Kevin Entwhistle was sorted into Gryffindor, Justin Finch-Fletchley into Hufflepuff, and then Seamus Finnigan into Gryffindor. Harry had not met any of these three boys, but figured he was likely to become close with at least one of them, as they'd be sharing a room unless Harry was sorted into Slytherin.
Anthony Goldstein found himself sorted into Ravenclaw and took his seat beside Michael before Gregory Goyle was called up to the hat. Goyle was a lot like Crabbe, in both size and demeanor, his sorting into Slytherin began to severely decrease Harry's desire to become a member of that house, even if Tracey was there.
"Hermione Granger," Mcgonagall calls, and Harry's breath catches itself in his throat. Hermione's placement was something he was very worried about. He and Hermione had become fast friends and Harry had little desire to see their friendship end. In some small part of his mind, Harry believed that he should be in the same house as Hermione, no matter what.
The wait for Hermione's sorting had become unbearable for Harry, he was certain he had been standing here for hours waiting for the hat's results, when in actuality he had only been there for a few minutes. Hermione had successfully caused the first true hatstall this year, and that was something to take notice of. After seven whole minutes, the hat finally spoke a word that filled Harry's entire body with determination: "RAVENCLAW!"
Compared to Hermione's sorting, Daphne Greengrass, who the hat also had a minor amount of trouble deciding where to put, was near instant as she was put with Tracey into Slytherin. Tracey had mentioned that Daphne was her long-time best friend; and Harry was happy that they would get to be together.
Two more students Harry had yet to meet: Wayne Hopkins and Megan Jones were both sorted into Hufflepuff. Then came the chinese girl Harry had met on the train: Su Li, who ended up joining Hermione in Ravenclaw. She had seemed friendly enough, and Harry hoped they would have the opportunity to become friends.
Neville Longbottom was next, and Harry was excited to see where his new friend would end up. From Harry's estimation of the boy Neville was hardworking and loyal, which would have made him a shoe-in for Hufflepuff house, but there was this fire inside Neville that Harry knew needed to be stoked for him to truly become great. The hat seemed to agree, as the loud declaration of "GRYFFINDOR!" surprised even Neville who quickly got up and ran to his new table, forgetting to leave the hat behind. He quickly ran back and put it on the stool, his face showing it's Gryffindor pride by turning a bright scarlet.
Following Neville was a girl Harry hadn't met, a Morrigan MacDougal who found her spot in Gryffindor alongside Lavender and Neville. Ernie MacMillan was another stranger who found himself in Hufflepuff.
"Draco Malfoy," McGonagall says, and Harry's attention firmly focuses itself upon the stool again. Draco's sorting was, to Harry, almost nearly as important as Hermione's as Harry most certainly did NOT want to be in the same house as the blond boy. His initial meeting at Madam Malkin's robe shop had not left a good impression, and hearing Tracey, Hannah, and Neville's experiences with the boy made him desire to deal with him even less. Thankfully, Malfoy's sorting was near instant as if the hat itself had no desire to sit on Malfoy's head. The cry of "SLYTHERIN!" erupted from the hat, and Draco strutted like a peacock over to his new table.
Roger Malone was up next, yet another stranger who found himself at the rapidly growing Hufflepuff table. Lily Moon found herself sorted into Gryffindor and took a seat near Lavender.
Theodore Nott was the first boy sorted into Slytherin that Harry did not immediately have a poor opinion of, he seemed like a perfectly normal boy, and Tracey had mentioned playing with him in the past, although gave no indication of whether or not he was a good friend or anything.
Pansy Parkinson followed Nott's Slytherin sorting with one of her own, and while she seemed to have a sour face, Harry hoped that she would be a nice new friend for Daphne and Tracey.
Padma Patil was next, the loose-haired Indian girl from the train, and Harry watched on eagerly as she was sorted into Ravenclaw, and took her seat beside Su Li and Hermione. She seemed nice, from Harry's brief interaction with her, and he hoped that she and Hermione would get along.
Parvati Patil followed her sister and found herself placed in Gryffindor. After her was Sally-Anne Perks who joined Hufflepuff.
"Harry Potter." McGonagall calls out, and Harry's breath hitches in his throat. He walks up and sits down upon the stool, and the Sorting Hat is placed upon his head.
"Ah yes, Harry Potter. Let's see what's inside this head of yours. Hmm… a cunning and keen mind, and a brave and loyal heart. Seems as though you would do well nearly anywhere. Perhaps Slytherin would be best for you, to help you subtly develop your skills." The Sorting Hat says in Harry's mind.
"I don't want to be in Slytherin, I want to be in Ravenclaw," Harry thinks to the hat.
"Ah yes, the loyalty you are showing to your friend, that Granger girl, is admirable, perhaps Hufflepuff is your place then." The hat says, probing deeper into Harry's mind.
"Would my loyalty not be better suited to being with my friend?" Harry asks smugly in his own head.
"There's the Slytherin again, using your guile to influence my decision." The Hat says, chuckling slightly.
"Would it not be more cunning to hide amongst those who don't expect it?" Harry asks, attempting to whittle down the hat's resistance.
"Awfully brave fighting me like this. Perhaps Gryffindor then." The hat says.