The House Cup

Throughout the summer, the British Wizarding World had been abuzz with the ambitious schooling system that was being implemented by Hogwarts Headmaster Gregory Gage and the Board of Governors.

Skeptics were abound, with the Ministry of Magic, and its newly elected Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge, casting doubt on Headmaster Gage's qualifications to teach students. 

(Author's Note, I realized that I had used Minister Fudge before this, but that was during the reign of Minister Bagnold, so I adjusted it. Additionally, while in the original novel Fudge gets elected in 1990, this is an AU, and the failure of Hogwarts at IWSI also shook up the political landscape, which allowed Fudge to be elected to the role of Minister for Magic a year beforehand {1989})

Furthermore, the Daily Prophet, as part of Malfoy's petty revenge for being forced to spend 100,000 galleons, brought great scrutiny upon headmaster Gage, and even stated "The Board of Governors have made a mistake in hiring Gregory Gage as Hogwarts Headmaster, he will go down as the worst headmaster in Hogwarts' illustrious history."

The Weasleys, and other poor families, however, were already very happy with the new headmaster, as the recent Hogwarts funding made it so that students no longer had to pay for books, as they were now covered under the same Hogwarts' scholarship that allowed all students to get their first wand for only 7 galleons. This allowed for the Weasley family to have enough galleons to provide Fred and George with brand new robes rather than hand-me-downs, as such the Weasleys extolled the new headmaster's praises even if he was 'a nasty Slytherin.'

So, after a long train ride that ended with a muddy trudge through the forest and a boat ride, Fred and George Weasley were excited to lay their eyes on the new headmaster for the first time.

"What do you think, Gred?" Feorge asked as he put his arm over the tall brown-haired first year that found himself unfortunately sandwiched between the twins. "I heard he is seven feet tall and has fingers for toes."

"I heard the same, Feorge," Gred replied as he also put an arm over the poor boy's shoulders, "but I also heard his hair shimmers in the light with rainbow colors."

"My father does not have rainbow hair," Frederick replied jokingly, "Not sure about the fingers for toes though, I've never seen him barefoot."

Just when Fred was going to ask Frederick another question about his father, the doors abruptly opened and a tall wizard with long white hair and half-moon glasses entered the foyer where the first years were being held.

"Hello first years, welcome to Hogwarts. I see you have all smartened up like I asked," Honorary Vice Headmaster (HVH) Albus Dumbledore said softly. "Once you walk through the doors behind me, the sorting ceremony will have officially commenced. Before we start the ceremony though, allow me to enlighten you young ones on what being sorted means. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor, that now brings privileges to the champion house. This year, however, there are no privileges for the reigning house of Slytherin, as the new headmaster only recently implemented the privilege system. Now that all the boring information is out of the way, let us go and start The Sorting."

With that, Dumbledore straightened his back, turned around, and led the first years into the great hall, much like a mother duck leads her ducklings. As the new students entered the great hall, the first thing that came to their attention was the enchanted ceiling. The next thing that came to attnetion was a dingy old hat that had been placed on a stool. The hat looked well-worn, but clean. Following that, the imposing image of the new headmaster, who stood in the middle of the teacher table was thing that drew and held the attention of the young wizards.

The headmaster, who would have been a scary sight if not for Hagrid being the one who led the students into the castle, stood at a height of 6' 11" and had silver hair with black streaks that shined under the enchanted ceiling. His gray eyes pierced through the students and homed in on his son, Frederick. Who looked back and gave him a small wave, to which the headmaster gave a soft smile and sat in his seat.

As the first years finally got to the front of the hall, they were met with the stern gaze of Professor McGonagall, who had picked up the worn hat in one hand and had a parchment filled with names in the other. 

"When I call your name, please come up to the front, sit on the stool, and I will place the Sorting Hat onto your head, and your test will begin," McGonagall announced.

The Sorting Hat, then seemingly grew eyes and a mouth from its worn-out wrinkles and began to speak in rhyme and time.

"From far away, or perhaps nearby

students come with brains full of pie,

to learn a thing or two profound

about the magic that's all around

but first the sorting must commence

in front of this captive audience

houses four, no more, no less

to which you'll join only I can guess

mayhaps Gryffindor home of the brave and bold

will be the place where you dress in red and gold

or yet Hufflepuff the home of yellow and black

where you will find that friends are something, you never lack

further still, Ravenclaw where dwell the smart and wise

dressed in silver and blue you'll make your ties

Or perhaps, Slytherin will be the place of you dream

full of wit and cunning while dressed in silver and green

Of these houses, four there are,

true homes you will find, you've come so far

So put me on and find the place you'll roam

in this castle you shall now call home"

(Author's note, I came up with that myself, and I think I killed it)

With that, the Sorting Hat went silent. After a brief pause, the students began to clap, and the Sorting Hat bowed in response. As the applause died down, McGonagall cleared her throat and announced.

"Allen, Donald"

A short boy with plain features and brown hair nervously walked up and sat on the stool. After he sat down, Vice Headmaster McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on top of his head. 7 seconds later, the Sorting Hat announced, "Hufflepuff!" In response, the Hufflepuff table cheered, and Donald's robes changed as the Hogwarts crest became a black and gold Hufflepuff crest. He then walked over to the Hufflepuff table and sat down, thankful to be done with the ordeal. The Sorting then continued as McGonagall resumed reading through the list of names.

"Amin, Heather"

"Gryffindor"

.

.

.

"Diggory, Cedric"

"Hufflepuff"

.

.

.

"Gage, Frederick"

Once Frederick's name was announced, the students began to whisper, "The new headmaster's son." "Look how tall he is." While Frederick was making his way to the stool, Gregory Gage leaned forward in anticipation to see where his son would be sorted. He is probably going to Ravenclaw like his mother, but I am still holding out hope on Slytherin, we shall see. He thought.

After 5 minutes, a bit longer than normal, the Sorting Hat announced, "Ravenclaw!" I knew it. Gregory thought as he straightened his posture once more.

"A pity," Brenda muttered just loud enough for Gemma Farley to hear.

"As expected," Justin said to Tonks, who nodded glumly.

The sorting ceremony continued, with the Weasley twins being sorted into Gryffindor. Then the last name was announced. 

"Zubac, Emily"

"Slytherin"

With the last child being sorted into Slytherin, all 150 first year students were officially sorted. There were 46 new Hufflepuffs, 36 new Gryffindors, 36 new Slytherins, and 32 new Ravenclaws. Shortly after The Sorting conclude, the Welcome feast began and festively ended. Once the last plate had been clearly from the tables, Gregory Gage stood up and cast Sonorous on himself, as he prepared to make an announcement.