The students of Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry piled off the train. Professor Kettleburn was calling for the first years. Iris spotted Severus Snape among the crowd and dragged Manuel over.
"Uncle- Professor Snape," Iris corrected herself.
"Albus sent me here for instructions for two new fifth year students, which is obviously you two," he drawled boredly.
Manuel studied the man for a moment before shaking his head at the man.
"You two will follow the first years on the boats and you will receive further instructions from Professor McGonagall," he said before disappearing in a blink of an eye.
"Well, he certainly was pleasant," Manuel said sarcastically.
"Shall we m'lady," he gestured towards the boats with a horrible attempt at a British accent.
"We shall," Iris said in a more posh accent.
"Four to
a boat!" Kettleburn shouts.
Being twice the size of the first years, the two get their own boat with one first year.
"Aren't you two a little too big to be first years?" The first years asks.
"We're new students," Iris states simply.
"What year?" He asks.
"Fifth," Manuel says.
"Cool. . . I'm Micheal, Micheal Roberts," Micheal introduces.
Manuel eyes the first year mysteriously then introduces himself, "Manuel Scamander and she has too many last names."
Iris glared at him then turns to Micheal.
"He's an asshole, ignore him. . . I mean, my name is Iris Potter-Black," Iris stammers.
"Not in front of the ickle-first years, Iris!" Manuel shouts sarcastically.
"They'll learn it anyways!" She huffs in protest.
Gasps we're heard among the first years. The three turned towards the castle and Micheal almost fainted in shock of the castle. The lights and stars illuminated the castle beautifully and the reflection of the lake was stunning.
"Careful for the Giant Squid, it might eat you," Kettleburn called out teasingly.
On que, a tentacle stuck up and waved to the students, making a lot of the scream.
"It's harmless. . . hopefully," Iris muttered the last part more to herself.
They arrived at the castle and they all got off the boats. Manuel made a disgusted face when a first year threw up after getting off the boats.
Kettleburn lead them through the entrance of Hogwarts right up to the entrance of the Great Hall. The elderly lady known as Minerva McGonagall comes up to the first years, staring at them sternly.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she finally says. "Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin," she instructs.
"I bet that lost was in order of favoritism," Manuel whispered to Iris.
Iris laughs into her hand.
"Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup," she explains.
"Make yourselves presentable, sorting will begin momentarily. Now I need to see Manuel Scamander and Iris Potter-Black-Lupin," McGonagall calls out.
The two fifth years who were standing in the back, make their way forward. Manuel almost tripping on a couple of first years.
McGonagall pulls them away from the curious first years and says lowly, "You two will be sorted first. You two will be walking in before the first years. Prepare yourselves. You'll be going in a minute."
She eyes Iris' tie and walks away. Iris who was oblivious to where her eyes were, just nodded and Manuel who was aware where the Transfiguration teacher's eyes were, he fixed her tie.
Iris eyes widened and Manuel winked, "She was eyeing your crooked tie." Iris nods and gestures towards the door.
+x+
As soon as Dumbledore saw McGonagall walk in he stood up.
"This year, we have two new fifth year students joining us," he announces.
On que, the door opens, revealing Iris and Manuel. Iris scans the crowd of students and spots Luna and winks at her. McGonagall stood next to the sorting hat, her parchment with the names rolled up.
They stopped at the front of the Great Hall and the first years were let in. Once the first years were at the front behind Iris and Manuel, 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 some day 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, so I can tell
The whole sad, sorry tale.
Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those
Whose ancestry's 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.
For each of the four founders had
A house in which they might
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin
Took only pure-blood wizards
Of great cunning just like him.
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor.
Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest
and taught them all she knew,
Thus, the houses and their founders
Maintained friendships firm and true.
So Hogwarts worked in harmony
For several happy years,
But then discord crept among us
Feeding on our faults and fears.
The Houses that, like pillars four
Had once held up our school
Now turned upon each other and
Divided, sought to rule.
And for a while it seemed the school
Must meet an early end.
What with duelling and with fighting
And the clash of friend on friend.
And at last there came a morning
When old Slytherin departed
And though the fighting then died out
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four
Were whittled down to three
Have the Houses been united
As they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting Hat is here
And you all know the score:
I sort you into Houses
Because that is what I'm for.
But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfil my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wonder whether sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes.
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you...
Let the Sorting now begin."
The hall bursted into slow clapping, the older years whispering about the song. Dumbledore cleared his throat, silencing the hall immediately and looked at McGonagall to start.
"Potter-Black-Lupin, Iris," she called.
Everyone looked at the ex-professional-quidditch player walk up and sit on the stool. Iris once again scanned the hall but her sight was covered by the hat. Tom sat straighter for her sorting.
"Ah, hello there Mistress of Death," the sorting hat said lowly.
Iris flinched at the name. How was the hat able to get passed her occulamancy shields?
"Er, hello. . .," Iris replied timidly.
"I see, the cunningness of a Slytherin, the daringness of a Gryffindor, the knowledge of a Ravenclaw, and the loyalty of a Hufflepuff. But where to put you?" The hat muttered.
"Where you this is best, Mr. Hat. . .," Iris answered to the rhetorical question.
"By the way, Mr. Hat, what is your name?" Iris asked. The hat stayed silent for a moment.
"No one has asked me that in years. . . My name, child, is Alistir. I know where to put you, RAVENCLAW!" Alistir shouted the last part.
The Ravenclaw table cheered loudly.
"Not everything is how it seems to be, young child," he whispered lowly before being taken off her head.
"Scamander, Manuel."
Manuel walked up calmly and sat down. The hat was placed in his head.
"Oh, where to put you, Master of Destruction. . . Where indeed. Gryffindor or Ravenclaw?" Alistir muttered.
"I think I'd do well in Ravenclaw," Manuel answered confidently.
"Very well, you'd do great in Gryffindor but if you insist, RAVENCLAW!" He shouted, and once again, the Ravenclaw bursted into cheers for getting both the new students.