To Hell ~ Fred Weasley

Chapter 39.

The walk they made from the carriages to the main entrance of the castle got them soaked from the heavy rain that was pouring down. It didn't help that Peeves the poltergeist was throwing water-filled balloons at passing students, one of which was Ron while Harry and Hermione avoided being hit.

Helena took out her wand in time to shield the twins and herself from being a target, although she was pretty sure Peeves was aiming only at her and not the twins, since they were on good terms with the poltergeist.

"What a way to welcome everyone back," muttered Nina sarcastically, drying herself up with magic.

"You didn't even get hit!" replied Fred, shivering as they entered the castle.

"Thanks to my excellent reflexes," she said smugly, pushing her hair back dramatically.

"Your what?" scoffed George. "I'm sorry, Rosemund...but you do not have excellent reflexes. Failed to catch me the other day, remember?"

"Whatever," said Nina, waving away the memory.

"PEEVES!" yelled an angry voice. "Peeves, come down here at ONCE!"

Professor McGonagall came into view, threatening Peeves to leave with the mention of Dumbledore and then ushered everyone else inside.

The Great Hall was as warm and inviting as Helena remembered with its dozens of candelabra floating above the four isles of tables lined up, one for each Hogwarts house. The ceiling was currently dark and cloudy and appeared to be raining, resembling the weather outside.

Helena took the seat across from the twins so she could see the other house tables, Hufflepuff to be exact.

Once everyone got to their seats, Nina searched for Cedric, smiling at him when the boy waved at her. He was soaked like the rest, with his hair dripping water on his rosy face until he dried himself with magic.

Still looked cute.

"So d'you think Lee was messing with us or...?" said Fred, looking back at the wooden doors they had entered, waiting expectantly.

"We'll find out soon, I reckon," answered George doing the same as his twin.

"Dumbledore has to make a speech first," said Nina, "We will finally know what's happening here!" she whispered, grinning at them.

The three of them gasped excitedly when the doors to the Great Hall opened only to be disappointed when Professor McGonagall entered, followed by a line of shivering first year students who all looked like they had swam across the Black Lake instead of using the boats to get to the castle.

There was a boy in the group of first years who did not seem bothered to be drenched from head to toe, smiling as he walked with the rest and waved frantically towards the Gryffindor table were Colin Creevy waved back.

Must be his brother.

Professor McGonagall brought out a three-legged wooden stool chair and placed the Sorting Hat on it, which started to sing its start of term song...

A thousand years or more ago,
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fin.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!