After Professor McGonnagal's introduction about the houses of Hogwarts and what it entailed, the First Years were led into the great hall. Soon they were lined up in front of everyone, staring at the incongruous hat sitting on a stool.
It suddenly broke out into song, singing a ditty about the school and the houses. All of the older students clapped politely at the end. It even bowed to each of the tables!
"Abbot, Hannah," the professor said.
The girl walked up and the hat was put on her head, almost immediately to shout, "Hufflepuff!"
"So we've just got to try on the hat!" a bright red-haired boy whispered to another up the line. "I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll."
Soon it was up to, "Granger, Hermione!" She was quickly sorted into Gryffindor, one of her two top preferences.
The whole room seemed stunned just a bit later by, "Hellsing, Integra."
The hat was plopped onto her head, where she heard the hat speaking softly. Well, that's quite the mind you have there. Quite a bit of cunning, too. Most definitely a lot of loyalty, but by far the greater courage you hold. Better make it, Gryffindor! it shouted.
The room just sat there silently, only a single clap of appreciation (from Hermione) for her as she walked over to sit next to her new friend. The rest of the Gryffindors weren't quite sure what to make of her at this point. Rumors had been spreading like lightning all day on the train. She didn't look nearly as threatening as some of the Slytherins seemed to be making her out to be.
Not too many moments later, the whole room lit up in whispers again when, "Potter, Harry!" was called up. The hat seemed to have a hard time with him, but finally shouted out Gryffindor, too. There was much cheering and yelling about from Gryffindor about how they, "...got Potter! We got Potter!"
Soon the Headmaster stood up and spoke some truly nonsensical words that meant absolutely nothing, as far as Integra and Hermione could determine.
At that, the feast was served. Plates filled themselves magically. Everyone started to eat with gusto. The red-haired boy from earlier almost stuffing his face.
Suddenly the noise broke down around a rather remarkable thing. People craned their heads to look over and quiet spread across the hall. Even the professors listened intently.
"...let this food strengthen thy servant and may the forces of darkness be destroyed in thy name, to protect Queen and Country. AMEN." Her voice had not been raised at any point in her prayer, but by the time it had finished, the entire room could hear her entreaties to God. Without ado, she picked up a napkin and then started eating.
A couple of the Muggle born muttered, "Amen," purely by reflex.
With a stoicism that seemed unrivaled, Integra continued to daintily eat her supper.
Suddenly, as if remembering that they could, whispers erupted across the room. None more intense than those at the head table.
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(Posted Thu, 25 Nov 2004 20:12)
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