Nea Archi

Chapter 2

All the first years were crowded into a small chamber. Mathew had told her about this. She remembered when two years ago he'd sat up late with them and just not stopped talking. About how beautiful the castle was. Alexandra was still awestruck, despite knowing every detail in theory. The sight itself shocked her into silence. Was this really her new life?

She wasn't very aware of what was going on around her but she did make sure that Rolf was always close, her brother was the only person who was more absentminded than she was. The new students were all huddled in their groups whispering and shuffling.

Professor McGonagall had greeted them and asked them to wait for the sorting ceremony to begin. The other students had already gathered in the Great Hall for the banquet. Mathew called her Maggie behind her back but Alexandra doubted she could ever do so, the Professor seemed too dignified and her very presence demanded respect.

She explained the house system to all the muggle-borns and even the wizards and witches who might not have as much of an idea as they'd thought.

When the Professor left the room everybody started to pin their robes right and pat their hair down, this was their introduction to their family. Possibly for the next seven years or possibly their life. Alexandra squeezed Rolf's hand which she hadn't even realised she was holding. He squeezed hers back. Her giant wall of support.

The student began to gasp when a group of ghosts floated past. Misty silver and surprisingly beautiful to look at. Rolf's eyes widened as he pulled Alexandra through the crowd to get a better view.

The ghosts started to talk and that's when Alexandra bumped straight into a tall column, with flaming red hair. Another Weasley. Ron, if she wasn't mistaken.

"Oi, watch where you're-" Ron stopped when his eyes met hers. They'd clearly heard about each other. What with Mathew being practically adopted into the Weasley family.

"Er, sorry. My brother wanted a better look at the ghosts." Alexandra explained as her eyes pointed her hands still clasped with her brother's.

"No-no problem. I'm Ron. This is Harry." That was when Alexandra's attention finally went to the boy behind the ginger. He didn't look like as much of a hero as she thought he would.

"I'm Alexandra and that's Rolf. Nice to meet you both." Harry seemed to be waiting for Alexandra to burst but he sighed when she didn't. Alexandra smiled as she turned away. If there was one kind of person Alexandra didn't like, it was heroes.

"Move along now." A sharp voice ordered. Professor McGonagall had returned. The ghosts floated away in a hurry. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."

She made them follow her in a line. They walked into the Great Hall through the grand wooden doors. If the candles and marble outside hadn't been enough the inside was even more astounding, the sky was above her even when she was indoors, thousands of candles floated above the house tables and every table was laden in golden plates and golden goblets.

The first years halted and McGonagall set a four-legged stool before them and placed a worn hat above it. And then the hat began to sing.

A bloody idiotic song that seemed to calm nerves and elicit cheers. Once the song was finally over, again being about the four houses, the hat bowed to each of the tables and became still.

McGonagall pulled out a long parchment and adjusted the delicate glasses in her nose. She looked a little too much like the muggle description of a witch, clad in velvet green robes and a matching hat.

And then she began calling out names and the houses cheered every time they got a first year. And finally the name everyone was waiting for was called. Harry Potter.