Authors note: I am so, so, SO, sorry I took so long. I haven't really had time to work on anything, mostly because of seeing awesome friends, and having no wifi connection, plus no notes. That is a serious pain, let me tell you. For now on, I am writing notes on my drive. Okay, sorry. I am kinda half asleep right now, but I didn't want to disappoint anyone. Heads up, I am not going to be writing as much. School is coming up, and I gotta do homework, and of course there is preseason (I am not ready for that). Also, I have a new idea for a Fanfic. I am going to finish that before I post it because, well, it is a little bit nicer, right. Okay, please comment if you like, or don't like. It is nice to get emails! Okay, enjoy...

Chapter 4

Sorting

Arthur didn't realize he had dozed off when Kiku shook him awake. "Arthur, we are almost there. People are already in their robes."

Arthur couldn't help but groan. It was rather comfy on those velvet cushions. Grumbling, he lowered his trunk from the rack and opened it to find his robes neatly folded on top. He heard Alfred laugh behind him, but he rushed out the door, determined not to be insulted.

He regretted going out into the hallway as soon as he left the doors. Students of every year were bustling about. Arthur almost tripped over spare robes and flailing limbs as he tracked through the tight hallway of feathers and black robes. It was finally when a second year knocked him sideways and he fell, did he actually get help.

It was from a long haired Asian kid, dressed in yellow cuffed robes, and holding a book. He lent a hand to Arthur, reprimanding the kid who knocked him down. He had a heavy Chinese accent. "For god's sake, Im Yong, do no knock around first-years. Bad for reputation. How many times do I tell you, aru."

Despite the boys scolding, the other student ran away laughing. He was wearing red lined robes. The boy with yellow robes sighed. "Do not mind my Brother. He is trouble, aru."

"Uhh, don't worry. Ummm, thanks." Arthur couldn't help but feel intimidated by the older student. "Umm, I hate to ask, but do you know of a place where I can change into my robes?" Arthur looked at the ground, he hated asking for help.

The Chinese boy ahead of him smiled. "Yes, keep going down this hallway, and bathrooms in next compartment, aru." He then looked around. In a hushed tone, he started. "But there is a more convenient place, a closet in the last compartment. I use that, aru." He smiled and then jolted when a hand appeared on his shoulder.

"Yao, you left me behind." It came from a sweet sounding voice in a thick Russian accent, from a rather tall older student. He looked like he wouldn't hurt a fly, but something about him gave Arthur the creeps, maybe it was because the yellow robed boy was shivering in terror.

"I-Ivan." The Chinese boy was stuttering. Arthur slipped around them, not wanting to get involved. That tall boy in the green lined robes was scary. Arthur couldn't help but racewalk.

He managed to get in his robes and back to the compartment unscathed. He realized that the train was slowing as he sat back down next to Mathias, who was snoring on Lukas' shoulder. Lukas was still reading his book on trolls.

When the train finally came to a stop, everybody almost fell out of their seats, except Lukas who was still reading peacefully. Only Mathias truly fell from his seat onto Alfred's lap, who shoved him off laughing. They all squeezed out of the apartment as soon as they could. Tripping over their robes, and almost falling on other students.

The evening air was cool, although, in the huddle of people, Arthur could only feel it on his face. He almost lost track of his new friends from the bustle of much taller students with colored robes. Just as he was about to lose himself in the crowd for sure, he heard a booming voice over the screams and chatter of the older students.

"First years follow me." It came from a giant wall of a man, twice the height of a human, and three times as wide. A large beard knotted together like a bird's nest lay on his chin, and his brown eyes crinkled with a large smile. Arthur didn't know whether to run away, scream, freeze, or go and hug the kind looking man. Instead, he just walked towards him.

Arthur was one of the last to join the group of children his age, all lugging around trunks and cages like his. He stood next to Kiku on the edge of the crowd of about forty and listened to the giant man.

"Welcome, first years to Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. I am Rubeus Hagrid, and I shall be taking you to Hogwarts. Drop your things there, they will be taken care of." He waved his hand to a cleared space on the platform. He then started to walk down a dark path into the woods.

All the little eleven-year-olds group together around the small path, looking like nervous little wrecks. Only Alfred was away from the group, trailing behind Hagrid and laughing like a dog. Arthur scowled at this.

Although the path was rather short, maybe a half a kilometer, it still felt like forever. None of the fading sunlight seemed to pass through the thick layers of leaves above, and eerie noises leaked from the trees. Hagrid seemed unfazed by the woods, in fact, he looked rather joyous leading the way, chatting with Alfred.

Before any of the eleven-year-olds knew, they turned a corner, and an explosion of light appeared. In front of them lay a pristine lake, almost fading out into the distance. Orange, yellow, pink, and purple light reflected off the black surface, almost like fire. Deep shades of red, and light shades of blue complemented on the sidelines. It was unreal to Arthur, like his fairy tale books at home.

Nothing could prepare him for the next thing he saw. It was a castle, large and ominous, with faint sparkles of light coming from out windows. Multiple towers grew from the tower, casting shadows upon the lake. Although the castle was hidden in shadow, it was dazzling with color. It was breathtaking.

Arthur was in a trance as he was hustled into a small little boat with Kiku and Lukas. Kiku seemed just as breath-taken as Arthur, but Lukas was still reading his book, casting an occasional glance as the magnificent castle.

As soon as each boat was filled with three, except for one carrying Hagrid, they magically took off, leaving a small wake behind them. They went at a slow pace, dragging in the water, but Arthur didn't really notice, he just watched the castle ahead start to sparkle with torchlight.

It was dark by the time they rode into a small glass boat house. As soon as the students left a boat, it slunk away to their home. Hagrid led them out of the boat house to a flight of stairs that seemed to go on forever. Only torches lay on the walls, lighting the way for the students. No one was talking, all thoughts were on the sight they had just seen.

They eventually came up to a tall room seeming to go up forever. Staircases were everywhere. Going up, going down, going nowhere, and even some going sideways. Arthur gasped as they started to move about, creaking slightly.

The most dazzling sight of all was the pictures on the wall. They seemed to be moving from one frame to another and talking. Arthur heard the faint mumbling of different voices. Although Arthur was sincerely impressed, some of the others were not. They had started to talk amongst each other.

Arthur was about to ask Lukas when a stout gentleman came out of a giant doorway. He was wearing grand robes and had a fine white beard on his face. In a squeaky voice, he started to talk. "Hello first years, I am professor Flitwick. I teach charms here at Hogwarts, and I am the Deputy headmaster here too." He gave a high-pitched squeal at this, and continued, "Now, we are going to sort you into houses in a few moments. Please wait patiently."

He gave a cheeky smile and hurried back inside. After peaking inside the doors, he hustled them in. All the first years walked in timidly, shuffling feet, afraid to go inside. As the first student came within a few meters from the door, it swung open, revealing a grand hallway, with four long tables, all almost filled with upperclassmen.

The ceiling was domed, but it was unlike a ceiling Arthur had ever seen. It was covered in stars, and small gray clouds floated across it. It was an exact copy of the sky outdoors. Thousands of floating white candles lined the room, bobbing up and down, bumping into one another. It was truly magical.

The first years were a little less timid as they shuffled into the room, gasping at the ceiling. Even those who grew up with wizard parents were amazed by the beautiful sight. No one could take their eyes away.

Standing at a pedestal was a rather cross looking lady, with a broad pointed hat, and a tight bun. She wore emerald green robes and thick square glasses. Streaks of gray lined her black hair, and her green eyes looked like they could read your mind. Arthur instantly liked her.

When all the little first years finally got to the end of the hall, she started speaking in a regal voice. "Good evening first years, I am Professor McGonagall, Headmistress of this school." She gave a thin-lipped smile. "We are now going to sort you into houses." She waved a hand to four banners on a wall, one red, one blue, one yellow, and one green.

"Okay, let's see." She pointed her wand to the green banner. "This is Slytherin," the farthest table to the left cheered and whooped, along with a rather fat man at the head table. McGonagall pursed her lips, not amused. "The house for the cunning and ambitious."

She then pointed to the blue banner. "Ravenclaw." a few whoops came from the next table over, along with a nod from professor Flitwick. "Home of the clever and wise."

She then pointed to the red banner, but before she could speak, the second middle table started cheering. It seemed like McGonagall was trying to scowl, but she couldn't do it. Slightly exasperated, once the cheering calmed, she started again. "Gryffindor," The cheering started again, but louder than before. This time, McGonagall did frown in disapproval. "Home of the brave and true."

Finally, she pointed to the last banner, yellow and bright. "And Hufflepuff." This cheer was timid, but still present. "Home of the Diligent and loyal."

She then raised her wand in the air, and from behind her rose a beaten up old had and stool. It floated above her and plopped down in front of the pedestal. "Let us begin."

Flitwick was right beside the stool, holding the hat. He called out in his squeaky voice. "Arlouskaya, Natalia"

A rather frightening but pretty girl walked up to the front, a frown on her face. She sat on the stool, head high. Professor Flitwick had just barely placed the hat on her head, when it shouted, "Slytherin!" Arthur jumped up, not expecting the hat to speak.

She walked off to the far table, a small smile on her face. Arthur noticed she move a couple of students aside to sit next to the tall Russian sounding boy from before. He looked quite terrified of her.

A couple of other students went by, a couple to Hufflepuff, one to Gryffindor, and one girl to Ravenclaw. It wasn't till a tall blond haired boy named Ludwig did someone go to into Slytherin. His hair was slicked back, and he looked studios, and grumpy. He sat next to the white haired boy with the red eyes Arthur had seen on the platform and train.

Right after the blond boy, Lukas was called up. He shuffled to the top, book still in hand. This earned him a couple of snickers from a couple of tables, but he didn't seem to notice. Unlike the other students, the hat took a bit longer with Lukas. After a couple long moments, it said. "Ravenclaw!" Lukas just nodded, and slunk to the middle table, a small smile on his face.

Students with surnames starting with C, D, E, F, and G went by in a haze. Arthur was slightly bored. He didn't really care about these students, they were just going to the same school. He just wanted to learn his house, eat, and fall asleep. He awoke when Flitwick called. "Honda, Kiku."

Arthur watched as Kiku scrunched up his face, and clenched his fist. Arthur gave him a pat on the back as he passed, wishing him luck under his breath.

Kiku's went just like Lukas's. A few painful moments passed before the hat called out. "Ravenclaw." Arthur gave him the thumbs up as Kiku looked at him, smiling. Arthur couldn't help but feel slightly nervous. Ravenclaw was shaping up to be a pretty pleasant house, with both Kiku and Lukas. Arthur secretly hoped he would be in that one too.

Arthur was surprised when there were no I's, but it instead skipped to, "Jones, Alfred." Arthur realized a second before getting plowed over that it was the American, and was rather thankful when Mattie corrected him. Arthur gave a nod of thanks.

The hat wasn't even on Alfred's head when it cried out. "Gryffindor!" Alfred jumped off, and almost sprinted towards the table, looking rather excited.

Arthur expected Mattie to go next, considering they were brothers, but instead someone else was called. Arthur gave Mattie a puzzled look.

"Hey Mattie, aren't you and Alfred brothers."

Mattie nodded. "We have different surnames. He has our mothers, I have my fathers."

Arthur was about to reply when he heard the dreaded words. "Kirkland, Arthur." He couldn't hide the beginning flush in his cheeks.

The walk to the stool felt like an eternity. Every single eye was on him, Flitwick, McGonagall, his new friends, the upperclassmen. It was Arthur's living nightmare. He sat in the stool, fearing for his life, but mostly pride, when the hat covered his eyes, bringing complete darkness.

You are a strange one, Kirkland was it. Never have I seen a Kirkland here at Hogwarts. Now, let's see where to put you.

Arthur tensed up at the strange voice inside his head. He couldn't help his thoughts. Well Kirkland or not, I want to get into a house, right now.

Arthur could almost feel the hat chuckling inside his mind, which is a rather strange feeling. You do have a sharp tongue, or should i say, sharp mind. And you are cunning as well, I can see it. You want to do well here, want to be known. You are brave too, but more on the cocky side. I think you would be a good Slytherin, but Gryffindor will go quite nicely. But what to choose.

Arthur couldn't contain himself. What about Ravenclaw. My friends are in there, and well, I like blue.

He got another strange laugh. I like you, Arthur right, I will keep you in my books. Well, I guess Ravenclaw would work, you are smart, and you will do well. Yes, that is the one…

"Ravenclaw." The hat yelled out, rattling in Arthur's ears.

He heard the Ravenclaw table cheer loudly at this and beamed as Flitwick shook his hand. "Welcome, Arthur."

Arthur felt a little better as he walked to the table, sitting next to Kiku. The black haired boy smiled at him. "Are you okay, Arthur?"

Arthur gave him a puzzled look. "Why would I not be?"

"Well, you were under the hat for a long time."

Arthur's face reddened. "Is that bad?"

Kiku laughed. "No, not at all. It just made it more suspenseful."

Arthur felt someone slip in next to him, he expected another first year, but instead, he found the stupid Frenchie from before, smirking at him. "Honhonhon, look who turned up in my house."

Arthur felt a deep pit growing in his stomach. Of course, he was in this twats house, he shouldn't have talked to the hat.

"Oh no, it's that slimy french frog from the train." He rolled his eyes and turned back towards Kiku, hoping for some conversation that didn't include the Frenchie behind him.

"Thank you, mon sourcils, I guess you remembered I love frogs, how sweet." He smiled sweetly, making Arthur want to gag.

"Go away twat. I know who is being sorted." It was indeed true, Mathias had just been called, and was walking up to the stool. The Frenchie just rolled his eyes and left, muttering something in french.

Mathias was called into Gryffindor, causing Lukas to almost smirk. Well, good for Lukas, Arthur thought.

A Toris went to Gryffindor, a Felik to Hufflepuff. The tall blond boy from the train named Berwald was sent to Ravenclaw with Arthur, and his friend to Hufflepuff. Two twins were separated into different houses, one into Hufflepuff, the other to Gryffindor. The one with Auburn hair that went to Hufflepuff looked slightly distraught, but the other looked slightly pleased until he sat next to Alfred and Mathias who were making a racket.

And Eduard came to Ravenclaw, looking at Berwald like he was about to ponce. By that time, Arthur couldn't keep his eyes opened. He was tired, and the brief rest on the train had not helped him. He didn't really pay attention until one person was left, and that was Mattie.

Mattie was under the hat for a while, and Arthur understood the suspense part of it. Arthur was hungry and tired by that point, but it was still nerve-racking, watching his friend up on the stool. He was finally put into Hufflepuff, and the stool and had disappeared. Arthur felt excited again, for something big was about to happen.

McGonagall went back to the podium again as Flitwick hurried to the staff table. Arthur suddenly dreaded another long speech. She took a deep breath before starting. "Okay, there are only two things I have to say. No going into the forbidden forest under any circumstances and don't leave the dormitories after curfew. Now, I am not as good at speeches as our late Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore." She dabbed at her eyes, and a large trumpet sounding noise came from Hagrid who was now sitting down. She continued with, "but I know you are all hungry, so eat up." She then pursed her lips and turned on her heels to the table.

Arthur sighed as she finished, and turned around to see a table piled high with food. There was anything imaginable, buckets of chips, large chunks of fried fish, small sandwiches, fruits, meat, pasta. Arthur made himself busy stuffing his plate high with delectable foods. In seconds he had made it through his first plate and was half way through his second. He hadn't realized the hunger gnawing on his belly.

By the time he was halfway through his third plate is when he hit a wall. He didn't quite remember walking up long corridors, and tall stairwells. He didn't really remember the strange moving paintings as they greeted the children. He didn't really remember the talking eagle on the door, nor the gentle purr of Oliver on his shoulder. All he remembered was falling into a soft bed, with beautiful blue sheets, and sinking into the peace of a good night sleep.