The Adventures of the Junior Phoenixes, Part 3: The Pendant of Death

Chapter 22: Hogwarts, A Hatstall, and Hard Lessons

Chapter 22

     A cool wind settled over the ancient and strong stone walls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Long, long ago the four greatest wizards of the age (Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Godric Gryffindor, and Salazar Slytherin) created a school for the education and instruction of young witches and wizards, to not only harness their abilities, but also to prepare them for the wide world that lay before them; to make them ready for their adult lives and possible career choices. It was also established to bring together the Magical community at large; to unite them and teach them that, together, they can change the world and build lasting relationships with likeminded and like-powered people.

     Since the International Statute of Secrecy, the Wizarding World had retreated into itself. Witch burning and persecution made it difficult for witches and wizards to interact with the Muggle world. Though a lot of the Wizarding World had begun to slowly venture out and embrace some of Muggle culture and customs, there was still a lot of resistance to fully accommodate the Muggle Way into their own. The most obvious culture shock for the American students from Salem was the very conservative nature of the Magical communities in England. The most conservative was the hallowed halls of Hogwarts, yet there was a reverent way that the teachers all presented magic, in a very different way than the teachers of Salem.

     Of all the students who had arrived from Salem, Star Saoirse loved Hogwarts the most. The reverence and the awe and history of Hogwarts enthralled her. She doted on the place the moment she arrived on a carriage pulled by Thestrals. The gaunt and deathly-looking horses gave her chills, being in awe of their hidden beauty. She loved the school the moment she stepped onto Platform Nine and Three-Quarters in King’s Cross Station. Sam, Moonstone, and the others were also thrilled, ecstatic every second of their ride over the northern countryside of the England and into the Scottish lochs and hills.

     The group arrived and was greeted by a wiry and sallow-faced man with wispy hair and a small cat that danced around his feet. They were then greeted by a small and stout little man, the deputy headmaster and Head of Ravenclaw, Professor Filius Flitwick. He instructed the newly arrived First Years and the exchange students from Salem Academy of how the Sorting Hat would work. The students all filed into a line and walked into the Great Hall, followed by Teller and Rain Fox. It had an enchanted ceiling that resembled the night sky. Candles floated in the air to illuminate the room, torches and lanterns on the walls lighting everything else. There were four long tables spanning most of the room. Over each table was a banner that designated which table belonged to which house. A long table sat opposite and perpendicular from the others, where the staff and teachers sat. A podium stood before the staff table with an ornate golden owl on it. A lone wooden stool was there, sitting in the space between the long tables and the podium. There were students seated at the tables. Bria and Nymphara were sitting at the Hufflepuff table, alongside Rose McCullough. Luminara and Digger Bronze sat around the Ravenclaw table. Ignatia sat at the table marked for Gryffindor while no one the Salem students knew sat around the Slytherin table. The Hogwarts students stared at the new arrivals as they made their way to the stool where Professor Flitwick stood. He climbed upon a stepladder and spoke to the students.

     “When I call your name,” Professor Flitwick said, “You will sit on the stool and I will place the Sorting Hat upon your head, First Years first, then our guests.”

     The First Year students were sorted rather hastily. Each student chosen was greeted by applause from the House that they were selected for. After the First Years were all chosen and sorted, the Salem students were called.

     Moonstone was called first and was placed in Slytherin, much to the chagrin of Sam Meadows. Feather and Jace were also chosen for Slytherin, which very obviously startled Rain Fox, who was standing next to the students, particularly Star.