Chapter Two: Hide And Seek, You Are Found

The train reached Hogwarts shortly after the group's conversation on Chimera eggs and their dubious qualities concluded.  The four Gryffindors left on horseless carriages while Natalia stayed behind with Hagrid and the first years.  They arrived at the castle after crossing the lake and seeing the breath-taking view of Hogwarts in an autumn evening.  A tall, commanding witch dressed in formal green robes greeted the students, waiting for them in the Small Chamber leading into the Great Hall.  She had a nose as straight as a needle on which a pair of stern authoritarian glasses rested.  She waited at the top of the stairs until the students had all gathered below her. 

"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  I am Professor McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress and Transfigurations Professor at Hogwarts.  In a few moments, I will lead you into the Great Hall where you will be sorted into your houses.  Please follow me."

The students filed into a single line behind Professor McGonagall, heading into the Great Hall.  They marveled at the ceiling that had been enchanted to look like the night sky.  Natalia walked along, noticeably taller than all the first years, dreading the sorting that was to proceed.  She had already made friends at this school and wanted very much to be sorted into the Gryffindor House, even though she knew it was clearly impossible.

The students gathered at the front of the hall and waited for Professor McGonagall to begin.

"I will read each of your names at which you will come up and put on the Sorting Hat.  Let's begin.  Darren Ashencloth."

Natalia watched in fascination at the Sorting Hat.  Never had she seen something of its sort.  Glancing around the hall, she distinguished the different houses.  The house with red and gold banners at the left side of the room was obviously the Gryffindors.  To their left was the Ravenclaw House with their majestic blue and bronze banners fluttering softly in the imaginary wind.  In the center right were the Hufflepuffs with their friendly yellow and black banners hanging over them.  And all the way to the right of the room with the green and silver banners…Natalia pursed her lips together.  She knew this was her fate from the day she was born.  How she wished she could change it though. 

            "Natalia LaRoche Slytherin."