After a long time, they finally reached Hogwarts. Hermione muttered something about going to find Harry and Ron, and ran off.

Ginny heard someone shouting “Firs’ years over here! Firs’ years with me!” She walked excitedly over to the owner of the voice, who she assumed was Hagrid, the gamekeeper, based on what her brothers had told her. 

Once all the first years were gathered, they got into boats to cross the lake. Ginny was in a boat with a sandy-haired boy named Colin, a girl called Demelza, and a tow head blonde boy called Matthew. 

The chattering increased as they got their first view of the castle. Everyone was eager to get inside. They were met at the doors by a stern looking woman who Ginny knew was Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration professor and Head of Gryffindor. 

Professor McGonagall explained the four houses and the sorting, but Ginny already knew it all. She had already heard it from all six of her brothers and both of her parents. She didn’t need to listen. She already knew that she would be in Gryffindor. Her whole family had been Gryffindors. How could she not be? 

She looked up to see Professor McGonagall still talking. Ginny rolled her eyes, annoyed. Can we just get on with it already? She thought. Finally, after another five minutes, Professor McGonagall led them into the Great Hall. 

Ginny breathed out a sigh. It was beautiful. She had heard all about it, but it was even more amazing in person. The other first years were also admiring the room. This continued for a while, until Professor McGonagall called out the first name. “Lucy Adams.”

“HUFFLEPUFF!” The Sorting Hat called out. 

Then, Bonnie Anders also became a Hufflepuff and Jakob Bentley was the first new Ravenclaw. Colin Creevey was sorted into Gryffindor and Sarah Dobson became a Slytherin. She smirked and strutted over to the Slytherin table.

Most of the group was sorted including a new Ravenclaw called Luna Lovegood and the Gryffindor Ginny had sat with in the boat, Demelza Robins. Then it was Ginny’s turn. 

She was suddenly very nervous. What if she was sorted into the wrong house? She shook that thought away very quickly. She knew she would be in Gryffindor. She knew it.

Ginny walked up to the stool, trying her best to look confident. She sat down put on the Sorting Hat and waited for it’s answer. 

“Hmm.. Another Weasley… Difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage, yes, and determination. You’ll do anything to get what you want. Ooh, yes, lots of ambition there. You want to prove yourself, you want to win. You won’t let anything stop you. Hmm.. yes. That’s it. I know just the thing for you.”

Ginny grinned at the Gryffindor table, already searching for an empty seat, as the Sorting Hat shouted out...

“SLYTHERIN!”