As we walked down the central aisle of the Great Hall, the older students looked at us attentively and with excitement as well, eager to see which new talents would join their houses.
For a moment, I felt Patrick tugging at my robe as a signal to show me something he saw at one of the tables. Turning my gaze to the left, the three bullies from the train carriage were sitting there, staring at us intently, their looks carrying an undeniable malice.
"Relax, they won't be a problem."
"Alright," Patrick said more calmly.
Looking to the other side, I noticed three bright red heads of hair sticking out, which told me that the Weasleys were sitting at that table — more specifically, the twins and, I suppose, the other son called Percy, the one their mother had mentioned in the carriage.
"Alright, stop right here, everyone get in formation and wait for further instructions," ordered Professor McGonagall.
In front of us was another long table, where all the professors were seated, along with the great wizard known as Albus Dumbledore — an older man than the rest, with a long white beard, spectacles, a white robe, and, of course, some kind of white hat.
Professor McGonagall walked up to the Headmaster and whispered something in his ear, something that apparently didn't please him very much. She then stepped back in front of all the old and new students.
"Once again, welcome to the great academy of witchcraft and wizardry, Hogwarts. At this moment, we begin the great Sorting Ceremony. Behind you are your future housemates. As you can see, there are four long tables, each representing a house. To your left is Slytherin, followed by Hufflepuff, then Ravenclaw, and finally Gryffindor." – McGonagall.
All the students looked around at the different houses, impatient to know which one would be theirs.
"When I call your name, you will come forward, and the Sorting Hat will be placed on your head. It will assign you to your respective house. Once your house is announced, you will join its table," – explained Professor McGonagall.
As she stepped aside, just behind where she had been standing, a chair appeared along with a pointed hat. It was tattered and old, patched up and extremely dirty, something that, just by looking at it, you could hardly imagine how long it had been used. I had never imagined it looked like that from the stories told about it.
"Ohhh, look at that… quite a lot of kids this year. I'm a bit curious to know what's going through your heads," said the hat, as a long tear along its brim opened like a mouth.
It was true — apart from having the mission of determining which of the four houses each student belonged to, the Hat also had the ability to read thoughts and respond to them.
"But as tradition goes, it wouldn't be a great ceremony without a great show," said the Hat moments before tuning its voice.
(Verse 1)
Long ago, four minds came together.
With a dream in their hands, they protected magic forever.
Gryffindor, brave and bold, Ravenclaw, with reason untold.
Hufflepuff, loyal and true, Slytherin, ambitious too.
(Pre-chorus)
Together they forged a legacy so grand,
A school where wisdom eternally stands.
But fear and discord drove them apart,
And Hogwarts' destiny changed from the start.
(Chorus)
Put on the Hat and let it see,
What in your soul is meant to be.
Each house a path that will guide your way,
Brave, cunning, loyal, or wise today.
Choosing well will shape your fate,
Your true destiny it will create.
(Verse 2)
When it all began, there was nothing to fear.
But echoes of battle broke what was dear.
Slytherin walked away, ambition his drive.
Though fear lingered, Hogwarts survived.
(Bridge)
Ravenclaw, with unmatched wit,
Finds answers where none else commit.
Her mind a beacon, faith, and light,
Wisdom guiding through the night.
Hufflepuff, noble and sincere,
With friendship and effort, her strength is clear.
No challenge faced without her best,
She works and prospers with zeal and zest.
Gryffindor, fierce as a burning flame,
A heart so bold, untamed in name.
Fearless to fight for what is right,
With honor strong, he stands upright.
Slytherin, cunning as a serpent's move,
Advancing in shadows, his goals to prove.
With ambition, determination, and might,
His passion for triumph burns ever bright.
(Final Chorus)
Put on the Hat and let it see,
What in your soul is meant to be.
Each house a path that will guide your way,
Brave, cunning, loyal, or wise today.
But if together we choose to stand,
No force could break this school so grand.
The song, though a bit exaggerated by the Hat, made everyone in the hall rise to their feet and applaud with joy. Among the students, small bursts of fireworks could even be seen, something the Hat proudly received as it finished its song. Its tip even bent forward, as though bowing to each of the four tables.
"So that's what my mother meant by a show you can only see once a year… I don't know if you knew this, Dion, but the Hat is over ten centuries old. It's said to have belonged to Godric Gryffindor (founder of one of the Hogwarts houses). It sings a song that it composes itself, always about the same idea: that the houses must remain united, even though they are different. My mother used to say the song changes every year, so this one is new, and it's the only time we'll hear it," – Patrick explained.
"You know a lot about all this," I whispered.
"It's always been my parents' dream for me to come to Hogwarts, so it's my dream too, really. That's why I know so much, even though I've never been here before. For my parents, it's like I already knew what was waiting, but it still doesn't stop surprising me." – Patrick whispered.
"Alright, let's begin…" – Professor McGonagall.
The cheerful faces of the first-year students suddenly changed — from smiling and applauding to being serious and full of fear.
"Andrew Leighton, step forward please," indicated Professor McGonagall.
The boy walked up and sat down. The Hat was placed on his head, and a few seconds of silence filled the room.
"Hufflepuff!" shouted the Hat.
"I wonder how they managed to make a hat that can read minds and even have its own personality… It's amazing," said Patrick happily as he watched the boy leave the chair and the next student being called.
In total, there were between 120–140 of us. So this was going to take a while. I figured about 30–35 students per house, to keep it balanced.
(A few minutes later)
Most of the names didn't sound familiar, though I did recognize a few from the stories my teacher used to tell about Dumbledore's Army.
Something I noticed was that the Hat spoke inside the head with a small voice, quiet to others — or at least to those sitting farther back. Those in the front row could only hear faint whispers from the Hat to the person wearing it.
"Alright, next is… Dion Beaumont de Legrand," called Professor McGonagall, her face stern as she adjusted her glasses, watching me walk toward the chair with the Hat.
"Good luck, Dion, I hope we end up together," said Patrick as I made my way past the other students in front of me.
Professor McGonagall didn't take her eyes off me.
"I hope you won't cause trouble like on the train, Mr. Dion," she said as she placed the Hat on my head.
"Ohhh, this… is interesting, brilliant. So many possibilities… I wouldn't know which to choose…" the Hat murmured. – "What a curious boy. Power I see in you, great ambition… something perfect for Slytherin. Brave and determined, a fit for Gryffindor. Clever and calculating, traits of Ravenclaw. And last but not least, noble and sincere, qualities worthy of Hufflepuff."
"Is there really any difference between the houses? You can choose whichever, I don't mind."
"Haha, what a direct boy you are. It's not that simple. The house will shape your growth, speak of the person you are, and reinforce your most valuable qualities. This isn't something to be taken lightly. Besides… your mind is disordered. There are blurry things I cannot read. It's as if your mind were a book, but some of its pages were written in another language," said the Hat.