When the train came to a stop, I got off with my luggage and
the other passengers.  We were led into
boats and ferried across the large lake to a large castle looking
building.  Once the boats reached the
other side, all of the students got out of the boats and we were led inside the
building by a woman.  The woman led us through the hallways and
stopped us by a pair of large doors, much like the ones at the entrance of the
castle.  She spoke for a few moments and
then led us through the doors.  We
entered into a large room with many tables and there was a table at the front
of the room, much like the head table would be at a wedding, which is kind of
what this room reminded me of, a wedding reception hall.  A man then
appeared, spoke for a few moments, and then the woman spoke again.  She said she was now going to begin the
sorting ceremony, whatever that was.  I
just wanted to get out of this uniform. 
Why anyone wanted to actually wear this inane outfit was beyond me.  One of the buttons on my shirt was about to
pop off, I preferred to wear pants rather than this skirt, and I wanted to wear my boots instead of my current footwear.  I was brought out of my
thoughts when the woman began calling out names, one by one, alphabetical
by last name.  My last name begins with ‘M,’
so I had a little more time to spend in my reverie.

I watched as several students walked up to and sat on a
stool.  An old, ratty looking hat was
placed on their heads and then I could hear it speak.  Sometimes I couldn’t hear it and sometimes it
shouted.  After waiting for what seemed
like hours, my name was called. 
I made my way up to the stool and sat down.  The hat was placed on my head, not disturbing
my braids, but just sitting there.  Then,
it began speaking, but not aloud.  It
didn’t take a genius to figure out that the hat was in my head, literally, and
speaking to me.

‘Well, aren’t you an interesting one?  I get the sense you don’t really want me
floating around in your head, but then again, who does?  Why is that?’

‘Hmm, well, I don’t know. 
Maybe because it’s kind of weird to have a stranger poking around in
your thoughts.  It’s also creepy and I
detest creepy things.’

‘Sarcasm, duly noted. 
I also see you have a knack for facts and a love for the dictionary.’

‘I read a lot, my best friend calls me The Human Dictionary, and I like to know what words mean, so what?’

‘Intelligence, duly noted. 
Your level of intelligence is much higher than some of the people that’ve
sat on this stool.’

‘I don’t doubt that. 
I tend to surprise people with my intelligence sometimes by rattling off
seemingly useless facts that no one else knows, then they’re all surprised that
I would know something like that.  Is it
because I’m blonde, because I have a huge bust, that people feel compelled to
underestimate my intelligence?’

‘It’s surprising.  I’m
going to take a quick look at your memories and thoughts, not that this
conversation hasn’t been stimulating or anything.’

The hat then looked at all my thoughts and memories, even
the ones that I had suppressed or not even given a second thought to.

‘Hmm, well, most of your thoughts seem to be centered on food,
something called anime, and your friends who couldn’t be here with you.  You are loyal to your friends, but also very
intelligent and I also noticed you like to draw as a hobby, so we’ll add
creative to the list.  You also don’t
back down, like when you and your friend fought an childish fight.’

‘We were children. 
She made me angry and attacked me. 
I defended myself appropriately by fighting back.  We eventually stopped before either one of us
was seriously injured.  Let’s just say,
we’re no longer friends and we no longer speak. 
She’s also, like, my cousin, but very distant.  We live very different lifestyles.  She has her friends and I have mine, she has
her life and I have mine, but we aren’t here to talk about her.’

‘No, we’re not.  Straight
to the point, like usual.  You also seem
to keep a stoic demeanor most of the time, presumably to keep your true
feelings hidden from those who care about and whom you care about in return.  You also have some anger issues and…’

‘Can we please just get on with this sorting?  Everyone else is waiting and I thought your
decisions were supposed to be quick.’

‘…And, anger issues and impatience.  Fine, based on your thoughts and memories, as
well as what you’ve told me, I see the best place for you.  Your intelligence, creativity, and sarcastic
wit will serve you well, just remember your loyalty and let go of your angry
tendencies.  RAVENCLAW!’