Harry Potter : This Progress Too Much

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A Moment of Anticipation

Following Professor McGonagall, the first-year students were led into a small, dimly lit chamber off the Great Hall. They huddled together, whispering anxiously as they stole nervous glances at one another. The Sorting Ceremony was about to begin, and for most of them, excitement was mixed with dread.

"Welcome to Hogwarts!" Professor McGonagall addressed the group with a firm and authoritative tone. Her sharp gaze swept over the young witches and wizards, silencing any remaining chatter. "The Start-of-Term Feast will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you must first be sorted into your houses. The Sorting Ceremony is an important tradition that will determine which house you will call home for the next seven years."

A murmur rippled through the group, but no one dared to speak loudly in front of the strict professor.

"Your house will be like your family at Hogwarts," she continued. "You will share dormitories, attend classes together, and earn or lose house points based on your behavior. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will win the coveted House Cup. Now, I will return shortly to escort you to the ceremony. Please remain quiet while you wait."

With that, she turned and strode briskly out of the chamber, leaving the students to stew in their nervous anticipation.

As soon as she left, the whispers resumed in earnest.

"How do they sort us?" a voice asked from the crowd.

David recognized the speaker—Harry Potter. The boy with the lightning-shaped scar had an uneasy expression, and his green eyes darted around as if searching for answers.

Ron Weasley, the red-haired boy who had spent the train ride boasting about his family, leaned in with an air of authority. "My brothers told me we have to pass a test," he said, lowering his voice for dramatic effect. "They said it's really tough. You could fail, you know!"

The anxiety in the room immediately spiked. A few students gasped.

David smirked slightly but remained silent. He knew Ron's brothers—the mischievous twins, Fred and George—loved to exaggerate. There was no "test," at least not in the way Ron imagined.

Another student, a jittery boy named Neville Longbottom, gulped. "I hope it's not a duel," he mumbled. "My gran wants me in Gryffindor, but I'm not sure I'm brave enough."

Hermione Granger, standing nearby, frowned. "I've read all about the houses," she declared. "Gryffindor values bravery and courage. Hufflepuff is for the loyal and hardworking. Ravenclaw is for those who are wise, and Slytherin values ambition. If we're being tested, it will probably have something to do with those qualities."

The conversation was cut short by a sudden gasp.

"Wh-what is that?!" someone squeaked.

The students turned just in time to see ghosts floating effortlessly through the walls, their pearly white, translucent forms gliding into the chamber. A few students instinctively stepped back.

David's eyes gleamed with curiosity. He had seen magical creatures in books, but seeing real ghosts was an entirely different experience.

The ghosts, seemingly oblivious to the first-years' fear, chattered among themselves. One particularly fat ghost in a ruffled collar—the Fat Friar—grinned warmly at the students.

"New students, eh?" he said cheerfully. "Hope to see some of you in Hufflepuff!"

Before anyone could muster a response, Professor McGonagall reappeared. The ghosts drifted away, vanishing through the walls.

"Follow me," she instructed.

The nervous group of students trailed behind her, exiting the small chamber and stepping into the grand Great Hall.

The Great Hall

Gasps of amazement echoed as the first-years entered the hall. It was breathtaking. Thousands of floating candles hovered in midair, illuminating the vast space with a warm, golden glow. The ceiling, enchanted to reflect the night sky, shimmered with twinkling stars. The four house tables were packed with students watching the new arrivals with keen interest.

At the front of the hall, the staff table stretched across the platform, where the professors sat. In the center, with his long silver beard and half-moon spectacles, sat Professor Dumbledore, the revered Headmaster of Hogwarts.

David glanced at the four house tables. Gryffindors were already clapping and cheering enthusiastically. The Slytherins, by contrast, sat more reserved, watching the newcomers with calculating eyes. Ravenclaws observed with mild interest, while Hufflepuffs grinned warmly, welcoming potential new housemates.

Professor McGonagall led them to the front of the hall. A three-legged stool stood before them, and on it rested the Sorting Hat—a tattered, ancient wizard's hat.

Suddenly, the hat twitched. A wide tear along its brim opened like a mouth, and it began to sing:

"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!"

The Sorting Hat's song continued for several verses, describing the values of each house. When it finally finished, applause erupted from the students.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a roll of parchment in hand.

"When I call your name," she announced, "you will sit on the stool, place the Sorting Hat on your head, and be sorted into your house."

A hush fell over the hall.

The Sorting Begins

One by one, names were called.

"Hannah Abbott!"

A nervous blonde girl stepped forward and placed the hat on her head. A moment later, the hat shouted:

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

Cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff table as Hannah scurried over to join them.

"Susan Bones!"

Another quick decision.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

David watched closely, fascinated by the process. The Sorting Hat clearly didn't hesitate with some students, while others took longer.

"Hermione Granger!"

Hermione practically ran to the stool, trembling with excitement. She placed the hat on her head. A few moments passed before—

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Hermione looked relieved and rushed to the Gryffindor table, where she was met with enthusiastic applause.

"Neville Longbottom!"

The hat took its time before finally deciding:

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Neville tripped on his way to the table, causing a few chuckles, but he was welcomed warmly.

"Draco Malfoy!"

The hat barely touched his head before it yelled:

"SLYTHERIN!"

Malfoy smirked as he strode confidently to join his house.

Then came the name everyone had been waiting for.

"Harry Potter!"

The hall fell into a tense silence as Harry approached the stool. The Sorting Hat seemed to deliberate for a long time before finally shouting:

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers, the loudest so far.

Finally, it was David's turn.

"David Carter!"

David took a deep breath and stepped forward. He placed the Sorting Hat on his head.

"Hmm..." the hat murmured in his mind. "A bright one, aren't you? Plenty of curiosity, ambition... a hunger for knowledge. You would do well in Ravenclaw... but there's courage in you, too... a thirst to prove yourself..."

David sat still, heart pounding.

"Well then... best be—"

"RAVENCLAW!"

The Ravenclaw table cheered, welcoming him as he took his seat among them.

The Sorting continued, and soon, the ceremony came to an end.

Dumbledore stood and spread his arms wide.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" he declared. "Let the feast begin!"

With a flick of his hands, the tables magically filled with food, and the Great Hall erupted into laughter and chatter.

David smiled. His journey at Hogwarts had officially begun.

End of Chapter 19

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