Selection is strictly done, applications are done in a timely manner, and the classes are as hard as breaking a brick wall with a butter knife. There was no way I was getting into Hogwarts. I had as much chance as a breadstick. Of course, "luck" is always on my side.
After the Time of Chaos, when Lord Voldemort bravely battled the crashing Hogwarts School and the troublemaker, Harry Potter, the school changed. It became stricter, with tighter security, and a smaller amount of classes. Divination was kicked out, along with Care of Magical Creatures, Arithmancy, Flying, Study of Ancient Runes, and Herbology.
Hogwarts, overall, is a better place now. I guess I should have felt excited, but I didn't. No one I knew had been selected, and I was horrible at magic. The only thing I had managed to do since I was five (and accidently set my aunt's hair on fire), was light candles on my birthday cake.
"It's for your own good," my mother said, stuffing my new Hogwarts robes into my suitcase. They were white, a symbol of purity and wisdom. She also put in my mask, which I wasn't so excited about. All Hogwarts students were required to wear pale white masks during school hours. They were flat-faced, and lacked adequate nose holes.
"I suck at magic," I said, which was a legit argument, just not in my mother's mind.
"Here," she said, and handed me my wand. "Cast a spell."
"Lumos," I said forcefully. The wand quivered, and then lay still in my hands. "I can't do magic to save my life."
"I bet you're just better at a certain type of magic," My mother assured me. I doubted that ever would be true.
–––––––––––
The castle loomed over me, twice as large as the Old Hogwarts, which only made up the southern section of the large castle. Three whole towers were dedicated to Defense Against the Dark arts.
When I entered into the grand hall, thousands of eyes were staring at me. I followed the rest of the First Years to the front of the hall, where the teachers sat in a line in front of us, their eyes scanning us for any flaw… and little imperfection.
"Your houses are preselected," an old woman said. She was wearing a white top hat with a cross-stitched H on the front. "Slytherin is for our bravest, and most successful students. Ravenclaw is for those with twice as many brains as the typical wizard… or witch! Hufflepuff is for the most loyal people known. Gryffindor is for the cowards and shameful students."
Many First Years started whispering. I wanted anything but Gryffindor. The Gryffindor table looked fairly full, though.
"Abigail Leonard!" the woman called out. "Ravenclaw!"
One of the First Years hurried to join the Ravenclaws.
"Brenan Lands! Slytherin!"
"Lance Doyle! Slytherin!"
"Maria Sullivan! Hufflepuff!"
It went on and on, until finally, my name was called.
"Zinnia Clark! Gryffindor!"