Professor McGonagall led the way with sedate steps, while the first years walked in two lines behind her. He could feel the stares of the entire hall on them and it was an uncomfortable feeling. He happened to glance towards the Gryffindor table and saw the twins giving him cheery waves and relaxed somewhat. He also sneaked a couple of peeks at the enchanted ceiling of the Great hall and it was just as fantastic as he had hoped and thousands upon thousands of candles floated mid-air illuminating the entire hall, giving a very nice celebratory atmosphere.

Finally, they reached the teachers' table and halted just ahead of it. He looked around and saw all the professors sitting there. Professor Dumbledore at the centre, looking serene as usual. He was flanked by the empty chair of McGonagall on his right. He further recognised professors Severus Snape, Filius Flitwick, Poppy Pomfrey, Pomona Sprout, Rolanda Hooch, Sybill Trelawney as well as groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid and Caretaker Argus Filch. There were a few more teachers but he couldn't recognise them. He also noticed the ghosts as they strolled in the Great hall through the wall and started going to their respective house tables.

He did try to avoid Dumbledore's gaze while also trying to be inconspicuous about it. Though he believed he had trained his Occlumency to a high enough level to avoid his mind from being read, it was better to be safe than sorry. The professor, was after all, an extremely accomplished legilimens and there were too many things in his mind that he couldn't let anyone pry into. He also didn't trust Dumbledore blindly, like Harry had done. Dumbledore was a master manipulator who tried to control all of Harry's actions and kept his cards too close to his chest. He might get roped into Dumbledore's plans, without realising he was being used unless he was very careful. Having read all the books in the series, he realised there were several occasions were Dumbledore could have stepped in easily to avert some chaos yet he didn't take action, leaving it to Harry as some sort of test. The man was the sort of genius that came once in decades and there was much more to him than met the eye. He finally managed to push these sombre thoughts away and somehow focussed back on the dais.

Professor McGonagall had meanwhile, silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. The hat was patched, frayed and extremely dirty. Everyone in the hall was still staring at the hat, when it suddenly burst into song. It was the usual drivel the hat spouted about the various houses and their qualities and he was still pondering about which house he would be sorted into when the whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. He wondered if he would also get to choose his house like Harry did. Professor McGonagall stepped forward holding the long roll of parchment with the names of the first years.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."

"Bell, Katie!"

Katie sat on the chair, looking slightly nervous but excited and the hat was placed on her head which promptly slid down and covered her eyes. Taking barely a few moments -

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The house table on the far right cheered and she left towards them amidst claps and yelling.

"Chang, Cho!"

It was another familiar face who took the seat and he could see her shivering as the hat was placed on her head, from the cold or fear, he couldn't tell. The hat took slightly longer this time before -

"RAVENCLAW!"

She took a seat on the table to their immediate left. The sorting continued for a while before -

"Edgecombe, Marietta!"

It was the girl who had tattled to Umbridge about the DA and she was another one he would be holding at arm's length. Of course, it was a few years later that that event occurred and she was not the same girl now but he was going to be cautious. As per canon, the hat placed her in -

"RAVENCLAW!"

The hat sorted just a few more students before it was his turn.

"Icarus, Darius!"

The sorting hat was plonked down on his head and it covered his vision. He faintly felt a tenuous mental connection and the hat begin mentally communicating with him.

"Hmm. Difficult. Very much so. So much potential. An impressive mind. Capable of great things. Lots of talent. But I see cunning and great foresight. You have an aim. A distant aim you are already walking towards. But great love and loyalty exist. It is a strong part of you. And last but not least your courage is endless. You have surpassed a trial that others cannot and you move forward knowing that there are many more to come. You can excel and bring glory wherever you may be placed. So interesting ….... where do I place you?"

It seemed that he had the qualities desired in each house but his choice was already made. It was just a matter of whether the hat would take his opinion into consideration. He firmly stated his choice within his mind. And the hat responded to his wishes...

"So that's your choice. You seek to dwell among the brave and the courageous. And for firmly stepping forward to take your rightful place, it shall be yours! GRYFFINDOR!"

The last was shouted out to the entire hall and he handed the hat to the professor before walking towards the Gryffindor table. As he slid into his seat right next to the twins, they thumped his back and shouted about how he had made them proud as if he had just come back from slaying a dragon. Joking aside, the rest of the sorting was steadily carried out and after quite some time, the final name had been called and the sorting was over.

The hall suddenly quieted as Albus Dumbledore got to his feet. He raised his arms, as if to welcome them all and beamed at all the students in the hall.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! I would like to say a few words. Here they are: Funky! Hawaii! Glide! Wood!

Thank You!"

After the usual, incomprehensible greeting, he sat back down and the feast began. The plates filled up foods of every sort he could imagine and all the ravenous students dived into the feast. There were several meats of different cuts and preparations, boiled or baked veggies, cheeses and much more arrayed on the table. Only after their hunger was somewhat sated and they began eating leisurely, did the students start talking to their neighbours. The twins were already eager to put the map to good use and were calculating how to get back at Filch and Mrs Norris. He turned to talk to Katie and she was happy to do so. She told him about being a half-blood and how excited she was to be in Hogwarts. She was also curious about his magical skill. He waved it off as nothing much and offered to help her in the future if she needed it. He got the topic to the game of quidditch and nudged her to try playing the game. Of course, she couldn't get in the team in the first year but the early practice would refine her skills and get her in contact with Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet at the earliest. Sir Nick, the resident Gryffindor ghost joined them partway through the talking and the twins introduced him and his nickname followed by a show of his talents. They spoke till the end of the feast and he answered several of Katie's questions about magic lessons. Finally, the plates and goblets emptied and the chatter died down as Dumbledore took the stand.

"Ahem, just a few more words now that we are all done with that sumptuous banquet. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Also, quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch, our flying instructor. And now to cap off our night, lets sing a rendition of our school song."

After that torture to the ears was over, wherein several teachers sat with rather stiff faces, it was time to get to our dorms and all of us students begin getting up and shuffling along with our delightfully full and satisfied stomachs. The house prefect led the way to the painting of the Fat Lady. The password given by the prefect got us in and we made our way between the comfortable couches and sofas in the common room and went up the spiral staircase to our dorms. We had made it to our beds at last. It had been a long day and the massive beds with red velvet hangings looked extremely inviting. He barely had enough time to change clothes before collapsing into the bed. He would do his meditation and inner channelling starting tomorrow but today it was to the land of dreams for him.