Zia: Entering the Wizarding World

Khan, Zia

Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter, and the characters within are trademarked by J K Rowling. Any part of the plot that is recognizable as Harry Potter canon, is also trademarked by J K Rowling. I have merely added a few of my own original characters, which are creations of my own imagination, and placed them in the world of Harry Potter, for entertainment purposes only. I do not profit from this. Please don't sue me.

As Professor McGonagall returned, Zia bounced eagerly on her toes to see what awaited her behind those large double doors.

"Now, form a line and follow me," Professor McGonagall told the first years.

They all flocked behind her like sheep, as they walked through the doors, and started whispering in wonder at where they now found themselves. Four long tables were perpendicular to another long table raised on a platform which stone steps led up to, everything set with shining gold goblets and platter. Everything was lit by flickering candles floating in mid air, and when Zia lifted her head to look at them a bit closer, she gasped aloud at what she saw. A vast blue-black ceiling, littered with stars, swirling around like boats in a harbor.

"It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History," she heard a girl with bushy hair whisper.

Zia considered this for a while, due to how realistic the charms this ceiling was constructed with looked, but her train of thought came to a harsh halt when the flock of first years gathered at the front of the Great Hall, where a ragged hat sat on a stool on the raised platform.

After a moment of silence, a rip appeared at the brim of the old hat, and the hat burst into song:

"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 Hufflepuffis 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!"

When the roar of applause ended, Professor McGonagall unrolled parchment and began reading names, and as she did, students walked up and got sorted into houses.

"Khan, Zia," McGonagall announced.

Everybody's eyes widened a little more than usual, as they saw this incongruous girl take her place on the stool. The mauve hijab on her head stood in stark contrast to her regular black robes worn over a white oxford, grey sweater, and pleated skirt with black stockings. She shifted nervously as she awaited the Hat's verdict.

"Oh! Well, well, well. What do we have here? Interesting, how very interesting. Color me intrigued. Hmmmm.... Fascinating. I am enthralled. I could drown in the depths of your thoughts. Wow...." The Hat droned on for over ten minutes, until McGonagall herself intervened.

"You must place her in a house soon, if the Ceremony is to continue, or we shall never have time for the rest of the pupils," she reasoned, as Zia's cheeks heated, and she apologized profusely for causing such disruptance.

"Very well. Send her back down, and I shall sort her last, for I have not reached a conclusion of any sort yet," The Hat said in an unprecedented act. McGonagall appeared to have been struck speechless, for she nodded, and let Zia back down.