Harry Potter x Reader

First Year - Sorting Hat

"Um.. no. I don't think I do. But it'd be nice if you'd stop staring at my eyes thanks." I said, frowning.

Both Dean and Seamus exchanged looks and then grinned.

"You'll probably get it by the end of the year." Dean said, now not so nervous as he was a few minutes ago.

"Anyways, I think I'm gonna be in Gryffindor!" said Seamus, beaming at the stone walls surrounding us.

"Maybe I'll be in Hufflepuff." replied Dean, thinking hard.

"I think I'll be in Hufflepuff too. Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad." I said, trying to remember the traits that each house holds.

"Anything but Slytherin." came Ron's voice. I frowned.

"What's wrong with Slytherin?"

"I think we're going to find out soon." he replied, gulping.

"Hey, how do they sort us into our houses?" Harry asked me.

"Don't look at me, I have just as much experience of the wizarding world as you do." I said, hands raised and shrugging.

We both laughed at this. Ron then whispered something in Harry's ear and he looked frightened.

We waited for a while till something happened that made everyone jump about a foot in the air -- several people behind him screamed.

"What the -- ?"

Harry gasped. About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be arguing. What looked like a fat little monk was saying: "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance--"

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost -- I say, what are you all doing here?"

A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years.

Nobody answered.

"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them. "About to be Sorted, I suppose?"

A few people nodded mutely.

"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar. "My old house, you know."

"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."

Professor McGonagall had returned.

"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told us, "and follow me."

The Great hall was grand. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting.

We were led up here. We came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them.

Harry quickly looked down again as Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty. I would definitely not want to try that on.

The hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth -- and the hat 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 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!"