Chapter 2

~*~*~

He was as big as a house, and that was an understatement. His hands were the size of garbage-can covers, and were wrapped in thick fur gloves. He wore a thick moleskin coat and fur-lined boots. Apparently, his face was nowhere near being cold, because he wore not hat or scarf. That, Colin supposed, was due to his incredibly large amount of hair.

"Firs' years over here!" he shouted over the crowd. "We'll be leavin' for the castle in a bit, an' you don't want to be lef' behind."

When it seemed that the entire first year class had assembled, the man gave a sweep of his large hand, indicating that the students should follow him. He lead them to the lake, and across an old, mossy pier where a small fleet of boats was docked, before he spoke again.

"Right then, everyone here? Okay. I am Rubeus Hagrid, and I'm the Keeper of Grounds and Keys here at Hogwarts. I'll be leadin' you all across the lake in these here boats. We're already a bit behind the schedule, so we should hurry up. Four to a boat now, come on!"

The first years stepped cautiously across the pier and stepped down into the boats. Colin was at the back of the crowd, and was just about to step down into a boat, when he heard a small voice behind him

"Excuse me, but is this where the first years are?" the voice asked. It was very small and soft, yet smooth as velvet.

Colin turned around when he heard the voice and saw a young girl standing on the shore. She wore a thick, fur-lined red cloak over her school robes. Her blonde hair fell lightly across her shoulders. Her eyes were a deep blue and her cheeks were rosy from the cold. He waved to Hagrid to tell him to wait up and ran back to where the girl was standing.

"Yes, we're just leaving for the castle now."

"Good, I was afraid that I had missed you."

Colin smiled and took her hand. "We'd better be leaving, though. The boats are about to leave and they seem to be getting a bit impatient." He walked her up the pier and to one of the boats. "Here we are."

"Thank you so much," she said as she stepped down into the boat empty boat. Colin steadied it for her and stepped in as well.

When the last of the first years were settled, Hagrid made a great sweeping motion with his hand and said, "To the school!" The boats immediately started moving forward across the silvery surface of the Great Lake.

Her name was Anna Dubois. Colin wasn't able to get her to tell him much of anything about her family. She always shied away from that subject. He did manage to get her to tell him that she came from France and was originally planning to go to Beauxbatons.

"So, are you an orphan, then?" Colin asked, as the boat slid along the water.

"In a way. I guess you could say that," Anna replied.

Colin chuckled. "I can relate," he said. "I never knew my parents either."

Anna didn't reply. She simply looked down at her hands folded in her lap.

The millions of lights shining out from the castle reflected themselves on the smooth water of the Great Lake. The boats pulled themselves up to another mossy pier. Hagrid threw a rope up and anchored his boat, and, when he was finished, he helped the rest of the first years anchor theirs.

"Come on now. We're still behind schedule and I reckon that the rest of the school'll be rather sore if we don't get in there soon. Hurry up now, let's go!"

The first years helped each other out of the boats and began following Hagrid across the pier. Colin helped Anna out and they followed the group.

Hagrid led the first years through a dark tunnel and up through a succession of winding staircases until they came to a pair of large, oak doors. Hagrid pushed them open, revealing a large, vaulted entry hall.

"I'll have to be leavin' now," Hagrid said when he had herded the first years in to the center of the hall. "I've got a bit of, er, business to tend to." As he walked off to another pair of oak doors, more footsteps could be heard coming from the opposite direction. Colin looked up to see a woman in emerald green robes walking up to the crowd.

"First years," she spoke in a shrill voice that echoed through the vaulted ceilings. "Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In a few moments you will pass through the doors behind me and join you classmates, but before you can take your seats, you must be Sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. I am Professor McGonnagal, Head of Gryffindor, and Deputy Headmistress of the School. Now, in a few moments, the Sorting ceremony will begin. Wait here and I will come for you when it is time." She walked off down a corridor, leaving the first years in a mass in the middle of the entrance hall.

The first years proceeded to mingle for the next few minutes. Colin's guardian Rosie had told him that his parents had both been in Gryffindor during their time at Hogwarts. Colin hoped for that House as well. As he was thinking, he looked over to where Anna was standing next to him. She was looking around the Hall and had what Colin believed to be a look of worry on her face. Colin was about to ask her what was wrong when McGonnagal walked up again.

"We're ready for you now," she said. She turned and led the first years in a line through the large doors and into the Great Hall. The entire Hall fell silent as the first years made their way down the center of the Hall and to the front where a tattered old wizard's hat was set on an old wooden stool. McGonnagal stopped the new students a few feet away from the stool and then turned to face the school. She produced a long scroll from her emerald robes and spoke.

"When I call your name, you shall step forward, place the Sorting Hat on your head and wait to hear you House. Your placement is non-negotiable," she said as she unrolled the parchment and began reading off names. A Stuart Abbot was sorted into Hufflepuff while a Denise Aberson was placed in Ravenclaw. Both looked relatively happy with their placement. Julius Adders was placed into Slytherin. He looked particularly satisfied. And with every new person sorted, the House receiving the new first year erupted in applause.

When the D's came around, Colin listened for Anna's placement. The shy blonde stepped up to the Hat's stool and sat down. She winced slightly as McGonnagal placed the hat on her head. A moment of anticipation filled the air as the school watched to see where the next student would be placed. The hat finally called out GRYFFINDOR! The Gryffindor table erupted and Anna walked over. She took a seat at the end of the table on the far side, close to the door.

The Sorting continued on until the O's came up. When Colin's name was called, he stepped up to the stool and sat down. As soon as McGonnagal placed the hat on his head, he heard a voice whispering in the back of his head.

Hmm…where to put you? Where to put you? You've got knowledge, I see, and a good deal of it. That's a Ravenclaw trait, you know. But, no, that's not the House for you. I see a diligence in you as well. Hufflepuffs are the masters of diligence. But you don't fit there do you? How about Slytherin, then? You've got great ambition and those Slytherins are the most ambitious bunch I've ever seen. But, what's this here? I see a desire to do good, protect those you treasure, and something else…something that I haven't seen in many, many years. You'd fit well in Gryffindor too. Tell you what. I'll leave the choice up to you. What House would you put yourself in?

Colin thought back I really don't think I should make that decision. You're the Sorting Hat after all. Wherever you put me, I'll go.

Very well then. I say, you belong in GRYFFINDOR!

Colin smiled as the hat was raised off of his head. He walked to the Gryffindor table and was about to go to the end where Anna was sitting but was pulled in with Harry and the gang before he could get down to the end of the table.

"Jolly good Colin!" Ron said, patting him on the back. "Great to have you with us!"

"Glad to be here," Colin replied.

When the Sorting was finally finished, an ancient looking man stood from a golden chair at the center of the Head Table. Professor McGonnagal, sitting next to him, tapped her glass for attention. The whole school looked up, and the Hall fell silent as the man prepared to speak.

"Welcome all returning students, and an especially warm welcome to our new first years. As most of you know, I am Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. I realize that you are all anxious to begin feasting, but first, I have a few start of term announcements. Firstly, Mr. Filch has added several more items to his list of restricted objects. The list now includes all manner of joke, trick, and otherwise fake school supplies and general items. Also, be aware that areas marked with RESTRICTED signs are not to be entered by anyone without proper permission. Now then, let us eat!" Dumbledore clapped his hands and as he did, great mountains of food appeared on the tables. "Tuck in!"

Colin left the Great Hall sometime around midnight, he couldn't quite remember. Harry and the gang led Colin to the Gryffindor Common Room and the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Password?" the Lady asked as the five approached.

"Higgledy-piggledy," Hermione recited, flawlessly. The Fat Lady bowed as she swung her portrait open, revealing the hole.

Inside the Common Room, Colin said good night to everyone else, as they ascended the stairs to the dormitories. "I think I'll stay down here for a while," Colin said, walking over to the fireplace. "I'm not really that tired."

When Harry and everyone were all upstairs, he went over to the chairs facing the fire.

"Hi there, Anna."