The small boats bumped gently against the rocky shore as the students disembarked. Hagrid led the way up a narrow, winding path that eventually opened into a courtyard at the base of the towering castle. Waiting near the large doors was a tall woman in emerald green robes, her expression stern but composed.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said crisply. "I am Professor McGonagall. In a few moments, you will enter the Great Hall, where you will be sorted into your houses. While you are here, your house will be something like your family. You will have classes together, sleep in the same dormitory, and earn or lose points for your house based on your behavior."
The group shifted nervously, some whispering excitedly, others fidgeting.
Harry observed her closely. McGonagall's posture, her composed magic aura, and clear authority reminded him of a disciplined commander—yet not cruel. There was strength in her presence, and Harry silently acknowledged it with a nod.
After a brief pause, the doors creaked open, revealing the splendor of the Great Hall. Floating candles illuminated the massive space, while the enchanted ceiling mirrored the starlit sky above.
Hermione gasped, eyes wide. "It's not real, the ceiling. It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."
Harry smiled, already familiar with the charm, but her genuine excitement was charming in its own way.
They gathered near a stool where an old, tattered hat sat. To many, it looked unremarkable—until it twitched and opened its brim like a mouth:
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.
There's nothing hidden in your head The Sorting Hat can't see, So try me on and I will tell you Where you ought to be...
The hat continued, naming the four Houses and the traits they prized most. As it ended, McGonagall unrolled a parchment.
"When I call your name, you will come forward, try on the hat, and be sorted."
One by one, names were called.
"Hannah Abbott!" "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Susan Bones!" "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Terry Boot!" "RAVENCLAW!"
"Draco Malfoy!" "SLYTHERIN!" the hat barely touched his head.
"Hermione Granger!" The hat hesitated slightly before shouting, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Hermione beamed and hurried off to join the table to loud applause.
"Neville Longbottom!" The hat took a while, mumbling to itself about courage and potential. Finally, "GRYFFINDOR!" Neville looked stunned, but Harry gave him a thumbs-up as he walked over.
Finally: "Harry Potter."
The Hall went quiet, whispers filling the room like rustling leaves. Harry moved forward calmly and sat down, the Sorting Hat dropping over his eyes.
"Hmm…" the hat murmured. "Interesting… very interesting. You are not… entirely of this world, are you? I can't see your memories—something shields them. But I sense the mark of death… of power reborn… of something ancient and eternal clinging to you like stardust."
Harry said nothing, simply letting the hat explore.
"You have the traits for many houses—ambition, cunning, intellect… and yes, bravery. And yet…" A pause. "I will let you choose, young one. Your destiny lies in many paths, but one heart always finds its fire in company."
Harry, after a moment of thought, whispered, "Gryffindor. That's where my friends are."
"Very well… GRYFFINDOR!"
at that time Weasley twins started shouting"we got Potter, we got Potter"
As Harry stood and lifted the hat off, it spoke once more—this time loud enough for those near him to hear:
"Rise from ashes, young Phoenix… and spread your wings in the vast void."
Harry froze for a fraction of a second. His heart thudded. That… was not a normal farewell.
He walked to the Gryffindor table with calm grace, feeling Hermione's curious gaze and Neville's confusion. Whispers rippled across the hall, but Harry just smiled faintly.
"Phoenix, huh?" Hermione whispered beside him.
Harry didn't respond—only chuckled softly.
'I guess nothing can be hidden from founder's hat'