Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter Story

Houses and Feasts

Estella stood gaping at the front gates of Hogwarts looming before her. She had seen many photographs of the school before but they were nothing compared to this. The castle's towers stretched high into the dark expanse of a star filled sky. Occasional windows glowed with the warmth of a lantern while the Great Hall sent light cascading onto the amazed faces of the first years.

"It's incredible," Estella breathed to Harry, who stood next to her with a similar expression.

"I can hardly believe it's real," he admitted as the groundskeeper, a giant of sorts, Hagrid, led them into the main hall.

"Greetings."

Estella smiled as the figure of Minerva McGonagall came into view. Her lips were pressed into a stern line while her eyes gazed through her glasses firmly, seeming to dare the first years to misbehave.

"While you are at Hogwarts," the deputy headmistress began. "You will be sorted into houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.."

"The best." Estella turned to see Draco Malfoy and his group of minions sniggering to each other, silenced only by a fierce look from McGonagall

"I've got to be a Gryffindor," Ron mutter feverishly from beside her, his face pale. "There isn't a single person in my family who's not."

Estella looked uncertainly at Ron before giving his hand a quick squeeze. "You'll be fine," she promised firmly, feeling anger rush to her face at the thought of the Sorting. Simple houses had divided witches and wizards for centuries. Even splitting families apart. She turned to Harry curiously. "Do you know what house you prefer Harry?"

Harry Potter jumped, seeming lost in thought. "Oh err.. just not Slytherin," he stammered quickly.

Estella felt her heart drop. Both her adoptive parents and blood relations had all been in Slytherin. She couldn't help but wonder if she was to follow the same path. The girl was distracted from her thoughts as McGonagall opened the doors and the students pressed forward into the Great Hall. Once again, Estella's breath caught in her throat.

Candles hung from the ceiling, floating by themselves in midair, above four massive tables that stretched the length of the hall. The tables were covered with glittering silverware and plates and were lined with the rest of Hogwarts students, who were chatting amicably and gazing curiously at the timid first years. The teachers table was set across the front of the hall and Estella froze as she saw Albus Dumbledore for the first time. The headmaster was dressed in vibrant purple robes and sat smiling at the new students. His eyes twinkled in the light of the hall and with a jolt, they made contact with Estella's. She held his gaze for a moment before quickly turning away as Hermione tugged on her robe sleeve.

"Come on," her friend urged. "The Sorting is starting."

Estella moved forward distractedly and waited with the mass of first years as the Sorting Hat was placed on a stool and began to sing. She was distracted from his words as she noticed the ceiling of the room for the first time. Stars glittered above the candles, stretched across a dark expanse of sky so rich blue it looked black.

"It's bewitched to look like the night sky," Hermione muttered to her as the Sorting Hat finished its song. "I read about it in Hogwarts a History." She paused, her face going a faint pink. "Oh I suppose you did as well."

Estella smiled at her friend softly. "I did. But it couldn't compare to this." She and her friend looked at each other with wonder in their gazes.

"Abbott, Hannah!" McGonagall's sharp voice brought Estella from her thoughts. A small blonde girl tripped up to the still and the hat was placed on her head. There was a small pause before the hat opened its brim and called