I know you - Jasper Rowle

The Sorting Ceremony

Professor McGonagall led the first-years up to the front, forming a line that faced the other students. The candlelit faces of the other students seemed like pale lanterns in the dimly lit room. Among them, the ghostly figures of the ghosts added an eerie, ethereal quality to the scene.

To escape the intensity of the gazes fixed upon them, Astra tilted her head upwards and marveled at the ceiling. Instead of the solid stone she expected, she found a velvety black expanse dotted with twinkling stars. It was as if they were in the open night sky, and the sheer magic of it all left her breathless.

Astra quickly looked down again as Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-years. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty.

Noticing that everyone in the Hall was now staring at the hat, she stared at it too. For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth – and the hat began to sing:

'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 (though I have none) For I'm a Thinking Cap!'

The Great Hall erupted in applause as the Sorting Hat concluded its quirky song. Astra couldn't help but join in the enthusiastic clapping, her eyes sparkling with a sense of wonder at the magical world she had entered. The hat gracefully bowed to each of the four tables and then settled into stillness once more.

Jasper, standing beside her, couldn't resist rolling his eyes and letting out a snicker. "Well, that was the most stupid thing I have ever witnessed," he commented dryly.

Astra turned to him, a playful grin tugging at the corner of her lips. "Oh, come on, Rowle! It's all part of the magic and tradition. You dont need to be grumpy all the time. If you dont let yourself enjoy things, you're gonna miss out on a whole lot."

Professor McGonagall stepped forward, clutching a long roll of parchment. Her stern gaze swept over the assembly of eager students.

"When I call your name," she began, her voice clear and commanding, "you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted." Her eyes fell on the first name on her list. "Abbott, Hannah!"

Astra watched as a pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails hesitantly stepped out of line. With trembling hands, Hannah placed the hat on her head, causing it to fall over her eyes. She then gingerly took her place on the stool. A tense pause filled the air.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The Sorting Hat's voice rang out, decisive and clear.

The Hufflepuff table on the right erupted with cheers and applause as Hannah, her face flushed with happiness, made her way to her new house. Astra couldn't help but notice the jovial wave of the Fat Friar, who seemed delighted to welcome her.