We arrived in Scotland. The four of us got off the Hogwarts Express; albeit slightly queasy due to all the sweets we ate. I still had the ginger werewolf in my mind – was looking around to see where he had got off the train. Hermione gave me a strange look, but didn't bother questioning what or whom I was searching for. I spied a tall, dark hooded figure amongst some teachers at the front, but somehow he quickly vanished. I couldn't get that voice out of my mind.
We got in the boats and began our trip to Hogwarts. We were trying to guess which house we would be sorted into. Ron was talking about how his family had always been in Gryffindor and how it was the best house. Hermione began to talk about how Godric Gryffindor co-founded the school and one of the four houses was named after him.
"I read about him in Hogwarts: A History."
I told them about the mysterious man, leaving out the fact that we were both werewolves. Sure enough, Hermione had some clue who he could be.
"I heard there was a new professor starting from across the pond; he's teaching defence against the dark arts." My curiosity and obsession only deepened.
We were grouped together with the rest of the first years. Professor McGonagall stood us at the top of a staircase in front of two large wooden doors.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. You are currently standing outside-"
"Trevor!" With a pointed look sent straight his way, Neville retreated back into the crowd.
"As I was saying, you are currently standing outside the Great Hall. But before you can be seated with the rest of your classmates, you must be sorted into your houses. Whilst you are with us, your houses will be your family. For every achievement you will be awarded house points, but for any misbehaviour house points will be deducted. There will be a trophy awarded at the end of the year for the house with the most points. There are four houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Now, without further ado, I shall check if they are ready for us. Wait here please."
"Hey, pretty girl!" A platinum-haired boy approached me. I could sense from his aura that he was a bad egg; being the cautious type, I was on my guard.
"As the most important person here, I thought I would introduce myself to the most beautiful girl here. I am Draco Malfoy, pure blood, wizard and admirer of you."
"Hello, Draco. I'm Rachel Jacobs, pure blood, witch and hater of suck ups. Excuse me."
We proceeded into the Great Hall. There were four long tables, one for each house. There were also bewitched candles, a bewitched ceiling and burning fire pits on the walls. At the top of the room there was a table, seated at which were all the teachers and the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. At the right hand of Dumbledore was the hooded wolf, whose face I was craving to see. In front of the teachers' table was a stool – on which was a rugged hat. The hat was strange though, if you pondered on it meticulously, you could almost see a face amongst the creases.
"When I read your name out, step forth and seat yourself, I will place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses. Hermione Granger."
"Gryffindor!"
"Ronald Weasley."
"Gryffindor!"
"Draco Malfoy."
"Slytherin!"
"Rachel Jacobs."
I saw the wolf at the table lean forward. For some reason, my new found friend took an interest in me.
"Hmm… you are an interesting one. There's definitely intelligence in you. Lots of intuition. And you have a firm grasp of the power inside you. Mighty, strong. I know… Ravenclaw!"
From the moment I picked up that chocolate frog card, I knew I would end up in Ravenclaw. And I couldn't be more excited. I took a seat at my table and looked up to watch the rest of my fellow first years be sorted into their house. I made friends with two more first years.
"Cho Chang."
"Ravenclaw!"
"Luna Lovegood."
"Ravenclaw!"
Throughout the rest of the ceremony, my eyes were locked with the ginger wolf at the top table. After the last student was sorted, my acute hearing heard the wolf mutter under his breath:
"You are an interesting one, miss Jacobs, definitely worth raising an eyebrow to."
