The Poisoned Waters

2. A Mudblood?

The train pulled to a stop at Hogsmeade Station, and we all hurried off.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over 'ere!" A booming voice shouts over the bustling students, and I notice a large man who was easily over ten feet tall. He had bush long brown hair, and a matching beard. He was carrying a large lantern the size of my head as I hurried over to him.

After all the first years were rounded up and the rest of the school went up to the castle, we all gathered into boats. Me, Hermione, Neville and Lavender all found one, and then we were off, gliding swiftly across the Great Lake.

"Jus' round this bend 'ere and you'll see yer first look at Hogwarts." I heard the large man, who's name I learned was Rubeus Hagrid, called from his own boat up ahead.

When we rounded the bend, all the students let out a collective gasp, for there was the humongous castle right before us.

After a few more minutes of "oooooh!" And "Ahhh!" Along with a lot of rowing, we made it to a small dock at the foot of the castle. Then we climbed stairs. A lot of stairs. That is, until we made it to the Entrance Hall door, where an older witch with black hair motioned for us to come inside. Next she told us about the four houses; Griffendor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Slytherin had a nice ring to it, in my opinion. When I think of Gryffendor I think of a lion, which are a bit too overrated, might I add, and Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff just seem too, well, bland.

The woman who greeted us- whose name I learned was Professor McGonagall- left through a side door into the Great Hall, while we sat and waited. I looked around and saw Neville had his toad back, and I saw Hermione standing with Lavender Brown, while Ron and Harry were glaring at a group of three, one with platinum blonde hair, the other two- who were rather bodyguard-like- had brown hair. I studied the blonde curiously. He was skinny, tall, and had gray eyes. Though, he might have used to much hair gel. Suddenly, there were a few screams as translucent bodies emerged from the wall to my left. They ignored us all, heading through the door- which was still shut- into the Great Hall. My mouth hung open dumbly, ignoring the Fat Friar who stayed for a few more minutes.

Finally, the Professor returned, and she led us into the Great Hall. And again, we all let out a collective gasp. The room was as big as my house- possibly bigger. There were candles floating low over the tables, which were full with students. I looked up and saw a night sky, and I thought there was no roof until I heard my sister whisper to someone else.

"The ceiling is bewitched, I read about it in Hogwarts: A History." I rolled my eyes. Typical Hermione. Soon we came to a stop at the front table, which was filled with Professors. I was curious at what we were supposed to be doing, and started to get anxious. Would we have to take a test? Try and bewitch the ceiling? Make fire appear at the tables? My mind went into overdrive, that is until Professor McGonagall brought out a four-legged stool, along with a hat. She placed the hat on the stool right in front of us, and it broke out in chorus. I tuned it out, instead looking around at my surroundings. There were four large hour glasses behind the teachers, filled with blue, red, yellow and green gems. I pondered what it was for until the hat finally stopped, which I was internally grateful for. Soon, Professor McGonagall started listing off names and kids went up to the stool and put the hat on. Then the hat yelled out a house. Simple enough.

For every kid that was assigned a house, the said house cheered. Soon enough, I heard a familiar name get called.

"Granger, Hermione."

I saw Hermione climb up the steps, giddy with excitement. She put the hat on, and she sat there for a whole two minutes. Way longer than the others. Finally, it shouted out a house.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The said house erupted in cheers, while I saw Ron grumble to himself. I didn't have much time to be amused, though, for my name was called next.