The Marauders - Order of the Phoenix Part Three

The Start of Term Feast

James Potter walked nervously up the center aisle of the Great Hall, directly between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables, eyes on the phoenix carved into the headmaster's podium at the front of the plinth at the front of the school, directly before the staff table. He stepped up onto the platform, crossing the open space where the Sorting Ceremony would be held in just a matter of mere moments, and walked 'round the far end of the faculty table on the end nearest to Gryffindor house. Without looking, he could feel eyes on him, following his trek across the Hall and he flushed, keeping his head down and reading the placards that designated seating assignments along the table. He was shocked to find his was two down from the center seat where Dumbledore sat, sandwiched between Professors McGonagall and Flitwick.

"Hello Mr. Potter!" Flitwick chirped as James sank into his seat. Flitwick's chair was quite taller than the others to account for his short stature and James smiled when he found in these chairs Flitwick was actually taller than he was. "I heard from Minerva that you were going to be this year's flight instructor and I must say that I am quite proud of the assignment! Congratulations, my boy, I am sure that you'll do quite grandly." He took both of James's hands in his own and shook heartily, merry, and James snuck a peek at his goblet once he'd let go, suspecting something stronger than pumpkin juice might be inside of it.

He glanced around the rest of the table, receiving nods and smiles from other members of stafft that were already present, including Professor Sprout, Madam Pomfrey, Professor Slughorn, and even an incredibly tall, impossibly thin woman with voluminous grey hair that was seated on the opposite side of Dumbledore, wearing grey robes that matched her hair, a stark contrast to her dark complexion. 

Must be the new Dark Arts teacher, James thought.

Dumbledore looked over and caught James's eyes and he smiled and winked at James before getting up, raising up his hands and clapping them twice. The chatter throughout the hall quieted as students turned to focus on Dumbledore. "Let the sorting begin!" he called out.

James turned to look at the doorway to the room off the Hall as it opened and watched as Professor McGonagall held it opened for a stream of first year students. They looked so tiny - gods alive, had Sirius, Remus, Peter, Lily, and himself really once been that small? - as they crossed over to a huddle in the center aisle, all nervously shifting foot to foot and looking all around them - up at the enchanted ceiling's starry night sky, and the candles that floated all about the room, suspended in mid-air over the long house tables. James smiled, remembering what it was like, seeing all of it for the first time. There was awe and nervousness mixed on all of their faces, but it was easy to tell which of the first years were muggleborns by their extreme, unhinged wonder.

Professor McGonagall walked to the center of the plinth, placed the stool in the middle, and then set the Sorting Hat upon it before taking a couple of steps back.

James leaned forward in anticipation as the Sorting Hat shook itself awake and the brim split open.

A gasp went up from the first years when the Hat made a sound as though clearing his throat.

Tis Hogwarts you've come to for learning and fun
Another year wiser's what you'll be when we're done

You've been through the journey and here you've arrived

Another step closer to goals for which you've strived

We're rootin' for you and you'll root for each other

For here at Hogwarts, you're all sisters and brothers

Bound by the magic and the work of building our brains
Not by things superficial nor by the blood in our veins!