The train pulled into Hogsmeade station just as the sun was setting. Myrrdin accepted Sirius' hand down from the train car, and she followed his lead towards the giant, Hagrid, shouting for the first years. They ought to just have him hold a sign, rather than try and shout over the noise of seven years worth of students' chatter.
She took a mental note, and then pat the Hogwarts Express in thanks for its work. The train's magic gave her a gentle hum in response, and Remus jumped behind her as he whipped his head around to stare at the receding red engine. She pretended not to notice as he gave her a bemused stare all the way down to the edge of the lake.
"Four to a boat!" Hagrid called, and Myrrdin let the boys go together, instead taking a boat with three other girls. They glided across the water and around the bend to come in full view of the castle.
Several children gasped at the sight of thousands of candles glittering in hundreds of windows. Myrrdin herself was overwhelmed by the glow of magic that sang over the building and out onto the lake.
The lower section of the castle, what was visible under the lake, glowed a warm orange. The grounds were a pale green color, while two of the towers were distinctly red and yellow. A swirling black and brown ring circled the complex, which Myrrdin assumed was the protective wards. The rest of the magic was a rainbow of chaotic, yet cohesive colors.
Pulled from her musing by their arrival at the cove, Myrrdin helped her boat mates out onto land before climbing out herself. James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were all clumped close together with their heads down as they whispered to each other. The other children were in varying states of comfort with their surroundings, and it was rather easy to pick out the wizard raised from the muggle-born.
She tucked a strand of hair that had come loose from her braided bun back behind her ear, and faced the doors solemnly as a stern-faced witch, Minerva McGonagall approached them.
"Hello, and welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House. Today, you will be sorted in front of the other students into Houses of your own. Throughout the year, you will be awarded points for good behavior, while any rule-breaking will lose points. These points are added up at the end of each year, and the House with the most points will receive the House Cup, a great honor.
"The four Houses are; Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. Each with an outstanding history. Do try to be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. Now if you would form a line and follow me please."
The Great Hall was aglow with floating candles, spelled to never drip but to renew themselves at the bottom as the wax trailed down the sides. The ceiling was reflecting a clear starry sky. Each star twinkled brightly despite the light pollution from the candles.
Four large tables stretched on for what seemed like forever toward the front of the room, where a fifth table sat lengthways. At this table were the teachers and other staff.
Just behind them on the wall were four hourglasses, filled with gems at the top, none had yet dropped into the bottom. There were rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds, each in their own glass cage.
In a grand gold throne in the center of it all sat Dumbledore himself, eyes twinkling as they skimmed over the new students.
The twinkle dimmed some as he made eye contact with Myrrdin, and she heard the faintest whisper of a sigh in her mind.
Choosing to ignore the minute invasion of her occlumency barriers for the moment, as he wouldn't dare try harder in front of so many witnesses, she focused on the Sorting Hat, who was singing about the four Houses. Hufflepuff, the fair and loyal. Ravenclaw, the creative knowledge seekers. Slytherin, the ambitious and clever. Gryffindor, the courageous and chivalrous.
Then names were being called as students went up to sit under a hat and let it decide their whole future in an instant.
Each sorting was met with applause, and then the first of the boys were up. "Black, Sirius." He swaggered up to the front with a wink to a nearby fifth-year girl. The hat was plunked on his head, and the easy grin faded to a scowl.
30 seconds turned into a minute.
A minute turned into two.
Two was at two and a half when the Hat shouted, "Gryffindor!" And the room went silent.
But it was only for a second, because Myrrdin began clapping, and James elbowed Peter as he and Remus began whooping. The rest of the students were snapped out of their surprise and clapped politely.
"Emrys, Myrrdin."
Myrrdin heard the whispers but ignored them as she stepped up to the little three-legged stool. Seating herself with her ankles crossed, the hat fell over her eyes and she heard a deep gravelly voice murmur.
Hmm. What a choice you've given me here... Clearly there's ambition here, in your desire to literally rewrite the history of this world. And yet it is out of loyalty to an ideal, a set of what were once characters for you, that you hope to save... Leaving your world behind shows great courage, and you have the intelligence to back your choices... Still, I think it'd better be "Hufflepuff!"
A riot of cheers echoed from the yellow-clad table in front of her as Myrrdin handed back the hat and smiled over at Sirius. She had no intention of abandoning that budding friendship over House divides.
A Prefect, "Callum Kenworthy," shook her hand and welcomed her to Hufflepuff as she seated herself facing the Gryffindors. Several other students seemed to want to say something to her but ultimately kept their mouths shut as the Sorting resumed.
The rest of the Sorting went on pretty much as expected. Remus, Peter, and James all went to Gryffindor, as did Lily, while Severus went to Slytherin.
She gave the dark-haired boy a nod as he walked past, startling him, before he nodded back hesitantly.
The feast went about as Myrrdin had expected, and then it was off to the dorms for her first night at Hogwarts.