Heirs to Something Greater

4; The Sorting Ceremony

The boys had slid open the door and were starting to walk out into the hall. I shoved my book into my backpack and followed Juliet out, leaving the compartment door open. We shuffled along with other students to get to the exit. When it was finally my turn to walk down the steps and onto the cement platform of Hogwarts, I let go of the air I held in my lungs. There were street lamps lighting up the dark pathway. The twins started to walk away from the train without grabbing any of their belongings.

    "Wait guys, don't we have to get our trunks?"

    "There's some sort of system that they go through which brings them up to the castle immediately. No work required." Ahh, well that sounds nice. "Cmon now, got to catch up to a carriage." They started off again down the student packed trail with Juliet and I following.

    We climbed into a black carriage that was being pulled by nothing. Probably just magic. The ride up to the castle was mostly silent. We rounded a corner of trees and the glowing castle stood tall and mysteriously. Juliet led out a gasp of amazement.

    "Pretty nice, innit?"

    "It's brilliant!" I looked over to Juliet whose mouth was wide open, "Better than Ilvermorny you think?"

    She nodded her head profusely, "Very much so."

    There was a long line of carriages at the castle. Students were hopping out of them and walking towards the big doors. Fred and George started to get out and motioned for us to do the same. Fred... yes Fred, held his hand out for me to take as I hopped out of the carriage. I lightly grabbed it and stepped down onto the cobblestone path.

    "Well, in we go."

    We followed other students towards the big open doors of Hogwarts. I felt a bit out of place because I didn't have a robe on or a house tie, and I would easily be identified as the new girl, but there was nothing I could do about it. I took my first step into my new school. Big lamps light up the corridors of the castle. There was no way I could get lost right now with the amount of people headed in one direction.

    "Ms. Finley, Ms. Bloom, is that you?"

    I turned around to see an older lady with a green robe on and a black witch's hat. I nodded my head slightly. She started over to our group of four with a big smile on her face. "Welcome to Hogwarts ladies, I hope the train ride over was comfortable." My mind immediately took me to the argument with Malfoy but I shrugged it off.

    "Yes it was wonderful, thank you!" I made sure to return the smile she was wearing.

    "Perfect, I'm Professor McGonagall, now would you two please follow me, I'll bring you to the great hall to be sorted with the first years." I looked back at the twins, the anxiety growing and making my stomach do flips. They gave me a reassuring nod. "You can both give your bags to the twins and they will keep track of them." She looked over me and Juliet to give the boys a look. They followed her instructions and took the backpacks from our shoulders.

    "You'll get them back, don't fret."

    "Now follow me." I looked at Juliet who was looking at me. I breathed in a full breath of air before following the professor, through the lines of students. I was so nervous, I couldn't speak. We stopped in front of a group full of twelve year olds. Even they had black robes on. They were all talking amongst themselves but quieted down once they saw the professor. "Hello everyone. We will have the sorting ceremony take place in just a few minutes." She turned to me and Juliet. "You two will get sorted first." We both nodded our heads quietly. She walked off down the hall and I took it as my only moment to say something.