different | h. potter

6

Through the gates, flanked with statues of winged boars, and up the sweeping drive the carriages trundled, swaying dangerously in what was fast becoming a gale. Through the window, Cassia could see Hogwarts coming nearer, its many lighted windows blurred and shimmering behind the thick curtain of rain. Lightning flashed across the sky as their carriage came to a halt before the great oak doors, which stood at the top of a flight of stone steps. People who had occupied the carriages in front were already hurrying up the stone steps into the castle; Cassia, Draco, Theo, Blaise, and Pansy jumped down from their carriage and dashed up the steps too, looking up only when they were safely inside the cavernous, torch-lit Entrance Hall, with its magnificent marble staircase.

"Ugh," said Draco, brushing the wet hair out of his face, "what a great start to the school year."

Unfortunately, being inside was no guarantee for dry conditions. Floating above them, Peeves the poltergeist, a little man in a bell-covered hat and orange bow-tie, was grinning mischievously as he sent water-filled balloon at the crowds of students below. People all around them shrieked and started pushing each other in their efforts to get out of the line of fire. Abruptly, Theo yanked Cassia by the arm, saving her from a water-filled that had landed where she stood mere seconds ago, sending a wave of cold water over their feet.  

"Thanks," she said gratefully, earning a small smile from Theo in response.

Cassia, Draco, Theo, Blaise, and Pansy carefully waddled across the Entrance Hall to avoid slipping and falling. They went through a pair of double doors on the right, leading into the Great Hall.

The Great Hall looked its usual splendid self, decorated for the start-of-term feast. Golden plates and goblets gleamed by the light of hundreds and hundreds of candles, floating over tables in mid-air. The four long house tables were packed with chattering students; at the top table of the Hall, the staff sat along one side of a fifth table, facing their pupils. It was much warmer in here. Cassia, Draco, Theo, Blaise, and Pansy sat down at the Slytherin table, which was the one closest to the doors. Crabbe and Goyle joined them soon after.

"Merlin's beard," Blaise groaned, "I'm starving!"

Pansy nodded and clutched her growling stomach, "The Sorting better be fast."

Soon enough, the doors of the Great Hall opened and Professor McGonagall came in, leading a long line of first-years up to the top of the Hall. The young students were positively soaked after sailing across the lake in the pouring rain. 

Professor McGonagall placed a three-legged stool on the ground before the first-years and, on top of it, an extremely old, dirty, patched wizard's hat - the Sorting Hat. Like every year, the hat broke into song before proceeding with the Sorting. Cassia could hardly process the lyrics as her eyelids grew dangerously heavy while she rested her head in the palm of her hand. After a few moments, Cassia jolted awake as the Great Hall rang with applause, indicating the end of the song. 

Once the applause had come to an end, Professor McGonagall unrolled a large scroll of parchment containing all the names of the new students.

"When I call your name, you will put on the Hat and sit on the stool," she told the first-years. "When the Hat announces your house, you will go and sit at the appropriate table.

Cassia sighed and rested her face against her hand, closing her eyes once again as "Ackerley, Stewart!" was called. Every once and a while, when a new student was Sorted into Slytherin, she would sit upright and applaud politely as they joined their table. 

And finally, with "Whitby, Kevin!" ("Hufflepuff!") the Sorting ended. Professor McGonagall picked up the Hat and the stool, and carried them away.

Professor Dumbledore had got to his feet. He was smiling around at the students, his arms opened wide in welcome.