Disclaimer: Just a reminder that I own nothing but Eliwyn.
Eliwyn's mouth was agape as they neared the castle that was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; the majestic turrets reached towards the starry sky and numerous rooms were alight with the flickering flames of candles. The carriage rocked back and forth gently, pulled mysteriously by nothing. Eliwyn could sense there was some sort of creature tethered to each dark carriage, but she didn't mention it to the others; they might think her odd.
"It's beautiful isn't it? I remember my first time, but we went across the water with the other first years. I wonder why they didn't make you do it too." Hermione said in the silence.
Eliwyn shrugged. "It's just as impressive from here."
Hermione explained different parts of the castle to her, like Hagrid's hut and the herbology greenhouses, and also about the different teachers. It seemed that one of her favourite classes, Potions, was taught by a cruel teacher named Snape, and he always picked on Harry. Her most favourite class of all, Defence Against the Dark Arts, never had a permanent teacher so they didn't know who would be teaching this year. Eliwyn wished that her teacher from Canada was there, she was the best she ever had.
"Here we are." Harry announced as the carriage pulled to a smooth halt in front of the biggest doors Eliwyn had ever seen. Inside she could see all the trunks being piled up in a tall hallway. She jumped out of the carriage and watched as some house elves scurried to get her luggage out of the back and into the hallway with the rest of them.
At the entrance of the castle were two people; one lady had a large pointed hat, and the other was a sour looking man with a cat in his arms.
"That Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor, and that's Mr. Filch and his cat Mrs. Norris." Eliwyn remembered both from their earlier explanations of the faculty.
The tall woman looked at the four of them through her round glasses and when her eyes settled on Eliwyn she approached them. "Harry, Ron, Hermione, welcome back. I trust that your summers were pleasant?"
Ron and Hermione nodded while Harry rolled his eyes. She looked at Eliwyn.
"I hope you don't find this rude child, but I don't recognize you. Are you from Wagaahigan?"
Eliwyn nodded. "My name is Eliwyn Turner."
"Welcome to Hogwarts Miss Turner, I trust that the others have welcomed you well?"
"Very well, thank you."
"Good, now if you don't mind children," she gestured towards the others, "your classmates are waiting for you in the Great Hall. Miss Turner, you will join the first years and some of your other classmates in the Sorting session."
"She's going to get sorted?" Ron asked.
"Yes Mr. Weasley. Now off with you."
Eliwyn watched as Harry, Ron and Hermione walked off down the hallway and then she turned and faced Professor McGonagall. She nodded and led her off down the hallway and up a set of grand stairs. At the top there were several other students, some young and some a little older from Eliwyn's school.
"Wait here." She instructed and then returned back to her post at the gate.
Eliwyn noticed a girl she knew vaguely from her old school, and struck up a conversation. It was at least twenty minutes later when the professor finally returned. She looked a bit frazzled but her voice was steady as she addressed the students in front of her.
"Everyone, your attention please, you will soon pass through these doors into the Great Hall. There you will be sorted into your house and you will join you classmates at your appropriate table. Now, if you could all remain silent, please follow me."
The group of mixed and matched students followed her into the Great Hall, with the enchanted ceiling and floating candles. Eliwyn managed to catch Harry and the others' eye as she walked past; Hermione waved and the two boys smiled at her. She felt her confidence rise a little bit.
They stopped in front of the raised area where the teachers sat, on which there was a stool and a ragged old hat. The Professor explained to them about the sorting hat, and after its beautiful song, the sorting began.
The first years went first, which only seemed fitting, and Eliwyn found herself with seven of her schoolmates at the end. She seemed to be the oldest one there.
"Samantha Cunningham." The Professor called, and a young girl nervously walked up and sat beneath the hat. It was a few moments later when she was pronounced in Ravenclaw. The table burst with cheers for their newest member from Wagaahigan.
"Eliwyn Turner."
Eliwyn raised her eyes to the Professor and took a deep breath. She began walking slowly and calmly towards the hat. In was seemed like hours she got there and was soon sitting beneath the hat. Its deep voice filled her ears; a voice she knew only she could hear.
"Well, well. Aren't you a piece of work young one? A talent unlike any other I see, gives you a bit of trouble eh? Well, that doesn't matter. You've a strong heart and determination, which can put you in only one place." And then his voice rang out for everyone else to hear. "GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table burst out in cheers, especially from Harry, Ron and Hermione. Eliwyn gave her biggest smile as the Professor lifted the hat off her head. She made her way down to where the others were and sat in the seat they cleared for her.
"Congratulations Eliwyn! It's so exciting that you are in our house!" Hermione bubbled. It seemed she was thankful that there was going to be another girl to hang around with. It was odd just being with the boys all the time.
"Congrats Eliwyn, you'll love Gryffindor." Harry smiled. Ron nodded eagerly in agreement.
The sorting continued until it was complete; there were no more students in Gryffindor, but there were several in both Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. There were no Wagaahigan students in Slytherin.