I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

Chapter 3: The Great Feast

We had all been talking for what seemed like hours, and I looked out the window to be met with darkness. I could see the small buildings of Hogsmeade and knew immediately that we were almost there. George and Lee rushed to the window, they still got excited pulling into the station even though we were in our third year. I have to admit though, even I still got a rush of adrenaline everytime I stepped foot in the castle, or ate in the Great Hall. After all these years it's become a second home to me, to all of us.

The familiar sound of the train brakes rung throughout the carriages, followed by the sound of excited chatter and trunks clunking along the floor. We all grabbed our stuff from the overhead compartments and headed onto the platform.

"Right then! First-years, this way please! Come on now. First-years, don't be shy!" Immediately, I recognised the deep voice as my good friend Hagrid. I hadn't heard from him all summer so I was excited to see him.

"Hagrid!" I said pulling him into a warm hug. "I have missed you so much, I'll have to come round for some butter beer and we can catch up some time."

"Of course Savannah, lovely to see you again. You best get going before all the good carriages are gone."

I stayed with Hagrid, helping him round up all the first years while he told me about how Fang was doing and how he had finally learned to cook a meal that wouldn't give anyone food poisoning. It was really nice hearing what he had done over the summer but I soon realised that he was right and I needed to leave.

I waved goodbye to Hagrid and jogged over to where the twins were stood. They had found a carriage with the perfect amount of seats for the three of us, plus Angie and Lee. We all hopped on and the carriage started pulling itself towards the castle.

The ride was really bumpy, I guess the tree roots had grown through the path again. I would have to remind Professor Dumbledore of that later. I made a mental note before joining back in on the conversation about this years Quidditch tryouts. The twins were already on the team and I was secretly going to try out this year for the position of seeker.

After a few minutes we arrived at the castle and all of our trunks were transported in by magic, so we could all head straight to the Great Hall. Everyone filed up the stairs towards the door, bustling with joy. I looked out onto the water and saw the first years riding in the boats, their little faces were priceless. I managed to spot a certain ginger who looked particularly overjoyed at the castle.

Suddenly the huge, brown, wooden doors started to open, allowing us to enter the castle and we were led to the Great Hall by Nearly-Headless Nick and The Grey Lady. The Hall was decorated with the usual welcoming floating candles and bewitched ceiling, made to look like the sky outside. I sniffed up very harshly, taking in everything around me. It felt great to be back.

We all split up taking our seats at the assigned house tables. Our plates, cutlery and goblets were all set out in front of us ready for The Feast. Outside of the doors we heard chattering, the first years must be here I thought as I took my seat between Fred and George.

I began to play with my fork, tossing it a few centimetres in the air and then catching it, over and over again when I heard someone behind the doors shout 'Trevor'. I rolled my eyes and sniggered. That boy needs to take better care of his frog.

Professor McGonagall came through the doors and walked up to the teacher's table at the top of the hall. She grabbed the parchment that had all the first years names on and exited, telling me to stop messing as she walked past.

Fred nudged my left side,"Getting in trouble already are we?"

George nudged me in my right side, "Honestly I'm surprised you haven't gotten us expelled yet!"