The Sorting began. Professor McGonagall unfolded the long strip of parchment, cleared her throat, and her voice echoed through the silent Great Hall:
"When I call your name, come forward, sit on the stool, and put on the Sorting Hat."
"Ginny Weasley!"
The red-haired girl hurried forward. The moment the Sorting Hat touched her hair, it shouted, "Gryffindor!"
The Gryffindor Table erupted in enthusiastic cheers, especially from the Weasley family's brothers. Percy puffed out his chest and went around telling everyone, "This is my youngest sister," as though Ginny had been sorted into Gryffindor entirely because of his earnest guidance.
The twins began whistling, so loudly that they nearly shook the candles down from beneath the ceiling. Even Professor McGonagall glared over at them.
Ginny ran toward the table with a flushed face, but her gaze drifted involuntarily toward Harry. He and Ron were clapping and smiling at her, and Harry even gave her a thumbs-up in encouragement.
Ginny sat down excitedly, quickly pulled out a quill and a black notebook, and began scribbling rapidly, as if she wanted to record this wonderful moment.
Hermione, sitting beside her, smiled and leaned over to take a look, but Ginny covered the notebook.
"I hope she knows what she's playing with," Yulian muttered.
"What?" Edgar hadn't heard him clearly.
"Nothing. I said I hope Ginny has a good time in Gryffindor."
"Colin Creevey!"
"Gryffindor!"
The boy clutching a camera was so excited that he nearly dropped it. He ran to the Gryffindor Table, and the first thing he did was raise the camera and point it at Harry. "Another picture, Mr. Potter? I'm your biggest fan!"
"Oh, no..." Harry buried his face in his cup of Pumpkin Juice.
Ron laughed gleefully beside him and nearly choked on the beef.
"Luna Lovegood!"