"Firs' years, firs' years over here! Arigh' there, 'arry?" Harry nodded at his half giant friend. Hagrid was his very first friend. He's the one who told Harry that he's a Wizard.
When Harry nodded to his half-giant friend, Hagrid turned back to his work. "Firs' years, firs' years! Anymore firs' years? Well follow me! Watch your steps!" And he began to lead them down a really rocky slope.
But when they reached the end of the road (Harry never really let go of Hermione's hand), and Hagrid pushed aside some bushes, the air was very suddenly filled with" Oooooooh"s and "Aaaaaaah"s. Our heros included. But who could blame them? The castle looked like it got straight out of a fairytale!
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Harry and Hermione were followed into their boat by Ron and a boy that Hermione said was Neville.
"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then — FORWARD!"
And the fleet of little boats all moved at Hagrid's command, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead (Harry and Hermione still held on to each other's hand). It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.
"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.
Harry let go of Hermione's hand, climbed out of the boat first, then held his hand out for her, and she accept his help gratefully.
Ron, though, wasn't as grateful. Once he was out of the boat he pushed past Hermione without a glance or a second thought.
The first thing that crossed our heroes minds at the moment was 'That arrogant little little git.' Though, in Harry's case, a long list of colorful words followed.
They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.
"Everyone 'ere? Okay, then!" Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid to the tall, stern looking Witch that opened the door.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." Professor McGonagall answered.
They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Harry could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right — the rest of the school must already be here — but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. Where they were so cramped together that Harry found it hard to breath (which was saying something considering his size).
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room.
"The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule-breaking will lose House points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." She said looking disapprovingly at Harry's mope of a hair, Neville's clock that was fastened under his left ear, and Ron's smudged nose. Harry nervously tried to flatten his hair.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."
Everyone was so nervous that no one dared to speak. Except for Hermione, who was whispering very fast about all the spells she'd learned and wondering which one she'd need. Harry (whose hand is most likely glued to her's by now) gave her a comforting squeeze, which she responded to with a grateful smile.
Then something happened that made both of them jump about a foot in the air and several people behind them screamed.
"What the — ?" Harry began.
Then he gasped. So did the people around him. About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall.
Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be arguing. What looked like a fat little monk was saying "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance —"
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghos — What are you all doing here?"
A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years.
Nobody answered.
"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them. "About to be Sorted, I suppose?"
A few people nodded mutely.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar. "My old House, you know."
"Move along now," said Professor McGonagall, who apparently just re-entered the room. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."