After three more hours of snacking on sweets and discussing the four Houses of Hogwarts, the castle was visible in the distance. The moment I saw it, I gasped and clambered over Ron to get a good look out of the window.

It was every bit the work of art that Robbie had promised it was. Castle spires blocked out some of the stars overhead, the windows alight thanks to candles and lanterns. I could see the enormous gates that would welcome us to our new home, raised and ready with dozens of lights.

"It's beautiful," I found myself whispering.

Hearing my remark, Harry rose from his seat and joined me. His green eyes grew larger by the second as they took in the sights.

"Blimey," Ron whispered behind me. Since he was taller than both Harry and I, he could see over our heads without a problem.

For the next five minutes, we all stood there in our awed silence. At last, the train stopped in the station, and it was announced that students were allowed to disembark.

The three of us almost stampeded over each other in our anticipation to get off the train. Beyond ready to see the castle in person, we leapt off the train, with Blumiere and Hedwig in tow, to breathe in the fresh air. As soon as we exited the vehicle, we heard a loud and fairly gruff voice shouting, "Firs' years, over here! Firs' years, this way!"

We followed the sound of that voice until we came upon an extremely large man with an equally large beard. He was holding a lantern, and around him was a large gathering of first-years like ourselves.

Delighted, Harry exclaimed, "Hagrid!"

The large man, whose name was apparently Hagrid, turned to face us. A jolly expression was on his face when he saw us. "Oh, 'ello, 'Arry! Who're yer friends?"

"This is Ron Weasley and Belle Skylar," Harry introduced. Hagrid offered us a hearty hello and welcome to Hogwarts before declaring that it was time to shove off. Knowing that we would have to follow him and the group until we reached the castle, we stayed close to him during our following trek.

Down a steep, narrow path we traveled. It was a bit mucky, but no one fell or got hurt on the way. Eventually, the path opened up to reveal the great Black Lake, with the silhouette of the castle reflected on its surface. Even as we stood upon the lakeside, empty longboats glided up next to us.

"Four to a boat, please, no more'n four!" shouted Hagrid.

Following his instructions, the three of us sat next to a girl with long, bushy hair who quickly introduced herself. "Hello! I'm Hermione Granger," she said with a smile.

She seemed nice enough, so I returned the greeting and held out a hand for a handshake. "I'm Belle. Nice to meet you, Hermione."

"And you as well," she replied, pleasant as a bowl of peaches. When she turned to face Harry, recognition illuminated her features. "You're Harry Potter, aren't you? I've read all about you!"

Harry looked mildly uncomfortable, but he remained courteous.

Then she then turned to Ron. "And you are?"

"Ron Weasley."

"Pleasure," she remarked, but her lips were somewhat pursed. That pleasantness she had exhibited to both Harry and I had evaporated, the reason why being next explained. "I think you have some dirt on your nose. Just there."

Ron glared at her, but furiously rubbed his nose where she was pointing.

Before anyone could say anything more, the boat started to sail across the lake on its own. My eyes were as big as saucers as I watched the castle grew larger and larger; now that we were closer, I could see the stone that the school was made out of, as well as the Quidditch pitch in the distance. Even just looking at the Quidditch field made my fingers itch for a broom, but I was out of luck, seeing as first-years couldn't have them.

At last, however, came the moment I'd waited years for. The boats docked on the other side of the lake, and it was time to enter Hogwarts.

I could hear the whispers and hisses of my fellow first-years as we all stumbled out of the boats. But along with the eagerness, there was anxiety… and for good reason. We all knew that as soon as we entered the castle, we'd be paraded in front of the older students to be Sorted.

"Over 'ere, come on firs' years," ushered Hagrid. Holding a large, bright lantern, he started waving towards a path that would lead us from the lake to the large gates that I'd seen from the train window.

My new friends and I immediately jogged towards the castle, with quite a few others echoing our steps. The incline was a significant one, but not even being slightly out of breath would take away from my joy.

Despite it being a literal uphill battle to the castle gates, it was only a two minute journey. Harry, Ron, and I were three of the first ones to make it; when we arrived, we were greeted by a woman wearing robes of emerald green. Her eyes were stern, and her hair was propped in a tight bun.

Hagrid arrived right behind us and, gesturing to ourselves and our classmates behind us, said, "The firs' years, Professor McGonagall."

I remembered Robbie telling me about a Professor McGonagall when he'd tell me stories about his misadventures at school. He had said that she was strict, but incredibly talented and a wonderful professor.

"Thank you, Hagrid," she said. Her voice was low and authoritative. "I will take them from here."

A few nervous looks were exchanged through the first-years that were present. Undeterred, however, I grinned. I was ready to be Sorted.

Professor McGonagall seemed to notice this. With a thin-lipped smile, she looked at me and was about to speak—but then she stopped, as if she had recalled something. After a moment, she said, "If you lot would please follow me."

We set off after her. I was so eager to enter the Great Hall, I found myself walking side-by-side with Professor McGonagall. Harry, Ron, and the others were a few steps back. Seizing the opportunity to speak, Professor McGonagall asked, "Am I right in assuming that you have an older brother named Robert Krum?"

I winced at the use of my true last name, but nodded and said, "Yes, you are. He's working in the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic now."

Professor McGonagall looked immensely pleased as she murmured, "I am glad to see I retain the ability to never forget a face. Robert was a wonderful student. It was a shame he wasn't sorted into my House. Even so, perhaps I'll be lucky and take you under my wing."

I couldn't help but smile at this. I liked the look of Professor McGonagall, and despite her serious appearance, she had proven to be personable. So it was that I asked, "And which House is yours?"

"Gryffindor," she answered, a gleam of pride flashing through her eyes.

I nodded again and thought about what being in Gryffindor might be like. Of course, I had no idea. All I knew was that if I was Sorted into Gryffindor, I would enjoy having Professor McGonagall as my Head of House.

Even though I had come to like her, however, the use of my last name was bothering me. Robbie and I had discovered at an early age that the name 'Krum' always caused people to view us differently, seeing as the Krums were the most famous Quidditch family in the world. They were our family from our father's side, although the only person that Robbie and I had personally become close with was our cousin, Viktor, who was also planning on a career in the Quidditch world.

Realizing that if I didn't say something that the Sorting would reveal my true last name, I opened my mouth to bring up the topic.

Almost detecting my unease, however, Professor McGonagall beat me to it. "It has just occurred to me—it was known among the staff that Robert preferred to use your mother's maiden name instead of your father's. Would that be true for you as well?"

Relieved, I sighed, "Yes, please. I would appreciate it."

Professor McGonagall smiled again, although this time it wasn't as thinly. With more warmness in her voice, she declared, "That can be arranged."

I was about to express my thanks, but at that moment she turned around and began to address the other first-years.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule-breaking will lose House points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I will return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."

With that, Professor McGonagall gave me a knowing smile before turning and stepping through the doors that would undoubtedly lead into the Great Hall.

Once she was out of earshot, I heard a cool voice say, "Smart."

I turned, expecting to see either Harry or Ron. Instead, I found myself face to face with Draco Malfoy. I blinked, a bit surprised to see him there—unsure of what he meant, I said, "Beg your pardon?"

"What you just did, sucking up to Professor McGonagall like that. It was smart," he replied. He crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall.

Heat rose into my face as I blustered, "Wh—I was not sucking up!"

"Sure you were," he responded, still as calm as before. "Make no mistake, I have no problem with it. I intend to do the same thing myself, with the teachers that I think are worth my time. You beat me to this one. I can respect that."

I stared at Draco, wondering if he was either incredibly smart or incredibly insane. Perhaps he was both. Nonetheless, I remarked, "I was only trying to be friendly."

"And it inadvertently just gave you an edge over the rest of us here," he smirked. "That classifies as sucking up."

I glowered at him, wishing I had a comeback. That, however, was when I noticed him obviously sizing me up.

"What?" I spat.

"Nothing. I'm just wondering if perhaps you'll be Sorted into Slytherin."

For some reason, the very thought of it made my stomach churn. Even though I wanted to remain unbothered, there was no hiding the slight panic to my tone upon saying, "Erm, no. I won't be in Slytherin, that is definitely the House that I am least likely to make it into."

Draco uncrossed his arms, looking genuinely curious. "Oh? Why so?"

"None of my family have been in Slytherin. I haven't even thought about it, to be honest," I said. While both of these statements were true, I knew that they were unlikely to actually prevent me from being in Slytherin. If the Sorting decided I was well-suited for Slytherin, then Slytherin it would be.

As it was, Draco just sighed and ran a hand through his silvery-blond hair. "Pity," he simpered. "The Slytherin common room will lose a rather nice eye-piece."

My face flushed from pink to red. "And just what do you mean by that?"

"I'm not blind. I know a pretty girl when I see one," he returned, leaning back again. I hated that stupid little smirk on his face. He had this whole conversation in the palm of his hand, and it looked like he knew it, too.

So, with a somewhat huffy expression, I muttered, "All right, I think I'm done here. Good luck with your blasted Sorting."

"Yours too, Skylar," he called after me as I stomped away. I had to find Harry and Ron and rant to them about what just occurred. They already hated Malfoy, so maybe they would appreciate my frustrations.

When I found them, however, all I could manage to splutter was, "Malfoy—little prick—it's on."

Harry and Ron noticed my anger and chuckled. Ron grinned lopsidedly and said, "Like you said, Belle, he's a prat."

Knowing that my friends shared my sentiments made me feel better.

Before we could really start focusing on what the Sorting might be, Professor McGonagall had returned. Noticing her commanding presence standing at the front of the crowd, the whispering first-years instantly silenced and stared at her, waiting for instruction.

"Form a line and follow me."

We did so. I ended up standing next to Harry, with Hermione and Ron walking beside each other in front of us. It took a little less than ten seconds to get organized, and once we were, Professor McGonagall waved her wand.

The giant iron doors in front of us opened, and she started walking us through the Great Hall. When I myself walked in, my mouth nearly dropped open. The Great Hall was one of the loveliest places I'd ever been in. Thousands of candles were bewitched to float delicately above our heads, and the ceiling had been enchanted to look like the night sky outside. Older students watched us with encouraging smiles upon their lips as we passed. Their faces flickered in the waning light of the candles' flames; even as I watched, one of the professors at the High Table simply waved his wand, and the candles' wax was replenished. Ghosts appraised us from above; everyone in the Great Hall was craning to get a better view.

When I looked at where we were walking, I saw an old hat sitting on a wooden stool. The hat was filthy and had a few patches sewn into it, but it looked wonderfully antique.

At last, we were ordered to stop walking. Professor McGonagall turned to face us and, with a knowing smile, declared, "Very well! The Sorting Ceremony shall begin!"