Welcome Back Feast

"Oh God, that hat burrows into your memories?" Rachel actually dropped her fork, and she splattered the potatoes a bit. "That's really embarrassing. I hope the hat didn't see..." she stopped there.

Amanda nodded. "I'm a little shocked that no one has pitched a fit over it. I mean, I'd have to be lead to assume that the hat is sworn to secrecy."

"Do you think that's how the school knows so much about everyone? Because the Sorting Hat looks into your memories and then creates records about everyone and sends them to the Headmaster?" Rachel said, gabbing on about her conspiracy.

"I feel like in past years that was totally possibly, but I think Dumbledore would never allow that." However, the thought amused Amanda. An all knowing that could literally spill any secret you could possess.

After swallowing a third helping of potatoes, she thought out loud, "I'm surprised the Ministry just doesn't use the hat on criminals to get the truth out of them. Could avoid a whole lot of wasted time and mistrials."

"You know, that would be a great idea. It would save them lots of money and stuff..." she took a glance over at Nicolas, noting how silent he was.

"Are you a Muggle-Born?" she asked politely.

Nicolas looked up from his plate. "Um, yeah," he murmured in response.

"That's interesting." Rachel said, still extremely polite. She was finding it difficult to make conversation with him.

"Not really." He shrugged. "It seems like it's more exciting to be a witch or wizard..."

"But Muggles have tellies! That's very exciting!" Rachel exclaimed.

Nicolas squinted his eyes at Rachel. "You don't have tellies? Really? But the best video games are played with a TV!"

"Some wizards and witches have them, but my family doesn't. My parents think they're a waste of space. It's quite sad, really-I do enjoy game shows." Rachel said airily.