There was no ceiling! Rather, the sky seemed to have lowered itself to serve as one. Dark clouds hovered, yet somehow gave light. Fat drops of rain formed, yet never reached the students below. She could only stare until it occurred to her that the clouds were not very thick. In fact… was that a glimpse of a golden ceiling she could see through them? And that, floating amongst the oppressive clouds – a rafter? She smiled slightly, suddenly deliriously happy. Only here! This place was positively miraculous! An acid voice cut sharply into her thoughts.
"Never seen anything like this before, have you… Muggle?" Malfoy. Acting on time-tested instinct, she beamed at the crowd (now staring in shock at her) and waved like the Queen Mum herself. Out of the corner of her mouth, she softly confided to Ginny, "A celebrity already! Won't this be fun?" Her heart was pounding in desperation at the stony silence, but she kept up with the smile routine, biting the insides of her cheeks until they started to hurt. Thankfully, a few Gryffindors inspired the rest to applaud, and the silence at the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables at least melted into excited whispers. She smiled graciously, her waving hand obviously imitating the old queen, and there were some titters from those not cheering already. The conspicuous silence of Slytherin table did not prevent Erin from flashing Malfoy an impudent wink. Ushered back into the crowd behind a few first-year boys already taller than she, she breathed deeply to slow her heart, shaken by the incident. At least she wouldn't have to keep explaining herself now; it was probably worth it. Her hands were shaking. Ginny, in the hubbub ensuing, had reclaimed her spot as Gryffindor; there was an expectant hush as McGonagall placed a very old, very battered-looking hat onto a stool. Confused, Erin shifted to get a better view. A slit opened in the hat that actually kind of looked like a mouth – but no, just because this – and it sang!
When first four powers joined, there
Was no way they could know
How fine Hogwarts would soon become,
How famous it would grow!
They only had their wands and brooms
And books and silly dreams!
And looking back, all I say is
How stirring it all seems!
For Slytherin would only care
To teach whose blood was pure,
And Gryffindor put faith in those
Whose boldness was assured.
Yet Ravenclaw was interested
In keenness of the mind,
And Hufflepuff asked only that
They be both trusty and kind!
Oh, how those four discussed and yelled,
'tis just for me to know!
And in the end, one did decide
That he would have to go!
Oh, Slytherin, who could not let
Their differences alone --
He just took off, and went away,
In search of myths unknown.
Yet see, what greatness still exists!
Yet see what time has wrought!
And know that only faith could bring
The wonders these have brought!
When first four powers joined, there
Was no way they could know
How dreams would raise themselves up high,
And ever stir the soul!
The students and teachers applauded wildly at this, and the Sorting began.
McGonagall clearly read a name of a long parchment she held in front of her. The unlucky exemplar walked as quickly as he comfortably could up to the front, where he was directed to sit on stool, and the hat placed upon his head. After a moment, the hat shouted "Ravenclaw!", and off the young boy happily went, to join his peers and hopefully melt once more into the crowd. After ten or so more instances of this, Erin heard her own name stated. Forcing her clenched fists into a relaxed stance, she walked calmly up to the front of the Hall, face burning as the students flutteringly resumed their whispers. She sat straight on the stool, her mind chanting, Gryffindor, Gryffindor…please?
"Hmmm… you very sure now? You may be more Ravenclaw material, but… well, on the other hand, that was some stunt you did just now! If you want it, it's all yours… GRYFFINDOR!"
All she could do was grin from ear to ear. Any booing or hisses from the Slytherin table were more than drowned out by the cheering of the Gryffindors as she joined her table, with a sudden deep appreciation for the colors red and gold. She found a place between Ron and Neville, ecstatic. Neville thumped her on the back, and Harry congratulated her on her bit of lighthearted satire of the royal family. ("I wish I'd've thought of that for when Malfoy bothers us!"). She flushed (even more) from their approval, her gaze wandering to the head of the teacher's table, where a bearded, wizened (she could tell just by looking at him) old wizard stood to a hush of obvious respect.
"Students, I will try to restrict myself to a few brief announcements, but you all know how an old man can go on." Everyone laughed; even the Slytherins' smirks seemed good-natured. "Of course, a few to first-years… and a few of our students who may need a refresher: our groundskeeper Filch has kindly provided us with an updated version of prohibited activities, which all students should venture to read at some free time – they can be found on Mr. Filch's door… and down to the floor… and extending several feet down the hallway." There was the twitch of a repressed smile with these words, and the gleam in the old man's eye became a bit more noticeable. "The Forest on the grounds is forbidden to all students, as are magic between classes and running amok after curfew. Hogsmeade visits are only for third-years and beyond; no changes there. Next, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year… again. May I introduce Professor Lupin!" Students cheered as Lupin rose from his seat and gave a brief wave, then resumed his seat looking rather satisfied with the way things were going. "Lastly, we have a new student at Hogwarts this year who is somewhat unique," she sucked in her breath, forcing her glance away from the design on the tablecloth and up to meet those of her fellow students, her hand clutching Neville's under the table as she smiled serenely. "I expect you all to treat her as you would any other student… except for asking her help with your Transfiguration homework, of course," he attempted to lighten the mood, "She is here by special approval from the Ministry of Magic, and I'm certain she will get along famously. And now, without further ado… tuck in!"
The applause at Lupin's introduction was rather put to shame by the cheers at these words. Her eyes bulged in their sockets as, revealed as though the trick-wall in Frankenstein had been activated, a feast sprung up before her eyes! At her companions' obvious relish in tucking into their food (especially Ron, she noted), she hesitantly tasted the mashed potatoes that had seemingly materialized out of the air, adding subsequently to her plate some green beans and carrots, and a slice of warm bread. Her goblet was filled with an orangey liquid that tasted wonderfully like spices and pumpkin. Finding nothing wrong with what she had tried so far, she took the old man's advice.
"I think Dumbledore gets bolder every year." Hermione's tone was amused rather than disapproving. "Next year he'll be making jibes at the other Professors' expense!" That would be the funny old wizard, Erin realized, repeating the name in her head several times. She glanced over at Draco, who seemed a bit miffed. He met her eyes, and she flashed him a brilliant smile.
"Oh no!" at Neville's groan, she noticed a piece of paper in his hand. When she received one herself, she determined them to be schedules. Hers, she knew, would be far different than the other first-years'. In fact, the other students'. It listed Mondays as Flying first, then (double) Herbology, Potions, Astronomy, Divination, and, then… Potions again. She frowned until realizing that she must be taking multiple years of those courses for which she qualified, to make up for never taking Defense Against the Dark Art, Transfiguration, or Charms (or, of course, Muggle Studies). The other days were much like Mondays, rearranged and with Care of Magical Creatures and History of Magic: A Condensed Course classes sprinkled in. She looked over her courses, imagining each, and trying not to be too blinded by the word "flying". Flying! She was going to get onto a broom, and just soar up into the air! She had imagined flying for as long as she could remember.
"Flying! Oh, wow! Ruddy magnificent! I'm going to FLY!!" her friends smiled at this display. "Oh, you don't understand; we can't do it in the Muggle world, but we have books where people do, and I've always wanted to! Oh, I can't believe it!" Hermione was looking at her, confused.
"You have books where people fly? On broomsticks?" Erin nodded. "Does that mean…"
"No, nobody thinks that it's actually possible. Maybe wizards long ago had contact with muggles or something, or maybe we just came up with it on our own. Hey, maybe witches and wizards got the idea from muggles!" Feeling a bit out-of-bounds with this last theory, she added, "I mean, you never know, right?" Hermione smiled reassuringly, and Erin focused on her food once more.
After dinner, she wandered with her friends up to a portrait of a rather… big-boned woman. "In aetatem novam," Harry said clearly -- to the portrait, she realized. She nearly jumped out of her skin when the woman in the portrait smiled kindly and a section of wall swung open; in they all walked to the Gryffindor common room. Erin, a little overwhelmed by the day, chose to go to bed early rather than stay downstairs and socialize. When she found her trunk at the foot of a bed, she decided it was fate and collapsed onto the mattress, not even bothering with pyjamas and barely taking the trouble to lift the covers and shove her legs under before dropping off.