Myrtle3

The wheels of the horseless carriage rolled up the stone path to the entrance of the Hogwarts Castle. It looked more beautiful than ever, although a black cloud was looming overhead. The carriage pulled to an abrupt halt in front of the stone steps. Benjamin unlatched the carriage door and all four stepped out into the drive. They all looked up, bewildered at the sight that met their eyes. The castle was so grand and coming at it at this angle for the first time was terrific. Everything was so peaceful while the students stood in awe. Until.

Splash! Bang! Peeves and Jeeves, the poltergeists had let loose an array of self-refilling water balloons from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Joke Shop. A terrific joke shop it was, but these balloons became a bit annoying, especially when you were trying to get inside before it rained. Never the less, Ron’s brothers, Fred and George were geniuses when it came to practical jokes. It was possible that this is where Antoinette got her sense of fun.

Screams pierced the air until Professor Snape came out from inside the castle.

“Get inside all of you! Peeves, Jeeves, I will deal with you later. Or perhaps the Bloody Baron should see to that?”

Students raced into the Entrance Hall as Peeves and Jeeves fled from the nearby window, three floors above. The Bloody Baron was possibly the only thing that could control either poltergeist. A loud gong signaled that the feast was about to start. Everybody filed into the Great Hall, which looked more remarkable than ever. The golden plates and goblets sat at the house tables, waiting to be filled and the enchanted ceiling was swirling like the clouds in the real sky outside. Professor McGonagall, Transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor House walked out in front of the teacher’s table and set a small, three-legged stool in front of it. On this, she placed a battered wizards hat. The sorting was about to begin.

The first years entered the Great Hall from a side door and stood trembling, whilst waiting to know what lay before them. Like every year that came before them, they breathed a huge sigh of relief when they found out that they just had to put a hat on their head.

Professor McGonagall took out a large roll of parchment, but paused before reading off it. It was whilst she paused, that the hat broke out in song.

“Each student has their special house,
To show where they belong.
I’m here to sort them into place
And I’ve never once been wrong.

Bold Gryffindor, liked students,
Who were just like him.
Fearless, noble, brave as well,
Topped with courage to the brim.

Dear Hufflepuff was sweet
And searched for people just the same.
Happy, loyal and just and fair
The students were who came.

Ravenclaw, the bright one,
Wanted people who had brains.
Students who remembered,
Their umbrella when it rains.

Now Slytherin was cunning,
And valued this the most.
When he found one with great ambition,
To them he’d make a toast.

Pop me on, above your head
Once you’ve listened to my spiel.
When I’ve finished sorting,
We can all begin our meal!”

Thunderous applause echoed through the Great Hall as the Sorting Hat finished its song. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, which was a signal for the students to cease. And they did. She began to read.

“Abel, Samantha,”

Samantha Abel walked across and sat on the stool, placing the hat on her head. In no time at all, it cried,

“Ravenclaw!”

The Ravenclaws cheered as Samantha went to join their table. The hat was now sorting students left and right. Professor McGonagall came to the next name on the list, William Creevey. He shot Myrtle, Antoinette and Ben a cheeky look as he strode across to the stool. He was hoping that he would be put in Gryffindor, like both his parents were. He sat, and waited.

“Gryffindor!” The hat bellowed.