In Another Universe

CH 6 - Sorting

The door opened at once, revealing a short hall that led to a staircase that went around about three times. At the top, a tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a stern face and Hazel's first thought was that this was not someone to cross.

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

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

She pulled the door wide. The entrance hall was so big you could have fit the whole of the Dursleys' house in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.

They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Hazel could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right—the rest of the school must already be here—but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "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."

A boy with sleck blonde hair looked smug as Professor McGonagall looked at him.

"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 smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

The professor walked away.

"Is it true?" A boy said. It was the boy with slicked-back hair. He walked up to Hazel with two boys at his side.

"They're saying all down the train that Hazel Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"

"Yes," said Hazel. She was looking at the other boys. Both of them were thickset and looked extremely mean. Standing on either side of the pale boy, they looked like bodyguards.

"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the pale boy carelessly, noticing where Hazel was looking. "And my names Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

Ron gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snicker. Draco Malfoy looked at him.

"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."

He turned back to Hazel. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

He held out his hand to shake Hazel's, but Hazel didn't take it. Ron didn't have much, but he gave Hazel the only thing she wanted.

A friend.

"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks," she said coolly.

Draco's face fell, his demeanor dwindled down but then anger rose up in his eyes, but he couldn't act on it, not when Professor McGonagall came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder.