"I, on the other hand, am sure it has happened to several people I have known, a few times."

Gentle, awkward pat on the shoulder?

"What happened?"

"Well, I—" He shakes his head. "Metamorphmagic wasn't always super easy to control."

There's a light knock at their door.

"We'll be arriving shortly! Everyone into their school robes, don't dawdle!"

That makes him jump, and then reach for his luggage for robes.

They get changed, and Alistair looks out the window eagerly as they approach.

Sadde and Willow squeeze against the window to do the same.

They come to a station at the outskirts of a small village. There are a variety of shops, which purport to sell stationary and candy and assorted other goods. 

They can see the castle in the distance. 

A large man appears, looming over the first years with a jovial grin. He directs them to the boats, which offer a spectacular view of the castle. 

Willow makes an absolute mess of boarding the boat, and has the time of her life while doing it.

Sadde is very careful not to suffer the same fate. He succeeds.

Alistair is surprisingly nimble!

The first years are led through the castle, until eventually they come to the Great Hall. There's a brief speech, rather dull, and they all get into line. 

"There it is, there's the Hat," he says, as he walks ahead of the other two. 

"The Hat?"

Sadde meanwhile is looking for Scott.

Scott exists!

"Hi! This is so exciting!"

"Hi! It is! I think there's a Hat."

"That's so cool," he claims. 

"Is that how they sort us? They have to do that first, right? Is it a magic hat?"

"I think—"

Someone shushes them, the hall falls silent, and the hat starts... singing.

Faces staring up at me
Few and far between
People in this gathering
Not as many as I've seen

But after night, morning comes
After night, dawn shines
And bit by bit we will rebuild
And soon I'll write new lines

But what, I ask, does the future hold?
What will we yet see?
That, I know, depends on you
And what you wish to be

Gryffindor may be your path
Bold and bright and brave
Valor and people to serve
Is what your heart does crave

Or maybe loyal Hufflepuff
Through blood, sweat, but no tears
Will you build a whole new world
Where we will know no fear

Perhaps your way is Ravenclaw's
Hoard knowledge in your mind
And by the power of your words
The future be defined

Lest we forget Slytherin
I beg you, hear my words!
With noble goals and good friends
Tomorrow will be spurred

With this verse I close my song
My message has been sent
I may help push you along
But you choose where you end

"Wicked." 

The first student to be subjected to the hat's scrutiny is "Argent, Alistair".

He sits on the seat, stock still. 

Hello. It's nice to meet you.

It's entirely my pleasure. What an interesting young man you are... but I do believe I know just where you belong, no two ways about it.

"Gryffindor!" it cries out loud.