Chapter 110 - The Sorting (1/2)
The Great Hall grows hushed as the last of the students become quiet. Soon footsteps can be heard as the whole student body turns to face the front as the sharp, prim figure of Professor McGonagall can be seen. A line of nervous 1st years follow as they gape and glance around in utter shock. With calm and precision, Professor McGonagall leads them to the front of the hall and has the first years properly line up to face them.
Some of the first years begin to look awfully queasy but manage to not make themselves sick despite being a tinge of green. Recalling how the seated student's faces seemed so ominous, Rowan feels a trace of pity for the 1st years.
Professor McGonagall moves her wand as a four-legged stool appears before the stunned first years with a single raggedy hat on top of it. Everyone's eyes become glued to the hat as Rowan mentally zones out when the hat begins to sing. She only came to herself when the crowd began to clap. A bit slow, Rowan politely did the same, before the hall once more fell silent.
McGonagall steps forth with a lambskin parchment in hand. ”When I call out your name, please put on the sorting hat and take a seat on the stool to be properly sorted,” Professor McGonagall instructed, before calling the first name, ”Adler, Henry!”
A freckled tan boy with a nervous face walks up and puts on the hat, before taking a seat. After a minute, the hat shouts, ”Ravenclaw!” The entire table explodes in loud cheering as a quiet, timid female ghost nods her head at Henry.
Rowan half listens to the following names as she only reflexively claps until she hears, ”Black, Regulus!” The entire Slytherin table rather intently watches as does Sirius and his friends. ”Slytherin!” The hat screamed as the entire table clapped. Sirius seemed to be a bit disappointed, but he didn't' seem to out of sorts by the expected sorting.
Regulus glances about nervously until he sees a familiar figure subtly motion at them with their heads. Regulus scurries over as Rowan pats the empty seat beside her. Rowan's dormmates all smile at Regulus causing him to flush as Terry and Severus both nod their heads at him. Feeling much better, Regulus stares back up at the sorting hat waiting to hear where his friends would be placed.
The sorting hat calls out two more names before ”Bones, Letitia.” After a moment, the hat yells out, ”Gryffindor!” Rowan lets out a small sigh of relief at having guessed right as she watches Letitia happily rush off to the Gryffindor table.
The sorting hat calls out three names more until it says, ”Cresswell, Dirk!” Rowan doesn't react as she knows for certain the boy is a Ravenclaw. And sure enough, within moments the hat said, ”Ravenclaw!”
Within seconds, the next name is called, ”Crouch, Barty!” Rowan eyes the hat as she curiously waits for fate to be decided. The hat thinks for a moment or two, before shouting, ”Hufflepuff! With a pleased expression, Barty rushes over but not before casting a nod in Rowan's direction.
”I guess he chooses Hufflepuff,” Regulus whispered with mixed feelings.
”Would you rather he be unhappy?” Rowan softly retorted.
Regulus subtly shakes his head. ”No, but still, it would have been nice to have been in the same house.”
”Maybe, you never know. He could snore or have terrible foot odor,” Rowan suggested. Regulus almost chokes but is unable to reply as the next name is called.
The rest of the names are called until at last the sorting is done and the hat is taken away until next year's use. At the head of the table stands Albus Dumbledore with gleaming white hair and beard. As usual, he wears quite exorbitant colored robes with his long silvery hair and beard both neatly tucked into his belt.
”Welcome!” Dumbledore warmly said while childlike blue eyes sparkle with delight behind half-moon spectacles. ”Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! And before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. As you have no doubt heard, Professor Stricken passed away rather unexpectedly during the summer. Please join me in welcoming, Professor Adric.”
Everyone politely applauds as they turn to stare at the newest Defense Against the Dark Art's Professor. Professor Adric was a slightly olive, lean man with cold eyes and lips pressed together as though in permanent displeasure.
Dumbledore motions at Professor Adric to be seated as he does not even attempt to hide his sneer. Turning towards the children, Dumbledore says, ”Let us feast!” The students cheer wildly and eagerly turn to face forward.
”Is that normal?” Regulus leaned over to whisper.
”It's usually worse,” Rowan drily replied as the other three girls and two boys nodded their heads in agreement.
Regulus eyes dim with dread until the empty plates before them begin to fill up with all sorts of food including ones that he'd never seen before. Looking a bit warily at some of the food, Regulus says, ”Some of this isn't wizarding food.”
”Who cares, it's delicious,” Tiffany interjected as she happily served herself some mu shu pork.
Seeing everyone digging in, Regulus does the same and to his delight finds the meal quite an utter delight. He wasn't the only one as Rowan was quite pleased to see the new additions including that of a simple vegetable salad and roasted vegetable kebab. The meal passes rather quickly and soon desserts are being served.
Glancing around, Regulus fidgets causing them to all turn to gaze at him. ”Um, will the first years be shown to the Slytherin quarters?” Regulus quietly asked.
”This year's Prefect will show you, I'm not really sure who it is, but they'll lead you,” Terry chimed in with a mouthful of food.
Regulus nods his head in thanks, before Terry adds, ”I suppose while we have the chance, we better all introduce ourselves.”
Clearing her throat, Tiffany proudly points at herself. ”I am the ever so lovely, Tiffany Topsy at your service, a second year.”
Silvia rolls her eyes and nods her head at Regulus. ”Silvia Flint, a second year as well.” Regulus wryly nods back no doubt recalling his own father's intense dislike for that of her fathers.
Silvia's lips twitch in amusement as she knowingly adds, ”It's okay, I won't hold your father against you either.” Causing Regulus to sigh privately in relief.
”I'm Bethanie Fawley, a second year,” Bethanie gently said with a warm smile setting Regulus very much at ease.
”As for me, I am the ever-charming mastermind among this commonly bunch,” Terry said earning a glare from everyone else. ”Terry Greenwood, a second year.” Regulus dubiously eyes Terry as Terry playfully winks back causing Regulus to hastily avert his eyes.