The Headmaster's Only Mistake

The Sorting

(A/N: I'm lazy and I don't know how to write so I won't be doing Hagrid's accent. yay.  Also, I have come to the conclusion that I am absolutely in love with Taylor Swift and her songs. Champagne Problems, Gold Rush, Paper Rings, and You Belong With Me have been on a loop for the past three days... yeah.)

ALSOOOOOOO: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Alpha_Reyah (it's not letting me tag you, sorry!) who commented on it being their birthday today. I hope you have a wonderful time and stay safe, this chapter is a present from me to you :)

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"Go on with Hagrid," Fred told them, pointing at the burly half-giant, "he'll take you to the sorting along with the rest of the first years."

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The group, excluding the three third years that had joined them closer to the end of the ride, made their way towards Hagrid.

The large man was shouting around, "First years! First years, come with me!"

"Mr. Hagrid, why are we not riding on the carriages like the rest of the school?" Hannah  asked kindly.

"We need to go through a different entrance for the sorting." the half giant told her kindly. 

Hannah nodded and turned back to the rest of the group. "What do you think the sorting is gonna be like?" she asked them excitedly.

Harry smiled slightly as all of his friends started shooting out guesses; he remembered his own nervousness as he first arrived.

"Well I heard we have to show a spell we know." Hermione said.

"But none of us know any! Well, except Harry, but he's... you know... he's special." Draco snickered.

"Oi! What's that supposed to mean?" Harry demanded.

"Whatever you want it to mean." Nevill teased, getting into their brotherly banter.

"Besides, if that were it, Weasley wouldn't make it into any house." Blaise remarked, causing the group to giggle.

"If we do need to cast a spell, I wouldn't doubt that." Theo laughed.

They all got on the boats and made sure to steer their boats so they were close together.

"I think it will be a personality test, that's what actually separates the houses. Like a judge of character." Harry added after a few more guesses.

"Maybe. That's the most likely." Daphne agreed.

Harry heard gasps around him and turned to see the school looming over them. The twinkling lights and tall towers brought Harry such a sense of nostalgia and warmth, his face almost split with his smile.

He was home.

"It's so beautiful." Theo murmured quietly from beside Harry.

"It looks so... magical." Luna agreed. Harry didn't say anything and just watched in awe as they rowed closer and closer to the castle.

Neville snickered beside him, "I never thought I'd see the day that Harry Potter was left speechless at anything."

"Oh shut it," Harry snarked, "how can someone not be in awe of something so beautiful." Neville smirked but didn't say anything as he turned back to the school.

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A few minutes later, a very serious looking McGonagall led all of the first years to a room behind the Great Hall. Harry recalled it as the same room that was used after the Goblet of Fire announced the Triwizard Tournament participants.