When we got to the station, I got out with Harry, Hermione and Ron. They
headed over to some horseless carriages that kinda freaked me out, but I
had gotten special instructions that I was supposed to find a man named
Hagrid.
"Hey, Harry" I said, "do you know who 'Hagrid' is? I'm supposed to find him so he can take me there."
"Yeah", he replied, "he's the really tall guy. He's half-giant."
"Half-giant?" I squeaked.
"I know…there he is over by the caboose. I'll see you inside, okay?" he said, smiling at me.
"Right." I replied, and set off towards the very shaggy-looking man.
I had to push my way through many excited looking students. I almost fell down once. Fortunately, this Hagrid was so huge, I could see him over all the heads of the students.
"Hey. I'm Abby Wilkinson" I said nervously.
" 'ello m'dear! I'm 'agrid! Pleased to meet yer!" He boomed.
"You too."
"I'm to be taking special care o' you this year" he said proudly.
Oh shit. I didn't want to singled out.
"So…um, do you take care of anyone else?" I said hopefully.
"I take care o' 'arry Potter."
"Really? Why?" I asked.
"You don't know? Oh dear. Well, I'm sure Dumbledore will explain it all when you get there. Although it is all very strange."
What was he talking about? "What? Tell me. Please?" I asked. I wonder what's up with this Harry dude.
"Well, come on." Hagrid said and beckoned me.
We came to the edge of a huge lake, where I got into these boats with three other kids, who looked younger than me. The sun had gone down, and I had to squint to see around me. The water was like a pane of glass, smooth, you know? The day had been cloudy, but as we started crossing, the moon came out and I gasped. I got my first look at Hogwarts…and it was beautiful. There were so many turrets and the building stood so high in the sky that people could probably see it for miles. There were lights in the windows, which gave it a beautiful glow type of thing, because it contrasted with the black of the rest of the building, although I supposed it wasn't in the day. I turned my attention to the lake. I gasped as I thought I saw an octopus leg (!!!) come out of the water and splash one of the boats. This is crazy!!
Finally, we passed through this opening in the rock cliff thing, where Hogwarts was built on top of. We got out of boats and walked up some stones steps, and up to a large door, where Hagrid knocked on the door. The door opened and a lady with grey hair pulled up in a bun, wearing velvet forest green robes said "Thank you Hagrid". She said. I'll take it from here. Then she smiled. Hagrid winked at me before he left. I wondered what else he did in the school other than get the first-timers to the school safely.
The witch looked at everyone, but she looked at me directly in the eye. Probably cos I was about 2 feet taller than the other people.
"Welcome to Hogwarts" she started, before a girl with short blonde hair put up her hand and asked when dinner was. The witch put her lips together to form a REALLY thin line. I guess she didn't like that.
She cleared her throat. "As I was saying, welcome to Hogwarts. Shortly you will be taken in to the Dinning Hall, where you will be sorted into a House. There are four, and each has a fascinating and proud history and each has produced fine wizards. They are Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin." This last house made me shiver. I don't know why. It had a creepy vibe to it. Whatever.
"Is a Miss. Abigail Wilkinson here?" she asked.
"Um…yeah, I am right here." I said.
"Well, the Headmaster would like to speak tot you privately before the Sorting begins. Will you lease go into that office to your left?"
"Suuuure." I said, and walked into the office.
I saw an old man sitting behind a desk at the back. On the desk was a name that said: "Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress"
"Ummm…I'm supposing you're not Professor McGonagall?" I said nervously.
"Yes." He said with a sparkle in his blue eyes. "I'm here to give you some background about a couple of things you'll need to know as a witch."
I nodded.
"Firstly, about Harry Potter –"
"Oh, I met him on the train!" I interrupted.
"Yes, well. He a very special boy. About 15 years ago, a very powerful dark wizard killed both his parents. He was the only survivor. I want you to understand the importance of this. The dark wizard, whose name is Voldemort, was extremely powerful, and all witches and wizards alike were frightened to death of him. He killed for fun and he was a malicious wizard. All who stood in his way perished. All wizards and witches are scared to say his name. They call him You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be- Named. This is the effect he and his followers, called Death Eaters, would have taken over the whole wizard world if it had not been for Harry Potter. When Voldemort tried to kill Harry, the spell defected and Harry survived, giving Harry only a lightening-shaped scar, but leaving Voldemort powerless. He fled, and Harry went to live with his aunt and uncle, as a muggle, oh, those are non-magic people, by the way. However, last year, in his fourth year at Hogwarts, Voldemort came back from his powerless state and is, at this moment, gathering strength. I would like you to know the serious of this situation, Fiona. It is important to always be alert and watchful. I would like you to speak to me directly if you see anything suspicious." Suddenly he smiled. "However, I do want you to enjoy yourself and make friends. Being at Hogwarts is very special, as well as being a witch. Use your power for the best causes." Then he winked at me.
"Well, thank you sir." I said. "I am really very happy to be a witch. I'm also excited and a little bit scared. I mean…" I trailed off.
"What?" He asked kindly.
"What if everyone is better at everything than me? What if I can't keep up?"
"Ahhh…this brings me to my next point. You will be having a tutorial every week night at 6 o'clock with Professor McGonagall. That's the teacher outside. She will help you to control you skills. I suggest you don't worry about it at the moment. Now, shall we go and enjoy the feast?"
"Yeah, okay…" I said and we walked outside into the Hall. Professor McGonagall was there with the rest of the first years looking a little annoyed.
"Headmaster, I had hoped you would have been shorter. The students are getting restless."
"Oh course Professor. I am very sorry. Let me take my place at the table."
He went off and we stood in the hall for 2 minutes before Prof. McGonagall put us into a line and led us into the Dining Hall. By this time, I was getting kind of nervous. Actually, that's an understatement. I was scared out of my mind. My stomach was doing flip-flops and I felt like I did before a big presentation in front of my class, until I stared speaking. I have this weird thing that I only get scared talking in front of people BEFORE I start the actual speaking. Anyway, there I was standing in front of the whole school feeling like I was about to throw up, when Prof. McGonagall put this raggedy and tattered hat on a stool at the front of the Hall. It was one of those stereotypical witch's hats with loads of patches. I was staring at it (along with the whole school) when one of the rips (and there were many) opened wide and turned into…a MOUTH!! It started singing a song about each of the four Houses in Hogwarts and how each has different qualities that are valuable. Hufflepuff was loyal and hardworking, Ravenclaw was studious, Slytherin was determined and Gryffindor was brave. The hat was going to be put on my head and READ MY THOUGHTS. How weird is that? Although, I suppose it's kinda cool, like that movie "What Women Want". I laughed to myself. Anyway, the hat was going to decide what house you're supposed to be in.
McGonagall took out a scroll, unrolled it and started reading names in alphabetical order. These respective people came up and put on the hat, sat there for as short as two seconds, like Rachael Martin, or as long as like 5 minutes, like Bill Robinson. Since my last name begins with 'W', I had to wait for the longest time. In fact, to my surprise (not) I was last. "Wilkinson, Abigail" called Prof. McGonagall.
I slowly walked to the stool and put the hat on my head.
"Hmmm," said a voice in my ear. "I can see that you like to read…"
"I love to!" I thought.
"And that you want to be adventurous like the heroes in your book, you want to be brave.
Well, Abigail, I can tell you this. You are brave my dear. This means you go to
GRYFFINDOR!" He shouted the last word to the whole school, and hurt my eardrums in the process.
I walked over to the table with the cheering people and the red tablecloth. I recognized all the people I had met on the train and of course, Harry Potter. Now that I knew his background, I looked at him in a whole different light. He was this important, special person who saved thousands, and probably millions of people when he was just a baby. I mean, that's GOT to have an effect on how you view a person. As I sat down beside Hermione and across from Ron and Hermione, I couldn't help staring at his. I think I liked it better when he was just a normal kid, like me. Now, he was kind of, I dunno, untouchable. I can't explain it. I was having one of those moods where I was all philosophical and stuff like that. It's usually pretty rare.
Anyhow, Harry woke me up from my meditation by asking:
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"What? Uh? Oh…umm…" I looked for something to distract him from telling me it was rude to stare. "Look at the ceiling! It's really beautiful. How does it look so real?"
Unfortunately, he wasn't swayed easily.
"Who told you?"
"Who told me what?" I asked, turning bright red.
"About my…history. I mean why else would you be staring at me like that?"
"Well, maybe it was because I am fascinated with your…um…glasses! They are really kind of cool I could be cos I think you look cute in them. Ever think of that?" I said with a smile, still trying to get away from the subject.
He blushed, but still looked skeptical.
"Okay, okay." I said, giving in. "the Headmaster…um, Dumbledore." God, I was horrible at remembering names.
"Did he tell you what happened last year?" he asked, warily.
"Yeah, well, basically. But I won't ask you about it. Don't worry."
He gave me a smile and I turned my attention to Rona and Hermione who were bickering. Isn't that a cool word? Hahaha. Anyway, I think Ron was complaining about how Seamus had taken all the mint humbugs (what the hell are they? I'd have to ask Harry later) and Hermione was telling him not to complain as much. They looked kinda cute, fighting like that. Both their cheeks were flushed and finally Hermione gave a little sigh and finished her dinner and started reading a really thick book that looked like a text book. Ron just rolled his eyes and looked at me.
"So, what's Toronto like?"
"Well, it's definitely not as big or busy as London, but it's pretty big. I mean, it's the biggest city in Canada."
"I've been to Toronto once" said Dean, who was sitting beside Harry. "It was cool. There is this huge thin tower downtown with a sphere oval thing two thirds up. Here, I'll draw it for you, Ron." He did a perfect drawing of it, and I told him so.
"Yeah, and it's on Lake Ontario. You can take a ferry to the islands and have a picnic. And on Queen Street, there's the coolest shopping EVER."
"I remember." Said Dean. "My sister bought a singlet in a shop there."
"What's a 'singlet'?" I asked.
"It's a tight sleeveless top for girls. The straps are like strings." Offered Hermione.
"Ohhhh." I said, understanding. "Like a spaghetti-strap tank top."
"Um, okay." Said Hermione, laughing.
"What?" I said, offended.
"The British way is so much easier."
"No, no, no. That's the official name…I think. Everyone just calls it a tank top."
We laughed as Ron said "I don't think all this is really worth it. Honestly, you girls worry about the weirdest things."
It was time to go up to bed. As I walked up with Hermione, Harry and Ron, I got the feeling that I would spend a lot of time exploring these thousands of hallways, room and stairs, and not on purpose. I have the WORST sense of direction. It took me a whole year to figure out my way around my old school and it only had two floors and two stairs. I was going to need a guide with me at all times. And I hate following people around.
We got to a portrait of a fat lady in a pink dress who was, can you believe it, MOVING. So were all the other thousands of pictures around us, I realized.
"Oh my God", I whispered to Hermione, "do they always move?"
"Yeah", she said laughing, "but you get used to it."
She said something that sounded like "Ribbitygibbet", but I doubt it. I mean, who was she saying this nonsense word to?
Suddenly, the fat lady said "Excellent my dears," and swung forward to reveal a hole in the wall.
"Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room" said Ron, as I climbed through.
It was AMAZING. There were big windows with window seats, couches, tables, huge armchairs and a roaring fireplace.
"The stairs to the right lead up to the boy's dorms" said Hermione, "and to the left," she said pointing, "those stairs lead up to the girls dormitories."
I was sooo tired that I waved goodnight to the boys and followed Hermione up the stairs into a room labeled 'Fifth Years' and I practically FELL onto my bed without noticing that my bed was a CANOPY bed, for god's sake, which is what I've always wanted. (The closest I've ever gotten to one was a mosquito net) I just ripped (not literally) off my robes and climbed under the thick covers still wearing my tank top and my sweat pants which I had had underneath my robes. I said goodnight to Hermione, Parvati and Lavender and instantly fell asleep.
"Hey, Harry" I said, "do you know who 'Hagrid' is? I'm supposed to find him so he can take me there."
"Yeah", he replied, "he's the really tall guy. He's half-giant."
"Half-giant?" I squeaked.
"I know…there he is over by the caboose. I'll see you inside, okay?" he said, smiling at me.
"Right." I replied, and set off towards the very shaggy-looking man.
I had to push my way through many excited looking students. I almost fell down once. Fortunately, this Hagrid was so huge, I could see him over all the heads of the students.
"Hey. I'm Abby Wilkinson" I said nervously.
" 'ello m'dear! I'm 'agrid! Pleased to meet yer!" He boomed.
"You too."
"I'm to be taking special care o' you this year" he said proudly.
Oh shit. I didn't want to singled out.
"So…um, do you take care of anyone else?" I said hopefully.
"I take care o' 'arry Potter."
"Really? Why?" I asked.
"You don't know? Oh dear. Well, I'm sure Dumbledore will explain it all when you get there. Although it is all very strange."
What was he talking about? "What? Tell me. Please?" I asked. I wonder what's up with this Harry dude.
"Well, come on." Hagrid said and beckoned me.
We came to the edge of a huge lake, where I got into these boats with three other kids, who looked younger than me. The sun had gone down, and I had to squint to see around me. The water was like a pane of glass, smooth, you know? The day had been cloudy, but as we started crossing, the moon came out and I gasped. I got my first look at Hogwarts…and it was beautiful. There were so many turrets and the building stood so high in the sky that people could probably see it for miles. There were lights in the windows, which gave it a beautiful glow type of thing, because it contrasted with the black of the rest of the building, although I supposed it wasn't in the day. I turned my attention to the lake. I gasped as I thought I saw an octopus leg (!!!) come out of the water and splash one of the boats. This is crazy!!
Finally, we passed through this opening in the rock cliff thing, where Hogwarts was built on top of. We got out of boats and walked up some stones steps, and up to a large door, where Hagrid knocked on the door. The door opened and a lady with grey hair pulled up in a bun, wearing velvet forest green robes said "Thank you Hagrid". She said. I'll take it from here. Then she smiled. Hagrid winked at me before he left. I wondered what else he did in the school other than get the first-timers to the school safely.
The witch looked at everyone, but she looked at me directly in the eye. Probably cos I was about 2 feet taller than the other people.
"Welcome to Hogwarts" she started, before a girl with short blonde hair put up her hand and asked when dinner was. The witch put her lips together to form a REALLY thin line. I guess she didn't like that.
She cleared her throat. "As I was saying, welcome to Hogwarts. Shortly you will be taken in to the Dinning Hall, where you will be sorted into a House. There are four, and each has a fascinating and proud history and each has produced fine wizards. They are Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin." This last house made me shiver. I don't know why. It had a creepy vibe to it. Whatever.
"Is a Miss. Abigail Wilkinson here?" she asked.
"Um…yeah, I am right here." I said.
"Well, the Headmaster would like to speak tot you privately before the Sorting begins. Will you lease go into that office to your left?"
"Suuuure." I said, and walked into the office.
I saw an old man sitting behind a desk at the back. On the desk was a name that said: "Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress"
"Ummm…I'm supposing you're not Professor McGonagall?" I said nervously.
"Yes." He said with a sparkle in his blue eyes. "I'm here to give you some background about a couple of things you'll need to know as a witch."
I nodded.
"Firstly, about Harry Potter –"
"Oh, I met him on the train!" I interrupted.
"Yes, well. He a very special boy. About 15 years ago, a very powerful dark wizard killed both his parents. He was the only survivor. I want you to understand the importance of this. The dark wizard, whose name is Voldemort, was extremely powerful, and all witches and wizards alike were frightened to death of him. He killed for fun and he was a malicious wizard. All who stood in his way perished. All wizards and witches are scared to say his name. They call him You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be- Named. This is the effect he and his followers, called Death Eaters, would have taken over the whole wizard world if it had not been for Harry Potter. When Voldemort tried to kill Harry, the spell defected and Harry survived, giving Harry only a lightening-shaped scar, but leaving Voldemort powerless. He fled, and Harry went to live with his aunt and uncle, as a muggle, oh, those are non-magic people, by the way. However, last year, in his fourth year at Hogwarts, Voldemort came back from his powerless state and is, at this moment, gathering strength. I would like you to know the serious of this situation, Fiona. It is important to always be alert and watchful. I would like you to speak to me directly if you see anything suspicious." Suddenly he smiled. "However, I do want you to enjoy yourself and make friends. Being at Hogwarts is very special, as well as being a witch. Use your power for the best causes." Then he winked at me.
"Well, thank you sir." I said. "I am really very happy to be a witch. I'm also excited and a little bit scared. I mean…" I trailed off.
"What?" He asked kindly.
"What if everyone is better at everything than me? What if I can't keep up?"
"Ahhh…this brings me to my next point. You will be having a tutorial every week night at 6 o'clock with Professor McGonagall. That's the teacher outside. She will help you to control you skills. I suggest you don't worry about it at the moment. Now, shall we go and enjoy the feast?"
"Yeah, okay…" I said and we walked outside into the Hall. Professor McGonagall was there with the rest of the first years looking a little annoyed.
"Headmaster, I had hoped you would have been shorter. The students are getting restless."
"Oh course Professor. I am very sorry. Let me take my place at the table."
He went off and we stood in the hall for 2 minutes before Prof. McGonagall put us into a line and led us into the Dining Hall. By this time, I was getting kind of nervous. Actually, that's an understatement. I was scared out of my mind. My stomach was doing flip-flops and I felt like I did before a big presentation in front of my class, until I stared speaking. I have this weird thing that I only get scared talking in front of people BEFORE I start the actual speaking. Anyway, there I was standing in front of the whole school feeling like I was about to throw up, when Prof. McGonagall put this raggedy and tattered hat on a stool at the front of the Hall. It was one of those stereotypical witch's hats with loads of patches. I was staring at it (along with the whole school) when one of the rips (and there were many) opened wide and turned into…a MOUTH!! It started singing a song about each of the four Houses in Hogwarts and how each has different qualities that are valuable. Hufflepuff was loyal and hardworking, Ravenclaw was studious, Slytherin was determined and Gryffindor was brave. The hat was going to be put on my head and READ MY THOUGHTS. How weird is that? Although, I suppose it's kinda cool, like that movie "What Women Want". I laughed to myself. Anyway, the hat was going to decide what house you're supposed to be in.
McGonagall took out a scroll, unrolled it and started reading names in alphabetical order. These respective people came up and put on the hat, sat there for as short as two seconds, like Rachael Martin, or as long as like 5 minutes, like Bill Robinson. Since my last name begins with 'W', I had to wait for the longest time. In fact, to my surprise (not) I was last. "Wilkinson, Abigail" called Prof. McGonagall.
I slowly walked to the stool and put the hat on my head.
"Hmmm," said a voice in my ear. "I can see that you like to read…"
"I love to!" I thought.
"And that you want to be adventurous like the heroes in your book, you want to be brave.
Well, Abigail, I can tell you this. You are brave my dear. This means you go to
GRYFFINDOR!" He shouted the last word to the whole school, and hurt my eardrums in the process.
I walked over to the table with the cheering people and the red tablecloth. I recognized all the people I had met on the train and of course, Harry Potter. Now that I knew his background, I looked at him in a whole different light. He was this important, special person who saved thousands, and probably millions of people when he was just a baby. I mean, that's GOT to have an effect on how you view a person. As I sat down beside Hermione and across from Ron and Hermione, I couldn't help staring at his. I think I liked it better when he was just a normal kid, like me. Now, he was kind of, I dunno, untouchable. I can't explain it. I was having one of those moods where I was all philosophical and stuff like that. It's usually pretty rare.
Anyhow, Harry woke me up from my meditation by asking:
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"What? Uh? Oh…umm…" I looked for something to distract him from telling me it was rude to stare. "Look at the ceiling! It's really beautiful. How does it look so real?"
Unfortunately, he wasn't swayed easily.
"Who told you?"
"Who told me what?" I asked, turning bright red.
"About my…history. I mean why else would you be staring at me like that?"
"Well, maybe it was because I am fascinated with your…um…glasses! They are really kind of cool I could be cos I think you look cute in them. Ever think of that?" I said with a smile, still trying to get away from the subject.
He blushed, but still looked skeptical.
"Okay, okay." I said, giving in. "the Headmaster…um, Dumbledore." God, I was horrible at remembering names.
"Did he tell you what happened last year?" he asked, warily.
"Yeah, well, basically. But I won't ask you about it. Don't worry."
He gave me a smile and I turned my attention to Rona and Hermione who were bickering. Isn't that a cool word? Hahaha. Anyway, I think Ron was complaining about how Seamus had taken all the mint humbugs (what the hell are they? I'd have to ask Harry later) and Hermione was telling him not to complain as much. They looked kinda cute, fighting like that. Both their cheeks were flushed and finally Hermione gave a little sigh and finished her dinner and started reading a really thick book that looked like a text book. Ron just rolled his eyes and looked at me.
"So, what's Toronto like?"
"Well, it's definitely not as big or busy as London, but it's pretty big. I mean, it's the biggest city in Canada."
"I've been to Toronto once" said Dean, who was sitting beside Harry. "It was cool. There is this huge thin tower downtown with a sphere oval thing two thirds up. Here, I'll draw it for you, Ron." He did a perfect drawing of it, and I told him so.
"Yeah, and it's on Lake Ontario. You can take a ferry to the islands and have a picnic. And on Queen Street, there's the coolest shopping EVER."
"I remember." Said Dean. "My sister bought a singlet in a shop there."
"What's a 'singlet'?" I asked.
"It's a tight sleeveless top for girls. The straps are like strings." Offered Hermione.
"Ohhhh." I said, understanding. "Like a spaghetti-strap tank top."
"Um, okay." Said Hermione, laughing.
"What?" I said, offended.
"The British way is so much easier."
"No, no, no. That's the official name…I think. Everyone just calls it a tank top."
We laughed as Ron said "I don't think all this is really worth it. Honestly, you girls worry about the weirdest things."
It was time to go up to bed. As I walked up with Hermione, Harry and Ron, I got the feeling that I would spend a lot of time exploring these thousands of hallways, room and stairs, and not on purpose. I have the WORST sense of direction. It took me a whole year to figure out my way around my old school and it only had two floors and two stairs. I was going to need a guide with me at all times. And I hate following people around.
We got to a portrait of a fat lady in a pink dress who was, can you believe it, MOVING. So were all the other thousands of pictures around us, I realized.
"Oh my God", I whispered to Hermione, "do they always move?"
"Yeah", she said laughing, "but you get used to it."
She said something that sounded like "Ribbitygibbet", but I doubt it. I mean, who was she saying this nonsense word to?
Suddenly, the fat lady said "Excellent my dears," and swung forward to reveal a hole in the wall.
"Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room" said Ron, as I climbed through.
It was AMAZING. There were big windows with window seats, couches, tables, huge armchairs and a roaring fireplace.
"The stairs to the right lead up to the boy's dorms" said Hermione, "and to the left," she said pointing, "those stairs lead up to the girls dormitories."
I was sooo tired that I waved goodnight to the boys and followed Hermione up the stairs into a room labeled 'Fifth Years' and I practically FELL onto my bed without noticing that my bed was a CANOPY bed, for god's sake, which is what I've always wanted. (The closest I've ever gotten to one was a mosquito net) I just ripped (not literally) off my robes and climbed under the thick covers still wearing my tank top and my sweat pants which I had had underneath my robes. I said goodnight to Hermione, Parvati and Lavender and instantly fell asleep.