Lorcan Newt Scamander-Lovegood, and his identical twin, Lysander Xenophilius Scamander-Lovegood, had long looked forward to their first day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and now it had finally arrived. As the train trundled out of London, the two paced up and down the corridor, looking for a compartment. Although only eleven, both were wise beyond their years, and very tall, though despite their height their bleached blond hair, when loose, reached to just above their waists. Now both had leather bows in their hair, keeping their locks in high ponytails, tailored jackets and white blouses, Lorcan wore a black bootlace tie, and Lysander a red bow tie. Their odd appearance was perhaps the reason for their struggle to find a carriage, though perhaps every compartment really was 'full'. Finally, they found a compartment, with just two others, both their age, sitting nervously inside it.
'Room for two more?'
'I-I suppose' said the pale little girl in the corner, combing her mousy brown curls with her fingers.
The boy, who was staring out the window, nonchalantly, nodded, and turned to look at the boys.
'Hi. I'm Raphael Balewa.' he had short, dark dreadlocks, stuck up loosely from his head, and chocolate brown eyes and skin. 'You are?'
'Lorcan'
'Lysander'. The two often spoke over each other.
'Sorry,' laughed Lorcan, 'I'm Lorcan, and he's-'
'Lysander' his twin interrupted.
'Here, come sit down', Raphael patted the two seats on either side of him.
'Thanks', the boys said together, sitting down primly.
The train conversation traditionally concerned houses, and after the house system was explained to Raphael, who was Muggle-born, he, Lysander and Lorcan all pinned their cards firmly to the Ravenclaw mast, while the girl opted for Gryffindor. Lorcan secretly doubted she was Gryffindor material, but did not voice his scepticism.
Soon, the food trolley rolled by. Lorcan loved chocolate frogs, especially due to the possibility of getting the card for his great-granddad, and middle-namesake. He got out two sickles, and bought five frogs, with just a few knuts change. Lysander, meanwhile bought a box of Every Flavours, and Raphael bought a Cauldron Cake, amusing the man pushing the trolley by offering a whole galleon for the single sweet. The girl, who was called Milly Munroe, purchased a handful of Liquorice Wands.
'We better change now', Raphael said.
The others nodded, and Milly rushed to the bathroom to change alone.
Now in their robes, Lorcan and Lysander blended in far more naturally, though their long hair still marked them out as somewhat eccentric looking. Finally, the train pulled in at Hogsmeade Station, and the new students filed out of their compartments and through the doors. They heard a booming voice crying 'Firs' years, firs' years, into the boats kids!'. Of course, this was Hagrid, well-known Hogwarts game-keeper, there since long before the Second War, now with streaks of grey in his huge beard, but still with his famous warm eyes and huge size. He ushered the children into small, enchanted rowing boats. Lorcan, Lysander, Raphael and Milly clambered into one boat, and as it drifted away, they chattered happily about the castle, and Lorcan sucked on the webbed foot of his final chocolate frog.
They hit the bank with a soft 'boomf', as they got out the boat rocked worryingly, and scrambled through the mud, trying hard to keep their fresh robes immaculately clean. Soon, they were stood in the waiting room just off the Great Hall, ghosts floating dreamily over their heads, the buzz of the other years coming through the walls. A high pitched cough rang through the quiet. They looked around, and saw, in one corner, a little man on a stool, with round glasses. 'Hello, welcome to Hogwarts, I am Professor Flitwick, I will be taking you for Charms lessons. The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly, you will each be allocated a house, for which you will earn points, or lose points, depending on your behaviour and effort in your lessons. The houses are Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, each has produced many great and good witches and wizards, and wherever you are placed, I'm sure each of you will excel. The sorting will now start, please file into the hall.'
Lorcan pushed through the crowd, and burst into the beautiful hall. Candles bobbed near the enchanted ceiling, looking currently somewhat stormy, pinpricked with stars. Lysander jostled to stand behind him, and he too gazed at the ceiling. They looked down, and saw Flitwick, pushing to get through, they stood to one side politely. He pulled his stool behind him, and positioned it carefully next to another, upon which, Lysander noted, was perched the legendary Sorting Hat. The professor stood on his stool, and brandished a long scroll of parchment.
'Alderman, Christine', he squeaked, and an imperious looking girl with grey eyes and black curls.
'Slytherin', croaked the hat, and her new house erupted with cheers. Raphael went to Ravenclaw, and the twins clapped loudly.
'Brackbury, Robert', was another Slytherin, but both 'Callow, Jess', and 'Doberman, Finn', were Hufflepuffs.
Gryffindor had 'Engleman, Joey', while twins Emma and Timothy Gillard went to Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw respectively.
Lorcan suddenly worried he might be separated from Lysander, leaving him totally distracted until his name was called.
'Scamander-Lovegood, Lorcan' he scuttled over to the stool, and Flitwick lowered the hat down over his eyes.
'Much like your mother, mmm... Ah, what's this? A desire to set yourself apart from your brother, Slytherin? No, not quite sly enough, you lack the ruthless spirit... Ah... Love of learning, pronounced individuality, it has to be...'
'Ravenclaw!'