ADOMANIA [harry potter]

03 - welcome to hogwarts

Hermoine was indeed right. As night had fallen over de train, it halted at Hogsmeade station. Hogsmeade was a small but very old village that lay right outside of Hogwarts.

Mara took her first steps outside of the train all day. Right in front of her walked Hermoine and Neville. The side aisle was becoming busier and busier with all the students pilling out of the train wagons.

"Right then," A low voice, rang out from above the murmur of all the students. "First years! This way, please! Come on, now. Don't be shy!"

Mara quickly followed behind Hermoine, who seemed to not wait for anyone. Mara had decided to stay by the girl's side. She didn't know anyone else and Hermoine looked like she already knew everything about the place.

When they arrived at the source of the sound, Mara wasn't too surprised. She had imagined a man looking like what she was looking at to own a voice she had been hearing. The man towered over not only the eleven-year-olds but everyone and anything around them. He had long brown hair and a thick beard.

The group of first years followed the giant along dark winding paths. Nobody spoke a word, it seemed that Mara wasn't the only one who was getting nervous. Behind her she heard a boy sniff, when she looked back she noticed Neville walking with his shoulders slumped. After all, they hadn't been able to find Trevor, his toad.

At last, the path opened up near a big dark lake. The entire group stared in wonder. On top of a rock stood a castle with large turrets, small turrets, with big and little windows. Many who grew up in a wizarding family had learned about the amazing sight that Hogwarts was, but seeing it for the first time by themselves was different.

At the edge of the black lake were a bunch of little boats bobbing around. Hagrid ordered them to sit per four inside one boat. Mara followed Hermoine again, who went to sit behind Ron and Harry. The two boys they had met earlier on the train. As if it was magic, the boats followed Hagrid who sailed in his little boat in front.

The boat ride was magical. Slowly the group of first years made their way closer and closer towards Hogwarts Castle. Not once could Mara look away or close her mouth. And for the first time since sharing a compartment with Hermoine, this was too the case for her. Everyone got out at the boat dock that lay underneath the castle.

Then it was time. They followed Hagrid inside the castle itself. He knocked on a door and immediately an older woman opened the door. She looked incredibly strict. Her glasses rested on the top of her nose as she gazed down at the first years. Mara immediately got the feeling, she wasn't someone you would want to mess with.

"Professor McGonagall!" The giant greeted her. "The first years."

The professor nodded her head and the man who had guided them left. But not before giving it a last look.