MTLNOVEL Chapter 14: The Sorting Begins
Under Professor McGonagall's lead, the line of nervous first-years followed her up a grand staircase made of marble. The deeper they walked into the castle, the closer the sounds of chatter and laughter grew. It became increasingly clear to Allen that the excitement radiating from his fellow students was slowly giving way to anxiety.
That infamous Hogwarts prank, where the unknown nature of the Sorting Ceremony made everyone imagine the worst, hung like a dark cloud over them all. Even Fred and George, despite Allen's earlier reassurances, couldn't help but fidget nervously. After all, in wizarding Britain, getting expelled from Hogwarts was second only to being a Squib in terms of disgrace.
Professor McGonagall offered no explanations. Silent and composed, she led the group down a stone corridor until finally stopping at a small, empty chamber on the far side of the Great Hall. The first-years crammed into the room, shoulder to shoulder, eyes darting anxiously around in an attempt to find comfort in their unfamiliar surroundings.
Allen suddenly felt a tug on his robe. Glancing down, he spotted George Weasley giving him a meaningful look. Clearly, the boy was hoping for something, anything, to calm his nerves. But before George could speak, Professor McGonagall addressed the group.
"Quiet, please!" she said crisply. "Welcome to Hogwarts. The Start-of-Term Feast is about to begin, but before you can take your seats in the Great Hall, you must first be sorted into your Houses.
The Sorting is a very important ceremony because while you're here, your House will be something like your family. You'll have classes with your Housemates, sleep in the same dormitory, and spend your free time together in your House common room.
The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule-breaking will lose them points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will bring pride to whichever House you join.
In a few moments, you will be sorted in front of the entire school. I suggest you tidy yourselves up while you wait."
As her sharp gaze swept over them, the students instantly began fussing over their appearances, smoothing invisible wrinkles and straightening their robes as best they could.
"When the preparations are complete, I will return for you. Until then, please remain quiet," she finished calmly before exiting the room.
Of course, her request for silence was promptly ignored. George leaned in again, resuming his earlier line of questioning.
"Allen, do you have some insider information? If you do, spill it! I'm sick of feeling like my stomach is trying to crawl up my throat."
His words immediately drew the attention of the surrounding students, all of whom perked up at the possibility of answers.
But Allen had no intention of spoiling the mystery, not because he couldn't explain, but because he didn't want to. In his heart, he was fully siding with the upper-year students, those mischievous devils who had once relished watching his generation squirm in the same way.
He hadn't actually felt nervous back then, but that didn't stop him from enjoying the chaos now.
"George, I'm just guessing. None of the books say exactly how the Sorting works. How would I know for sure?"
George looked like he was about to ask again, but just then, Professor McGonagall re-entered the room.
"Form a single line," she instructed. "Follow me."
The first-years followed her out of the chamber and into the Great Hall. The vast space was already filled with students seated at four long, intimidating tables. Only the seats at the very front remained empty, clearly reserved for the new arrivals.
Allen noticed that nearly everyone in the room was smiling. The nervousness of the first-years had become perfect fodder for the older students. Some were probably already regaling their neighbors with embellished stories of how clever they'd been in seeing through the Sorting mystery in their own first year.
Not that any of them would ever admit to being frightened, of course. They were all probably boasting about how "obvious" it had been back then.
As the ceremony hadn't yet begun, Allen took the opportunity to study the hall itself.
The enchanted ceiling, nearly invisible, revealed the vast night sky above. Thousands of floating candles hovered in midair, their flickering flames rivaling the stars themselves. The fact that no wax or smoke ever dropped from them was enough to tell any careful observer that they were no ordinary candles.
Allen's eyes dropped to the tableware, and widened. Every goblet and plate was made of pure gold. He quickly forced himself to look away. Even the most skilled thief wouldn't dare touch these. For all he knew, they were cursed, or worse, sentient. And besides, they were probably older than Hogwarts itself.
Under magical control, a simple four-legged stool was placed at the front of the hall. Then came the star of the show: the Sorting Hat, tattered, patched, and perhaps the most important magical artifact in the entire school.
This wasn't just any old hat. It was Godric Gryffindor's own hat, enchanted with the thoughts and blessings of all four Hogwarts founders.
In truth, Allen suspected that not even Gryffindor's sword, Hufflepuff's cup, Slytherin's ring, or Ravenclaw's diadem could match the Sorting Hat in value. After all, it was the only item left behind by all four founders. He wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't trade all four other relics combined for this one hat.
Of course, even if Voldemort knew that, he'd probably still never use it as a Horcrux, too old, too dusty, and worst of all, it got manhandled by snot-nosed first-years every single year.
The Sorting Hat began its famous song, an oddly catchy, magical tune that seemed to change slightly each year. Allen figured it must be the Hat's way of entertaining itself during the long months of solitude.
When the song ended, Professor McGonagall stood and unrolled a long piece of parchment.
"When I call your name," she said, "please step forward, put on the Hat, and sit on the stool. You will be sorted into your House."
And just like that, the Sorting Ceremony had officially begun.
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