Water pushed to small boats against the stone dock as all of the new students stepped out of the boats and got onto the dock. Hagrid was waving for all of them to make their way up a set of stone stairs. "Com' along! We don't wanna be late now."
New students shuffled through the area, all talking about the amazing sight they had just seen. Their first real look upon this fabled school that parents, older siblings, or teachers told them about. May seemed very excited, other a bit nervous, and even a few said it wasn't what they expected.
The group of students where finally pushed along as they headed up the long stone steps and finally found themselves inside the castle walls of Hogwarts. The history of this place showed in every area they came to. Soon the group was stopped after they twisted around a small stair case with a tall noble yet stern looking woman in emerald green robes and a black witch hat standing upon the landing. She was an older woman but the air around her was one of authority. "Welcome to Hogwarts, I am Professor McGonagall." She began as she gave them a nod. "In a few moments you will step through those doors," She turned slightly a pointed to glass door behind her.
"Though before you could do that however, you must be sorted into your houses. There is Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." She explained swiftly yet some how slow enough for them to grasp. "While you are here, your house is like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points, though any rule breaking... and you will lose points." She told them as she looked down at each of them to see that they understood before continuing. "At the end of the year, the house with the most points will win the House Cup."
Then she turned slightly and told them "The sorting ceremony will begin shortly." Professor McGonagell said before she turned and walked through the glass door, leaving them there for a moment.
"It's just a ceremony, right?" asks a tiny girl with chestnut hair, clutching her wand. "I don't want to look clumsy in front of everyone..."
"I hope so, Serafina. If they want me to demonstrate magic, the only spell I have is the one Anora taught me on the train." Kenneth thinks for a moment, running his hand through his short brown hair. "I wonder what the rules are. Did you see how big the castle was as we came across the lake? How many secret rooms or passages do you think it has?" A sly grin crossed his face. "Anyone want to go looking for them?"
"What if that spell isn't good enough?" Anora asked nervously. "I mean... I just levitated a cookie..." She muttered. Seeing Kenneth's sly grin the young Anora went pale. "W-what? What if that isn't allowed?"
The red-haired, speckled boy you got to know as Francis ("or Frank if you want to") clearly falls under the still-amazed category of children. His eyes dart around the portraits, statues, walls, ceiling and the long flight of stair.
Once the tall professor leaves them alone again and the excited, slightly frightful whispering begins, he turns to the three pupils who shared a boat with him.
"I don't think we have to do any magic for the sorting.
My dad would have told me about it, I guess. Unless he forgot it...
Ohhh, maybe we do have to do magic after all.
My dad's not always the most present minded.
Uhmm, but I think a simple spell is more than enough.
They do take people from Muggle families after all, so they cannot require anything difficult, right?
I mean, muggle-borns really cannot be expected to have learned a spell before coming to school. Who should have taught them, right?"
As the small girl speaks about hovering cookies, he grins.
"Nah, that is fine, I'd think. Dad talked about duels being forbidden in the corridors...
So, unless you duel yourself with the cookie you should be fine - and why would you duel with a cookie anyway."
At that points, he starts to snicker, clearly enjoying a mental picture of Anora dueling with a cookie.
"Well, I only know cur- jinxes! They wouldn't have me attack someone just to prove I can, would they? Maybe it'll be like in Ollivander, with the sparks and everything!"
"Anora, we're being encouraged to learn magic and explore what it's capable of. I'm sure there won't be any kind of objection to exploring the castle, as well. Besides, it could be fu-un..." Kenneth said, the last in a slight sing-song.
Looking at Francis and Serafina, he leaned over and asked, "What kind of jinxes? Mind teaching me a few some time?"
"Body Bind and Jelly-Legs. Nothing really nasty, just enough to slow down an enemy and put some distance between us. I'd love to teach you, unless there are rules against that, but I guess they'd rather have us know spells we won't use, no? Especially this close after the- the war."
"How do you duel a cookie?" Anora now wondered softly.
Though she was snapped out of that when Kenneth spoke up and answered her question. "Explore? I thought we were just here to learn magic..." Anora said curiously. "But if it isn't against the rules then... yes it could be fun!!" She stated with a smile.
However the smile faded when Serafina mentioned war. She didn't say anything at the moment, believing it to be a difficult subject. "S-so, do any of you know much about these houses she spoke of?"
Francis looks thoughtfully at Anoras question.
"Mhhh, good question.
I know my dad was in Hufflepuff.
Said it was alright there.
And he once told me to take care and not upset people from Slytherin or Gryffindor.
Dunno why though."
He seems to try really hard to remembering anything else.
"And I think that I once read that the houses were created and named after some old wizards and witches.
Something to do with their preferences for traits and quirks in their students."
"My mom was in Ravenclaw, which she said was the House for people who study hard and value knowledge and learning. She also said that a lot of times families tend to be sorted into the same house - so, if your parents were in Hufflepuff, you would be in Hufflepuff. She did say sometimes family members have ended up in other houses, though. I don't know much else about them."
"B-but, neither of my parents went to Hogwarts." Anora said "Should I be worried about that?" She asked with a curious look. "Does that mean I could end up in any of them? Or does that mean I might not end up in any of them? Magic is the best thing that ever happened to me! I don't want to leave..." The young girl said, obviously beginning to freak out.
”No, no, you’ll end up in one of them. My mom was the first in the family to go to Hogwarts. My grandparents had no idea.”
"My whole family has always been in Hufflepuff. Some say it's full of pansies, but they told me it's actually defined by loyalty and hard work. I think that they will choose somehow the best place for you."
"I wonder how long they will keep us waiting.
Do you think they have to prepare some kind of spell first?
To do the sorting I mean."
Professor McGonagall returned with a scroll in her hand just a few moments later. "We're ready for you." She told the new students before she had them follow her into the Great Hall.
The hall was filled with five long tables, four of which held fellow students from the other years who looked upon that first years with a mixture of interest and nostalgia. But the grandeur of the hall is what drew the first years attention. The large hall was lit with not only the brazers upon the walls but the candles that floated above their heads and.. into the... Night sky?!
The fifth table was the faculty table though what caught the eye was not that, but the small stool that sat just above the three steps that lead to the table. Then upon the stool, a ragged old hat. Professor McGonagall lead all of the first years right up to the stairs. "Gather here please." She said before looked to the hat upon the stool.
Soon the hat began to twitch and pull open at the seem then, it began to sing!
”A new year has come to be,
Which brings new students unto me,
To look at see where they’ll be at,
For I am the old sorting hat,
Only four you need to know,
In whose houses you will grow,
Be Gryffindor if your courage is strong,
For with those you’ll get along,
Else Ravenclaw if you’ve wit beyond measure,
To them that is the greatest treasure,
Maybe Hufflepuff if you’re hardworking and loyal,
Those here are unfazed by toil,
If not Slytherin if you’ve the ambition,
Where you can learn skills for any mission.
Yet I implore you to remember this,
Four makes one else it is amiss,
Each of us a part to play,
Only together can all find their way."
The Great Hall clapped though Head Master of Hogwrats, Professor Dumbledore held up his hand to quiet them again. The Professor McGonagall spoke. "Now when I call your name you will come forward and I shall place the sorting hat upon your head." With that and a flick of her wrist she unfurled the scroll and began.
”Kyle Allen” McGonagall called out, and a lad with dusty red hair and slender frame marched up and took a seat. She placed the hat upon his head and soon it cried
”Mylissa Alexander” A dark haired girl with tanned skin answered by skipping up to take the seat and get the hat upon her head.
”James Barter” Lad with blond hair and pale complexion slowly stepped up to take the stool, eyes slightly closed when the hat touched his head.
”Serifina Bones” McGonagall called as she looked down into the group of students.
Serafina walks nervously down the Hall. She's very glad that someone had been first: the ceremony seemed simple enough, and painless. But how was the Hat choosing the House?
The question was answered as the Sorting Hat descended over her head, and a voice whispered in her ear. Oh, a Bones, and an apple who fell very close to the tree. I sense some stubbornness and some fire. You could be a Gryffindor, perhaps. You have the raw strength and your head is hot enough. But I knowthe House for you is-
the raggedy ornament bellows. With a bright smile from eye to eye, Serafina joins James Barter at the black-and-yellow table.
After Serfina took her seat McGonagall returned to the list of students, calling for "Hugo Boyle" For the hat to cry out, almost as soonas it touched his head.
"Hycous Bulstrode" proudly stepped up when his name was call and grinned boldly when the hat cried
"Elizabeth Campbell" followed placed in
"Allusic Carrow" took the seat and accepted the cry of with grace.
"Tristan Davis" soon joined as a
"Anora Evans" was now called upon. Her new friends watched as she took a seat upon the stool, eyes closed tight as the hat was placed upon her head. A few moments passed, then finally Anora slowly stood and walked to the Slytherin table, glacing over to Serafina with a sad expression.
"Oliva Francis" followed after Anora and became a
"Maricros Flint" also joined the group
"Marvin Foster" turned out to be a
"Shelly Goodwin" joined Serafina as a
"David Griffin" also was called to the table
"Patrica Johnstone got called to
Naomi Jones to the
"Lane McMillan" followed as a [bigger]"Ravenclaw"
"Irma Morgan" took a seat at the
"Jennifer Newell" went to
"Vincent Parkinson" of course became a
"Patrick Peters" was given the title of
"Rachel Rees" became a fellow
"Kelly Rogers" did as well when the hat cried
"Francis Scamander" was then called.
This seems not too bad.
No flashy magic.
No difficult magic.
But... How in the name of Merlin's beard did Anora end up in Slytherin?
Lost in thoughts, Francis did not react immediately as finally his turn came.
When he came round, Professor McGonagall was looking at him with a very thin lip.
Hastiliy, Francis steps forward, sits down and let the hat slide over his red head...
Kenneth waited as each of his friends was called up, and most of the other first years. He wasn't surprised - he was used to being the last one called alphabetically. Still, it was kind of surprising to see Anora end up in Slytherin. Serafina had been sorted into Hufflepuff, and Francis said he thought he'd end up in Hufflepuff as well. He wondered if she would be okay if none of the friends she'd made on the train were in her House.
The hat called out
"Sariphn Selwyn" was called and the hat cried upon touching his head.
"Tomas Trevor" followed as a
"Kenneth Williamson" was the last to be called, and McGonagall looked down and motioned for him to come to the stool.
Ken had known he'd be towards the back, but not that he would be the last one. It suddenly felt like everyone was staring at him. He hadn't felt nerves like this since the championship game last year, when he'd had to take a penalty kick in the last minute with the game tied at 1-1. Taking a deep breath, he focused on the hat, then moved forward and turned to face the crowded Great Hall as Professor McGonagall put the hat on his head.
A voice spoke in his ear, "Ah, young Master Williamson! I remember Sorting your mother. She had quite the keen mind, Ravenclaw was an easy choice there. Now, let's see about you. You've got a bright mind, and you're quite loyal to your friends. You've got courage, too. Let's see...oh, what's this? A desire to push boundaries, and maybe garner a little fame? A bit of ambition...oh, I think I know exactly where you'll do best. You have within you the desire to win, so in that case, it'll be,
The hat shouted to the Great Hall. Exhaling in relief, Professor McGonagall took the hat from his head and he went off to the Slytherin table, sitting next to Anora and giving her a smile.
Standing up with relief clearly written over his face, Francis takes off the hat very careful and hands it back to the professor with the harsh expression.
Then he quickly hurries over to the table in yellow that was applauding loud.
What a nice and curious gesture at the same time.
It is not that I did anything impressive back there after all...
He quickly takes a seat opposite of Serefina.
He had to raise his voice over the still ringing applaud all along the table.
"That wasn't half as bad now, was it?
And he was quite nice that old hat too.
A hat with good manners and the ability to talk inside your head!
I wonder who made it..."
When the last of the students had been sorted Professor McGonagall took out her wand and with a wave moved the stool, sorting hat, and scroll away. Then Professor Dumbledore stood up from his Head-Master chair. "Before we begin the feast, I have a few things I wish to say. Many of you are aware of what happened this past year, and while I expect you to celebrate it, encourage even, I ask you not to get so caught up that you forget your studies. Now to our first years, please note that the forbidden is off limits to all. Also because of a last minute change to our roster of teacher your schedules will not be given to you till after breakfast at your first class tomorrow. But lets not worry about that now." He said as he looked down his half moon shaped glasses at the students with a small smile upon his lips. "And with that I've only two more words to say... Dig in!" He held up his hands and the tables where filled with wondrous looking food! Whole turkeys, racks of lamb, roasted chicken sat alongside mashes potatoes, peas, corn, copped carrots, and dinner rolls. Drinks is glass jugs sat with juices of all kinds in between the pile of food.
Older students began filling their plates and the Great Hall grew louder with the voices of students and the clinking of plates, knives, forks, and spoons.
Anora smiled brightly when Kenneth joined, clapping loudly. She was happy to have at least one of her new friends beside her, that way it didn't feel like navigating this place alone. When the food magically appeared upon that table she looked so pleased.
"This place is more than I could have ever imagined!" Anora declared before she began to put small portions onto her own plate. Turning to Kenneth she asked "This is great huh? I can't believe such a place like this existed."
Shelly, the one who had followed Serafina to the Hufflepuff's table turned to the young witch and asked "Bones yes? I think my aunt works with a Bones in the ministry. I can't remember the name though..." She said as she tried thing, "Oh well! It will come to me!" Shelly smiled. "I'm Shelly Goodwin by the way!" She said joyfully.
Then, Rachel answered Francis's question "He was Godric Gryffindor's hat." She explained. "They say a small piece of each founder lives in the hat, but I doubt that."
"I take it your family doesn't have an elf?" Sariphn asked some what sarcastically. "Must be a half-blood then, don't worry you have your place." He added almost absent minded.
"Few keep elves now anyways." Allusic spoke up before she took a bite of a roll.
Kenneth raised an eyebrow. Sariphn seemed to have a bit of an ego. An elf? Might have to ask Serafina and Francis about that. Kenneth whispers to Anora, "Don't say anything about your parentage for now, okay? We'll talk about it later."
Aloud, he said, "Regardless of our parentage, it's like Allusic said - few keep elves, anyway. I imagine it's because it's becoming less fashionable to do so. You can call me Ken. It was Sariphn and Allusic, right?"
As he spoke, Ken helped himself to some of everything, taking a massive bite of turkey after he finished.
Francis is clearly surprised by that fact, but has to swallow his potato'n'bacon first before he is able to reply.
"Ohhh, okay. I'd bet on Miss Ravenclaw ... or maybe even Merlin.
That piece about parts of each founder ... I hope not."
He actually shudders at that thought.
"But I bet each of them did add some spell.
I doubt Slytherin would've agreed to use an artifact crafted by his enemy to select his students, do you not?"
***
After the first roaring hunger was satisfied, he leans over the table to talk with Serefina.
"You think our parents will be glad to hear we were sorted into the same house as they did?"
* Later in that conversation *
"What do'you make of Anora though...
I thought Slytherin was against muggleborns and all that.
How did she end up over there?"
He throws a thumb over the shoulder to indicate the Slytherin table.
"I hope the other Slytherins don't make a fuss over her.
She seemed quite frightful.
Like a young unicorn sniffing a male human.
They don't like that and try to run away when they do..."
"Ah, that may be Uncle Travis, he's in Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, or maybe Aunt Lucretia, she's in DMLE. What does your aunt do?" beams Serafina, shaking Shelly's hand.
"'iunno." she tells Francis, pausing to swallow a bite of roasted turkey. "Dad's going to be happy as long as I'm not wasting time and chances, which I guess is quite a Hufflepuff thing to do. And Anora'll have to get herself respected in that den of snakes, I'm afraid she can't allow herself to show weakness. I wish she'd been with us."
She takes a sip of pumpkin juice, thinking about Francis' words. "Wait, unicorns don't like guys? How do you and your Dad work with them, then?"
Anora gave Kenneth a confused look however it was followed by a nod and she just ate her food quietly while those around her spoke.
"Merlin came after the founders." Rachel said with a small laugh. "Also the four founders were friends, for a while at least. Till Slytherin left. So the hat had to be made before that." She said as she tried to think of what else she knew. "I think that's about all I know. I could write to my dad though! He'd know more."
"It would have to be your uncle Travis, as that area is also were my aunt works!" Shelly said with a nod in agreement. "I'll have to write her and tell her that I'm in the same house as you! She'll get a laugh."
Both however stopped and look at Serafina and Francis in confusion. "Did you two just say there is a muggleborn in Slytherin?" Shelly asked, which was quickly followed by Rachel saying "There's no way!"
"I don't know about out of style, but is seem like only the old families keep them." Allusic stated as she used her fork to point to Sariphn as if that made her pointed. "But yes. I am Allusic Carrow."
"And I am Sariphn Selwyn" Sariphn said with a proud smile. "So Ken, what do your parents do?" He asked.
Allusic leaned in over the table a bit, looking at Anora picking at her plate. "Let me guess, first of the family in Slytherin?" She asked.
"My mother works for the Ministry, in the Department of Experimental Charms. I can't really talk about my father's job," Ken replied, smiling at Sariphn. And I'll let you think of that however you like. He was getting the feeling he really wasn't going to like the other boy. "I can say no one in my family has been in Slytherin before, though."
"Whatdoyouknow! I always thought Merlin was older than Hogwarts!
I guess that is what history of magic classes are supposed to teach us, right?"
At the words of the others Hufflepuffs, Francis cringes inwardly.
He did not mean to spread rumours, possibly making matters worse for Anora.
"Uhm, I dunno. Probably got that one wrong.
Maybe she was raised like a muggle but one of her parents' a witch or a wizards after all."
At Serefina a says:
"Jup, they don't like it one bit. Dad has his way with those he tend to somehow.
I dunno actually.
My guess would be that they kinda get used to you if you treat them good and take care...
Its like that with many beasts actually.
Father always talks about 'building trust and friendship' with 'em."
"Yep, I knew Merlin was older than that. Hogwarts is what, a thousand years old? I'm pretty sure King Arthur's stories are older than that. For Anora, it must've been like that. Adopted, maybe, or orph- orphaned in the war..."
Serafina's eyes stare at the void for a moment as the pain of loss washes over her once again, bitter and unadulterated.
Anora nodded to Allusic's question as she looked sideways Kenneth. Before clearing her throat, she understood by Kenneth's answering of Sariphn that she didn't need to tell the whole truth. "Yes, first to wear green and silver."
Rachel jumped when Francis began to accost her with a few questions, and it was more that it came all at once. "It is just something that is said!" She stated defensively. "I think it was founded in the 900s... but I can't remember completely..." She admitted. Rachel was quiet for a moment when Serafina brought up the war. "Yes, it could be that maybe a family member took her in? Maybe the family member was a squib? That would explain why she would have been raised like a muggle. After all squibs often leave to live in the mortal world."
"That is true!" Shelly said. "My fifth cousin turned out to be a squib, he works in the muggle world now. Something to do with taxes..." She added, obviously trying to think. Then she shook her head and smile. "I wonder how it will be for her then. Raised like a muggle yet seated around pure-bloods? Poor thing." Shelly said with a sigh before she ate more off her plate. "So, why don't we talk about something happier? Do you think our dorm rooms will be nice?"
"Well there is always a first." Sariphn said with a nod to Ken and Anora. "And what about your parents?" He asked Anora.
"Don't answer if you don't want to." Allusic told Anora simply. "Make him figure it out, we're suppose to be cunning after all." She stated as she teased Sariphn.
"Well I don't mind sharing a bit." Anora began. "After all I wouldn't be able to hide it for too long, my mother is really good at baking. So I'll likely get a lot of goodies while here."
Francis looks surprised by the suddenly defensive girl.
Before he could understand why though, topics changed quickly.
"From the look of this," he waves around the great hall,
"I'd guess the rooms of each house will be awesome as well.
Where do you think will the be?
In one of the many towers maybe?
I bet the view would be awesome from up there, ain't it?"
No, no, Anora, I like this game. It will be fun to watch him try to figure it out." Ken gives Sariphn a smile to show he's partially joking, but also would find it fun watching him try to figure it out.
"Oh, if they are as nice as this dinner, they are sure to be cozy! But I don't think I'll manage to sleep easy, too many emotions in too little time..."
"My mother went to Hogwarts, she said that each of the dorms were in different parts of the castle. She was a Ravenclaw and said that hers were in a tower. Though she spoke nothing more about it." Shelly said. "When I pressed a bit she said it was in case I ended up in another house, as you're not suppose to go into another house's dorm room.
"Aye, now that is true." Tristan, a boy just a bit up the table from the group spoke out. "Going into another House is a real big no no, removal of points and even harsh detention." Tristan went on to say. "Oh! I'm Tristan by the way, Tristan Daivs. My pa was a Hufflepuff, he's going to be so stoked I got in as well!" He chuckled.
"Oh fine! Keep the rest of your information. I'll learn it all eventually." Sariphn said before he took a large serving of mashed potatoes and spooned them into his mouth.
"Though with what information you gave I will say this, if you mother is good at baking spells then you might become more popular, everyone has a sweet tooth... well save maybe some of the teachers." Allusic said as she cut her meat up into bite size pieces. "You know Dumbledore made a comment that has me curious about something." She added before she pointed up to the empty chair at the head table with a knife for a moment before going back to cutting. "That is were our defense against the dark arts teacher should be sitting, and my older brother said that they can never keep a teacher there for more than a year, so do you think that is what the Head Master was talking about when he mentioned a new change?"
"Well... Dad always said Mum worked magic in the kitchen..." Anora said wit a slightly nervous laugh before she relaxed a bit more when Allusic changed the topic all together. "Wait what do you mean when they can't keep a teacher?" She asked curiously.
Swallowing a mouthful of potatoes, Kenneth looked at Allusic quizzically. "Why can't they keep a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? Do they keep getting bored and going out to have adventures?"
"What? Are they segregating us? But that's not fair! How do you have cooperation between the Houses if we can't even have a sleepover?"
"Maybe through the classes?" Shelly asked in return. "As for sleepovers, we could have them in our own house! Dorms could be one big sleepover! Oh! We could also study together!" She added cheerfully.
"If so no one ever says." Allusic answered as before she politely ate a piece of her meat. She chewed before continuing "But my brother said he had three different teachers and this is his fourth year. One of those was even Dumbledore himself, I guess that was a year they couldn't find a replacement."
"I wonder if we'll have the Head Master as our teacher this year. They say he's the greatest wizard alive at the moment." Sariphn said, obviously excited about the idea.
Kenneth looked up at the head table, where Professor Dumbledore sat, and said, "He must know so much. Having him for a teacher would be amazing." Ken then followed up his statement by shoving food in his mouth. Swallowing, he said, "Which classes are you looking forward to the most?"
"Maybe they are made on 'neutral ground' so to speak?
Guess the founders were not all that sure about the trustworthiness of the others in the end. With all that magic in here, it wouldn't surprise me if something bad would happen if you get into another dorm."
He actually snickers at that.
"Wonder if you get thrown out by the room itself. Or maybe one of those knight suits or something?"
"I guess we can ask the Head of House about that." wonders Serafina, cleaning out her dish with a piece of bread.
As the students ate away the hall grew slightly colder, however it was likely no one really noticed. What was properly noticeable, very much so, were the ethereal beings that began to fill the room. Ghosts, the ghosts of Hogwarts. They flew over the tables just below the candles, and a few even came down to speak with students.
"Welcome! Welcome to Hufflepuff!" A fat jolly spirit said dressed in medieval monk robes. "Hufflepuff was my house you know! Oh what fun to see new faces, though it is so few... But no matter, be joyful that you're here! Many call me the Fat Friar, but Friar is easier if you wish." He said with a smile on his face almost the whole time.
"I didn't know Hogwarts had ghosts...." Shelly muttered, obviously unsure how she felt about this.
"Charms, they're very useful." Allusic answered, she paused in her eating to watch the ghosts flow into the Hall. "I wondered when they would show."
"Potions." Sariphn answered as he simply glances at the ghosts, shook his head and went back to eating.
A ghost covered in chains and blood was slowly making his way down the table. His attention seemed to be more on the older students than the newer ones. But he did eventually make it down the long table. "Ah the new ones, glad to be in the best house hm?" He asked.
"As always." Allusic stated. "This is the Bloody Baron everyone, my brother told me about him."
"Thank you for the introduction, but I don't believe one of you new years is happy to see me. Might actually faint." He said, pointing to Anora