Harry Potter and the Ancestral Wish
Chapter 6: The Sorting
Harry took a seat, near the front at the Gryffindor table for the sorting ceremony and the welcome feast. Further down the table sat the twins with a group of friends.
Earlier when Harry had gotten dressed on the train, he had received a surprise. On top of his robes was a gleaming prefect's badge. Obviously in this life he had received the badge. He was surprised that he hadn't noticed it earlier.
Harry's train of thought was broken off by the arrival of the first years. Harry immediately saw Liam's untidy black hair amongst the first years. Once they were all lined up in front of the staff table the sorting hat broke into song.
A thousand years ago,
When I was new
Lived four of the greatest wizards of the time
Together they decided to teach
Young witches and wizards.
Together they built this school
And taught the young ones they did.
Each of the four had their own house.
Fair Ravenclaw chose the intelligent,
Those who loved to learn,
Found their place in Ravenclaw.
The Lady Hufflepuff chose those who are loyal and just
Who want to help others,
Will find their place in Hufflepuff.
Then comes Slytherin
Whose cunning folk, will always help themselves
Will fit in Slytherin the best.
Then at last is brave old Gryffindor,
Whose brave deeds set them apart,
Will fit in perfectly in Gryffindor.
So put me on,
I will tell you where you fit best.
If I am wrong,
I will eat my hat.
Shortly afterwards the sorting started. Harry mostly tuned it out as he thought about the story of the three brothers. Harry was so absorbed in his thoughts that he missed Longbottom, Narelle being sorted into Gryffindor. He only just tuned in for Liam's turn, who immediately was chosen for "Gryffindor."
Looking around at the other students, Harry noticed to his utterly bewilderment that Melanie Malfoy was in Gryffindor. How on earth that one worked out he didn't know. Also in his year of Gryffindor there were a few extra faces he didn't recognise.
Turning back to the head table, Harry saw that there had been a few changes to the staff. Professor Flitwick seemed to be the Head master with Remus as the deputy. Snape was still there, as were Hagrid, Professor Sprout, to his surprise Umbridge and a few others. However, there were a few new faces as well, which he couldn't identify.
Harry wondered where Professor McGonagall was. She should have been first in line for the job as Headmaster. However, Harry couldn't see her anywhere. This meant she was either dead or no longer teaching.
When the sorting finished, Professor Flitwick stood up on the cushions on his chair.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," Flitwick said. "I have a few important announcements to make before you eat."
There was a groan from Ron and Neville and a dirty look from Hermione.
"To start off with," Flitwick continued, "With the disappearance of Professor McGonagall, Professor Lupin has kindly taken the position as Deputy Headmaster. Professor Snape will now be teaching duelling as well as Potions and Professor Cartwright will be taking over Charms for me."
"Also as a reminder, no one is to be wondering around the grounds or the castle after dark. These are dangerous times and we don't want anymore killings and disappearances happening at Hogwarts."
'Killings and disappearances?' Thought Harry. 'What is all that about?'
"Mr Filch," Flitwick said, after a pause, "has asked me to remind you that there is to be no magic to be used in the corridors. Also that the list of banned items have been extended to all Weasley Wizard Wheezes items. That's all I have to say right now. Tuck in."
As was normal food appeared on the plates. Feeling Hungry, Harry grabbed a bit of everything and started to consume it.
Looking around, Harry found that the twins had joined Liam at the front of Gryffindor table and were deep in conversation.
'I wonder what those three are up to?' Harry thought.
However before Harry had time to contemplate what prank they might be up to, Parvati came up and sat down next to him.
"So Harry-bear," Parvati said. "What have you been up to for the rest of the summer?"
Harry noticed behind Parvati that Seamus, Dean, Ron and Neville were making a point of gagging into their plates. However, before he could retort to this Harry was kissed by Parvati. Harry had to admit that it was a wonderful feeling being kissed. A feeling that he had never felt before. When Parvati finally drew away, Harry nearly asked for more, but caught himself in time.
"You'd think you had never been kissed before Harry." Dean commented.
"Nah, I was just thinking how great it is to be kissed by such a great girl like Parvati." Harry quickly threw back at him.
That brought a huge smile upon Parvati's face. Then with a swish of her hair she went to join her friend Lavender Brown.
"How come you two get all the good looking girls?" Seamus moaned enviously.
"Just animal instinct," Ron said proudly.
Although Ron and Hermione had fought a lot in a way you could say was love bantering, Harry was still surprised that they were together. You would never call Ron mister mature, especially after last year. However, things could change. A lot of things have changed in this time maybe Ron had changed as well. I mean look at me I am friends with Malfoy!
After being dismissed by Flitwick, Harry showed the way for the first years to Gryffindor tower.
Upon reaching his tower bedroom, he noticed, though already concluded at the Great Hall, that there were extra boys in his year. There were three, a tall boy with dirty blond hair and grey eyes whose name was Richard Smalding, a short nervous boy with flyaway red hair whose name was Andrew Resting and a boy with dark hair and darker eyes called Robert Howding.
Hopping into bed Harry wondered how many more surprises he was in for tomorrow.
AN: Sorry for taking so long to update. Been very busy with studies and sick. However, I am back to working on all my stories so keep an eye out. Many thanks to Charmedlily for beta-reading for me.