I don't have a spell check on this computer... so I'm doing the
best I can *blah*\par
Anyway! In this chapter I introduce new characters! Yeah! More
will coem int eh next chapter, and note: most of hte American
students are named and based on ym r/l friends... cause it's not
oo hard thinking of personalities then. And In this part we get
our first glimpse of Salem School! *and there was much rejoicing
(yeah)
More and more students heading toward the building as Harry and
Hermione did. They wore robes, which Hermione made sure to put in
her first letter to Ginny, and carried large trunks like Harry
and Hermione did. One thing the two found unusual were the birds.
Harry had Hedwig, the large snowy owl. The American children
didn't have owls, but rather birds that looked more dangerous,
like hawks and falcons.
"What do you think of this place?" Harry asked in a low
whisper. Hermione shook her head, speahless while she took in all
there was to see. Her senses were on overload with the new sounds
and smells, it was so different from the castle of Hogwarts. She
couldn't wait to see more.
On their way through the front door, a tall red haired boy
stopped Harry and grabbed his hand in a firm shake. "I know
you! You're Harry Potter! The quidditch player from Hogwarts! I
love Quidditch!"
Harry thought he was rid of all the attention long ago. He
guessed wrong.
"You're our new exchange students aren't you?" Without
stopping to breathe he continued on. "Aren't there supposed
to be four of you though?"
Harry and Hermione had forgot about the other two students. They
both turned to each other with perplexion plastered to their
faces.
"Harry Love!" Padma Patil came running towards Harry
and Hermione at full speed, with Justin Finch-Fletchly at her
heals dragging two rather large trunks. "This place is quite
lovely isn't it? Oh I do think we shall have a grand year here
wont we Harry?"
Padma. Parvati's twin Ravenclaw sister. How the devil did they
pick her... They selection process must not have been based on
grades for one thing.
"Padma Patil, and this is Justin." Padma held out her
hand towards the American boy, who took it cautiouslly.
"Steve Shepherd." He said, very hesitant, "Nice to
meet you." Padma took him by the arm and proceeded to drag
the poor boy up the remaining stairs. Justin still followed.
"Watch yourself." Hermione whispered with a smile.
Steve nodded dumbly.
"So we've met our very first American Wizard.... He seemed
nice. Cute too." Hermione giggled at the expression on
Harry's face after she made that comment.
They walked on into the main hall. Not nearly as big at Hogwarts,
but big enough. To the opposite of the front door was a large
marble staircase, and to the right and left were two more sets of
doors, one of which was opened by an elderly witch in a tall dark
hat.
"This way children, this way!" She cackled in a very
raspy voice that neither Harry or Hermione could understand very
well. "You're the new students aren't you?" She pointed
a thin and bony finger at the two of them as they neared.
They nodded.
"Welcome to Salem School. I'm Professor Wimples from the
Potions department. You can put your trunks up against the wall,
and the elves will get them up to yours dorms before lunch is
finished." She smiled and continued to call the children
towards the large doorway.
Within those doors was a large hall, once again not as grand as
Hogwarts, but very much like it. Three long tables were arranged
down then length of it, and another table was at the front. Harry
took that that was were the teachers sat.
Slowly the entire school gathered and sat down at the tables. A
tall witch with auburn hair cleared her throat. "I would
like to welcome you all to Salam Witchcraft Academy. I am
Headmistress Cornet, for those of you who do not know me, and I
beleive this year will be one of the best for our school. I would
first like to start our by welcoming four new exchange students
from Hogwarts in England." She motioned towards the small
group who had gathered at the end of the large purple table.
"They have randomly been placed into the thre houses as
follows. Mr. Potter will be joining Chanide, as well as Miss
Granger. Miss Patil will be joining Fimshuck, and Mr
Finsh-Fletchly will be joing Sainon. I Hope you will make them
all feel very welcome this year so that they have good things to
say about us on their return home at the end of the school
year." She cleared her throat once again. "And now to
the sorting!"
Harry and Hermione wanted over to the table with the large teal
banner with a dog on it. At the head they found Steve, the boy
from the front of the school. He grinned and moved over, making
room for the both of them. "I'm glad to get away from that
other girl. She just about talking my ear off."
Hermione giggled. "Padma does that sometimes."