The dim yet glowing windows of Hogwarts were clearly visible from the boathouse as Richard and the others were led up an odd and sometimes confusing staircase up towards the courtyard in front, Josh and the two other students on the boat, were crammed together with Richard as they were lead up to the school's entrance. As they crossed into the large and ancient stone clearing, he could see the sparkling night sky be dimmed by the firelights on each side of the courtyard. Large gargoyles stared down at the new comers as they were lead to large old stone and rusted metal doors that led into the school.

The half giant led the way up to the doors he knocked once, waiting for a good while before a stoat man with dark red robes answered the door. His small and almost frail frame looked like a gust of wind would be more than enough to reach the large tower's peak with very little effort. "Ah, Professor Arlin, I would be thinking ye'll be taking them now." The half giant said with the dip of his head before heading off. The professor adjusted himself as he looked among the kids.

Professor Arlin stepped forward as the doors remained open behind him. "Good evening students, welcome to Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry, if you would follow me we have a few things to do before you are all ready to meet your peers." He said with a fair and almost sweet tone fresh on the tip of his tongue, he had himself properly organized as he gestured out almost in an exaggerated way before turning round to lead the way into the castle.

"Through these doors you will find wonder beyond imagine, although most of you may believe that you have seen all that there is in this world." The professor continued as he gestured up the walls of the entrance hall, one smaller but no less grand door faced opposite the new students. "This school is by extension a part of your home, and by decree you will soon find yourself learning more about it than you have already thought you did. But be aware and adhere to the rules, for there are dangers as well as splendor."

Richard eyed the worn suits of armor that looked like they were pieces plastered together on the wall, the whole school was definitely worn but not all of it looked by age. As they were led to the front of the second set of doors, Richard noticed the large golden coated statue on the far side, in one hand he held a small model of Hogwarts and in the other he held a scroll.

"Now, before we move in… for those who are new to the wizarding world, allow me to do a brief overview of what will happen before the feast." Professor Arlin spoke as he turned heal, his hands suddenly clasping a scroll of his own. Tapping his foot as some of the kids started talking in mocking tones. "Hogwarts has four main houses that each of you will be sorted into, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. The people, who you will find joining you in the house you are sorted into, will be your family for the whole year. Each house will earn points towards earning that year's house cup; by doing good you will be earned a variety of points. By breaking rules you will lose points, and your peers I suspect will not be so happy for that. Now, excuse me as I go and make sure everything is set."

As the professor leaves the hall Richard turned to Joshua. "Have any idea of where you're going?" he asked, unsure about his own choice of house but maybe if he listens to his friend maybe he might know someone in his house. It kind of terrifies him to be sorted into a new house with no-one else that he knows. But at the same time he doesn't know what to expect either house to be like.

"Probably Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, I don't have the brains of Ravenclaw or the slyness of Slytherin… purebloods that lot is. The entire house practically fought two whole wars against anyone who wasn't, ironically led by half-blood themselves when you think about it." Joshua answered with a slight hint of humor in his tone as he turned his head to Richard.

The brunette girl huffed behind them. "Please, nothing more than fabricated lies, not every Slytherin fought in that war and more than one have left all of that behind them." She argued as she crossed her arms in annoyance, turning her head to look over the heads of some of the other new students. Before turning back, to the front as professor Arlin returned to the front… he held the scroll in both hands. "They are ready for you."

As the doors to the large hall opened, the first thing that hit Richard was how bright it was. The corridor and courtyard they were in previously was lit warmly by large braziers and torches while the great hall itself had candlesticks high above the student's head and larger braziers hanging off the sides of the room. Large banners that almost seem like they should already be lit ablaze by now were high in the rafters that were barely visible among the stars and clouds of the false roof of the building. Windows on all sides and a singular large fireplace topped off the sandy colored stone walls of the hall.

On all sides were rows of students sitting comfortably on benches, each one bearing different colors to the plain black and white colors that Richard and the new comers had on. Greens, reds, yellows, and blues with the uniform staying the same across all, at the back of the room before one grand window was a singular table with chairs rather than the benches that sat upon them the teachers. A bright elderly lady sat in the center; she was dressed in a forest green cloak with a large black crooked hat that leaned to one side sitting on top of her head.

And in front of the teachers, at the base of a golden plate with an owl on it, was a singular bench that was worn and tired. One leg seemed to be giving, and the wood was starting to peel in some places. On top sat a ragged, dusty, and worn hat with three holes in the front facing the students, for the strangest reason Richard felt like it was staring directly at him but he shrugged it off.

But as professor Arlin stepped up to the stool the hat moved, was something underneath it that was alive? No, the hat itself was alive as the professor made no movement and the hat opened its two holes near the top.

"Oh come all and let me sing this song,

If you can loan an ear,

I am the sorting hat

And I know all that you can hear,

I can see inside your dreams,

See what you desire the most,

For though you try to hide such things,

You will find that I have more to boast,

Think me old, think me ugly

Your secrets are safe with me

So come and wear me like your cap

And let us see where you ought to be

You may find your rightful home,

In the roar of Gryffindor

To go and let your feet roam,

To take the leap off the floor

Or by chance you look down below,

To the peace of old Hufflepuff

In the safety of the needs and comforts of home,

Where the road is not so rough

Or perhaps your thought is up on high

On the wings of Ravenclaw

To where your mind will reach the sky

Where true knowledge beats brawn,

Maybe your pride leads you to dwell far from the light

In the scales of Slytherin

Where darkness and power lurk so bleak

And you will find the evil deep within

So put me on, don't be afraid

And don't get in a flap

For you are in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a thinking cap…"

As the hat came to a close of its song, it went back to a seemingly sleeping state sitting up there. And professor Arlin reached out and picked it up in one hand to show absolutely nothing underneath where it sat, unraveling the scroll in his hand with the wave of his wand as it drifts off to his side. "When I call your name, each of you will step up and I will put the sorting hat on your head."

All of the new students started to gather in tight rows of lines as they all stared up in front of them at the teacher, as he looked down the list before turning back to them. "Sean Beraz." Arlin called out, looking over the heads of the students before a short stout boy come silently out, his robes all up in a mess as he stepped forward and following the professor's instructions sat on the old stool that creaked under him.

As soon as the hat touched his head the hat sprung back to life. "Ah let's see, a nice and tricky one oh how I love these kind…. Hmmm, I think you should fit well in… Gryffindor!" the hat spoke for a moment before crying out the name of the house for the young boy. As soon as the words left the cut, the hat was lifted off the boy's head and he moved over towards the seating where the robes had red and gold on them.

"Albert Merritt!" Arlin called out next, as a large rather plump young man came and sat on the stool that creaked and leaned a little more to one side with the weight of the young boy. As Richard watch the hat be fit tightly over Sean's head. As he seemed a little anxious and fidgety on the stool as the hat woke back up from its brief slumber. The feeling seemed to sweep through the other first years.

"Ha, a strong will and mind, Ravenclaw!" the hat called out as the rim lifted up with the final words. As the hat was lifted off Sean's head it almost seemed like the stool would break as he took off down towards the table where the colors were blue and silver. The older students greeted him with pats on the backs and cheers as the attention soon turned back to the hat.

"Michaela Finch!" Arlin called out, his wand gesturing out. The brunette pushed past Richard roughly, her black eyes staring determinedly in front of her. As she sat on the seat where it creaked and almost seemed to sink her lower, as the hat was set on her head the hat perked up; Eye holes growing wider as it spoke no words for just a moment, just looking down at the young girl.

"Slytherin!" the hat cried out at last, Michaela practically jumped off the stool when it was taken off her head. Cheers and whoops came from the far left table as they clapped and welcomed the new classmate among their ranks. As the girl sat down Richard couldn't help but think back to Joshua's words about Slytherin as he turned back to the call of the blonde boy's name.

Joshua stepped up to the stool and sat down on top, as the hat touched the simple hairs on the top of his head. He seemed like he was covered in sweat as he bit his lip, the hat was a little slower this time however before it perked up. The seams twitching and moved as it tilted the fabric chin up towards the night sky. "Ah ha, one of you… I see now, I see where you belong; GRYFFINDOR!"

Joshua let out a breath of relief as the hat was lifted off his head and he headed towards the table. Many students went and gone to and from the stool. Richard started to get a little more air room as the group of first years was being separated one by one. As the young brown haired boy was left standing side by side with the dark haired boy on his right.

"Nicolas Lacerda." Arlin called out; as the dark haired boy moved from the spot Richard noticed that Arlin was studying him a little more closely than the others. As soon as he sat down on the bench, and the hat sat on his head the hat sprang up and let out a laugh.

"A Lacerda, come a long way from home I assume boy?" the hat amused, "Hmm, but in this skull lies many deep secrets, oh how I love exploring every inch… perhaps you belong where you will be most accepted. But which house is it then, so many options to choose from. Ah, not the prideful one? Well Slytherin might be too much for you then, brave? Hm, no scared you are of where the future lies, and not so bright. Must be… Hufflepuff!" the hat cried; the rim lifting as the old hat was lifted from the dark haired boy's head.

"Reya Naymore." Arlin called out, as he turned to see a light brown young lady with striking blue eyes and chocolate brown hair move towards the stool. As she sat down richard could see her shift slightly in the slightly crooked seat. Or perhaps it was the nervousness that fluttered through her as she looked at the dusty old brown hat being lowered onto the brown haired girl's head from above.

As the hat sat on her head, it twitched. "Naymore, I remember your family... been too long since one had attended Hogwarts however no? Truly weren't something to joke or laugh at in any manner however, a power rivaled by few others. But not just in combat however, i am well aware of what yoiu seek in here... but you may find your home better suited in Ravenclaw!"

"Richard Rockwell." The words seemed to roll off quickly from Arlin's mouth just as the dark haired boy sat down, for some reason the hat responded to these words. Twitching and moving in the hands of the professor, as the brown haired took a step forward the usual silence that followed the other students greeted him as he took a seat on the stool. It felt a little saggy and unsteady under him and the fabric of the hat touched his head.

"Ah, a new face… but not muggle no? How fascinating indeed, ah but from far away I see now. Why have you chosen to come here? Is Ilvermorny too boring and bland for you? No… you didn't come here just for Hogwarts, you came for something more…" the hat spoke, although Richard could not see the expressions that he made it unnerved him more being so close. "You have a little more deep inside though; yes I can see your potential. Yes I see now, Gryffindor!"

Richard was guided up to his feet; he looked over at the table of red and gold. Cheers coming from the old and new students as he kept himself closed off when he joined in the group of students around the table. As soon as he sat down he turned his head back, the professor was eyeing him strangely before turning back to head towards the table as the stool and hat disappeared.

Through the rest of the ceremony, Richard came to know a couple more of the Gryffindor's who were older than him. Eric and Brian who were only two years older than him, they had a bit of a track record with the caretaker Rolf on behalf of causing more mishap than most… one of their favorites still yet to be discovered. Arnold, who had a bit of a knack for getting into anyone and everyone's business, he was a pale red head who sat at the far end of the table. Lex and Rodrick, two more first years who were also joining them, lex was a Blonde boy with a fair bit of red in the highlights; claims that he didn't dye it. Rodrick was a boy with black hair and bright green eyes, some commented on his appearance but he brushed it off.

As the last student sat down, the elderly lady stood up. After asking some questions Richard came to know that this is the head mistress, Professor McGonagall… the same woman who was mentioned on the letter sent to Richard. As she crossed the table and stood before the pedestal and the owl opened up its wings, she had a warm and bright smile on her face as she gestured out. "With us all now in our houses, I would like to clear up some things before the feast begins. First to begin of course, to all new and older students the dark forest on the grounds is strictly prohibited from anyone entering. Though as this school's tradition is, there will be a few wanders but be warned… in the shadows lie dangers. Dangers Hogwarts protects all of you from." She spoke in a very stern voice, her eyes scanning the tables before she bowed signaling the end of the speech and returning to the table. And she swept her arm in front of her.

As if on cue, the once rather empty, crowded, wooden tables were filled with all sorts of food. Treats and pastries alike, full turkeys and chickens, vegetables and fruit, breads and rolls decorating it all… the tables also had a nice fancy table covering lying across all of the tables. As Richard lifted his arms from the table a fine set of a plate and silverware materialized before him.

…

After the feast had ended, Richard along with the rest of his year were lead out of the great hall. As Richard kept to himself the groups of first years were separated by their houses. As the Gryffindor and Slytherin houses were lead towards the staircase. The Slytherins going down into the dungeons, but not before the whole first year groups were shown the magnificent grand staircase.

"Now, the key thing to note here is that the staircases like to change." Leon, the house prefect for Gryffindor, explained, "It can be easy to get lost that way so I would recommend leaving early for breakfast and classes, it makes navigating the school a whole lot easier." He gestured up at a staircase way up at the top that was switching to the other side of its pivot.

Up the stairs they were led, red and gold sticking close together. The pictures on the walls greeted and waved, some cheered and whooped as the new students moved past them. Richard was drawn to the picture of a battle worn young man, with long claw marks across his face who smiled and waved at the students. Whereas the other paintings were dressed in fine robes and clothes, he looked rather simple… like an old family friend with a cross of someone you would find on the sides of the streets.

At the top of the stairs there was a painting of a old and oversized woman, who turned to the pairs of students coming up to her painting. "Ah, good evening to all of you!" she had a cheerful tone about her as she dipped her head to the prefect. "You all best be sure to remember this, I remember a young boy who constantly forgot all the passwords into the common room. Leon if you would be sure to tell?"

Leon adjusted his position, making sure that his hair was out of his face. "Secretum Ostium." He spoke loud and clear for everyone to hear, as the painting dipped her head and the entrance swung open silently. Richard and the rest of them were led into a small corridor that soon opened up into a large living space hidden behind the painting. It was warmly lit by candles that the students passed on the way in. there were red cushioned chairs placed around tables and before the fireplace.

Up a stair case the students were separated into groups of the girls and boys, as the boys were led up and through a door to their room up in the tower. The room was circular with four poster beds that were plentiful enough that each student had their own, and sleeping on one of the pillows with Richard's luggage in front was Riley; curled up into a nice ball. Richard struggled to lift her up, but she soon woke up and dropped to the floor as the brown haired boy clambered into his bed and pulled the covers up over him. Before she jumped back up and lay on his lap over the covers.

So begins his first year at Hogwarts…