Katherine's POV: We followed her toward the front of the hall. I could hear hundreds of students talking and whispering, and suddenly I felt very small. There were so many people watching us. I kept my eyes on the floor as we walked. At the front of the Great Hall was a small wooden stool. Sitting on top of it was an old, pointed hat. I stared at it. "That's the Sorting Hat," Lily whispered. I looked at her. "The hat sorts us?" She nodded. "Yes." I stared at the hat again. I wasn't sure how a hat could possibly know where someone belonged. Professor McGonagall walked toward the staff table and turned to face us. "When your name is called, you will come forward, sit on the stool, and put the Sorting Hat on your head. It will then place you into one of the four houses." My stomach tightened. "It talks?" I whispered. Lily nodded. "Sometimes." I looked at the hat again. Suddenly, I wasn't sure I wanted something that could talk inside my head. Professor McGonagall unrolled a long piece of parchment. The Great Hall became quiet. I stood beside Lily, trying to stay calm. I could see the teachers sitting at the table. Professor McGonagall was there, along with several other teachers I didn't recognize. I wondered which one would teach each subject. Then Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. "When I call your name, please come forward." I took a slow breath. My hands were beginning to feel sweaty. I looked at the Sorting Hat sitting on the stool. A few moments later, Professor McGonagall called the first name. A student stepped forward, walked to the stool, and sat down. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on their head. Everyone waited. Then the hat shouted, "Hufflepuff!" and the students at one of the tables cheered. I watched as the student hurried over to their new house. One by one, more names were called. Each time, I watched carefully. Some students looked excited. Others looked just as nervous as I felt. I kept wondering what would happen when my name was called. I didn't know which house I would belong to. I didn't even know which one I wanted. I glanced at Lily, who was watching the Sorting too. She noticed me looking at her and smiled. I smiled back. Then Professor McGonagall looked down at her parchment again. My heart suddenly began beating faster. She called the next name. I listened carefully. She had gotten to the G's on the list. I swallowed nervously and looked toward the Sorting Hat. Soon, it would be my turn.
Katherine Greenwood and her family are my original characters! All other characters, locations, and the Harry Potter universe belong entirely to J.K. Rowling and their respective rights holders. Chapter 15:
