrey, the school healer. She can fix almost any injury or illness in an instant. Then you have Professor Sprout. She teaches Herbology and is the head of Hufflepuf house. She's a good teacher. Likes her plants more than people, but that might be a good thing with her job. Next is Professor Flitwick, He's the head of Ravenclaw and teaches Charms. Almost everyone leaves Hogwarts with a NEWT in Charms. Very smart old fellow, rumor is that he used to be a dueling champion. The witch next to him is Professor McGonagall. She's Deputy Headmistress, Transfiguration teacher, and head of our house, but don't expect her to favor you just because you're a Gryffindor. She's really strict but also very fair."

"I've met Professor McGonagall," said Hermione, "she came to tell my family about Hogwarts and took us to Diagon Alley."

"Did she?" asked Percy, but he didn't wait for a reply, before he continued in full flow about the Professors. Gesturing towards the center of the head table he said "Professor Dumbledore is the headmaster obviously. Absolutely brilliant, he's the most powerful wizard in the world. The dark haired one next to him is Professor Snape, head of Slytherin and Potions Professor. Everyone knows he favors his own house and thinks most of his students are idiots. Right now he's talking to Professor Quirrell. Quirrell teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts. Apparently he hasn't been quite the same since he had a run in with some vampires on his travels. The next four professors teach electives that you won't be able to take until your third year: Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Care of Magical Creatures, and Muggle Studies, so I'll skip those. The last one on the end is Madame Hooch. She teaches flying lessons for first years and referees all the Quidditch matches.

An hour passed before the remnants of the food on the serving platters melted away to be replaced by a plethora of desserts. As Hermione helped herself to a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a slice of hot apple pie, she turned the topic of conversation to upcoming lessons.

"I'm very excited for classes to start," she said, "I do hope they start right away, there's so much to learn."

Percy nodded his understanding and Hermione continued, "I'm particularly interested in Transfiguration, you know turning something into something else, of course, it's supposed to be very difficult."

"It is," Percy confirmed. Hermione was glad to hear this. She still was unhappy with the fact that she was unable to fully complete a transfiguration.

Percy took a bite of his chocolate éclair, swallowed, then elaborated, "You'll be starting small, just matches into needles and that sort of thing." Hermione asked Percy if he was able to give her any advice for improving her transfiguration and he provided her with several useful tips. The two spent the rest of dessert discussing the finer points of beginning transfiguration.

Just as Hermione was beginning to think it would be difficult to stay awake much longer and wondering when they would be allowed to go to bed, the dessert disappeared and Dumbledore got to his feet again. He cleared his throat and then spoke.

"Just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.

First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember as well." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes landed for a moment on a pair of identical red-haired boys who, Hermione was sure, must be related to Ron and Percy Weasley.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.

Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.

And Finally, I must tell you that this year, the third floor corridor on the right-hand side is out-of-bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

A few people laughed. Hormone was not one of them.

"And now before we go to bed, let us sing the school song." Dumbledore flicked his wand and a long golden ribbon flew out of the end and twisted itself in midair into words. "Everyone pick their favorite tune, and off we go!"

Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something, please,
Whether 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.

Hermione thought this was a very strange school song, but sang as directed, picking a tune from a minuet she could play on the piano. Everyone finished at different times until the last ones left singing were the Weasley twins. They had picked a very slow funeral march.

Dumbledore conducted the last few lines with his wand and then applauded loudly. "Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now bedtime. Off you trot!"

Percy gathered all the first years and led them out of the Great Hall, through the Entrance Hall, and up a grand marble staircase. They traipsed though a seemingly endless maze of corridors and staircases. Some of the doors they had to open were behind tapestries or were sliding panels of wall. Hermione tried to remember the way, but it was too confusing and she was too tired.

Not paying enough attention, she walked straight into Lavender Brown when they came to a sudden halt. There was a bundle of walking sticks floating in mid air over their heads. "Peeves," Percy whispered to the group, "a poltergeist." Then much louder he shouted, "Peeves- show yourself"

The only answer was a very rude noise coming somewhere to their left.

"Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron?" asked Percy.

A second later there was a small pop and a little man with dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, sitting cross-legged in the air, and clutching the walking sticks. "Oooooooooooh," he cackled, "Ickle firsties, what fun!"He swopped suddenly at the first years who ducked, terrified.

"Go away Peeves, or the Baron'll hear about this, I mean it!" barked Percy in his most authoritative voice.

Peeves stuck out his tongue and vanished, but not before dropping the walking sticks with a clatter on Neville's head.

"You want to watch out for Peeves," said Percy while setting off down the corridor again. "The Bloody Baron's the only one who can control him, he won't even listen to us prefects. Here we are"

They had arrived at the end of the corridor. The wall was covered with a large painting of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress.

"Password!" the portrait demanded.

"Caput Draconis," said Percy in a clear, carrying voice so that all the first years could hear. The painting swung forward revealing a hole in the wall. Percy climbed through and directed the younger students to follow. The Gryffindor common room was large, yet cozy. There was a blazing fire in the hearth casting a warm glow on the wood paneled walls and the scarlet, over-stuffed armchairs. Large tables were spread throughout the room for studying, and groupings of couches made ideal social areas.

No one felt like socializing at the moment, however, and Percy directed the boys through one door and the girls through another. At the top of a very long, spiral staircase they found a door marked first years. Pushing the door open, they found their beds in a round room with large windows. Hermione's trunk had been placed at the foot of a large four-poster bed with red velvet hangings. Too tired to explore her new sleeping quarters much, Hermione pulled out a pair of pajamas, changed, and climbed into an incredibly soft bed. She was asleep almost at once.