Cordelia looked out of the train window - they must be there, for the train was slowing down. 'We're here.'
Alvie looked out of the window as well. "Look - there's that half-giant Hagrid...the oaf! He's so stupid! I heard that his lessons are so stupid..well, that's what my friend, Sylvie said.'
Cordelia didn't say anything. She looked at the huge figure...maybe his lessons might be stupid, but she thought that 'the oaf' was a bit harsh. 'Well, come on,' she said.
'Yeah...'
They slid open their compartment door and went down the train. Cordelia was thinking about the Sorting. She wasn't nervous about it...she didn't really care what house she was going to be put in...
'Firs' years this way! Firs' years this way!' said the half-giant.
Cordelia was so sleepy that she hardly noticed when they went in the boats across the lake.
Finally they came to a great big door. The half-giant, Hagrid, Cordelia had heard a second year say to his friend the half-giant's name, pushed open the great door to reveal the most biggest Entrance Hall. The students walked down it, with Hagrid in front.
They came to the Great Hall, and saw a curt tall looking woman standing there. Cordelia recognised her as Professor McGonagall. 'The Sorting is about to begin,' she said. 'The Sorting Hat will sort you into the House that suits you...you will try on the Hat....understand?'
'Yes,' chorused the first years.
The first years stood in a line, waiting till their name was called.
Finally Cordelia heard, 'Colt, Cordelia!'
Cordelia moved forwards. She placed the Hat on her head. 'Ahhh!' said a voice. Cordelia did not jump in surprise. She knew that the Sorting Hat talked. 'Yes. Interesting...' said the Hat. 'Yes. Brave, but...ahhh. Cunningness is there...intelligence...resourcefulness as well..yes, an interesting one, you are, girl.'
Cordelia waited patiently.
'Ahh,' said the Hat again. 'Yes. I think you might better be in...SLYTHERIN!'
Cordelia took off the Hat, and then ran to the Slytherin table. One boy clapped her on the back and a girl with midnight black hair said, 'Well done for getting sorted into Slytherin!'
Cordelia grinned at her. People had always said Slytherin was the worst house, but she did not think so.
She watched Alvie as she walked up to the Sorting Hat and put it on. Ten seconds passed, then... 'SLYTHERIN!'
Cordelia clapped loudest than any. 'Well done, Alvie!' she said.
'Thanks,' Alvie said.
Cordelia looked over at the Gryffindor table. A brown haired boy saw her and said, 'Down with Slytherin!'
A few other Gryffindors laughed.
Cordelia glared at them.
'Disgusting Gryffindor! They think they're the best house in the school!' she said angrily to Alvie.
'Yeah,' Alvie said. 'At least Slytherin has some brains. You know, Harry Potter always had to copy from that Mudblood Granger all the time! I bet he can't tell the difference about a Thestral and a Hippogriff!'
Cordelia smiled. Suddenly she gaped. Gold plates had just appeared in front of her - then all sorts of food! She grabbed for a drumstick, suddenly realising how hungry she was.
She ate and ate, and then began to feel very sleepy. Pudding appeared, and she hardly ate any of it. After that, a Slytherin Prefect drawled, 'This way, first years! This way!' he said again impatiently. He led them down to the Dungeons. You had to say the password to get into the Slytherin common room. 'The password,' announced the Slytherin Prefect, 'is Slithpin, OK?' He said to the painting of Horace Slughorn, 'Slithpin!'
'Correct!' said Slughorn, and the painting swung open to reveal a dim common room, with black green sofas and a little fireplace.
'This is up to the girls dormitory,' he pointed up some stairs - 'and up there is to the boys dormitory.' He pointed up a spiral staircase.
Cordelia went up to the girls dormitory immediately, but Alvie stayed down in the common room.
Cordelia got into her pajamas and then got into bed. She stayed awake for a while, thinking about what she would do in the morning. Finally she went to sleep.