Chapter 3

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"Firs' years o'er here!" The man shouted, and she followed the cousins towards the voice. A large group of children about their age stood around the man. It had to be Hagrid. He was massive, at least two times a normal person's height and three times as wide. He also looked old, a liberal amount of grey in his bushy brown beard, though his beetle black eyes twinkled with excitement. She then turned her attention to the other students. From a quick assessment she'd guess there were about 20 students in all following the giant.

It wasn't a long walk to the boats, and she again followed the group of three into one boat. Might as well be friendly while she could - she knew it most likely wouldn't last once they knew who she was, which was really too bad. She liked them.

The rain hadn't let up at all and she scowled as the large droplets pelted them in their boat, soaking them through until they went under an overhang and were able to finally see the castle. It was so much larger than she'd ever imagined it could have been. The turrets pierced the clouds as lightning flashed above, sheets of rain smacking the castle wall. Despite the foreboding scene outside, the shining windows glittering down invitingly, tempting them with the promise of warmth. The boats finally bumped onto the far side of the lake and the students slipped and slid on their way up to the castle. Lynx quite nearly fell but was steadied by a blonde freckled boy whom she didn't know. Hagrid led them up the castle steps into a massive entryway and then down a side chamber, instructing them to wait there for further instruction.

There was hardly time to nervously glance around at the other students, water from their robes dripping steadily onto the floor, before a tall attractive dark haired man came into the corridor, his face alight with happiness.

"Welcome all of you to Hogwarts. My name is Professor Longbottom" His eyes lingered on James who was grinning "and I'll be taking you into the Great Hall for sorting. There are four houses at Hogwarts: Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin.  Now, I'd like you to form a line. You will be called out alphabetically, put on the sorting hat while sitting on the stool, and be sorted into your houses. Then just go and join your table. Alright, everybody ready? Let's go."

Lynx hurried to get into the line and follow as they moved through the small door into the hall. The sound of wet feet squelching seemed loud to her ears but not nearly as loud as the voices that filled the great hall. Once again she had to restrain herself from looking around, simply seeing the incredible hall with her peripheral vision. The candles cast more illumination than she'd expected. There were four tables full of students and a head table for the professors. Strangely, a majority of them seemed to be around the same age as her parents. The children around her craned their heads to look at the enchanted ceiling where forked lightning was now frequently decorating the sky. The line stopped and she nearly ran into Fred who had been walking ahead of her. Everyone was staring as Professor Longbottom placed an old patched  and singed hat onto a stool and stood back. A moment later a rip opened in the brim of the hat and it burst into song.

Many long years have past

Since I've seen the founders four,

But of the job they gave to me

I've never been so sure.

One by one they gave me traits

So that I could recognize

An individual's hidden talents

And know what house they'd prize.

Brave Gryffindor valued students

Whose bravery knew no bounds.

He was chivalrous and brave

His daring was renowned.

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