All stories told are black and blue underneath

Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. All credits belong to J.K Rowling

Previously...

"We will be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes. Please collect all your belongings. Leave any owls. They will be taken to owlery separately."

This was finally it.

He was ready.

Ready to begin his next journey elsewhere.

Chapter 11

Harry's stomach lurched with nerves as they made their way towards the exit. When the train halted to a screeching stop the doors opened slowly and students piled out hurriedly. Harry followed everyone out quickly shielding himself from the rain but raising his hands above his head which was mirrored by many other students who were scattered in various spaces. Everyone split up.

The children who had been attending the school for long enough all gathered up and walked towards four large hexagon platforms standing slightly above the ground connected to two small steps for access. They had large coloured opaque glass panels shielding them from the outside as each panel coming up on the sides acting as walls and was sheltered by a large blue semi-circle with stars and the night sky painted all over in a way that it was almost an exact replica and curved up making it seem like a smaller than average dome. On each dome there was some sign or engraving and colour to indicate where to go depending on what house you were in.

Gryffindor's panels were red in colour and a lion sat proudly above it and there was an opened scroll with the words 'Gryffindor' scribbled on. The Slytherin house had majestic green panels which were the colour of sparkling emeralds with a snake curled up above protecting a neat piece of dark parchment with the words 'Slytherin' neatly written on in gold lettering. Hufflepuff had bright yellow panels which looked like gold in the light while a black badger rested upon it with the words 'Hufflepuff' written above. Ravenclaw had royal blue panels and an eagle taking flight at the top with the words 'Ravenclaw' on its chest.

Each student walked towards their respective house's dome and pushed the double gates open before stepping in leaving only the first years on the actual platform and not inside the dome. The eleven year olds all looked at each other nervously trying to calm down enough to figure what was going on. Some first years suggested they go into one of the domes but were denied access due to not being in a proper house. After five minutes of waiting the domes suddenly disappeared with a 'Pop!' making the first years panic even more.

Harry stood shifting his weight on each foot as he tried to think over the situation. He looked beside him to see Draco looking fairly calm and organised if not a little annoyed as if someone had been late to meet him. He leaned forward towards him and whispered quietly, " Is someone supposed to be here? Or is there some other way to reach the school?"

"Don't worry. My father explained it to me. There is supposed to be a teacher or Hagrid, who is the half giant groundskeeper. He's one of Dumbledore's most loyal." Draco explained as Harry nodded letting out a deep breath he was holding in.

They suddenly heard large thumping footsteps emerge from their left and turned around alarmed only to be face to face with a large man towering over them. He called out in a loud booming voice and in broken English tinted with a heavy country accent, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" The four hurried forward joining the rest of the group of first years huddled in front of him. "C'mon. Follow me-Any more firs' years? Mind your step now! Firs' years follow me!"

Slipping and sliding they followed the man through thick trees and what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. The grey clouds expertly covered the sky and rumbled threateningly above them making more rain pour down soaking them head to toe causing them to hurry up and walk faster. Nobody spoke much.

"Yeh'll get yer first sight of Hogwarts soon. It's a speci'l tradition for firs' years to come this way on their firs' day" Hagrid spoke over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here." All the students ogled at the sight in front of them.

The narrow path suddenly gave way to edge of the black lake. Small rowboats lay safely on the side. Their rows lay discarded in the middle of the boat. But the most wonderful part of the scenery was Hogwarts itself. It stood in its full glory up ahead with its many turrets and towers clearly visible.

"No more'n four in a boat!" Hagrid called. Draco, Harry, Gregory and Vincent all piled into one.

"Everyone in?" Hagrid called from his own boat. "Right then, FORWARD!" All boats dashed forward at the same time. They went flying across the glass-like surface of the lake gliding smoothly through the water as graceful as swans. "Heads down!" Hagrid suddenly yelled as the boats came to a curtain of ivy. They were now carried along a wide tunnel to an underground harbour. Hagrid checked each student and counted how many there were to make sure he hadn't left anyone behind as the students clambered off the boats.

"Oy! Who's los' a toad?" Hagrid asked clutching a green toad in his hands who had jumped forward from an empty spot in the boats. Harry recognised the boy, Neville, who sprang forward as soon as those words left Hagrid's mouth.

"Trevor!" he called blissfully.

 After everything was sorted out, they all followed Hagrid through the trees and up a path that lead to a large oak door. The four hexagon domes that were earlier stood on the platform once they left the train now stood on the side of the door and were hidden carefully indicating that the other students had already arrived. Hagrid took a quick head count again before raising his fist and knocking loudly on the door three times.

Hi! Hope you like the chapter. Sorry its a little late. I was really busy and was having trouble deciding how to structure and organise the story as well as figure out how to make the students go from the platform to the school. But I managed to find a way! Yay!

Anyway please comment and review on what you think and let me know your opinions. I love hearing from you!

Thanks

FantasyTiger123