Hogwarts for the Marauders

Chapter 7 Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry

The train journey after the girl left with Snivellus went quite peacefully. James bought many liquorice wands and chocolate frogs and they all shared them.

"These things are heaven!" Exclaimed Remus.

"You reckon. How many of these do you have?" James asked the other two boys, holding up a collectible chocolate frog card, inside which the picture of an old man moved, looking extremely bored.

"None. My parents think it's childish." Sirius replied looking sullen, but the card mesmerised him.

The rest of the train journey went away chattering, and Sirius realised, that he finally for once didn't had to feel scared while enjoying himself.

When it was nearly time for them to reach Hogsmeade station they changed into their uniform and sat quietly in their compartments, each of them having a different thought on their mind to worry them.

For Sirius Black, it was the fear of being sorted into Slytherin and becoming exactly like his family members, cruel and unkind. Whereas all he ever wanted was to have a normal family with no one to teach him about blood purity and wizard superiority.

For Remus Lupin it was the fact that would he ever be able to live a normal life with normal people. And above all, will normal people accept somebody like him. He feared that if these two boys who were sitting with him in this compartment would still be there if they knew what he truly was.

And for the James Potter, it was the fear of not being able to stand upto people's expectations. Though he acted like he didn't care, James was perhaps the most insecure child on the train despite being desperately loved and cared for. He just wished he could stand up to his conjectures  as easily as he had hoped for.

They scrambled towards the doors of the train as it came to a stop, it's wheel screeching on the tracks and a loud whistle emerging along with thick white smoke.

"So, we are finally here!", James said breaking the silence.

"Exactly, I can't believe it. It's just so magical." Exclaimed Remus.

At a distance they could here a giant hairy man calling, "O'er here, firsties O'er here. Ye all get in thee boats now, 'mon."

He called out over their heads. Remus, Sirius and James rushed to him to get onto the tiny boats to reach the castle, as per the tradition. Once all the first years were gathered around his big belly, he began, "'llo. Me name is 'Agrid, the keeper of the keys and gates at 'Ogwarts. Now ye see we will be crossin this lake 'ight 'ere by leetle boats. No touching the water, 'nybody. 'idya understand. Very well then, let's go!."

When all the students were seated on the little wooden boats, with Hagrid on the first one, all by himself, they started trudging along the water, the lake dark and mysterious beneath them. The water reflected the moon rays everywhere, and the shadows underneath​ looked even more peculiar than ever.

These filtered beams of moon, made a shiver run down the spine of Remus. He looked around and saw how many children marveled the moon with wide eyes and surprised faces. But to him, the moon, or the full moon to be precise, was his greatest fear. What he became on full moon was the most terrifying thought he could ever fathom.

Lost in his chain of thoughts, Remus missed how the others around him were now gasping. There were even some 'oohs' and 'aahs'. He turned around and there looming from within the shadows, stood the most magestic piece of architecture Remus had ever seen.

The seven storey high castle, which was build between the valley area with mountains in its background and the massive black lake in its forefront, stood out in the darkness. Lights quivered within its glasspaned windows and it's silhouette cast over the great slopes of lawn behind it. Remus could see the huge main oak front doors on the east side of the building, rising higher than the greenhouses in its left. On the opposite side there ran as far as an eye could see, wild stretches of forest land.

Within moments, they were being ushered from the boats into a small hall, which they entered from beside the oak doors. When all the first years were inside the doors closed, and they stood there, waiting for someone to come, excitement and nervousness common in all.

When the doors finally did open, a tall, severe-looking woman walked in, wearing emerald green robes that matched her eyes, which were covered with square spectacles. She reflected an air of magnanimity and sternness and held the aura of being highly respected. When she came near the nervous flock of the first years, her mouth formed into a thin line.

"The sorting ceremony will soon begin, but until then I expect you to be perfectly quiet 'ere. I am Professor McGonagall and I will will escort you into the great hall within a few moments.", She said in her perfectly thick Scottish accent as she turned around and walked back inside.
No one spoke for a moment, as they stared around them, taking in the magnificent surroundings.

When the oak doors opened again, professor McGonagall was carrying a three legged stool and an old battering witch's hat. She motioned them to follow her and the nervous prong of students started tailing behind her swooping robes.

When they finally did enter the Great hall, it took them all a moment to adjust their eyes in the bright room. The ceiling was covered with magically floating candles, which casted a faint glow on the ceiling above. The ceiling was dark and cloudy, glints of moon peaking from behind. Looking above, it seemed that might have been standing under a beautiful night sky.

At the far end of the hall, in front of four large glass windows, was a single long, wooden table. Sitting in the centre, was a wise-looking wizard, with a flowing grey beard that ended at his waist. He wore long purple robes, dotted with silver shining stars and a matching witch's hat. He gazed at the young ones now entering the room, through his half moon, horn rimmed spectacles and a knowing smile crept over his wrinkling face.

As the first years and professor McGonagall, reached the staff table, the old wizard stood up and walked over to the podium. He cleared his throat, raised his wand and announced, "Let the Sorting begin!"