Harry Potter and the Portkey of Time

CHAPTER 5

Harry stood at the Great Hall doors, watching and waiting for them to open. Despite knowing what was going to happen, nerves flooded through him and goosebumps appeared all over his arms. What if he wasn't sorted into Gryffindor? What would happen then? No, he thought to himself, the sorting hat will consider my thoughts, just like it did before.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Before you take your seats in the great hall, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. The sorting is very important because the house you are sorted into will be something of a family during the next 7 years. You will have classes with your fellow housemates, sleep in the same dormitory, and spend your free time in your house's common room. Each house has its own rich history and each 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. At the end of the year. The house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. The Sorting Ceremony will begin momentarily and will take place in front of the whole school. I suggest you take a moment to smarten yourselves up while you are waiting." Professor McGonagall spoke quickly and sharply. Letting her eyes fall on any student who appeared to let their mind wander. "I shall return for you when we are ready. Please wait quietly." And with that, she was out the door. Chattering started all around him, each nervous student enquiring about how they would be sorted to the next. A creak from in front of them sent ripples of silence, and everyone stood still, holding their breath

The doors flooded open and the first years pooled in, whispering rapidly to each other in a flurry of nerves and excitement. Harry looked around, finding familiar faces like Seamus and Pavarati and other faces he hadn't remembered from before. A boy with dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes and a girl with brown hair and blue eyes. He couldn't believe that in 7 years, he still hadn't known everyone in his year. As they walked closer to the front of the hall, silence engulfed the room, and there it was. The Sorting Hat.

Almost immediately it burst into song, singing:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a slap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a thinking cap!'

As it neared Harry's name, the nerves began to disappear and excitement took their place. He was back. Back to the first place he had called home. He watched and listened as McGonagall went through the names before his. He looked out for old friends and foes of his and saw Susan Bones go to Hufflepuff, Justin Finch-Fletchley also to Hufflepuff and of course, Draco Malfoy to Slytherin.

Perks,

Sally-Anne,

POTTER, HARRY

Just like last time, whispers arose to chatter and people all around craned their necks to look at him. It was really annoying, Harry rolled his eyes, hopefully out of sight from everyone's stares. He reached the chair and sat down ready for Professor McGonagall to place the hat on his head.

The leather touched his head and immediately he heard the Sorting Hat in his mind. Hmm...lots of potential in here, lots of potential. Ambition flows through your brain but so does courage and bravery. Yet your mind seems wiser than your age, suggesting Ravenclaw. Gryffindor, Harry thought. Please Gryffindor. Really?  The Hat responded, You would do great in either of the other houses. Just not Slytherin. Hmm well if you're sure, better be...GRYFFINDOR!

Cheers erupted all over the hall and Harry grinned. Just like before. He sat down next to the twins and they both clapped him on the shoulder, yelling out WE GOT POTTER, WE GOT POTTER! Harry laughed with them and watched as the final few got sorted, sending Ron Weasley to join the Gryffindors as well.