Medieval, Percy Jackson & Harry Potter

Chapter 7

Sorting

They had been waking for a couple of minutes when the narrow path they were on opened suddenly opened onto the edge of a great black lake.

Some people gasped and some 'ooooohhhed'.

"There's yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts." Hagrid announces.

On the other side of the lake. Perched on top of a high mountain, it's windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid announces while pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Ariana was followed into the boat by Isabelle, Sophia, and Percy. Johnathan had gotten split up from them on the path.

"Everyone in?" Hagrid shouted, who had his own boat. "Right then- FORWARD!"

The fleet of boats started moving all at once, gliding across the lake. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

"Heads down!" Hagrid yells as the first boats reach the cliff. Everyone bent their heads as the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle.

"This is so cool." Percy whispers seeming to be the only one enjoying the boat ride.

"Speak for yourself. I hate the dark." Isabella says while shaking a little.

The boats reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles. Once everyone had gotten out they clambered up a passageway in the rock. After a lot of complaining and whining from the 40 first years they reached smooth, damp grass in the shadow of the castle. They walked up one more flight of stairs and everyone crowded around a large, oak front door.

"Everyone here?"

When no one comments Hagrid raises a giant fist and knocked three times on the castle door.

The door swung open at once revealing a tall, black-haired witch in emerald robes. She had a very stern face and Ariana knew immediately that her and Chiron would get along well.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

"O' course Professor McGonagall."

She pulled the door wide. The entrance hall was so big you could have fit the big house in there. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches, the ceiling was high enough to the point where it was hard to make out, and a large and grand marble staircase led to ten upper floors.

The group followed her as she led them across the flagged stone floor. All the first years could hear the chatter of hundred of voices from a doorway to the right. Instead of entering that room the Professor led them to a small, empty chamber off of the hall. Once Professor McGonagall noticed everyone was in this chamber she started speaking.

"Welcome to Hogwarts." She said. "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 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 you house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points.