The Sorting Hat's New Song (OP)

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The Sorting Hat's New Song is the eleventh chapter of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Hagrid?

Frightened by the possibility that only he and Luna can see the odd horses pulling the carriages (OP10), Harry does not reveal to his friends that he is watching the creatures through the window.

Thestrals. Fanart by reallycorking.

Ginny remarks that Professor Grubbly-Plank has come to Hogwarts, and wonders whether Hagrid has left. Luna notes that that would be beneficial, for Hagrid is not a very good teacher—a statement with which Harry, Ron and Ginny angrily disagree. Hermione half-heartedly concurs after a slight hesitation. Luna mentions that Ravenclaws believe him to be "a bit of a joke". Ron retorts rudely, but she is unfazed.

The carriage passes the pillars with winged boars between which lies the gate; Harry squints to catch a glimpse of Hagrid's cabin, but no light comes from there. The vehicles stop near the stone steps leading to the oak front doors. Harry is the first to leave: he confirms that the otherworldly creatures that he saw leading the so far horseless carriages have not disappeared, unfortunately.

In the Great Hall, the four tables are filling up, with candles floating between the table. People whisper about Harry as he passes by, and he tries not to notice. Luna heads towards the Ravenclaw table; Ginny is called over by some fourth-years; and the Trio, along with Neville, find seats between the Gryffindor ghost and the inseparable Parvati and Lavender, who greet Harry in a manner that revealed they have just been talking about him.

Harry sees that Hagrid is not at the staff table, either. The other two worry that he may have left, or been injured, but Harry suggests that he may not have returned from his mission for Dumbledore (GF36).

Dolores Umbridge

Hermione at once remarks upon the new addition to the Hogwarts staff this year: a squat woman with short, curly brown hair wearing a pink cardigan over her robes. Harry recognises her as Dolores Umbridge, a woman who works for Fudge, because she sat at his hearing (OP8).

This information worries Hermione. Harry is more concerned by Professor Grubbly-Plank, who takes the seat normally saved for Hagrid after helping the first-years across the lake.

Moments later, McGonagall enters, carrying the Sorting Hat and its stool, ahead of several nervous-looking first-years. Moments later, the Hat begins to sing:

In times of old when I was new 
And Hogwarts barely started 
The founders of our noble school 
Thought never to be parted: 
United by a common goal, 
They had the selfsame yearning, 
To make the world's best magic school 
And pass along their learning. 
'Together we will build and teach!' 
The four good friends decided 
And never did they dream that they 
Might some day be divided, 
For were there such friends anywhere 
As Slytherin and Gryffindor? 
Unless it was the second pair  
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw? 
So how could it have gone so wrong? 
How could such friendships fail? 
Why, I was there and so can tell 
The whole sad, sorry tale. 
Said Slytherin, 'We'll teach just those 
Whose ancestry is purest.' 
Said Ravenclaw, 'We'll teach those whose 
Intelligence is surest.' 
Said Gryffindor, 'We'll teach all those 
With brave deeds to their name,' 
Said Hufflepuff, 'I'll teach the lot, 
And treat them just the same.' 
These differences caused little strife 
When first they came to light, 
For each of the four founders had 
A house in which they might 
Take only those they wanted, so, 
For instance, Slytherin 
Took only pure-blood wizards 
Of great cunning, just like him, 
And only those of sharpest mind 
Were taught by Ravenclaw 
While the bravest and the boldest 
Went to daring Gryffindor. 
Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest, 
And taught them all she knew, 
Thus the houses and their founders 
Retained friendships firm and true. 
So Hogwarts worked in harmony 
For several happy years, 
But then discord crept among us 
Feeding on our faults and fears. 
The houses that, like pillars four, 
Had once held up our school, 
Now turned upon each other and, 
Divided, sought to rule. 
And for a while it seemed the school 
Must meet an early end, 
What with duelling and with fighting 
And the clash of friend on friend 
And at last there came a morning 
When old Slytherin departed 
And though the fighting then died out 
He left us quite downhearted. 
And never since the founders four 
Were whittled down to three 
Have the houses been united 
As they once were meant to be. 
And now the Sorting Hat is here 
And you all know the score: 
I sort you into houses 
Because that is what I'm for, 
But this year I'll go further, 
Listen closely to my song: 
Though condemned I am to split you 
Still I worry that it's wrong, 
Though I must fulfil my duty 
And must quarter every year 
Still I wonder whether Sorting 
May not bring the end I fear. 
Oh, know the perils, read the signs, 
The warning history shows, 
For our Hogwarts is in danger 
From external, deadly foes 
And we must unite inside her 
Or we'll crumble from within 
I have told you, I have warned you... 
Let the Sorting now begin.

The students applaud less heartily than in previous year; mutters and whispers accompany the cheering. Ron comments that the Hat has "branched out a bit this year." Hermione wonders whether it's ever warned the school before; Nearly Headless Nick leans across Neville to reply that the Hat feels honour-bound to warn the school whenever it believes that to be necessary.

McGonagall starts reading out the list with first-years' names, beginning with Euan Abercrombie, a terrified-looking boy with prominent ears. He is sent to Gryffindor. The last student to be Sorted is the Hufflepuff Rose Zeller.

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