The Sorting Hat (PS)
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The Sorting Hat is the seventh chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
Contents |
Welcome to Hogwarts
The door of the Hogwarts castle opens as soon as Rubeus Hagrid knocks (PS6), revealing a stern-looking tall, black-haired witch in emerald robes. It is Professor Minerva McGonagall, who leads the first-years into the huge Entrance Hall. Torches light its stone walls, and a marble staircase leads to the upper floors.
A doorway to the right leads to the Great Hall; before they head that way, however, McGonagall takes the students to a small chamber off the hall. There she welcomes them to Hogwarts, and briefly explains that the students are to be Sorted into one of the four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. When the school year ends, the house with the most points wins the House Cup.
McGonagall leaves, recommending that the children smarten themselves as much as possible and promising to return shortly.
The students start chatting; Harry wonders what is the nature of the Sorting. Fred Weasley has told Ron that it is a test that hurts a lot, but the first-year reckons that his brother is joking. Hermione Granger wonders which of the spells that she has already learned will be necessary. Harry has never been more nervous in his life.
Suddenly, about twenty ghosts cross the room, talking to each other and ignoring the students. Only the Fat Friar greets them, saying he hopes to see plenty of them in Hufflepuff.
Professor McGonagall returns, and orders the first-years to form a line. Harry stays between a sandy-haired boy and Ron. Together they cross the double doors that lead to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall
The Hall is lit by thousands of candles floating above the four long tables, lined with students. Golden plates and goblets are on top of the table, but no food. The High Table is at the back; there the teachers sit, and the first-years are led to stand with their backs turned to the staff.
Hermione reveals that the starlit sky above them is actually the ceiling, bewitched to resemble the sky outside—an information that she acquired from Hogwarts: A History.
McGonagall places a four-legged stool in front of the students, and a patched and dirty pointed hat on top of it.
The Sorting Hat's song
A rip near the brim of the Hat opens, and it begins to sing:
Oh, you may not think I'm pretty, But don't judge me on what you see, I'll eat myself if yuo can find A smarter hat than me. You can keep your bowlers black Your top hats sleek and tall, For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat And I can cap them all. 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. You might belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at heart, Their daring, nerve and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart; You might belong in Hufflepuff, Where they are just and loyal, Those patient Hufflepuffs are true And unafraid of toil; Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, If you've a ready mind, Where those of wit and learning, Will always find their kind; Or perhaps in Slytherin You'll make your real friends, Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their ends. So put me on! Don't be afraid! And don't get in a flap! You're in safe hands (though I have none) For I'm a Thinking Cap!
Everyone applauds. The Hat bows to the four tables.
McGonagall, holding a large roll of parchment, steps forward, and instructs the students to step forward and put the Hat on when she calls out their name.
The Sorting
- Hannah Abbott (pink-faced, with blonde pigtails): Hufflepuff;
- Susan Bones: Hufflepuff;
- Terry Boot: Ravenclaw;
- Mandy Brocklehurst: Ravenclaw;
- Lavender Brown: Gryffindor;
- Millicent Bulstrode: Slytherin;
- Justin Finch-Fletchley: Hufflepuff;
- Seamus Finnigan (the Hat takes a while to decide): Gryffindor;
- Hermione Granger: Gryffindor;
- Neville Longbottom (after a long time, too): Gryffindor;
(Neville runs off with the Hat, and has to return to the stool to give it back.)
- Morag MacDougal: house not revealed;
- Draco Malfoy (the Hat barely touches his head): Slytherin;
(Crabbe and Goyle have also gone to Slytherin at this point, but their Sorting is not described.)
It is then Harry's turn. Several students start whispering at once, wondering if the Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts.
Harry's Sorting
As soon as Harry puts on the Hat, it says, "Hmm. Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes — and a thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting ... So where shall I put you?"
Harry begs not to be placed in Slytherin.
"Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that — no? Well, if you're sure — better be GRYFFINDOR!"
The last word is shouted to the Hall. Harry is so relieved that he hardly hears his house mates cheering louder than they had for any other first-year. Fred and George Weasley chant, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"
Harry now notices familiar faces at the High Table: Hagrid is at the end nearest to the Gryffindors; Albus Dumbledore is in a golden chair in the centre; Professor Quirrell is also there (PS5).
- Dean Thomas (a black boy taller than Ron) is made a Gryffindor[1];
- Lisa Turpin becomes a Ravenclaw;
- Ron Weasley (a second after he puts on the Hat) is Sorted into Gryffindor;
- Blaise Zabini is made a Slytherin.
The feast
The Headmaster stands up, opening his arms wide, and says, "Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
Everyone cheers, and Harry uncertainly asks Percy whether Dumbledore's insane. "Mad? He's a genius! Best wizard in the world! But he is a bit mad, yes. Potatoes, Harry?"
Only then does Harry notice that the tables are now full of food of all sorts. Nearly Headless Nick mournfully comments that the food looks good; he introduces himself as Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, the resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower. When Ron mentions his nickname, Seamus is puzzled ("Nearly Headless? How can you be nearly headless?"); the ghost pulls his own left year, causing his head to fall on his shoulder, as if held back by a hinge.
He then proceeds to wish that the new Gryffindors will help the house win the House Championship; Slytherin has won for the past six years, and the Bloody Baron (the enourmous Slytherin ghost with blank, staring eyes, a gaunt face and blood-stained robes) has become unbearable.
Gryffindors
The food eventually disappears, and is replaced by delicious desserts. Seamus comments that he's a half-blood; his father's a Muggle, and his mother didn't tell him that she was a witch until after the marriage.
Neville says that he was raised by his grandmother. Most of the family thought that he was a Squib for many years — his great-uncle Algie even pushed him off the end of Blackpool pier to try to provoke the child's magic, nearly causing the boy to drown. One day, when Neville was eight years old, Algie visited and hung him off the window by the ankles; the boy's great-aunt Enid offered him meringues and the wizard accidentally let go. Neville bounced off the ground, and the family was very pleased. Algie even bought him a toad to celebrate.
Percy and Hermione chat about lessons.
The scar
Harry's eyes wander to the High Table, and he stares at a hook-nosed teacher talking to Quirrell, who looks past the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor's purple turban to gaze at Harry. The boy suddenly feels a sharp pain on his scar.
Percy says that the hook-nosed teacher is Severus Snape, the Potions master, who has been after Quirrell's job for years.
Dumbledore's speech
Albus rises once more, and gives a few notices: he reminds all students that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds, delivers a message from Argus Filch, the caretaker — that no magic is allowed in the corridors —, and announces that Quidditch trias will begin in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing must contact Madam Hooch.
There is one more announcing: the third-floor corridor on the right side of the castle is strictly forbidden.
Percy frowns, wondering why Dumbledore hasn't even revealed to the Prefects the reason for the prohibition.
The Headmaster happily orchestrates a rendition of the school song; he flicks his wand, and a golden ribbon flows out of it, placing itself above the tables and spelling out the lyrics:
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, Teach us something please, Whether we be old and bald Or young with scabby knees, Our heads oculd do with filling With some interesting stuff, For now they're bare and full of air, Dead flies and bits of fluff, So teach us things worth knowing, Bring back what we've forgot, Just do your best, we'll do the rest, And learn till our brains all rot.
All students finish in their own time, according to the rythm.
This chapter summary is not done yet. Please be patient.
Trivia
- ↑ Dean's appearance was edited out of the British version of the book.
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| The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters | The Sorting Hat | The Potions Master |
