The Mysterious Heir

Chapter 3, Book 1, "The Sorting Ceremony"

The Great Hall
September 1st, 1991
8:15 pm

Polaris is sitting at the Slytherin table, waiting for the first years like everyone else. Professor McGonagall enters the Great Hall and walks up to Dumbledore, who's sitting by the staff table. Polaris looks at the staff table, wondering who is the new Defense Against The Dark Arts professor. He notices Professor Quirrell is back from his year long travels, but something seems off about him, but Polaris couldn't put his finger on it. Professor Dumbledore gets up from his seat and announces that Quirrell is the Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher. I wonder what'll happen to him by the year is over Polaris thinks to himself.

Polaris then hears the large doors of the Great Hall open, and McGonagall is leading the first years up to a three legged stool, where the sorting hat sits. Harry catches his eye and Polaris gives him a small smile. When the first years reach the stool, they stop, and the hat twitches. A rip near the brim opens wide like a mouth - and the hat begins 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!