Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to the Goddess J.K. Rowling. I'm simply playing in the wonderful world of her creation.
Twinkling in the dark evening, stealing all gazes from the blazing stars above, Hogwarts Castle's light beckoned forth her new students, who were now making their way to her on small enchanted boats.
Harry, Padma, and Hermione all stared in awe at the castle's grandeur from their shared watercraft. To Harry it was the most spectacular sight he had ever seen.
"It's beautiful," Padma breathed out, her eyes wide in wonder. Harry nodded in agreement.
"I've read about it but there's nothing really compared to seeing the actual thing," Hermione said the amazement clear in her reverent tone, "The castle's architecture is actually held up by magic, you know, and-"
Hermione was never able to finish past her conjunction as she was interrupted by a rather girlish scream and a loud splashing noise to the trio's left.
"Bloody hell! He fell in the lake!" cried out a voice. Struggling noises and loud screams for help were heard from whomever had fallen into the black water.
"Hang on there, I be comin'!" Hagrid loud voice echoed over the water as his larger boat began to pick up speed and head towards the screaming first year.
However before Hagrid could reach the overboard student, they were rescued by an unorthodox savior. A large tentacle rose from the water and gently picked up the student, who began to flail and scream ever louder, and placed said student safely back into the boat before sinking back beneath the surface.
A gasp was heard from Hermione, "That was the Giant Squid! It was placed in the Black Lake by Headmaster Newton Scamander over 60 years ago! How amazing to actually be able to see it!"
Padma and Harry shared a smile at their new friend's antics.
It seemed only Hermione knew about the squid's history and kind demeanor as the students around them were chatting quickly about how lucky the boy was to not have been eaten. A couple students were leering anxiously at the dark water in search of the beast and at least one girl was sobbing.
The boats lead the students to a small cove where they departed from their vessels and were lead up a set of stairs by Hagrid into the Entrance Hall.
Hogwarts interior was just as impressive as her exterior. The Entrance Hall had remarkably high ceilings and moving portraits lined its walls. Most of the portraits were waving or chatting to themselves about the new students. Enchanted torches burned brightly and cast away all dampness that might have troubled the young First Years. All except for a single red headed student who was currently dripping on the floor.
A tall, stern-looking witch with black hair tied back in a tight bun, walked up to Hagrid and began quickly and quietly talking. Hagrid nodded at something she said and then vanished through two large wooden doors.
The older looking witch then turned her attention to the students, "Hello students, I am Professor McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress here at Hogwarts. I am also the Head of Gryffindor House and the Transfiguration professor." Her gaze scanned the faces of the gathered First Years. "Tonight you will be sorted into one of four houses. Your houses will be like your families while staying here.."
Harry lost focus from McGonagall's speech as he had heard it once already from Hermione. He shyly scanned the faces of the portraits most of whom smiled and waved him. He gave them a small smile back. A couple began to whisper to each other as he looked at them but before he could find out more, McGonagall's speech suddenly altered.
"Who is making that dripping noise?" The crowd of students parted around the dripping boy very quickly. One boy spoke up, "It's him, Professor. He fell out of the boat on the way in!"
"Hmm," Professor McGonagall scrutinized the young boy, "you're a Weasley, I take it?" The boy nodded, "well Mr. Weasley, let us try to be more cautious near water from now on."
She reached into her robes and pulled out her wand. It was about nine inches, fir, and had a core of dragon heartstring. She waved it stiffly at the Weasley-boy, "Eres Seco!"
The air around the boy shimmered for a brief moment before halting and leaving the boy and the floor around him completely dry. The boy mumbled his gratitude and the Deputy Headmistress gave a nod in recognition.
McGonagall turned from the congregation of First Years to the large doors, "All of you please line up in alphabetical order behind me, we are about to begin."
Harry stood in his correct spot and watched as Professor McGonagall once again lifted her wand and in her Scottish brogue cast another spell, "Abierto!"
A white light rippled over the doors and they slowly swung open revealing the Great Hall for all the First Years to see.
Four large table filled with students were the main feature of the dinning area. Said older students were all studying the First Years carefully. The enchanted ceiling showed a starry sky and floating candles burned brightly. At the end of the hall was the staff table filled with the student's future professors. Right before the Staff Table sat a three-legged stool with a old broad-rimmed hat setting innocently upon it.
Suddenly, a tear along the brim of the hat opened and the Sorting Hat began to sing.
'To those who have just walked through the door
And to those who have returned once more
I offer greetings to one and all
Plump, skinny, short, and tall
To those who worry about where you'll have to go
And are filled with strife and woe
Let me tell you now to halt your silly fear
For I am the Sorting Hat and that is why I'm here
Our dear Hogwarts has four houses each noble and true
My job is to find the one that is just right for you
Godric's house for those of courageous heart and deed
Gryffindor is for those who into battle lead
Salazar wanted those of pure blood and tradition
Slytherin also looked for those of cunning and ambition
Helga took in all that simply did just ask
Hufflepuffs are loyal folk and work hard at every task
Rowena always took those of wit and sharp mind first
Ravenclaw is for those for which knowledge is their thirst
So now of these important facts you are all aware
But only I, this thinking hat, knows how you will fare
Thank you all for listening to my wondrous song
Always remember that I am simply never wrong
Now here we go, it's our favorite time once again
Time to pick and choose, Let the Sorting now begin!'
The Sorting Hat's song was meet with thunderous applause that Professor McGonagall calmed as she walked up the aisle to the hat, picked up a rather long list and called out the first name.
"Abbot, Hannah!"
A blond girl walked quickly up to the stool. She hopped on and McGonagall placed the hat down upon her head.
Harry listened for a few brief moments before the hat yelled out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The Hufflepuff table yelled and applauded and the girl got off the seat and moved to her table. As she walked, Harry noticed her robes had changed. The tie visible through the neck had turned from pure white to yellow-and-black diagonal stripes. Also the Hogwarts crest on her right breast was now the crest of Hufflepuff. Or at least that is what Harry assumed it was as it was too far for him to see clearly.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Boot, Trevor!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Brocklehurst, Mandy!"
"RAVENCLAW!
"Brown, Lavender!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Bulstrode, Millicent!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
Harry watched as all the houses gained their first new members. The sorting continued like this for a couple minutes and Harry found himself becoming more and more nervous as each name was called.
"Goldstein, Anthony!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Granger, Hermione!"
Hermione's sorting took the longest so far and Harry seem to hold his breath the entire way through. Finally, the hat opened it's tear and yelled out, "RAVENCLAW!"
Hermione smiled and made her way to the applauding Ravenclaw table. Harry saw her uniform change as well and began to wonder what the crests looked like.
The sorting went smoothly through a couple more names before it hit another snag.
"Longbottom, Neville!"
The pudgy boy had walked up and been on the stool for even longer than Hermione when the hat finally yelled out, "GRYFFINDOR!" Harry thought the hat sounded smug for some reason.
Two more names were called and sorted before the fastest sorting of the night occurred.
"Malfoy, Draco!"
The hat didn't make it completely on the blond's head before it yelled out "SLYTHERIN!"
Harry's nerves were becoming overbearing now and he thought he might be ill. His growing anxiety distracted him from the next couple students until Padma was called and he looked up.
"Patil, Padma!"
Padma walked on wobbly legs up to the stool and Harry tried to give her a smile but the hat was swiftly placed over her eyes.
"RAVENCLAW!"
The hat's verdict double Harry's panic. His only two friends were now in the same house together and he felt like he might be devastated if he wasn't added to Rowena's house as well.
Padma's sister Parvati and one Sally-Anne Perkins were sorted into Gryffindor and then it was Harry's turn. He really felt like he was going to be sick.
"Potter, Harry!"
The entire hall got oddly silent and Harry felt all eyes in the room turn on him. He thankfully made it to Professor McGonagall and the hat without tripping or passing out. As he got up on the stool he turned to where Padma and Hermione were sitting next to each other smiling at him. Harry gave a weak smile back and then it was pitch darkness under the brim of the Sorting Hat.
"Well hello my dear boy! Let's take a look at what's going between your ears and we'll send you off on your way. Now let's see here."
Harry was momentarily startled at the sudden voice of the hat and almost fell backwards off the stool.
"Woah there! Please be careful young man. It would be horrible for both of us if you fell!" The hat chuckled, "Now back to business! You have quite a bit of cunning but you don't have the strong of an urge to prove yourself. However you have quite a bit of undiscovered courage here. And a chivalrous heart as well. Gryffindor seems to be the best place to send you off to then!"
Harry felt the hat above him begin to speak and in a panic mentally screamed out one very loud and forceful thought, "WAIT!"
"My dear boy, what is the matter? What? You don't want to go to Gryffindor? Why ever- Oh! I see! Your friends aren't in Gryffindor and you want to be with them. That's very loyal of you. You would do well in Hufflepuff it seems Ah! It seems I've also missed quite a keen mind in here. Sloppy work of me really. Although your not the smartest wizard of your year yet, you have a want and a will to learn all that you can. That thirst for knowledge can only take you one place,"
"RAVENCLAW!"
It took Harry a moment to realize the last word was said out loud. He felt his uniform shift to fit his new house and then he realized that it had actually happened. A smile exploded across his face and he was about to thank the hat but McGonagall lifted it off his head and then he was walking to sit with his friends and new housemates who were all very loudly cheering. He smiled at them all and blushed slightly with embarrassment when one older student took out a wand. "Escribo Superfluo!" Blue sparks flew up from the tip of the wand to form together in the air the message: "WE GOT POTTER!" Harry heard someone else say "Festivis!" and saw small blue fireworks fly into the air.
Hermione and Padma both smiled at him as he sat down and various people sitting around him introduced themselves.
After the commotion had died down and the magic cast by the student was halted, the sorting continued with Lisa Turpin and Ron Weasley going to Gryffindor and Blaise Zabini going to Slytherin.
McGonagall took the sorting Hat from the stool and placed it in front of a white bearded grandfatherly looking man with half-moon spectacles and twinkling blue eyes. Harry realized this must be Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster.
Dumbledore stood and smiled warmly at all the students. He pulled out a wand from the sleeve of his robe and tapped the Sorting Hat and pointed at the stool. "Partir."
With a small pop both objects vanished from the room.
"Good evening students and welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore smiled and waited for the cheers to silence before he began speaking, "before our announcements I have a few words I would like to say. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" The students entered thunderous applause once more.
Dumbledore spoke after the crowd calmed, "Now we have quite a bit of announcements to get through this year before we can get to our lovely feast." Groans filled the air. "First off, I would like to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forest is as its name would suggest forbidden. As is the third-floor corridor this year as well. Also, our caretaker Mr. Filtch would like to remind all students that all practical joke items are banned. A complete list of such items may be found outside Mr. Filtch's office."
Dumbledore's eyes gained a couple more twinkles as he looked to two twins in Gryffindor who smiled innocently back.
"Now then, this year the staff have decided that we will be giving a complete introduction of Professors so as to help our newer students and to introduce our older students to some of our new faculty." Even more groans were heard from all the Houses.
"Now as you may be aware, I am Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and I am the Headmaster." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled brightly at his short introduction
"Now onto our Head of Houses!" he turned to Professor McGonagall, "This is Professor McGonagall our Deputy Headmistress, Transfiguration Professor and Head of Gryffindor."
Next was a short little man with graying brown hair and a bushy brown mustache, "This is Professor Flitwick, Charms Professor and Head of Ravenclaw House."
Harry thought his head of house looked rather kind and was glad that his House Head wasn't one of the more intimidating professor's up there.
Next was a man who looked to be in his early thirties. He had greasy hair, pale skin, and a rather large nose. "Here is Professor Snape who is our Potions Professor and Head of Slytherin House."
A large cheery looking woman was the final of the Heads, "Professor Sprout is Head of Hufflepuff and our Herbology Professor."
"Now our other Professors!" Dumbledore's twinkling was in full force as he heard the students groan. He gave them all a kind grandfatherly smile before continuing.
"Our Astronomy Professor, Professor Sinistra." A tall dark skinned woman stood up and nodded at the students.
"Our Arithmancy Professor, Professor Vector." A skinny woman with her auburn hair tied back in a small high ponytail stood and waved.
"Professor Trelawney, our Divination Professor." A frizzed hair woman with large glasses that made her eyes resemble those of an owl stood up clumsily and knocked over her wine goblet.
"Madame Hooch, our Quidditch Referee and Flight Instructor." A silver haired woman who still looked rather young stood. Her yellow hawk eyes scanned the students.
"Our Nurse, Madame Pomfrey is preparing her stock of potions still so she is unfortunately not dinning with us tonight." Dumbledore waited a moment and thne continued, "And now our new Professors!" The students seem to sit up more attentively at the news of fresh meat.
"Professor Quirriel has decided to move from Muggle studies to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts." A nervous looking man wearing a turban stood up shakily and waved. "His replacement at his old post will be Professor Burbage." A young brunette woman stood and smiled at the students.
"Professor Kettleburn has decided to retire early this year in order to spend time with his remaining limbs," There were a few chuckles in the hall, "So this year we have Professor Lapina as our Care of Magical Creatures Professor." A young woman stood and waved cheerily at the students. Her blond hair was up in a most peculiar style: Two buns-one on each side of her head- and from these buns cascaded hip-length streams of hair.
"Professor Lapina has also decided she is in need of an assistant so our grounds keeper, now Professor Hagrid will be helping her." Dumbledore stressed Hagrid's title as Hagrid stood and waved.
"Professor Babbling, our Ancient Runes Professor, has also decided to retire and will be replaced this year by Professor Rosette." A tall dark haired man with a very muscular physique stood and gave the students a cheerful grin and a wave. Harry could hear older girls around the hall giggle and murmur.
"Finally, Professor Binns has realized that he has an unfortunate hatred of children and has left the castle." Cheers exploded through the Great Hall.
"Now now, I'm sure Professor Binns will be greatly missed," Dumbledore eyes twinkled rather mischievously, "But we all must move on sometimes. So for his replacement as Professor of History of Magic, we have Professor Herodotus!"
A young man with short brown hair stood up and gave the students a friendly smile. His rectangular glasses reflected the light from the candles happily.
"Now the moment we have all been waiting for! Time to Eat!" Dumbledore waved his hand and a huge feast appeared on each table. Harry had never seen so much food in his life!
"Harry isn't this so exciting!" Hermione squealed a she put some turkey on her plate, "we are all in the same house!"
Harry grinned, "Yeah, I'm glad that I'm with both my friends-" Harry blushed as he realized he had just called them his friends out loud for the first time.
Padma smiled at him, "Well, I'm glad I'm with both my friends as well. I've never had very good friends before.
"I haven't had many friends at all either," Hermione agreed, "but I'm very glad that I have both of you."
Harry's felt his blush darken, "Thanks you guys," Harry looked at his two new official friends, "Now can someone hand pace me some turkey? I'm starving!"
Laughter surrounded the trio and Harry felt at home for the first time in his life.
_._
"Ravenclaw First Years, follow me please!"
The new members of Rowena's house were currently following one of their Prefects to their common room which was apparently at the top of a high tower as Harry had just walked up a lot of step and could feel blisters forming on his sore feet.
At last they reached a wooden door with a bronze eagle-head knocker and no door knob. The prefect turned to the first years.
"Hello everyone! I'm Robert Hilliard and I'm delighted to welcome you to Ravenclaw House! As you all probably know our founder was Rowena Ravenclaw, our emblem is an eagle, and our colors are blue and bronze. Now most of you know Ravenclaw is for the cleverest of minds and though this is true, it's not the biggest trait that all Ravenclaw's share."
Robert looked each of the new students in the eye before continuing, "Rowena Ravenclaw prized students who loved learning and that is why you are all here. You don't have to be a genius to get into Ravenclaw, you simply have to love to learn." He grinned, "Although Ravenclaws do usually end up being geniuses anyways." The first years all laughed.
"Also we are the house that has the most eccentric people, but we genius don't tend to stay in step with ordinary folk. This means we accept all differences of other people. Our biggest rule is that you not make fun of being for being different. We are all birds of a feather and we stick together. Bullying of anyone because they have an eccentric way of thinking will not be tolerated." Robert looked thoughtful for a moment.
"But since the Sorting Hat put you here, you would never think of doing that anyways." The first years smiled. "Now is anybody's feet sore or have blisters?"
A few students raised their hands including Harry.
Robert nodded, "Alright then, I'm going to cast a spell that you all should learn as it will be quite useful to you in the future," He pulled out his wand and waved it at the new Ravenclaw's feet, "Curo Pieso!"
A cooling sensation washed over Harry's feet and he felt his blisters vanishing. By the happy murmuring around him he guessed his housemates were just as pleased.
Robert gave a small mock bow, "And now my second spell and one of the perks you all get for being in Ravenclaw," He waved his wand at their feet again, "Zapatus Bien!"
The First Year's shoes all glowed a bright green for a moment and Harry instantly felt his footwear become more comfortable.
"This spell will enchant your shoes so your feet won't get tired and you won't get blisters. It will wear off in a couple weeks so just ask a Ravenclaw from an Upper Year and they would be happy to cast it for you again."
Robert now turned to the door behind him, "This is the entrance to Ravenclaw Common Room. Unlike the other three common rooms, which are guarded by Portraits and a password, we have Frizzo." He pointed to the bronze eagle head, "Just knock and Frizzo will ask you a single riddle. You have to solve it to open the door. It's kept the other houses out for centuries."
Hermione raised her hand into the air, "Excuse me, but what if we don't know the answer to the riddle?"
Robert smiled, "Then you have to wait for someone to show up to help you solve it. It's not unusual to see large groups of Ravenclaws standing outside the door trying to figure out the riddle. It's a great way to learn from and to meet new people. But you should always double check that you have all of your things before leave because it can be a hassle if you have to get back in in a hurry and can't solve the riddle."
A tall, skinny boy raised his hand this time, "So are you saying we should carry all the books we need around with us all day?"
Robert nodded, "Yes that is exactly what I'm saying. Now another perk of being in Ravenclaw is if you just ask any of your Higher Year Eagles they will gladly cast a Feather-Weight Charm on your bag for you."
Harry found himself being quite thankful that he was in Ravenclaw.
Robert took a hold of the handle and gave a loud knock. A musical voice answered him from the eagle-head, "What part of a bird may land on water but never get wet?"
The First Years all turned to Robert who just smiled at them, "This is your guy's first riddle so I'm going to make you all figure it out."
Harry watched as everyone started thinking and talking to each other. Hermione and Padma were quickly discussing it and Harry could imagine the gears spinning rapidly in their heads.
A couple students gave Frizzo answers but he politely told them they were incorrect.
Harry began to contemplate the riddle himself. 'What part of a bird never gets wet when it touches water?'
The turkey and delicious food was beginning to make him drowsy. He could feel the fog forming in his mind.
He shook his head, 'You're a Ravenclaw Harry! You have to figure it out yourself! You can't just hid in the shadows and wait for others-'
The answer quite suddenly hit Harry and dispelled the fog in an instant. Although slightly unsure of his answer, he walked up to the bronze knocker. Everyone turned their attention to him to see what he came up with
"The answer is its shadow," Harry said nervously. For a brief moment, Frizzo said nothing and Harry's heart fell when he realized he must be wrong. Then Frizzo spoke,
"Very well done." And with that the door swung open.
After his housemates congratulated him, he was guided into the common room. Robert told them that is was late and they would get a full tour of the common room tomorrow but for now they should go to bed.
"Dormitories are up those steps. Boys on the right, girls on the left. Your names will be by your door and your luggage will be inside. You will get your schedules tomorrow at breakfast."
Robert wished them a good-night.
Harry said good-night to the girls before making his way to his new dormitory. On the wall next to the door was a small plaque:
This is the dormitory of First-Years:
Stephen Cornfoot
Kevin Entwhistle
Harry Potter
Oliver Rivers
His luggage was by the foot of a fourpost bed with midnight blue curtains and sky blue silk eiderdowns that covered the soft looking mattress.
A note on the top of his trunk informed him that Hestia had been placed in the Owlery. Slightly saddened that he would be unable to see his familiar tonight, Harry made his way through his nightly routine. By the time his other three roommates had made it in, Harry James Potter was in bed and fast asleep.
A/N: I have no idea why Chapter 4 is twice the average length of the other chapters. I just had so much to write about that by the time I realized it was so much, I couldn't bare to delete any of it! Anyways as we can see, we have some more changes this chapter! Harry and Hermione are Ravenclaws! Yay! (I suspect most of you guessed that would be happening :P) Also a couple students who were supposed to be Ravenclaws have been switched from their House as I didn't want too many people in Ravenclaw. A full list of the 39 students in Harry's year will be in next chapter if you are curious. Ron fell in the lake! That scene was quite amusing to write and is actually important! Just so you all know there will be no character bashing in this story. Yes, some embarrassing moments will be happening to people but I refuse to just bash characters because I dislike them. Oh in case your wondering, my Dumbledore is a good one. No evil manipulating happening in this story. I own my OC's although Professor Lapina is based off a character from a different fanon. :) And I own my Sorting Hat song! I worked hard on that thing! ;)
Thanks to 123 and firebird-fenix for your lovely reviews and thanks to all those who favorited and put this story on alert. You are all amazing! firebird-fenix: Thank you for your advice! Unfortunately, most of those things you mentioned will not be happening in this story. I have my own secret plans. ;)
Original Spells in this Chapter:
Eres Seco - Drying Charm
Abierto- Opening Charm (Ch. 1)
Partir- Short-Distance Transferring Spell
Escribo Superfluo- Sparkling Banner Charm
Festivis- Minature Firework Charm
Curo Pieso- Foot Healing Spell
Zapatus Bien- Comfortable Traveling Charm
Edit: Shame on me! I forgot to add the Ancient Runes Professor! He's there now so if you want to know that OC you can go up and read about him. :)