Sorimus curled his lip. "Fine. Just remember it. I'll come find you guys when the time comes."
The young witches and wizards lined up one by one behind the gamekeeper and stepped onto the stairs leading to Hogwarts Castle. It had to be said that this castle was truly breathtaking. Whispers filled the air all around them. Children from wizarding families bragged to one another while those from Muggle families stared open-mouthed at the magnificent castle not far away. Every so often a first-year tripped after someone stepped on their robe.
The topic about the Boy Who Lived was interrupted and Sorimus had no intention of picking it up again. After all they were all in the same school now. They would see each other every day and there was plenty of time ahead.
The massive procession of first-years led by the half-giant gamekeeper Hagrid had already passed through the castle's side entrance. The older students who rode in the carriages arrived at the main doors of the castle. The first-years who came by boat landed at the foot of the mountain and still had to climb a long flight of stairs before truly entering the castle grounds.
After the chaos of seeing a group of ghosts the young witches and wizards gradually quieted down. They all knew the Sorting Ceremony was about to begin and that made most of them nervous.
"Were those things that just floated past ghosts?" Hermione turned her face and asked softly.
"To be precise they are specters," Sorimus replied. "They are the consciousness left behind by a witch or wizard after death not their souls. The difference is quite significant. I'll explain it to you later." Sorimus had already spotted Professor McGonagall approaching with a roll of parchment so he quickly ended the conversation.
"All right quiet! First-years. The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin. I am..."
"Leap!" Neville yelled as he dashed toward Professor McGonagall.
"Pfft..." Sorimus was glad there was nothing but saliva in his mouth or he would have sprayed Hermione's head and given her hair an accidental wash.
Neville carefully scooped up his toad from beside Professor McGonagall's feet. Then he seemed to suddenly realize what he had done. He lowered his head and cautiously lifted his eyelids to look at the witch in front of him who appeared even stricter than his grandmother.
"I'm truly sorry Professor McGonagall," Sorimus quickly stepped forward and pulled Neville back. "This is the pet he lost earlier."
Professor McGonagall's thin lips trembled. She glanced at Sorimus then fixed her eyes sternly on Neville. "Everyone! Form a single file and follow me." Professor McGonagall turned sharply on her heel leading the first-years toward the Great Hall while gripping that poor roll of parchment tightly. Perhaps she wished it were Neville himself in her grasp. A first-year interrupting her speech and right before the Sorting Ceremony no less... this was the first time such a thing had happened.
"You're done for Neville. Professor McGonagall is the Head of Gryffindor House," Sorimus patted Neville on the shoulder. "Good luck." Then he moved forward with the rest of the first-years.
Neville stood frozen in place toad in hand... he was terrified.
"Hurry up Neville stop daydreaming," Hermione gave Neville a push. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to start. Don't just stand there."
When Professor McGonagall pushed open the doors of the Great Hall everything inside instantly filled the first-years' eyes. Floating candles filled the air enormous stained-glass windows older students seated on both sides and the professors high up at their table. Finally the first-years saw the tall stool placed in the center and the dirty old wizard hat resting on it.
Even the children from wizarding families were seeing this sight for the first time. Hundreds of people all sitting together and staring at the new students. At this moment whether pure-blood or Muggle-born every first-year felt nervous. A few were shaking like sieves... just like Neville who was trailing right behind Sorimus.
"Relax Neville relax. The Sorting Hat won't eat you," Sorimus yanked Neville from behind him to the front. "If you really want to get into Gryffindor show some courage. You don't want to disappoint your grandmother do you?"
"Damn Fred and George. The way they described it I thought I'd have to fight a troll," a red-haired boy not far ahead of Sorimus whispered angrily to the one in front of him.
"That red-haired boy in front is Harry Potter. I saw them on the train," Hermione said softly from behind Sorimus.
When Professor McGonagall reached the Sorting Hat and signaled for silence the dirty old Sorting Hat on the stool began to twist. A fold appeared on the side facing the first-years... like a mouth. Then it sang:
"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 Hufflepull,
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 folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
After the hat finished singing thunderous applause filled the hall. It bowed to each of the four tables in turn then fell still.
"Wasn't that awful to listen to Hermione?" Sorimus turned his face and said to Hermione. "And look at the Sorting Hat. It's covered in dust and grime. I bet it's never been washed."
Sorimus had not deliberately lowered his voice so the first-years in front of and behind him all heard it. The young witches and wizards took a closer look. Sure enough besides the dust and grime on the crown there were green and white spots on the brim... it was even moldy.
"Look how dirty the outside is. Can you imagine how filthy the inside must be?" Sorimus continued completely ignoring the constipated expressions on the faces of the surrounding first-years. "I bet you can smell something weird even before you put it on."
"Will you stop already? The welcoming feast is coming up soon," Hermione jabbed Sorimus hard in the side.