"I am headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Myself, along with my esteemed staff are incredibly excited to have you with us. Together we have over 1000 years of experience in the magical and mundane fields. Over the next year you will finish your fundamental mundane studies while learning the basics of magic and how the two worlds interact. This is a year of excitement and will set the standard for the rest of your time at Hogwarts. Work hard and enjoy yourselves, it only gets better from here."

The school cheered again before the headmaster raised his hands to quiet them.

"Finally, the moment you've all been waiting so patiently for," he paused, drawing out the silence. "Let the feast begin!" Suddenly the tables were filled with an incredible assortment of food. Harry hesitated before digging in, realizing how hungry he was.

For the next half an hour the room was buzzing with conversation as the students ate. Eventually, when the dessert was finished and the last of the plates were cleaned, the headmaster rose again.

"Once again, an incredible meal spent in good company. Sorted students, have a wonderful evening. We will see you all in class tomorrow. As for the first year students, please follow the Hogwarts Head Boy Percy Weasley and Head Girl Penelope Clearwater to your dorms. Thank you, and Welcome to Hogwarts."

Harry looked at Ron with an expectant look.

"And now you've seen all my brothers currently at Hogwarts. I'm beginning to think we might be overcrowding it."

They rose from the table and followed the two older students out of the great hall and began making their way through the castle. They eventually came to the staircase Harry had seen earlier. The Head Boy and Girl turned to face the group.

"This is the central stairway," Percy said, doing his best to sound authoritative. "The stairs are somewhat mischievous and will change throughout the day. Over time, you will learn to compensate for the delays they may cause. Being tardy to class is not acceptable regardless of the cause."

"Also," Penelope continued in a much gentler tone. "Watch out for the steps themselves. Some of them are trick steps that will swallow your foot for a few minutes. Luckily, the steps don't change. For example, the fourth step from the bottom here is a trick step. Eventually, you'll have the patterns memorized and won't even think of it."

At that, Percy and Penelope beckoned the students up the stairs to the second floor. This floor had one corridor with several standard classrooms and another that ended in a large painting of a majestic woman in an ancient Greek robe. She looked down on the class with a soft smile. Penelope turned back to the group.

"This is Athena. Behind her is the first year dormitory and common room. When you need to get by, you will say the password and she will let you in." She turned to the portrait and spoke.

"Good evening, Athena. The password is foundation."

Athena nodded and the painting swung out from the wall on silent hinges and once again, Harry was blown away by the school.

The room they walked into was huge with very high ceilings. It was semi-circular with the curved side being two massive windows split by a large, welcoming fireplace. The windows looked out over the school grounds in front of the school. It was truly one of the most beautiful scenes Harry had ever seen.

After gaping at the window, Harry finally looked around the room and noticed the scattered couches, chairs, and tables. At the corners of the room where the window met the inner wall there were two more massive fireplaces, their hearths long and curved so more people could sit around it comfortably. Along the upper edge of the massive curved windows was a balcony overlooking the inside of the room. Harry could make out doors along the balcony.

"This is the first year's common room," said Percy, now standing at the back of the group.

"This is where you will spend most of your down time in between classes and on weekends. You are, of course, encouraged to explore the castle grounds as there are plenty of other spaces you will enjoy just as much as here."

"The older students are also allowed into the common room," continued Penelope. "However, you may find that to be a rare occurrence."

She then turned their attention back to the wall they just entered through and indicated more doors.

"To the left of the entryway is the Bagshot Library. This library is fairly limited but will have most of the extended references you may need in your studies. The books are basic and entry level to most subjects. This library is mainly here for you to have a quiet place to study instead of the noisy common room. There are also two conference rooms at the back of the library that can be reserved for clubs or study groups."

Percy then pointed out two doors on the right side of the entryway.

"These are pretty self explanatory but for those who can't see these are the restrooms."

He then turned to the group and had them split into boys and girls. He led the boys to one side of the room while Penelope led the girls to the other. As they approached the fireplace in the corner, they noticed a spiral staircase leading up to the balcony Harry hadn't seen earlier. Percy spoke as he led them.

"This staircase leads to the boys' side of the dormitories. You will each share a room with one other person. These rooms have been preassigned so no switching. If there is an issue with your roommate you will come to me first. If I cannot resolve the issue we will take it to Deputy Headmistress McGonagall."

By this time they had made it to the upper landing and were excited to see who they were rooming with. Percy finished up with a few more peticulars.

"Breakfast begins at six o'clock and ends at nine thirty. In your rooms you will find your class schedules. Remember, do not be late. If you have any questions, find me and I will do what I can to help. Have a good night and, again, welcome to Hogwarts."

At that, he turned and made his way down the stairs. The boys began to spread out looking for their rooms. As they made their way along the balcony the group thinned out with each pair finding their own room. Eventually, about three quarters of the way down, Harry found his name.

NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM

HARRY POTTER

He waved at Ron who was opening the door right next to him and walked in. The area immediately after the room was very small and served more as a small hallway. Two steps in was a very small sitting room, maybe the size of a large closet and had three doors leading off of it.

The first door on the left was a small bathroom, complete with a sink, toilet, and shower. The other two doors were small rooms. Harry walked in to the one on the left as it had his name on a placard over the door.

The room was about twice as big as the cell he'd had at Brutus' but seemed so welcoming and warm Harry was hesitant to make that comparison. The room featured a full sized four poster bed with a night stand, a dresser, and a small desk. There was also a small closet right next to the door. His trunk was already at the foot of his bed and his closet showed all of his robes hanging and ready.

On the wall opposite of the door was a large bay window with a padded bench built into the base. He approached the window and marveled at the view. As he turned back to his bed and started getting ready for bed he knew he was where he was meant to be.