Katherine Greenwood: The Hidden World #15

Instructions

Katherine's POV: "Greenwood, Katherine." My heart stopped for a moment. I stared at Professor McGonagall. She was looking directly at me, waiting for me to come forward. That was my name. I swallowed nervously and looked around at all the students watching me. My hands felt cold, and I suddenly wished I could disappear into the floor. Lily gave me a small smile from where she was standing. "You can do it," she whispered. I nodded, even though I wasn't sure I could. Slowly, I stepped forward. Every step toward the stool seemed to make my heart beat faster. I tried not to look at all the students sitting at the four tables. I kept my eyes on the stool instead. When I reached it, I turned around and sat down. Professor McGonagall picked up the Sorting Hat. For a moment, I just stared at it. It looked old. Very old. It was wrinkled and worn, with a crooked shape that made it look almost like a face. Then Professor McGonagall placed it on my head. The hat dropped down over my eyes, and suddenly I couldn't see anything. I heard the Great Hall become very quiet. Then I heard a voice. "Well, this is interesting." I froze. Someone was speaking. But nobody was standing beside me. "Don't be frightened," the voice said. "I'm the Sorting Hat." My eyes widened underneath the hat. "You can hear me?" I whispered. "Of course I can. That's rather important, considering I'm sitting on your head." I almost laughed, but I was too nervous. "Are you really talking?" "Yes." I swallowed. "Can everyone hear you?" "No. Only you." I felt a little better knowing that. I didn't think I could handle hundreds of people hearing the strange conversation happening inside my head. The Sorting Hat was quiet for a moment. "Hmm," it said. "Very curious." I wasn't sure what that meant. "Curious about what?" "You." I became even more nervous. "What about me?" The hat seemed to think for a moment. "You ask many questions." I looked down, even though the hat covered my eyes. "Sorry." "Don't apologize. Curiosity can be a very useful quality." I wasn't sure what to say to that. The hat continued. "You've spent much of your life wondering about things. You like to understand how things work. You notice details. You enjoy books." I thought about all the books I had read at home and the books I had bought in Diagon Alley. "I do like books," I admitted. "I know." I took a small breath. "Does that mean you know everything about me?" "Not everything. I can see some things you've experienced, some things you value, and some of the qualities inside you." I became quiet.

Notes & Credits