Chapter 2: The Headmistress & the Head of House

The first-years stand in the Entrance Hall, puddles collecting around their feet. Most of the new students shuffle nervously on the spot, eyes trying to take in the Entrance Hall, jumping at the slightest sound. Merlin whispers to the others, "Do w-w-we... should we b-be doing something?!"

The only one who doesn't seem particularly apprehensive is Rory, who is talking excitedly with his friends--although Millie, the tall girl with glasses, looks queasy, and the twins are gazing around the hall suspiciously, as if they expect something to jump out and scare them. "I wonder if the Boy Who Lived fought You-Know-Who right here! It's possible! I heard there was fighting everywhere! And werewolves! And giant spiders!"

Merlin wraps his arms tightly around Monty's cat cage. "G-g-giant spiders?!" he whispers, eye bulging.

Caroline's claim gets a couple dubious glances, but for the most part most of the other first-years look at her with a mixture of awe and respect. Of course everyone's heard about giant centipedes and other creepy-crawlers, but to be so nonchalant about getting rid of an infestation...

Rory flashes Caroline a grin.

There are a few nervous snickers around her following Rafaella's goading. As Bex finishes his call for sensibility, the door the ruddy-faced boy disappeared into opens, and a very tiny wizard with a shock of white hair, dressed in dark green robes, strides out. He beams a friendly smile at the group of young witches and wizards, many who are taller than he is.

"Hello! Hello! Welcome! I'm Professor Flitwick, I'll be your Charms teacher! Right this way, and we'll get the Sorting underway!" he squeaks, and the first-years recognize the name from their letter as the Deputy Headmaster. A flick of his wrist and his wand is in his hand, and with a gentle wave the doors to the Great Hall swing open.

And a hundred conversations fall into a hush all at once.

The Great Hall is one of the most marvellous spaces the first-years have ever seen. Thousands of candles suspended in the air give off a gentle aroma, and high above the candles the ceiling is charmed to appear to open up to the dark, raining storm clouds. Four tables stretch out the length of the hall with banners suspended above them, one for each of the four Houses Bex, Caroline, Rafaella and Ava will be joining. Hundreds of pairs of eyes watch the first-years slowly walk to the front of the hall, including those of a cadre of ghosts who float above the proceedings, whispering to one another.

Ava catches the eye of her older brother, Angus, who's standing on his seat at the Hufflepuff table to get a look at her. He grins and gives her a thumbs up. Caroline looks for her sister, Mallory, at the Slytherin table, but can't find her in the crowd.

As the group approaches the Head Table, they recognize a few of the famous faces that plastered publications like the Daily Prophet in the aftermath of the Battle of Hogwarts. A pale, rather severe-looking witch wearing square glances, her hair pulled back tight under a hat, gives a thin smile from the centre chair. This is Minerva McGonagall, perhaps one of the greatest witches of the time, new Headmistress of Hogwarts. Rafaella, Bex, Caroline and Ava also recognize Professor Rubeus Hagrid, who made headlines a few years ago as a controversial mixed race, half-giant teaching appointee, but has been quoted positively in the press since the Battle. Beside him sits the ruddy-faced boy, who grins down at the first-years.

Rafaella is absolutely horrified to recognize a familiar face at the staff table. Elisa Murdock, a batty-looking woman with a large, messy beehive hairdo and big, almond-shaped eyeglasses. Her nemesis.

As they reach the front, Professor Flitwick pulls a three-legged stool over beneath the head table and sets the dirtiest, most threadbare wizard’s hat the first-years have ever seen. He places it on the stool, and the hat gives a little shudder before it begins to speak:

I am the famous Sorting Hat,
I can feel the sense of dread
When children sit before me
And I get placed upon their head.

Will you be brave Gryffindor?
Or loyal Hufflepuff?
You could be cunning Slytherin,
Ravenclaw, if clever enough.

But there’s no need to fear
As I’ll illustrate in verse,
I don’t pick willy nilly,
So let us first converse.

I am a most curious cap
Insight of great renown,
Make sure to answer honestly,
As I sit upon your crown.

The students sitting at the four tables applaud uproariously as the Sorting Hat gives a slight bow and then falls still. Flitwick waves his wand and a list appears in it. Without a moment's hesitation he reads the first name, "Aaron Arenstein!"

A tall, gawky-looking boy with a long nose and dark, curly hair strides confidently forward. He lets Flitwick place the hat on his head, although the shorter man has to give it a bit of a toss. Without a moment's hesitation the Sorting Hat calls out, "RAVENCLAW!"

There's enthusiastic applause and a few cheers from the Ravenclaw table as the boy stands and hurries over to the table, grinning and looking relieved. His new House-members clap him on the back and shake his hand.

Flitwick begins to go through the names one by one. First up from the students that Ava, Caroline and Rafaella have met is none other than Bexley Fangbourne. Bex sits on the stool and Flitwick sets the Sorting Hat on his head. Although it takes no time at all, Bex feels like he's shared a great deal about himself with the hat, and with barely a few seconds of thought the hat calls out "RAVENCLAW!"

Again, the Ravenclaws applaud, enthusiastic but not out of control with screaming and whistling, like the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs or Slytherins. Bex is relieved to be joining a House of level-headed intellectuals. Aaron Arenstein and the other first-years in Ravenclaw make room for him at the bench.

Right after Bex, Flitwick calls for "Millie Francis," and the tall girl who'd been sitting with Rory and the twins steps forward, looking like she's about to upchuck a dozen Pumpkin Pasties on the Great Hall floor. She's the first student the Sorting Hat takes a moment to puzzle over. The silence is interminable. After what feels like an eternity--but was like only about a minute--the Sorting Hat calls out "HUFFLEPUFF!" Millie slumps off the chair and Flitwick goes to help steady her, but is practically knocked to the ground doing so. She steadies herself and wobbles over to the table, where cheering, laughing Hufflepuffs welcome her warmly. The others recognize the prefect they'd encountered on the train patting her on the back and whispering to her reassuringly.

"Rory Gallagher!"

The dark-skinned Irish boy swaggers forward, looking like he hasn't a care in the world. The hat barely touches his head before it calls out "GRYFFINDOR!" Rory grins at Ava as he passes by her on his way to join the Gryffindor table, who are stomping their feet and screaming.

Flitwick looks down at his list and looks up again to call out, "Merlinus G--"

"ACHOO!" Merlin has such a violent sneeze that he practically falls over backwards.

The hall roars with laughter as the absolutely horrified boy scrambles forward, allowing the hat to fall over his eyes, which does nothing to cover his scarlet-red face. The hat is silent for a few seconds before calling out "RAVENCLAW!"

Merlin almost runs to sit next to Bex on the bench, burying his face in his arms as the Ravenclaws pat him on the back and welcome him.

A dozen more names are read as Ava nervously awaits hers to be called. When Flitwick finally does, she steps forward and as the hat is placed on her head there's that same feeling like the hat knows her better than she knows herself, and she hears a quiet, contemplative voice in her ear. "Another Richardson, but this one's different," the Sorting Hat says. "Yes, I remember your brother well, a kind heart, which you share, but tempered by something more. A sharp mind. Hmm... Ambitious, but sheltered, much to learn. I'd better place you in... RAVENCLAW!"

The Ravenclaws applaud, and Ava joins Bex and Merlin. Merlin finally looks up from the crook of his arms, eyes wide with excitement and bouncing with joy. "We're in the same House!" he cries.

"Caroline Scrivener!"

Now it's Caroline's turn. She sits on the stool and Flitwick sets the hat on her head. Again, she feels like the hat sees right through her, all her hopes and fears. "Well, well, another Scrivener. Now this will be a pleasant challenge. I enjoyed your sister's mind. Sharp and cunning, but yours is wonderfully different. Caring, loyal. Of course, my dear, I know you want to be in Slytherin. I can hear you, but consider your own happiness and comfort. It may not be fun at first, might be a couple of awkward Christmas dinners, but you will grow splendidly in... HUFFLEPUFF!"

Caroline's stomach feels like it drops out of her, and her head spins. She glances over at the Slytherin table and, as if on cue, she finds Mallory's eyes. Her sister's dark eyes narrow and she turns her head away. As Caroline feels a pat on her back, she realizes she's still sitting on the stool. "Still a few more names to get through, my dear," Flitwick says, not unkind.

Caroline tears the hat off her head and stumbles over to Hufflepuff, where there are uproarious cheers and waiting hands to shake, and friendly pats on the back. She plops down next to Millie, who gives a thin smile but leans in and whispers, "I'm Millie Francis. Nice to meet you. I guess we'll probably be roommates."

As the cheers die down, Flitwick calls out "Rafaella Souza!"

Rafaella makes sure to show she's not afraid of a stupid, dirty hat as she walks up to the stool, making sure to completely and utterly ignore the smile of Eliza Murdock from the staff table.

As soon as the hat is placed on her head, she hears laughter in her ear. "My, my, you have some ideas of your own, don't you child! No shortage of cunning and ambition, but equal amounts of bravery and kindness. Now, now, don't argue with me, dear. I've done this a few times. Yes, yes, I can see you find your place in GRYFFINDOR!"

The Gryffindor table is up on their feet, cheering and screaming as Rafaella struts over to the table. Rory and the other Gryffindor first-years make room for her. Rory gives her an awkward look, clearly the encounter on the train is fresh in his mind, but he holds out his hand, "Rory Gallagher, fellow Gryffindor."

Only a few students are left after Rafaella, and the very last two are the twins.

"Jacob Wu!"

The other twin reaches out and gives his brother's hand a squeeze before Jacob approaches the stool. The hat is barely on his head a moment before it calls out, "GRYFFINDOR!" Jacob shoots his brother a "told you so" look before he joins the sea of cheering Gryffindors, although he pointedly sits on the opposite side of Rory from Rafaella, who hugs him excitedly as he goes to sit down.

The last first-year is Jason Wu, the one who confronted Rafaella on the train. He looks a little more calm and collected than his brother as he sits down. The hat seems to take a moment to contemplate Jason, who sits patiently, stone-faced. The anticipation from the Gryffindors is palpable, they're like a spring coiled tight, ready to explode, when the hat finally calls out, "SLYTHERIN!"

The Slytherin table leaps to their feet and cheers, shaking Jason's hands and patting him on the back as he joins them. He shoots a "told you so look" to Jacob at the Gryffindor table as he sits down. There's some mutinous mutterings from the Gryffindors, and Jacob seems on the verge of tears, "Slytherin?!"

Rory pats him on the back and Rafaella hears him whisper. "It happens! You'll still get to see him plenty, and we can always sneak him into the Gryffindor common room."

With the last student sorted, Flitwick removes the hat and stool. Professor McGonagall stands from her place at the staff table and holds up her hands. Even the more boisterous upper years quiet immediately under her gaze. "Welcome!" she says, quietly but with great gravitas. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! I would like to say a few words, but they can wait until after the banquet. Thank you."

She nods, and the tables are suddenly overladen with every food imaginable, a bounty of dishes. As their nerves pass, the newly sorted first-years realize how hungry they were and the students tear into the feast.

Merlin starts to dig in, as if he was ravenously hungry and finally relieved enough to eat something, but at Ava's comment he glances over to the Hufflepuff table and sees Caroline crying. "Yeah, and I c-could... I could lend her my book! She seemed really interested in Divination! What do you think, Bex?"

Over at the Hufflepuff table, Caroline feels a couple of hands patting her back. Millie on one side and another dark-skinned girl on her other seem extremely worried about the fact that she's broken down crying. "There there," the other girl murmurs. "The Sorting's done! The worst of its over! I'm Summer Bell, and we'll probably be roommates too! Are you from a... Muggle family too? My parents were so surprised when I got my letter, but also excited." She leans in. "But truth be told, I've been quite scared."

At the Gryffindor table, even though Jacob is trying his best to ignore Rafaella, Rory and some of the others seem happy to engage her in conversation. Everyone just seems relieved the Sorting is over. "Gee, I don't know!" Rory says, looking like he's up to the dare.

One of the other Gryffindor girls, who introduced herself as Maddie Burton, pipes up, "Well, I went to Muggle boarding school when I was younger. Kind of like Hogwarts, I guess, but not as cool. If you go up and talk to a teacher during a meal you'd better have a good reason, or else you'll get a good talking to! You might even have to write lines!"

Rafaella glances up at the head table, and Murdock is chatting with a stout witch with wavy grey hair. The stout witch says something and Murdock bursts out in a shrieking laugh that carries out over the hall, and gets a couple of glances from the teachers. A few of the Gryffindors burst out into fits of giggles at how silly the laugh is, and wonder which class she's teaching.

There are some excited whispers as Rafaella stands and tromps over, hopping up on the slightly raised platform the head table sits on. She gets a quizzical look from the Headmistress and a couple of other teachers. To her fury, Murdock turns to listen just as she finishes her tirade about dinner, and when she questions why the woman is there, Murdock jumps excitedly in her chair. "LITTLE ELLA! Oh! I'm just so proud of you for being sorted into Gryffindor! Your father will be just thrilled! Professor Sprout! This is Carlos and my's little princess!"

A rather plump old man with an enormous walrus mustache who is sitting a couple of chairs away from Murdock leans forward, eyes bulging. "This is the daughter of Carlos Souza! Your father was a great favourite of mine, my dear!"

The stout, grey-haired witch seems a little more surprised at Rafaella's tone. "I believe she asked... why you're here, Eliza?"

Murdock makes an over-the-top surprised face. "My goodness! Your father didn't warn you?! That man! I told him to pass the message along at the beginning of summer, but he's spent all that time--"

At that moment Caroline's cry of "Don't touch me, Mudblood!" echoes throughout the room.

There are gasps throughout the Great Hall, although more than a few snickers from the Slytherin table. Summer recoils away from Caroline, her mouth falling open and then, as it dawns on her what she's just been called, tears fill her eyes and she starts to sniffle. Millie and another girl, the Hufflepuff prefect, stand and rush over to Summer, glaring at Caroline. A silence falls over the hall, and Professor McGonagall stands, nodding to Professor Sprout.

"Oh dear..." mutters Murdock.

Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick leap to their feet and get to Caroline just after Ava, although not before Angus is at his sister's side.

"Scrivener, wasn't it?" Professor Sprout asks, looking uncomfortable. "Follow me, dear."

Professor Flitwick takes Summer's hand and pats it, murmuring reassuringly. As Caroline is led up towards the front of the hall through a door, it seems that every eye in the room is on her. As she's passing by the end of the tables, Caroline looks and catches the eye of Mallory, who smirks and gives a slight nod.

Angus Richardson, a tall, brown-skinned boy with curly black hair, tugs at Ava's arm. He usually has a dopey, lopsided grin, but his brow is knit in worry. "Do you know that girl? Sounds to me like she belongs in Slytherin."

Professor Sprout leads Caroline off to the side of the staff table, into a small room decorated with portraits of witches and wizard from throughout the ages, important alumni from Hogwarts' past, a large fireplace crackling at the far end. Sprout is frowning, studying Caroline, unsure. "I'm your Head of House, Ms. Scrivener. Professor Sprout. We'll... wait for Professor McGonagall. She should be but a moment."

The witches and wizards in the portraits gaze down at Caroline curiously, moving between frames to whisper to one another, speculating what such a small child could do during the welcoming feast to end up in the staff lounge.

Back out in the hall, Professor McGonagall holds up her hands and the furious whispering throughout the hall dies down. "Please, sit down everyone, and let me make myself perfectly clear," she begins, a cold fury in her voice. "That kind of language will simply not be tolerated at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We are emerging on the brighter side of a very, very dark time, but your teachers and I will remain ever vigilant about old prejudices, and we will not be patient with the intolerant or bigoted.

"Now, since I have your undivided attention, perhaps now is the time for some announcements. First of all, the school caretaker, Mr. Filch, would like me to remind all students that using magic in the halls in between classes is prohibited. Secondly, the forest on the grounds is strictly off limits. Aside from being extraordinarily dangerous for even adult witches and wizards, Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic are currently negotiating with the forest's centaurs to grant them ownership of the forest, so I can promise you, detention would be the least of your worries should you decide to trespass.

"I would like to take a moment to warmly welcome two additions to our staff. Professor Murdock will be taking over Muggle Studies." Murdock gives an enthusiastic wave from her seat, enough that she tips over slightly in her chair. There are muffled laughter and snorts throughout the hall, and a few of the Gryffindor first years give Rafaella a look. "As for Defence Against the Dark Arts, Professor Grey will be taking over that position, as well as acting as Gryffindor's new Head of House."

McGonagall nods to a witch sitting to her immediate left, who flashes a grin at the students. Professor Grey could only be described as handsome, a weather-worn, tanned face without a hint of makeup, her grey-streaked, curly brown hair pulled back in a messy bun, a simple muslin shirt showing beneath her partially unbuttoned robes. Whereas Professor Murdock's messy hair and askew glasses make her look ridiculous, Grey wears her tousled, simple style with a dashing carelessness, as if she's better things to do than fiddle with her hair and clothes.Bex recognizes Grey from the pages of the Daily Prophet. She's a well known arcane archaeologist, someone who studies old, magical artifacts and locations, and has regularly curated exhibits at the British Magical Museum in London, and around the world. A few years back she was all over the papers for uncovering the wand of Andros the Invincible, the one that produced his famous patronus. Learning from her should be quite exciting!

McGonagall continues, "Professor Grey will also be working with a team of magical restorationists to reinstate some of the charms and protections that were tested or broken during the... events that took place here last May."

This first mention of the Battle of Hogwarts gets a fresh round of excited whispers, although McGonagall simply need run her stoney glare over the crowd to silence them.

"If you encounter Professor Grey or her team at work, please refrain from distracting them. That being said, you may notice... unique magical effects throughout the school and grounds. More than usual, I should add."

One of the students sitting near Bex whispers to his friend, "More than usual? Oh boy, we're in for a year..."

"We've had the best experts study the castle to make sure no danger is posed to students," McGonagall adds, but seems to consider this. "That said, if you see anything unusual or potentially dangerous, please tell one of your teachers immediately. That is all, I will let you all finish your meal. Thank you."

Professor McGonagall strides from her place to the door and enters the lounge just off the hall. Professor Sprout has been standing awkwardly with Caroline, fiddling with her robes. As McGonagall sweeps into the room, she studies Caroline, like a cat sizing up its prey. "Well?" she intones as she approaches. "What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?"