Chapter 9: Hogwarts

It was a slow stop one that Harri certainly did not notice. It was when a small hand came in contact with her shoulder that her eyes opened in seconds. Already planning on tossing the person, she stopped when she came to a realization that it was only Twiddle.

"We are here now Miss, if you ever be needing anything tickle the pear or just call my name I will come."

"Thank you I will. See you then!" In a swift moment her school robed were on her, Twiddle could have sworn that she had been wearing her normal clothes from home, but then he blinked his overly-huge purple eyes and she wasn't. "Bye, Twiddle!" Having said that she ran from the engine room and out side where the group of first years stood behind a large and hairy man.

"psst- what are we doing right now?" It was a soft whisper from of to the side coming from a tawny haired boy, slightly chubby from not having lost his baby fat.

"Oh we're waiting for the boats would you like to join me? Its four to one boat." His eyes widened at the question as though not used to being asked if he wanted something. His mouth opened and closed rather like a fish out of water a few times until he settled on nodding his head rapidly with a shy smile.

"My name's Angelica what's yours?"

"oh, me? I'm Neville."

"Nice to meet you Neville, let's go I see a free boat." The moment the words were out of my mouth I grabbed his hand gently and pulled him over to the boat. I could tell he was nervous about getting into the ratty looking boat, so I entered first. After sitting down and making sure I seemed confident I waited until Neville himself joined me. We started talking at a normal volume once the boats started moving it was rather funny how Neville was critically watching the dark water that was lapping against the moving boat.

"So Neville what house do you think you'll be in?"

"Uh, I don't mind any of them if I get to join Hogwarts, My Gran and everyone else thought I didn't have enough magic. I'll probably be Hufflepuff though, I'm not very cunning, smart or brave." he was nervously looking away as though just from admitting what he thought I would jump into the lake just to get away from him.

"Neville your here now and what does it matter if you go to Hufflepuff its just as good as any other house, loyal and hardworking I think whichever house you get into will be lucky. You really shouldn't degrade yourself it will only make things worse believe in yourself and your friends and you'll get through anything." After I finished speaking and gave a satisfied nod his head popped up in shock and stared for a moment, and frowned.

"I don't have any friends..." It was a barely heard as he mumbled the statement.

"Well what am I then?" It seems my words would keep shocking him as he went slack jawed and wide eyed.

"You want to be my friend? But your so pretty and smart and and ..and"

"Oh shut up, yes I would like to be your friend. Out of everyone I've met today who are the same age you have been the most pleasant conversation and I enjoy your company, so stop downing yourself. We're going to have to do something about thing confidence issue you have." I smiled at him and he smiled back just in silence for a moment then we saw it, Hogwarts, it was amazing. Words couldn't describe how beautiful it was seeing it from the boats, the castle was lit up and seemed to be glowing and was like something out of a dream that multiple gasps were heard.

Hagrid's loud booming voice was hear over the excited chatter once we landed. "Firs' years this way." Having said that he walked up to two large doors and knocked loudly three times.

The doors swung open in an instance, a tall gray haired witch in emerald robes stood there at her tallest. Her face seemed set in stone, very stern. Harri could tell that this teach would be strict whether she would be fair was another matter.

"I've brough' the firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you Hagrid, I will take them from here."

She pulled the doors as wide as possible. The entrance hall was enormous at least 5 ½ single houses could fit inside. The stone walls had lit torches much like the ones lining the caves of Gringotts, the ceiling did not seem to end and the marble staircases leading to upper floors were moving. The group continued to follow Professor McGonagall further into the castle until she led hem into a small empty room, where Harri could hear the faint buzz of people speaking. The room was no where near comfortable as it was rather crowded and even first years were touching shoulders in the room and rapidly peering around the room.

"Welcome to Hogwarts the start of term feast will begin shortly, when we enter follow me and then you will be sorted and you may take your seats. The sorting is very important, the house you are sorted into will be something like your family, you will spend your classes with your house and sleep within the house dormitories and any leisure time you may have can be spent in the common room. There are the four houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Syltherin. Every house has a history and great witches and wizards have emerged from each. Now while you are at Hogwarts your truimphs will earn your house points and any misconduct shall lose points. At the end of the year the house with the most point is rewarded, it is a great honor." Professor McGonagall was biased in her tone when introducing the houses of Hogwarts, or maybe only towards Slytherin.

Her eyes roamed over all the first years, holding her gaze a moment longer at Ron with his smudged nose and Hermione with her overly frizzy hair and the blonde Draco Malfoy.

"Wait one moment as I get them ready for you, quietly."

The doors closed behind her no allowing any to glance within the great hall when Hermione asked Ron, " How are we sorted into the houses? I couldn't find any mention of it in Hogwarts: A History." Ron gave her a worried glance.

"Well, my brothers told me that we would have to fight a troll."

"But we're first years, they must have been lying"

"Uhh, I figured that Puff's would gather their friends to take the troll down, Slytherins would sneak past, Ravens would take it down with spells and Gryffin's would over power it, it made sense to me..."

As many were listening in on the conversation, not having to really try in the small room, murmurs of worries carried through the group. Neville looked terrified and whispered, "Angelica, I'm going to Hufflepuff so your going to help me right?" She couldn't help but smirk.

" I don't know Neville I think I would just leave you there... you know less competition." Neville look heartbroken, scandalized and I couldn't not laugh. " I was joking, don't worry if we ever have to fight a troll I will help you out." His whole demeanor relaxed, but tensed immediately when Professor McGonagall re-entered the room, along with a ghost. The ghost caused several people to jump, including Neville.

"- What the!

"Why Hello there, I hope to see you in Hufflepuff, my old house you know." it was the Fat Friar after having said his piece he meandered away.

"Everyone in a line please, they are ready for you now." Professor McGonagall stood at the front as the doors opened .

Thank you to AmyLynn, Elfin69, LittleVampireDreamer, sometimes love isn't enough, silvermoonfae, SleepyPuppy, KaggyAlucardSesh, Observer of Life, Reyrayankar, TrueChristian19, Lily887787 and Oceanfur for your comments. I appreciate everyone I get and it motivates me to write more :)

oh and I haven't decided on which house but the next chapter thats what its going to be about so the sooner I get 10 people's opinion on which house and blah blah blah the sooner the next chapter will be out :)