Chapter 4: Arrival
She doesn't get a chance to look when they dismount the train though, because they are immediately grouped together with all of the other first-years by a man with a lantern.
"First-years, this way! Come on now, don't be shy!" says the man, as he leads them onwards.
"Wow-" says Cristina, as she sees how bright his light is.
"Hello, Meredith," says the man, who immediately recognizes her.
"Hello Finn," says Meredith shyly.
Finn Dandridge, the Keeper of the Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts, smiles fondly at Meredith and her new friend as he leads them to one of the rowboats to cross the river.
"Isobel Stevens, but you can call me Izzie," says Izzie Stevens, as she offers her hand out to shake.
"I'm Meredith-" says Meredith.
"Cristina-" says Cristina.
"My name is George, George O'Malley, hi… Meredith… I think I saw you around before, you were with your mom in Diagon Alley, and I never got a chance to say hi, and…" George O'Malley fumbles.
"Hey-" says Meredith, smiling as she shakes hands with him as well, as does Cristina.
The four of them take in the dramatic view of Hogwarts approaching in the distance, against the dark night sky, and the stars.
When they disembark, they are led up a tall and winding staircase.
Halfway up, George slips and falls, and he crawls on the floor after his toad, looking around sheepishly before he gets up again.
At the top of the staircase, a tall-looking (to them, because they're all short) professor in a black witch's hat is standing there calmly, waiting to greet them.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors, and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Griffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will become your family…"
"Your triumphs will earn you points, any rule-breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup." The professor explains.
"That's Miranda Bailey-" Meredith whispers to Cristina.
"She's the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts…" Cristina finishes easily, from her research.
Bailey doesn't stop them, but she gives Meredith and Cristina a look before she continues, eyeing Meredith specifically because she (Meredith figures) knows who her mother is.
"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily," Bailey announces, and as she walks through the door, all of the other first-year students wait eagerly in anticipation.
"Watch out-" another boy their age bumps into Izzie on their way up the stairs.
"You watch out-" Izzie scoffs impatiently, but she's smiling.
"I'm Alex-" says Alex. "Alex Karev." says the boy who had bumped into Izzie.
"Great…" says Izzie skeptically. "I'm Izzie, and this is Meredith, Cristina, and George," she offers.
"Cool," Alex shrugs before he tries to rush past them.
Bailey taps him on the shoulder with her scroll as she returns.
"We're ready for you now," she announces, as she opens the doors to the great hall, and the sorting ceremony begins.
