Book 1: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Hermione X Self Insert)

Chapter 8 - Welcome to Hogwarts

It was nighttime at Hogsmeade Station. The train blew its whistle and pulled in. People, in their robes, began pouring out of the train.

"Right, then!" Harry and Dayton heard a familiar voice bark. "First years! This way, please! Come on, now, don't be shy! Come on now, hurry up!"

They turned to notice Hagrid's towering figure assembling all the first year students, and they made their way over to him.

They exchanged greetings before they were ushered onto a boat, Dayton and Ron being grouped together, and separated from everyone else.

As the boats plugged across a vast lake, a massive castle came into view.

Dayton assumed that this was Hogwarts, and indeed it was. Pupils gasped in admiration. "Wicked!" Ron uttered.

The first-year students were walking up a large staircase. They stopped when they heard tapping on the stone railing. Dayton looked up to see an older woman with dark hair, wearing emerald green robes and a pointed hat. She assumed an air of authority about her, as she stood on the top of the stairs to greet the newcomers.

It was Professor McGonagall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said. "Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." McGonagall explained. "Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup."

Just then, a small, scared-looking boy spotted a toad sitting near Professor McGonagall. "Trevor!" He exclaimed, catching the toad. Dayton assumed that the boy was Neville, whom Hermione had spoken of on the train.

Professor McGonagall gave the boy a stare as a ripple of laughter swept among the pupils. Neville looked down in embarrassment.

"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily." McGonagall finished, before departing.

Dayton took the time to look around him, but it wasn't long before another voice spoke. "It's true then, what they're saying on the train."

Dayton turned to see a young evil-looking boy with blond hair slicked straight back.

"Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." The boy said, and whispers of Harry's name circled throughout the group of children.

The blond boy gestured to his two overweight goons. "This is Crabbe and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

Ron snickered at his name, and Dayton couldn't hold back a giggle.

Draco gave the two boys a look. "Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours." He looked at Ron. "Red hair, and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley."

He then turned to Dayton. "You know, I heard there was a Canadian on the train, but I didn't know it would be you." He sneered.

Draco then turned to Harry. "You'll soon find that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

With that, he offered his hand, but Harry made no move to shake it, and Dayton interjected.

"I think we can tell who the wrong sort are for ourselves, thanks." He snapped. Draco glared at him just as Professor McGonagall returned, tapping him on the shoulder with a paper.

"We're ready for you now." She said to everyone. "Follow me."

McGonagall led everyone through two large doors and into the Great Hall, where there were four long tables with thousands of students, as well as floating candles. The roof appeared to be the night sky.