Its is known that most of the Pure-blood wizarding families are related through the marriages of their young witch(s) or wizard(s) with another Pure-blood wizarding family or by marrying their cousins to keep their bloodline pure.
Marriage with cou...
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As the gamekeeper walked out few students waved back at him and the stern looking witch cleared her throat garnering the attention on her. She pulled the door wide. The huge Entrance Hall came into view.
"Now follow me." She instructed walking ahead.
The stone walls were lit with flaming torches, the ceiling was too high and a marble staircase facing them led to upstairs.
Merope and her fellow first years followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. She showed them into a small empty chamber off the hall. Everyone peered about nervously including Merope.
"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." Merope's face twitched. "You will have classes with the rest of your houses, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room."
"The four house 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." Professor McGonagall paused.
At the same time someone sneezed loudly. Merope turned around to look at the same girl she had spoken to. Her nose was pink from rubbing. Tears collected in her eyes as another sneeze followed. Followed by another. It happened for four more time before she blew her nose loudly in her thin handkerchief. Everyone's eye was on her. Few people near her moved away from her forming another line, except for the redhead girl who stayed beside her handing her own handkerchief to the sneezing girl.
"Thank you." She muttered hoarsely and blew her nose once more.
"No problem." Said the redhead kindly. She looked around at Professor McGonagall and said, "Professor I think she has caught cold."
"Well yes, with the looks of it. I would advise you to come with me now, I will lead you to Hospital Wings. Our matron will provide a remedial pepper-up potion." Said Professor McGonagall nodding at her comfortingly.
"What is Hospital Wings?" Someone from the crowd questioned loudly. McGonagall looked at the person who asked.
"Hospital Wings. . ." She paused as though trying to find the right word. ". . .is a hospital in Hogwarts." Few people snickered behind Merope.
"Now, the Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all to smarten yourself up as much as you can while you are waiting." She eyed few students behind Merope. The sneezing girl sneezed once again. Professor McGonagall addressed her. "You come me." The girl sneezed once more before following the professor.
