𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐏A𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄, jp

𝐓𝐄𝐍

Isabella  followed Hagrid into the boats, feeling slightly self-conscious to the fact that she was the oldest child sailing across the lake. Couldn't she have stayed with her new friends?

As she caught her first glimpse of the castle, all her worries over being the oldest washed away. Hogwarts looked absolutely beautiful. Isabella gazed at Hogwarts Castle, feeling like she had stepped into a dream. The tall towers with enchanting carvings lit up at night, and the old stones seemed to have witnessed countless magical moments, the windows were all aglow, adding a touch of mystery and excitement. She could feel her insides practically bursting with pure happiness; how could something that had felt so scary feel so perfect?

When they reached the other side of the lake, she climbed out of her boat, her eyes wide with excitement and joy.

"Keep together first years!" Hagrid shouted over his shoulder as they entered the castle. The firs' years, Professor McGonagall, and Isabella Lupin," said Hagrid, proudly.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." McGonagall said, her eyes darting towards Isabella, sending her a warm smile. "Follow me."

As McGonnogal pulled the door wide, Isabella was greeted by the immense Entrance Hall. The stone walls were adorned with beautiful flaming torches, casting a warm and welcoming glow. The ceiling, though too high to discern, gave a sense of openness, and Isabella could swear she saw a ghost flying above. Directly ahead, a grand marble staircase beckoned, inviting her to explore the mysteries that lay on the upper floors.

They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Isabella could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right -- the rest of the school must already be here -- but Professor McGonagall showed the first years and herself into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "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. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room."

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."

Her eyes lingered on Iszy for just a few seconds longer, "I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."

Isabella stood with the younger students as they waited for the professors return, which, thankfully, didn't take too long.

"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me. Miss Lupin, keep to the back, you shall be last."

Izzy groaned, this appeared to bring her a lot more attention then she'd like to receive.

They followed McGonagall  through double doors into the Great Hall. The blonde had never even imagined such a welcoming place, Beauxbatons had nothing on Hogwarts.

It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among the students, ghosts shone misty silver. Mainly to avoid all the staring eyes, Isabella looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars.