A/N: Hey everyone! I decided to do an Author's Note this time, but don't expect too many of them. It's hard enough doing everything at home and writing too. So don't expect huge lists of thanks for my reviews. I'm afraid you'll just have to be satisfied with knowing in you're hearts that I love you all! Ok and by the way I own nothing but the plot and this is set one year before Harry and his friends get to Hogwarts so you won't see them. Anyway, E&R, (Enjoy and Review).
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Elynn followed the big man to a fleet of small boats at the edge of the lake. She quickly took a seat in one and avoided eye contact with anyone, hoping to go unnoticed. Suddenly the boat began to move all on it's own! She gasped and grabbed hold of the side with all her might. She didn't like the water or boats of any type especially ones that moved without someone at the helm. There was a giggle behind her and Elynn turned around to see two brunette girls laughing in her direction. She turned red with embarrassment and quickly let go of the side of the boat. She turned back around so the two wouldn't notice her humiliation. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This was going to be a long year.
All of a sudden, there was a collective gasp from the entire fleet of first years and Elynn opened her eyes to see what the fuss was about. She could barely contain her awe. There was the castle with all its towers, and windows and lights shining brightly, just as Grandfather had described it. It was enough to take one's breath away. Not soon enough for Elynn, they arrived on shore and began to make their way to the double-door entrance.
The entrance hall was enormous and filled with statues and plants of all types. Everyone oohed and ahhed at the sights as they walked up a grand staircase. At the top was a professor in a green velvet dress and a large black hat with a large feather in the top. Everyone stopped and waited.
"Professor McGonagall." Elynn knew this professor from the visits she had paid to her family over the years. She was an old friend.
"Hello, first years and welcome to Hogwarts. In just a few moments you will walk through these doors," the professor pointed to the large double doors behind her, "And join your classmates. However, before you may take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses." Elynn had heard about this. The sorting hat of Hogwarts was legendary. "They are Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Griffindor and Slytherin. While you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule breaking and you will lose points. Now you will all wait out here while I make sure that we are ready for you. Oh, and Elynn," Elynn looked up, "Your grandfather would like a word with you after the meal." Then, Professor McGonagall turned and walked into the dining hall with a swoosh. This left the students to talk amongst themselves for a bit.
"Who's your grandfather?" one of the girls from the boat asked.
Taking advice from past experience, Elynn replied, "Oh no one really. Just Grandfather." However, that didn't seem to satisfy the curiosity of the other students and they all began to ask questions. To each an even more vague answer was given until Elynn refused to answer at all and the students became bored with asking. She mentally patted herself on the back for her quick thinking.
Just then, McGonagall reentered, "We're ready for you now." She opened the door and the students all filed inside the dining hall.
There was so much talking; it was easy for Elynn to hide her not talking and to silently appreciate the beauty of the Great Hall. The bewitched ceiling twinkled with millions of stars and was a gorgeous midnight blue. The floating candles added to the mysteriousness of the hall. Too soon, Elynn found herself standing at the front of the room, in front of the head table. There was a tall stool with an old worn out hat sitting on it.
"That must be the sorting hat." Elynn concluded. An old man stood to address the hall, "Grandfather!"
"Before we begin the sorting, I have a few start of term rules I wish to announce. The first years will please note, that the Dark Forest is off-limits to all students. Also, our Potions Master, Professor Snape would like me to inform you that his cabinets and ingredients will be off-limits to the students except during class time, perhaps for the rest of the year." There were a few moans after that, but Elynn couldn't see what the fuss was about, "Now, if you will please continue, Professor McGonagall."
Grandfather sat down and McGonagall produced a roll of parchment, "Now when I call your names, you will come up here and sit on this stool. I will place the sorting hat on your head and you will be sorted into your houses." The professor unrolled the parchment and began to call names, "Emily Slekel." A blonde haired girl walked up. The sorting hat was placed gently on her head. Then, to Elynn's surprise, the hat came alive! It began to move and speak!
"Ah, right then, hmmm, alright, HUFFLEPUFF!" It suddenly exclaimed, making Elynn jump. Grandfather saw her and snuck her a wink. Elynn smiled and collected herself as others were sorted.
Suddenly, Professor McGonagall called her name, "Elynn Dumbledore." The entire hall went deathly silent. Then, there were whisperings, hundreds of them. All Elynn could hear around her were murmurs of Dumbledore and she suddenly lost her nerve. She froze. She literally could not move. Then she suddenly found herself backing away from the hat, toward the doors that she knew were behind her. She knew she wasn't thinking straight, but all she could think was that she had to get out. She had to leave! Suddenly she felt a hand grab her wrist. She looked at the person the hand belonged to and found herself looking into Oliver Wood's encouraging eyes. He smiled at her and suddenly all the whispering faded away. All that was left was the sorting hat, her and Oliver. Suddenly, she knew she could walk up there and do this. After all, all she had to do was sit down and put a hat on her head. She abruptly turned and walked with newfound purpose to the stool and sat herself down and sat patiently waiting, while the hat was placed on her head. It was too large for her and fell down over her eyes, hiding her from the hall and enveloping her in utter darkness.
Didn't know if you were going to make it, did you? Elynn jumped. It was talking in her head! The hat chuckled. That's the way I see which house you belong in. Didn't your grandfather explain that to you? Now let's see, there's wit here and book smarts, enough to spare for sure. Great talent is hidden down there as well if you can find it. A little shy aren't we? No matter, you're loyal once you get down to it. Oh look what I found here! Curiosity killed the cat you know! Now just a moment… There was a pause while the sorting hat thought for an instant and that was when Elynn decided to make a request. Please, just put me where I'll belong. That's all I really want. I just want to belong. The sorting hat replied kindly, My dear, what do you think I'm here for? Don't worry. You'll fit in beautifully in… "RAVENCLAW!" It exclaimed out loud. The table on the far left cheered and clapped. The hat was lifted from Elynn's eyes and she observed her new housemates. She sat down at the end of a bench next to another first year. Elynn seemed to remember that she was called Avela Rinocu. She was an African with black hair pulled into a ponytail and thick glasses on her face. Elynn looked up at the head table as the rest of the first years were sorted and saw Grandfather raise his glass to her. She smiled knowing that Grandfather was proud of her.