By the time the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station, the sun was setting behind a dark forest -- "The Forbidden Forest," Hayley had pointed out.
The students were herded off the train, and then...
"Firs' years, firs' years this way!"
A shaggy-haired giant towered over the platform. He was holding a glowing lantern in one hand and a roll of parchment in the other. "Line up, come on!"
Christiane, Hayley, Madeline, and
Anna followed the rest of the first years up a twisting trail
that led to a dark lake. Tiny boats were clustered on the rocky
shore, but not many students noticed them; they were too busy
"ooh"ing and "ahh"ing over the sight of Hogwarts
Castle, glistening on the opposite bank.
"No more'n four to a boat!" the man called. Christiane
and her friends lowered themselves into a rickety wooden rowboat.
They shot off across the sparkling water.
The castle was a lot bigger than it looked from across the lake. Christiane had to tilt her head all the way back just to see the lower battlements. Suddenly, the giant was yelling for everyone to duck down - and they were pushing their way through long, hanging ivy onto a rocky shore. The first years climbed out of the boats and stood expectantly before a huge wooden door.
The giant opened the door with one thick hand and ushered the first years inside. Christiane was still craning her neck to look around in amazement when the door shut with a dull *thud* behind her.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," came a voice from behind the shaggy beard.
"Thank you, Hagrid." Christiane turned to see a severe-looking woman standing primly near an open passageway. Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her lips were thin and white, but she was smiling at the dark-haired giant.
"Think nothin' of it," Hagrid said, bowing deeply and nearly knocking Madeline over.
"My name is Minerva McGonagall," the woman continued, turning back towards the children. "I am Deputy Headmistress here at Hogwarts. Soon we shall step into the Great Hall, where we will begin our opening feast. However, you will first be sorted into your houses.
"Your house -- either Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin -- will be your family. You will join your house in classes, meals, and sports, sleep in your house dormitory...but be responsible for your own behavior, as it affects the standing of your house.
"Each house will earn house points for any good deeds or accomplishments, but these points can be easily lost with misbehavior and rulebreaking. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will receive the House Cup, a very high honor. I know that each and every one of you will be a credit to the house you are chosen for.
"As I said before. the ceremony will begin in a few minutes, and may I suggest..." She ran her eyes over the group of eleven-year-olds, stopping on Christiane's frazzled red hair, "...that you straighten yourselves up a bit."
Hayley had kicked some dirt off of her shoes and Christiane was just restraining her curly hair when they were suddenly pushed through the passageway.
If anyone had been impressed with the outside of the castle, they were dazzled at the sight of the Great Hall. The rough brick walls, covered with shields and tapestries, seemed to stretch on forever; indeed, it appeared that there was no ceiling. Christiane could see the clouds overhead, through which twinkling stars were beginning to appear. Michael had told her it was enchanted to look like the actual sky, but it was still beautiful.
Five polished tables were resting on the marble floor. Older students were seated at four of them; the last appeared to be reserved for the Hogwarts staff. Hagrid directed the first years to the front of the Hall, where they all stood in line; Christiane felt uncomfortably conspicuous.
Professor McGonagall was now pulling a tiny stool for a corner. She set a battered hat on top of it and stepped back against the wall.
"The Sorting Hat," Hayley whispered to Christiane.
"This is the Sorting Hat," McGonagall announced. Christiane and Hayley giggled. "You will sit down and put it on in order to be Sorted into your proper Houses. And now..."
She gestured to the dirty cap, which suddenly tilted back and began to sing:
"Oh, you may not think
I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
Everyone in the common room cheered wildly. Christiane swallowed nervously.
"Archibald, Taylor!"
Professor McGonagall was reading off the long piece of parchment that Hagrid had been carrying. Christiane watched as a tall, blond-haired boy walked nervously up to the stool, sat down, and put on the Sorting hat.
A few moments later, the hat called out, "RAVENCLAW!"
Taylor Archibald was shown to a table full of applauding students.
"Bache, Holden!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
A table full of solemn-looking students yelled from the back of the room.
"Bones, Marie!"
This time the hat yelled, "HUFFLEPUFF!" when Marie placed it on her head. Another table cheered.
"Charmont, Christiane!"
Christiane stepped out of line, sat down on the stool, and pulled the Sorting hat over her head, apprehensively.
"Ah, another Charmont," a tiny voice whispered from somewhere inside the cap. "However, you're different from the rest...even with the traditional bravery, trustworthiness, skills...a bit mischievous, I see? Oh, and an unusual gift, yes..."
Christiane raised her eyebrows.
"There's no question about it," the Hat continued. "Definitely GRYFFINDOR!"
Christiane was directed to a table full of cheering students. Two older boys pulled up a chair for her and bowed.
The next first years to be sorted were two twins, Aaron and Adam Crockford. They were seated across from Christiane at the Gryffindor table.
"Everett, Jacob!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Gordon, Gwendolyn!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Gussock, Mark!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
Then, "Harper, Hayley!"
Hayley sat on the stool and put the Sorting Hat on her head. Christiane was just crossing her fingers when she heard Michael's voice from the Ravenclaw table.
"That's my sister; Ravenclaw, I'll bet..."
But even to Christiane's surprise, the hat named Hayley a Gryffindor. She was ecstatic as she took her seat next to Christiane. They both listened, beaming, for "Langham, Anna" and then groaned as the hat bellowed, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Christiane craned her neck to watch Madeline, who taking the hat from where Anna had left it. She had had it on her head for a full three minutes before the Hat shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"
Hayley and Christiane were disappointed, but they managed to smile at Madeline as she walked to the Slytherin table.
Then...
"Smailes, Derek!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Who'd have guessed?" Christiane whispered sarcastically to Hayley, as the Sorting Hat continued to shout out Houses.
About fifteen minutes later, after "Wemple, Brock!" who was named a "HUFFLEPUFF!"...
"Welcome, new students!" a clear, ringing voice called.
A thin man with long, silver hair and a beard was standing at the head of the teachers' table. Christiane recognized his sparkling blue eyes and half-moon spectacles as those of Albus Dumbledore. He had come to the Charmonts' house for tea a few years ago, and Christiane remembered that she had spilled the entire teapot into his lap. She flinched at the memory.
"Welcome," Dumbledore repeated, "to Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! And now"... He pushed himself onto his toes, as though he was about to make a speech, which everyone braced themselves for... "Let's eat!"
Christiane looked at the golden platters on the table; they were now full of chicken, dumplings, steak, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and much more. She and Hayley loaded their plates, grinned at each other, and picked up their forks.
They were nearly finished eating when someone tapped Christiane's shoulder. She looked around; Madeline was smiling behind her.
"Hullo, Madeline," said Christiane. "What's doing?"
"All I wanted to say," Madeline told her, "was that we can still be friends, even if we are in different houses."
"Of course," Christiane shrugged. Hayley nodded.
"Hey, what are you doing over here?" Adam Crockford suddenly said, suspiciously. "I thought you were a Slytherin."
"Oh, shut up," Christiane told him. But when she turned around, Madeline was back at her table, waving.
"Now, students!" Dumbledore had stood again. The children, who were leaning back contentedly in their seats, turned to look at him. "I'm sorry to trouble you with my rambling, but only a few things to be said...
"Once again, you are all reminded that the Forbidden Forest is, after all, forbidden. This year, if anyone is found tramping around in there, suspension or expulsion will be considered."
"Huh?" muttered one of the older Gryffindor boys. "There must be something loose in it, then...he sounds serious..."
Christiane felt her stomach jump.
"...And Hogsmeade visits are restricted to those in their first or second year...some of you would do yourselves good to remember that.
And now, before going off to bed...let's sing the school song!"
Christiane and Hayley looked at each other. Dumbledore was now waving his wand in the air, and golden letters shot out of the end, twinkling in midair;
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts,
Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something, please;
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees!
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
So do your best, we'll do the rest
And learn until our brains all rot!"
Christiane and Hayley belted out the song with everyone else, and sloshed tureens of pumpkin juice into the air at the climax.
Before she knew what was happening, Christiane and the rest of the Gryffindors were herded out of the Great Hall and down a narrow corridor; up a twisting staircase; along another hallway, this one lined with portraits of previous Headmasters; behind a hanging tapestry; through a trapdoor; and finally, through a hole hidden beneath a portrait of a very fat lady.
A tall, blond girl wearing a prefect's badge showed Christiane and Hayley into their dormitory, which held five four-poster beds draped in scarlet hangings. Christiane flopped onto the bed that had her trunk at the foot of it, and fell asleep in no time.