His Goodwitch

Chapter 5: Hogwarts and the sorting

Lizzie's point of view
At Hogsmeade station, a giant of a man is seen with a swinging lantern in his hand bellowing over the crowed "Firs' years, this way firs' years".  "That's Hagrid, I told you about" explained Harry as they disembarked the train.  "All righ' there 'Arry" said the man called Hagrid, Harry just nodded in response.  "This way firs' years to the boats now" Hagrid bellowed leading the trail of first years down a dark trail only with Hagrid's lantern and the moon to guide them meaning a few times the first years nearly slipped or tripped.

"You will get a glimpse of Hogwarts soon enough.  No more than four to a boat" instructed Hagrid boarding the lead lake boat docked by the shore.  Harry, Ron, Hermione and I all got into one boat.  "Everyone in.  Yep, then forward" commanded Hagrid, at his command the boats began moving through the lake.  Half way through the boat ride I spotted something "Hey Neville, is this your toad?" I enquired lifting the toad up to show the boy who was in a boat next to ours in order to confirm.  "Trevor, oh thank goodness.  Thank you Lizzie" said Neville almost causing the boat to tip over causing his boat mates to exclaim in protest as the boat nearly tipped over.  "Settle down Neville, I will hand him over when we reach the shore, alright?" I affirmed  gaining a nod from Neville.

As we approached, the first years oohed and ahhhed at the vast Hogwarts castle.  It rose black as ink against the night sky with its many fire lit windows shining like stars there were so many.  Suddenly the view was perturbed by Hagrid instructing "Heads down" the boats were pulling into a sort of underground boat house shielded by a curtain of thick ivy.

Once on the shore again I handed Trevor over and Hagrid instructed "This way 'ollow me please" leading the way up several flights of stairs.  In a chamber off to the side, we first years were handed off to Professor McGonagal who said "Thank you Hagrid, I will take it from here.  Welcome first years to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  Now in a moment you will go through these doors and join your classmates but first you must be sorted into your houses.  They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin.  While you are here, your house will be like your family, you will attend classes together, eat meals together and spend free time in your house common room.  At the end of the year the house with the most points will win the house cup.  Your triumphs will earn you points while any rule breaking will lose you points.  I am sure you all will be a credit to whichever house you are sorted into.  I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as best you can.  I will be back in a moment, please wait quietly" eyeing Ron's smudged nose and Neville's cloak which I just noticed was clasped over his ear.  After which she left us first years alone.  "Uh Ron, how do they sort us?" enquired Harry nervously while trying to flatten his unruly hair while I helped Neville untangle his cloak. "Fred and George told me we have to fight a troll" Ron replied trying to get the smudge of dirt off his nose frantically.  "Don't be stupid, we're only first years.  I think it will be some sort of object that reads our personalities and sorts us into which one suits us better.  At least that's the girst I got from Hogwarts a History" I said  reassuringly to Harry at his panicked look internally hoping that indeed we did not have to fight a troll to be sorted.

"Well well well Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts" said an arrogant voice.  After the statement there was whispers of Harry's name going around the first years.  Eventually a blond kid with stormy grey eyes and pointed nose swaggered up to the front to face Harry "I am Draco Malfoy, this is Crabbe and Goyle" the boy now known as Draco said.  Ron tries to snicker quietly but fails drawing Malfoy's attention to him.  "Think my name is funny do you? No need to ask for yours.  Red hair and hand me down robes.  You must be a Weasley" Malfoy says sneering at him before turning back to Harry "You will eventually find out some wizarding families are better than others Potter.  I can help you there?" offers Malfoy extending his hand to Harry.  I couldn't believe this kid, how could anyone be so obnoxious to insult others and just assume that another would just be best buds with them.