Chapter 6 | Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone | Chapter 8 |
The Sorting Hat[]
Synopsis[]
The front door swings open, and Professor McGonagall appears to take the first-years. She leads them through the entrance hall into an empty room, where she tells them about the Sorting into houses. Harry and Hermione are a bit nervous about the Sorting, wondering whether it's some sort of test, and Ron has heard all sorts of tales from his brothers. Just then, a group of ghosts float through the wall and wish them good luck.
McGonagall returns and leads them into the Great Hall, where the rest of the Hogwarts students are waiting. She sets down a stool with an old wizard's hat on it, and it sings a song about itself, the Sorting Hat, the four houses and what characteristics are required for each. The first-years are much relieved when they find that all they will need to do is try on the hat and it will decide which house they go into.
McGonagall begins reading off the names in alphabetical order. Sometimes it decides quickly, and sometimes slowly. Hermione is assigned to Gryffindor, as is Neville Longbottom, though only after long deliberation. Draco Malfoy is instantly Sorted into Slytherin with Crabbe and Goyle. When Harry puts on the hat, it tells him it is a difficult choice, but he would do well in Slytherin. He wishes desperately not to go into Slytherin, though, and the hat puts him into Gryffindor instead.
Harry goes to sit at the Gryffindor table, where he is roundly cheered. He gets his first look at Dumbledore.
- Susan Bones is from one of the families many of whose members were killed by Voldemort.
- Harry's scar flames into agony while he watches Quirrell talking to Snape.