Harry Potter: Raised By Roses

Chapter Seven: Sorting

        The train came to a stop as they reached the station. They all exited the train. Harry, Krinos, and Melody all had on their Crystal Rose cloaks. They were also careful to hide their amulets, case they weren't allowed to wear them. Anyone that noticed the three simply thought that their robes just looked different in the dark. They waved goodbye to the twins and Lee as the upper years went to the carriages.

"First 'ears, over 'ere," they heard a familiar voice.

Looking over, they saw Hagrid waving over the first year students. The lantern he was holding made his giant form even more visible, even though everyone would have seen him even without it. Neville seemed a little scared by his size.

''Relax, Neville,'' Harry tells him. ''Hagrid is the groundskeeper. He's actually really nice. He was the one that took me and my siblings shopping.''

That seemed to calm the timid boy down.

'' 'Ello 'Arry, Krinos, Melody,'' the gentle giant greeted, giving a smile. ''Trust 'ou 'ad a good trip on the train?''

''We had a run in with a bossy girl and an annoying pest, but otherwise, it was fine,'' Harry said.

''Good to 'ear,'' Hagrid smiled at them. ''First 'ears, follow me.''

The eleven-year-olds all followed the keeper of keys down a path to the lake. There were a number of boats waiting for them.

''Only four 'o a boat,'' Hagrid told the first years.

The trio got into a boat with Neville. They took notice of a blond boy looking rather annoyed that he was sharing a boat with that Ron kid. They also heard that Granger girl spouting off about how many spells she's read about.

"Well, she's a Ravenclaw just waiting to happen," Harry mumbled.

"Great, so I'm stuck with her as a housemate," Melody complained, covering her eyes in annoyance.

"You could end up in Slytherin, so there's still a chance," Krinos tried to assure his sister.

"Alright," Hagrid called, up front. "FORWARD."

The boats all moved in their own, gliding on the water. As they crossed the lake, Hagrid started talking to them all.

"Ye' all get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder. "Jus' round this bend here."

There was a loud "Oooooh!" The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black take. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers. It was one hell of a sight.

"Hades has a more impressive palace," Krinos said.

"And Atlantis is also a sight to behold," Harry says.

"We've definitely seen better," Melody agreed.

They all ducked their heads as they made it to the last part of the ride. They had stopped in some sort of underground harbor. Hagrid leads them all up a flight of stone steps, coming to the front of the school. The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face and the trio's first thought was that this was not someone to cross.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here," She responded.