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Eleanor's POV:

I could finally see the High Table properly. At the far end nearest me sat Hagrid, his enormous hands resting on the table. He caught my eye and gave me a cheerful thumbs-up. I couldn't help but grin back.

And there, at the very centre of the High Table, seated in an ornately carved golden chair, was none other than Albus Dumbledore. I immediately recognised him-Harry had shown me his card from the Chocolate Frog on the train. His silver hair and beard gleamed in the candlelight, rivalling the ghostly glow that hovered through the hall. He had a kind, amused expression, as though he were watching over his children and already knew all their secrets.

Next to him, I spotted Professor Quirrell, the young and jittery man I'd seen at the Leaky Cauldron. His large purple turban sat lopsided on his head, and he was fidgeting so much I wondered if it was too tight.

The Sorting was nearly over now. Only four names remained.

"Thomas, Dean," called Professor McGonagall. A tall, black boy strode confidently to the stool, and a moment later, the hat announced, "GRYFFINDOR!" He grinned and joined Harry and me at the table.

"Turpin, Lisa," was next, and the hat didn't take long to sort her into Ravenclaw.

Then came "Walker, Aiden." The Sorting Hat took a bit longer with him but finally declared, "SLYTHERIN!"

And someone who seemed to be his twin sister, "Walker, Rhea," followed, and the result was the same.

Now it was Ron's turn.

"Weasley, Ronald!"

Ron looked queasy as he stumbled to the stool. His freckles seemed to stand out against the greenish tinge of his face. I crossed my fingers under the table, hoping he wouldn't faint.

The hat had barely touched his head when it shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!"

I clapped loudly along with the rest of the table as Ron practically collapsed into the seat next to Harry and me.

"Well done, Ron, excellent," said Percy Weasley pompously from across me, his prefect badge catching the light.

The last name, "Zabini, Blaise," was called, and he was swiftly sorted into Slytherin.

Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and carried the Sorting Hat away. At that moment, Harry glanced down at his empty golden plate. His stomach rumbled audibly-clearly, the pumpkin pasties from the train were a distant memory now.

Albus Dumbledore had risen to his feet. He beamed at the sea of students, his arms spread wide as though embracing them all.

"Welcome!" he said warmly. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I want to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"