Beginners: book 1, Goblet of Fire

The Tri-Wizard Tournament

Even though dad has already explained most of Hogwarts to me, I let them do it again for the rest of the train. The butterflies come back as the sky darkens and we put on our robes. The small bubble I've created in this compartment must burst at some point. We change into the long black robes, mine without house colours, just as the train begins to slow. It pulls into a small station and we press out onto the platform. There's a chill in the air, only made worse by the creepy darkness that creeps up around us.

A voice booms over us. "Firs' years, o'er 'ere firs' years." It comes from a giant mad, easily 7 feet tall and 4 feet wide. He holds a lantern and umbrella.

"Hello Hagrid," Harry says, walking up to him.

"O 'ello 'arry, 'ermione, Ron. You must be Elizabeth, you're wit' me."

I hate to be separated from them, "okay, um, see you guys."

"Don't worry, it's just tradition," Hermione says, and with that, they're off, down a path that leads away from the platform.

"Right, everyone 'ere? Away we go." I feel stupid surrounded by 11-year-olds, so I stick close to Hagrid who turns us down a separate path. It's steep and slippery, everyone focused on their feet instead of each other.

"Ye' all get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid calls over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."

A loud "Oooooh!" sounded from the group. The path opened suddenly to the banks of a black lake. On top of a high mountain across the lake is a castle, its windows sparkling in the dark. More turrets and towers than I can count reach up towards the starry sky.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. I climbed in with three other students, we barely all fit, my legs nearly touching the water. "Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who was so large he had his own boat. "Right then -- FORWARD!"

The boat gives a lurch, and we're pulled out into the cold water. I can't keep my eyes off the castle, its reflection glittering on the water. There's cold spray coming off the lake, and I'm relieved when we pull into a cave under the castle. We all scramble up onto the ledge and make our way up a set of winding stairs. At the top is a large oak door. It opens, revealing a tall witch with jet black hair that is pulled into a severe bun.

"'ere they are, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid says.

"Thank you, Hagrid, I can take them from here," she replies in a high, quick voice.

Hagrid exists through the door, allowing us to see beyond it. It opens into a huge entrance hall with a marble staircase on one side and two magnificent doors on the other. They reach up towards the ceiling, which is so high I can barely make it out. I can make out happy chatter through the doors, which I assume lead to a dining hall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," says Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I will be back to fetch you when we are ready."