A Magical Journey Begins

The Sorting

They were led through the large hallway of the castle and up the stairs to where professor Dumbledore was waiting for them in front of large double doors. The auburn haired teacher smiled in a friendly manner, his blue eyes twinkling.

"Welcome at Hogwarts! My name is professor Dumbledore," Dumbledore greeted them cheerfully.
"This castle will be your home for the next seven-"

His little speech was interrupted by two girls in the back screaming. Tom turned his head to find out what was going on and saw the two girls, one with mouse blond hair and freckles and a girl with spindly brown hair and bony limbs, sitting on the floor, their backs to each other and their heads pressed together. It took Tom a moment before he realized their hair was tangled together in a big knot.

Tom cocked his head curiously when he noticed both girls were crying. It was curious how something like that had happened, but Tom guessed that with magic, any of the students near them could have pulled it off. A little petty, in his opinion, but depending on the reason why this was done to them, it would do. Tom wondered if he could learn that spell. Dumbledore sighed and took out his wand, quickly untangling the two girls with a swing of his wand.

"I see our live-in poltergeist is ready for the new schoolyear as well. Peeves."

With a 'pop', a little man appeared floating over the heads of the students. He had black hair, wickedly slanted, orange eyes and was dressed in loud, outlandish clothes including a bell-covered hat and an orange bow tie. 'Peeves' was cackling loudly, holding his belly in cheer as he floated on his back. Professor Dumbledore's lips twitched as he looked up at the poltergeist.

"At least give the children a chance to get used to their surroundings before you start terrorizing them," he called out to Peeves.
"You might have traumatized these poor girls and they haven't even been sorted yet."

Peeves stopped laughing and stared straight at Dumbledore.

"Party pooper!" he suddenly yelled, making several of the first years jump in fright.
"Dumb, dumb, Dumberbore! Party pooper Dumberbore!"

And with that, he disappeared with another loud 'pop'.

"Well then," Dumbledore sighed, looking tired all of a sudden.
"As I was saying earlier: Hogwarts will be your home for come seven years, and your House will be like your family. There are four Houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin.

"Now, behind this door, you will be sorted into one of these Houses and that will be your place until you graduate. Wear the colours with pride and work hard because any wrongs committed will not only yours but blemish all of your housemates as well."

Tom frowned. He didn't think that was entirely fair, to punish everyone in your house for mistakes made by a few. Dumbledore glanced at him and raised a brow, but he didn't comment on Tom's sour look and instead kept talking.

"Good behaviour and commitment to your studies will be awarded with House Points, while bad behaviour and slacking will take them away," the professor explained.
"At the end of the year, there will be a House Cup awarded to the House with the most points. So I'd say do your best and work hard!"

When he was done with his speech, Dumbledore turned away from them and swung the large doors open, marching the 80+ first year students into the Great Hall. For the second time in his life, Tom was truly awed. Four long tables stood at either side of them as they walked through the aisle in the middle.

The ceiling of the room was enchanted to show the darkening sky outside. Tom could even see the moon and some stars between grey clouds. The many floating candles hovering over the tables were quite impressive as well.