ALL NOVEL Chapter 9: Chapter 9: The Sorting Ceremony
The Great Hall was alive with whispers as the first-years gathered at the front. Professor McGonagall stood beside a stool holding the Sorting Hat, her stern gaze quieting the murmurs. Alexander's heart raced as the Sorting began, the Hat's magical voice echoing through the hall.
One by one, names were called, and students were sorted into their houses. Finally, it was Tom's turn. He strode to the stool with confidence, the locket hidden beneath his robes. As the Hat was placed on his head, it spoke softly.
"Ah, ambitious, cunning, resourceful… Slytherin is the only place for you."
The Hall erupted in applause as Tom joined the Slytherin table, his smirk evident.
Next, Alexander was called. The Hat seemed to take its time, mulling over his traits.
"A thirst for knowledge… and a deep sense of loyalty. An interesting mix… Better be… Ravenclaw!"
Alexander joined the Ravenclaw table, receiving nods of approval from his new housemates. He barely had time to sit when Hagrid's name was called. The half-giant approached nervously, the stool creaking under his weight. The Hat deliberated briefly before shouting, "Ravenclaw!"
Alexander cheered, clapping as Hagrid lumbered over to join him. Together, they watched the rest of the Sorting, their excitement growing for the adventures to come.
The Ravenclaw table buzzed with questions for Alexander and Hagrid. "So, where are you from?" a third-year asked Alexander.
Alexander hesitated, recalling his cover story. "London," he said smoothly. "My family's...a bit unusual, but I'm excited to be here."
Hagrid chimed in with his own tale, his booming voice earning laughs and curious glances. "Me dad always said I'd make it to Hogwarts, though I reckon he didn't think I'd be sorted into Ravenclaw!"
The feast began, and Alexander marvelled at the magical food. Plates filled with roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and puddings of all kinds. He noticed Tom at the Slytherin table, already deep in conversation with other first-years. Their eyes met briefly, a silent promise passing between them.
Over the next few days, Alexander and Hagrid settled into their new house. The Ravenclaw common room, perched high in a tower, was breath-taking. Its starry ceiling and towering bookshelves felt like a dream.
Alexander spent hours exploring the library, often joined by Hagrid. Despite his large stature, Hagrid had a gentle curiosity that endeared him to the other Ravenclaw.
Tom, meanwhile, thrived in Slytherin. He wrote letters to Alexander, describing his lessons and the intrigue of Slytherin politics. "They're ambitious, but there's a lot to learn from them," Tom wrote. Alexander kept the letters hidden, knowing their bond had to remain a secret.
One afternoon, Alexander and Hagrid discovered a hidden alcove behind a tapestry in the Ravenclaw common room. Inside were ancient texts and artifacts, forgotten by time.
"Blimey, Alex, look at this!" Hagrid exclaimed, holding up an old, enchanted mirror. Its surface rippled like water, showing glimpses of other places.
"This could be dangerous," Alexander murmured, taking the mirror carefully. "Let's keep this between us for now."
Back in Slytherin, Tom found his own secrets. He stumbled upon a hidden passage leading to the dungeons, where he practiced spells in solitude. His power grew rapidly, fueled by the locket and his relentless ambition.
The twins met in secret, sharing their discoveries. "We're learning more than they could ever teach us in class," Tom said, his eyes gleaming. Alexander nodded, his resolve strengthening.
Their siblings also began to find their footing. Bella, now a vampire, often sent cryptic letters warning them to be cautious. "The wizarding world is not as simple as it seems," she wrote. Alexander wondered what dangers lay ahead.
As the weeks turned into months, Alexander and Hagrid became known as an odd but inseparable pair. Their Ravenclaw classmates appreciated their unique strengths: Alexander's intellect and Hagrid's kindness.
One evening, Alexander found himself drawn to the library's Restricted Section. Using a spell he had learned from one of Tom's letters, he unlocked the gate and slipped inside. The books whispered to him, their knowledge intoxicating.
Among the dusty tomes, Alexander discovered a book on ancient blood magic. Its pages detailed rituals and spells long forgotten. He felt a thrill of both fear and excitement as he read.
Back in the Ravenclaw common room, Hagrid noticed Alexander's distraction. "Yeh alright, Alex? You've been actin' a bit...off lately."
"I'm fine, Hagrid," Alexander replied, though he wasn't sure he believed it himself. The lure of forbidden knowledge was growing stronger.
At the same time, Tom's experiments with the locket intensified. He wrote to Alexander about his progress, hinting at a grand plan. "We're destined for greatness," Tom wrote. "We just have to seize it."
Alexander couldn't shake a feeling of unease. He trusted Tom, but the path they were on was fraught with danger. The ring he had taken from the Gaunt house seemed to hum with power, a constant reminder of their choices.
The first term at Hogwarts flew by, and Christmas break arrived. Alexander and Hagrid decided to stay at school, eager to explore more of the castle. Tom, however, returned to their shared home, where he delved deeper into his studies.
One snowy evening, Alexander and Hagrid ventured into the Forbidden Forest. They stumbled upon a group of centaurs, who warned them of dark times ahead.
"Beware the path you tread, young wizard," one centaur said, his gaze piercing. "The choices you make will shape the fate of many."
The warning lingered in Alexander's mind as they returned to the castle. He shared it with Tom in a letter, but his twin dismissed it. "They're just creatures of the forest," Tom wrote. "Our destiny is ours to decide."
As the new year began, Alexander resolved to uncover more about his family's legacy. He delved into the history of the Gaunts, piecing together the story of their rise and fall. The knowledge both fascinated and horrified him.
Hagrid, ever loyal, stood by Alexander's side. "Whatever happens, Alex, yeh've got me," he said. Alexander smiled, grateful for his friend.
Meanwhile, Tom continued to rise through the ranks of Slytherin, his charisma winning over even the most sceptical housemates. Yet, he never forgot his bond with Alexander, their shared ambition driving them forward.
As the term progressed, the twins' paths diverged, yet their connection remained unbreakable. They were two sides of the same coin, their fates intertwined in ways they could not yet understand.
The chapter ended with Alexander standing at the window of the Ravenclaw tower, gazing out at the snow-covered grounds. The ring on his finger glowed faintly, a reminder of the power he held—and the responsibility that came with it.