Cared For

Chapter 21: The Sorting

"Some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to mix with the wrong sort. I can help you with that." he held out his hand.

Harry stared straight into his eyes. "I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks." he said.

 Draco Malfoy looked as if he had been slapped in the face. His eyes were filled with fury, and Harry was pretty sure he would start a fight if Professor McGonagall hadn't re entered the chamber. Malfoy and his cronies scurried away.

"Follow me," she said, and all the first years thundered behind her as she opened the doors to the Great Hall.

Everyone, but Harry, let out a gasp of astonishment as they were led to the front of the Hall. Harry knew what the Hall looked like, he had lived here for nearly his entire life, but didn't say anything. As Minerva took out the disheveled Sorting Hat, whispers broke out amongst the first years, but were interrupted by the Sorting Hat. A rip opened wide like a mouth and 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 folks 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!"

Everyone in the Hall burst into applause as the hat finished it's song and became very still. McGonagall rolled out a long piece of parchment paper and began to read the names of them.

"Abbott, Hannah!" she called out.  A plump girl came out of the crowd and sat on the stool as Minerva put the hat over her head. After a while, the Hat called out, 

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The hat was pulled off her as she sat at the Hufflepuff table. Some students got up to greet her.

Professor McGonagall continued to call out the names. Harry watched as Draco Malfoy swaggered over to the hat, which called out "SLYTHERIN!" before even touching the blond's head. As the names came closer to 'P', Harry started growing nervous. What if he wasn't sorted into Gryffindor? Although Harry had no reason to go to another house, having two Gryffindor parents and a Gryffindor guardian, he stilled grew nervous as the last names went to 'N'. Based on Ron's face, Harry could tell he was nervous as well.

Finally, after some names, Professor McGonagall called out,

 "Potter, Harry!"

A couple whispers broke out between the first years, especially the pure bloods, but the rest of the Hall watched normally. After all, they had seen Harry throughout the previous year. He went up to the Hat and Minerva put it on his head.