Elysian Potter: The Forgotten Queen

Chapter Fifty-Six: The Sorting Hats new Song

"Who is that?" asked a second-year, disgusted.

Her eyes followed where the second-year was pointing at the Head table. They lit first upon Dumbledore, sitting in is high-backed golden throne at the centre of the long staff table, wearing deep-purple robes scattered with silvery stars and a matching hat. Dumbledore's head was inclined towards the woman sitting next to him, who was talking into his ear.

"Her name is Madam Umbridge," said Elysian. "She works for the Ministry and is someone you do not want to attract the attention of. We met her at the Malfoy Ball and believe me when I say, written on her face is her entire personality."

Word quickly spread around the table with others swearing to tell any friends they had in other houses. Draco found it rather amusing that Elysian's words were taken as gospel and wondered if it was because of her new powers or simply because of her reputation. He didn't ask her, though, he trusted her not to use her new powers on him and besides, it wasn't as if he wasn't already on her side.

The buzz of talk in the Great Hall faded away. The first-years lined up in front of the staff table facing the rest of the students, and Professor McGonagall placed the stool carefully in front of them, then stood back.

The first-years' faces glowed palely in the candlelight. A small boy right in the middle of the row looked as though he was trembling.

The whole school waited with baited breath. Then the rip near the hat's brim opened wide like a mouth and the Sorting Hat burst into song:

In times of old when I was new

And Hogwarts barely started

The founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted:

United by a common goal,

They had the selfsame yearning,

To make the world's best magic school

And pass along their learning.

"Together we will build and teach!"

The four good friends decided

And never did they dream that they

Might someday be divided,

For were there such friends anywhere

As Slytherin and Gryffindor?

Unless it was the second pair

Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?

So how could it have gone so wrong?

How could such friendships fail?

Why, I was there and so can tell

The whole sad, sorry tale.

Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those

Whose ancestry is purest."

Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose

Intelligence is surest."

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those

With brave deeds to their name,"

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,

And treat them just the same."

These differences caused little strife

When first they came to light,