The Raven That Came Home

Start-Of-Term

Hogwarts was everything and more than what Lux was expecting. The stones upon stones, you could feel the ancient power of the ley lines that ran deep below the dungeons. It was a bit odd, Lux mused. Her situation was a bit of an unusual one, and she knew walking in just like any other school with teenagers and children; she would be the talk of the school. At least for the first week.

Deep breath in, it was easy to imagine if she would have been at home in America. Autumn in Scotland really wasn't that different than Massachusetts. Ironically what was with magical old castles being surrounded by haunted and magical creature filled forests. Only difference was the water surrounding this castle verses the inclines to the peak of the mountain surrounding the one back home.

Since it was September first and technically nothing different than any other school year Lux came in with the firsties. The glowing lights playing off the waters and the castle created for a certain setting Lux couldn't help but stare at and admire. It was like walking into a new magical world all over again, and in a way it was true.

A small quirk of her lips happened at some of the strange looks and whispers that floated around her. Although not done growing Lux already hit 5'5 at almost 13 years old. Which ironically was taller than a majority of the others she was surrounded by. She didn't think she would be a giant but it did seem she took more after her papa every year.

Looking across the water it wasn't the bright lights that made her eyes start to become wet. Lux discretely used her sleeve to wipe away the water trailing down her cheeks. Delicately sniffing and peering over her shoulder she met the curious brown eyes with a freckled face surrounded by vivid red hair. Nodding at the young girl she tried her best to bring a normal smile to her face. Judging by the crease between the girls brows she wasn't very successful. Lux had the feeling even as she turned back towards the front of the boat and the redhead hadn't said anything it wouldn't be the end of that.

A familiar fluttering of butterfly wings swirled in her tummy the closer the boat drew to the shore of the castle. She could recognize the nervousness and excitement creating a whirlwind of intense feelings.

"All right firsties, this a way we go." Hagrid hollered as the boats shored themselves. "Come on now, get a move on."

Gaining her bearings Lux hopped over the side of the boat, assisting the other three off from behind her. The redhead gave her hand a one quirked eyebrow look and jumped herself over the edge. Whipping back to smile at Lux while she jogged to catch up to the other two. That itself did bring a barely there smile to Lux's lips. Following now behind the fierce red head and her two classmates to join the rest of the group.

The large staircase leading up to the main doors was filled with cloaked bodies. Hagird leading the lot of them through the large wooden doors. A tall imposing woman with a stern face and classic witches hat stood at the top of the stairs hailing for our group to form a line. A bit of bumping and whispering happened between everyone as they tried to figure themselves out. Finally when quietness came over the everyone the professor nodded and stated.

"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."

With that she pushed open the hall doors and starting leading us through. You could hear the giggles and whispers from both the firsties and the groups sitting at their tables.

Long rectangular wood tables, four of them ran down most of the length of the room. At the end stood the head tabled filled with many older faces. The banners hanging over each table were color coded with an animal representation. Far right is red and gold with a fierce lion crest. 'That's where the red head must be placed.' The errant thought ran through Lux's head. Next was yellow and black with a honey badger crest, followed by blue and silver. That crest was a raven, and Lux had an inkling her path would take her that way. Last but not least on the far left was green and silver with a snake crest. Unlike her Horned Serpent house back home the sneering and cruel faces left a sour taste in her mouth. The head of platinum blonde hair however did catch her attention.

Dragging her eyes back to the room at hand the non existent sky took her breath away. Just like the stars Lux loved so much she could gaze at it for ages. The floating candles added just the right touch. Something she definitely wanted to look into for future uses. There is no way a simple levitation spell worked so well with so many subjects.

"Attention! Attention please." Albus Dumbledore called out. Immediately bringing down the volume in the room and snapping heads forward.

"We will commence the sorting immediately. Get you to your new housemates and the start-of-the term feast begin." He stated.

The professor with the witches hat from before unrolled a large scroll and went to stand next to a stool in the middle of the hall where an old brown pointed hat sat.

"We'll start in alphabetical order, first up Albert." She called.

The list went on this way, eleven year olds making their way to the stool and the hat swallowed their little heads.It typically only took a few seconds up towards a minute for a house to be called out by the hat. This sorting method is vastly different than Iivermorny which had a ceremony circle surrounded by statues of the four house representations. They chose you by lighting up, making a sound or moving to lay claim to you. If multiple chose you, you got to make the final decision though that was rare.

Before Lux knew it her name was being called out.

"Corva! Our first third year transfer in over fifty years!"

It was almost overwhelming, again she could feel the large number of eyes trained on her. Head held high and eyes forward Lux went up to the stool. That hat was warm when it landed over her ponytail.

"Ah..." A Male voice sounded in her head. "An Norwegian based in America eh..? With. Two years at Iivermorny. Horned Serpent huh... I see. Curious and inquisitive, Whitty and a bit dry, with a lot of wisdom for one so young. Yes, I think it will be.... "

"Ravenclaw!" The sorting hat shouted.

Relief flowed through Lux as the house of blue and silver politely clapped for her. Quickly she made her way toward the table, where many curious faces glued themselves to her. A younger girl towards the middle of the table with wavy brown hair and serious brown eyes waved her down, opening a seat between her and a short messy haired male sat.

"Names Sally, and this is Luke. We're fellow third years. Welcome to Hogwarts." The female brunette said.

"Hello, my name is Lux."

Although obviously pleased by the knowledge the quizzical look lingered in her eyes. Lux was the newest mystery to be solved at Hogwarts.