Rosy and Lauren where busy talking excitedly about how Hogwarts would be and what might happen. When a girl around their age with bushy hair stepped into the compartment. "Oh hello" she said "May I sit here? I can't find my friends anywhere and all the compartments are full". "Sure" they replied moving their stuff to make room for her.
"I'm Hermione Granger" started the girl "We know' coursed Lauren and Rosy who were completely stunned to have finally met one of the characters from their books in the flesh. "Oh you must have read those muggle books then; well they aren't completely true you know. Professor Dumbledore allows Rowling to write about Hogwarts and us in hopes of raising the muggles awareness about the wizarding world. He doesn't find it fair that they are left completely in the dark." She finished and was slightly shocked to see that Lauren and Rosy where both completely interested in what she had to say, usually people would only pretend to listen.
The three girls chatted quite a bit about what they had read and about what Hogwarts was really like. The more they heard the more excited they became. As they finished changing into their robes the train stopped and they started filing out. The first thing Lauren and Rosy noticed was Hagrid leading the first years to the boats. "Are we supposed to go with the first years?' they asked him shyly "Ah no you ladies are supposed teh be goin' with the secon' years and then you'll be joining up with the firs' years for the sortin."
They thanked him and made they're way to the carriages with Hermione. "Whoa' Lauren suddenly exclaimed as the approached their carriage. "What is it?" asked Rosy and Hermione concerned. "What are those things?" Lauren said pointing to the front of the carriage. 'What things? I don't see anything" Rosy answered looking even more concerned. "Those horse things with the big wings" Lauren said still staring in shock at the front of the carriage.
"I still don't see anything' whispered Rosy to Hermione "me neither" she replied as they both were starting to think Lauren had gone a little mad.
'Ever seen anyone die before?' a voice suddenly asked Lauren from behind.
Thinking it was a threat she turned around fully and issued a fierce glance at the boy behind her. "No, no I didn't mean it like that" he said noticing the evil look she was giving him. "Those are Threstrals and you can only see them if you seen someone die" the boy told her, still smiling at her confusion. "Oh" she replied quietly looking again at the black skeletal horse. 'Yes" she said with a little laugh "If hamsters count"
"Well since you can see them I guess it does' he replied gently pushing her towards the carriage entrance.
As they got in he introduced himself "I'm Taryn, I'm a third year Gryffindor" "I'm Lauren" replied Lauren. "Rositza' said Rosy using her full first name "But everyone calls me Rosy". "Nice to meet you both, you're new here aren't you?" "Yes' Lauren replied "we have to get sorted with the first years tonight." "Well good luck" he said jumping out of the carriage when it stopped "hope to see you in Gryffindor" and with a small wink at Lauren he was off.
"Ah ladies please follow me this way" an unfamiliar voice greeted them. "They turned around to face who they only guessed was professor McGonagall. "We need to discuss a few things before you become sorted. They nodded and quickly said their goodbyes to Hermione and started walking behind professor McGonagall.
They were gone for a half hour before returning to the great hall for the sorting. As they walked towards the big oak doors of the great hall they noticed that their animals were with Hagrid waiting just outside the doors as well.
"Hello there" he greeted them friendly "Are yeh nervous?" they nodded a bit "Well I jus' been takin' care of your animals for yeh while ya been with Professor McGonagall. Professor Dumbledore wants to introduce them with you so the students won't be shocked to see them around the castle. Are you ready?" They nodded again in agreement and Hagrid pushed the big oak doors open.
They entered the great hall and looked around. It looked like the sorting was just finishing up when they arrived. As they walked to the stool they got many curious stares. Some people where wondering what year they were in but most where curious about the five animals trailing behind them.
"Yes, yes our new students have made it just in time" said Dumbledore clapping his hands together. "Who wants to go first? Rosy how about you?" Rosy nodded nervously and walked up to the stool. "Ah" the sorting hat exclaimed "a First, how interesting, lets see where you belong. Too kind for Slytherin, but too tough for Hufflepuff, maybe Ravenclaw. There is a good mind here and an eagerness to learn but what's this? Oh yes the heart it seems, shall win over the mind. Gryffindor!" Rosy smiled and leapt off the stool to join Hermione at the Gryffindor table.
As Lauren slowly made her way up Rosy crossed her fingers and gave her a comforting smile. "Good luck" she mouthed to her best friend. Many eyes where on Lauren as she walked up to the stool and with each pair of eyes at least a hundred questions or thoughts.
That's a lot of people Lauren thought as she took a seat. She always liked an audience but this was nerve wracking. She sat on the stool and the hat was placed on her head. She tried not to think too much because she wanted the sorting hat to place her where she truly belonged and not just where she wanted to be, which was with her best friend.
Well she thought silently lets see what this hat's got to say. "Hmm" the sorting hat exclaimed "Two Firsts, how interesting, though it is often that friends in past lives come together in their new ones.
"Well you definitely have a good mind, good enough to match any Ravenclaw but you want to do things your way and Ravenclaw is very by the book. Hmm I do love a challenge.' The hat said with a bit of excitement "Well let's see Hufflepuff is out of the question, you have too much pride for those modest Hufflepuffs.
Interesting though, a sharp wit and a bit of a temper, sounds like a Slytherin to me. Cunning nature and" bringing his voice down very low the hat said only to her 'a certain talent for lying." She blushed but smiled glad that the sorting hat had not said that out loud. "But here beyond the glassy mask a heart of gold. Enough gold to match a Gryffindor, so that is where you'll be.
More cheers from the Gryffindors broke out and Dumbledore asked Lauren to stay at the front for a moment. Then calling Rosy up as well he explained their story.
"These young ladies are not your average witches; they are Firsts' he started. After he had explained their circumstances and why the animals would be in the castle he began the feast and told the girls to take their seats.
