The Tales of the Dark and the Light: Two Souls

Chapter Twelve: Welcome to Hogwarts

As they left the cozy village of Hogsmeade behind, they set foot on the path that wound its way beside the lush and enchanted Forbidden Forest. Towering trees stood sentinel on their side, their branches reaching out like ancient guardians. Sunlight filtered through the foliage, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor, creating an ethereal atmosphere. The group followed the well-trodden trail, their footsteps resonating with anticipation and excitement. The air was alive with the sounds of nature, the soft rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds. They caught glimpses of magical creatures flitting amongst the trees—a mischievous bowtruckle, a vibrant gnome, or perhaps even a graceful unicorn grazing in the distance. 

As they continued their journey, the path led them across a bubbling brook, where the crystal-clear water shimmered under the golden rays of the sun. The group paused for a moment, letting Arthur and Lilibet take in the serene beauty of the scene, feeling a sense of unity with nature. Beyond the brook, the path began to ascend, gently winding its way up a hillside. As they climbed higher, the children's anticipation grew, for they knew that Hogwarts Castle awaited them at the summit. With each step, the magnificent structure revealed itself, its towering spires and grand facade standing proudly against the sky.

Finally, as the group reached the top of the hill, Hogwarts Castle unfolded before their eyes in all its majestic glory. The imposing stone walls and majestic turrets seemed to whisper tales of centuries past. The sight was nothing short of awe-inspiring, a testament to the rich history and magical legacy contained within those ancient walls. As they crossed the threshold and entered the castle grounds, a sense of wonder enveloped them. The air was charged with the promise of knowledge, adventure, and friendship. Hogwarts would become their home away from home, a place where they would forge lasting bonds, discover their potential, and unlock the mysteries of the magical world.

And so the group, guided by Hagrid's warm presence, stepped forward into the vast halls of Hogwarts Castle, ready to embark Arthur and Lilibet on their extraordinary journey of learning, discovery, and the magic that awaited them. The first stop was the Great Hall.

As Hagrid pushed open the towering doors of the Great Hall, Arthur's and Lilibet's eyes widened in awe at the sight that greeted them. The vast hall stretched out before them, its enchanted ceiling mirroring the night sky with twinkling stars. The soft glow of candlelight illuminated the space, casting a warm and welcoming ambiance. The room was filled with long, sturdy tables, draped in rich, vibrant house colours—red and gold for Gryffindor, blue and bronze for Ravenclaw, green and silver for Slytherin, and yellow and black for Hufflepuff. At the head of the room sat the high table, where the professors and Headmaster held court. Overhead, hundreds of floating candles hovered in mid-air, their warm light casting dancing shadows across the stone walls. The towering windows, adorned with intricate stained glass depicting magical scenes, let in a soft, golden glow, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

The Sorting Hat, an ancient relic perched on a stool, caught their attention. It patiently awaited its turn to sort the incoming first-year students, ready to assign them to their respective houses.
At the head of the room professors were seated and at the end of sturdy tables two representatives of each house waited patiently for Arthur and Lilibet to be sorted. 

Arthur and Lilibet may I present to you the professors of Hogwarts, they shall be the ones teaching you the magics and knowledge that Hogwarts has to offer, so treat them with respect and follow their lead onwards to become the formidable witch and wizard you two are meant to be. In front of each of these tables is a house representative, for we here at Hogwarts divided the school in four houses each with their own tower. We have Gryffindor that are represented by a Lion crest, the Ravenclaw that are represented by an Eagle, we have Hufflepuff that are represented by Honey Badgers, and finally we have Slytherin that are represented by a Snake. Here in the middle is the sorting hat that will sort you two into one of those houses, where you will spend the rest of the school year and compete with the other houses to own your skills and magic. How the sorting works will go as follows, we place the hat on your heads and he will read your thoughts, your way of acting and where you heart stays. Normally we would have the Sorting Ceremony, but unfortunately we were away getting you two so we missed it by a day. Explained Professor McGonagall as they reached the head of the Hall.