The door was opened by a woman with her hair pulled back into a bun, wearing green robes, and also wearing a very stern face.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall." Hagrid said. Eleta had an urge to laugh –since by the way Hagrid put it she felt as if they were going to be whisked away to somewhere dangerous- but she knew that she would probably get in trouble if she did, so she clapped her lips shut tight.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here."
Eleta mentally nodded her head, 'yep, now I defiantly feel like I'm something being smuggled off somewhere'
Professor McGonagall opened the doors all the way and ushered them into the entrance hall. Torches lined the walls, the ceiling seemed to go on forever and there was a beautiful marble stair case leading to the floors above. By the time she had enough time to take everything in Professor McGonagall was already leading them off somewhere. That somewhere was a small chamber to the side of the hall. They all huddled together closely, peering around with shifting eyes. They all reminded her of caged animals; though she would have been a fool had she tried to deny the nervous twisting her stomach was doing. She was sure to get more then a mouth full should she not be in Slytherin.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said bring their attention to her "the start of the 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're here your house will be something like your family. 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 it own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you're 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're waiting."
Her eyes lingered on Neville and Ron
"I shall return when we are ready for you, please wait quietly."
And with that she turned and left the chamber. Eleta heard Harry ask something but was to preoccupied with her thoughts. She felt ill. Though she remained standing straight, if there was one thing that she agreed with her parents with it was to never let anyone see you down. So Eleta composed her features to the best of her abilities, but felt like she was doing a horrible job at it. She heard the others say something about a test, and shook her head at the idea. No there wouldn't be a test; how could they except first years with no magic knowledge to do a test? So a test was logically out of the question. She wondered why she never actually asked her parents how the sorting was done. That piece of information would have certainly been useful right now.
"The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Eleta looked up at the sound of a sharp voice and saw Professor McGonagall standing before them. "Now, form a straight line, and follow me."
They did as they were told, Eleta ending up behind Ron, and walked out of the small chamber and through the doors of the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was defiantly something to ogle at. Four long tables sat on the length of the hall, students already sitting in them. Candles floated above their heads and the ceiling was the night sky. At the front of the hall was another Table but this one was looking out at the students, with what could only be the Professors, seated at it. Professor McGonagall led them so they were standing in front of this table, and placed a stool then a worn out witches hat on it. Eleta watched the hat seeing as everyone else seemed to think that this hat was very important by the way they looked at it, and it wasn't very long before it started to move. It opened it's "mouth" and started to sing. Eleta had to give the hat some props, it sang beautifully.
After the hat finished its song, the hall burst into applause. The hat gave a bow to each table then stood still.
"So we've only got to try the hat on!" Ron whispered, relief sweeping in his tone. "I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll."
Eleta laughed quietly at this, and smiled. That really would have been fun, until of course the troll killed someone.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward again, this time holding a scroll.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."
She proceeded to call name after name, each of the new students going to their table with the applause of their new house. Eleta noticed at times the hat wouldn't even have to be fully put on someone's head to call out their house. Like Malfoy for example was sorted into Slytherin before the hat even touched his blond head. Malfoy afterwards went to sit with his baboon friends, looking all too pleased with himself. Eleta was sure his parents would be pleased with him as well. She didn't know the Malfoy's personally but her father and mother were always talking badly about them and how they had tried so hard to be Voldemort's favorite that it was pathetic. Her parents seemed to find a way of bringing them down at every sparing moment, whether it was saying they were a disgrace to purebloods or scoffing at them anytime they saw them. Now that she thought about it, Eleta was surprised Malfoy hadn't recognized her back on the train. All the same Eleta was glad for it, since it meant a more peaceful trip for her.
"James, Eleta"
Eleta looked up and gently pushed past the other first years. She hopped down onto the stool with a smile on her face. McGonagall placed the hat on her head and it instantly fell over her eyes.
'Hmmm, well aren't you a tricky one?' A smooth voice said in her head.
'Oh? You think so? Maybe you're right; I don't think I really belong in any of the houses myself'
The hat ignored her, 'you defiantly have the cunning for Slytherin…you're willing to do anything to meet your goal. But then you do have that bold rashness of a Gryffindor. Ah what's this? Very dark aren't you?'
Eleta felt a spark of anger at that comment 'and what exactly do you think your doing going through my brain?' she asked the hat hotly
The hat just chuckled 'I have to find out what house to put you in some way, don't I?'
Eleta crossed her arms 'you ask too many questions, for a hat.'
'Hmm, yes I think you just proved what house you would do well in.'
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted out, making Eleta's ears ring. She took the hat off herself and handed it to Professor McGonagall as politely as she could.
"That hat is very rude." She told McGonagall before walking down to the Gryffindor table. A few people laughed at her comment and watched as her annoyed expression turned to a smile as her new 'family' greeted her.
After she shook hands with a few members of her house she sat down and looked back up at the stool waiting for Harry and Ron to be sorted. A few more kids went up, one of them being a pug like girl called Parkinson that went to Slytherin, and then it was Harry's turn. As soon as his name was called whispers broke out amongst the Hall and everyone was bobbing their heads up and down and side to side, to get a look at Harry. The hat stayed on Harry for a longer time and Eleta guessed that the hat was having a mini monologue in Harry's head as well. Eventually though, the hat called out Gryffindor, causing the whole table to burst into cheers. Eleta scooted over to make room for Harry. Percy, a boy with red hair and who continually said he was a Prefect, shook Harry's hand so hard that Eleta was sure it was going to fall off. Then a pair of twins sitting next to Eleta shouted "we've got Potter! We've got Potter!"
Eleta looked up at the twins latter, as other kids were being called up and the fuss about Harry calmed down. She studied their red hair, faint freckles that spotted their cheeks, and their long limbs.
"Like what you see?" one of the twins asked her with a wink and a devilish grin as he caught her staring
"Not really, that's not to say you aren't good looking, but I was wondering are you two Ron's brothers?"
The two of them smirked down at her and stuck out their hands, shaking both of her hands.
"Yes we are Ronnie's handsome and funnier older brothers, thank you for noticing." They said together, still shaking Eleta's hands wildly
"I'm George."
"And I'm Fred."
"Pleased to make your acantice." They said in unison yet again. Eleta laughed and gave their hands a final shake before letting them go
"Eleta James and I'm sure the pleasure is all yours." She said playfully making them laugh along with her.
They turned when Ron's name was called, and watched as he shakily sat on the stool looking an odd shade of green. The hat didn't take nearly as long as it had on Harry and Eleta and soon yelled out Gryffindor. Eleta smiled and clapped with the rest of the house, more then happy that both of her new friends were in the same house as she was. Percy praised Ron just as the last boy was sorted. McGonagall rolled the scroll back up and took the chair away before sitting down at the teachers table.
Professor Dumbledore got to his feet, his arms spread and his eyes twinkling.
"Welcome!" he said with a warm smile "welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
And he sat down. Eleta noticed from the corner of her eyes the twins start reaching for food. She looked down and noticed that the table was completely packed with food, so much food, that Eleta was sure the table would brake from all of it. she turned to the twins, since they were the only one's that she knew and were older; besides Percy, but Eleta found him a bit strange so she decided against talking to him unless necessary.
"Do you eat like this every day?"
"No, we only get this much—"
"When it's beginning or ending feast—"
"Or of course holidays."
Eleta grinned "then we have to make the best of days we have with this much food." She said, packing her food with tons of food. The twins laughed and nodded, shoveling even more food onto their plates.
"I know who you are! You're Nearly Headless Nick!"
Eleta looked over at Ron who had talked and saw he was looking over at one of the ghosts that were floating around the Hall now.
"I would prefer you call me Sir Nicholas de Mimsy—" the ghost began but was cut off by a boy with sandy hair who Eleta latter learned was named Seamus Finnigan.
"Nearly Headless? How can you be nearly headless?"
Sir Nicholas rolled his eyes and huffed
"Like this." And he grabbed a tuff of his hair and yanked his head to the side. It was defiantly clear that he had almost been beheaded but someone didn't get the job done right since his head was still connected by a thin piece of skin.
The table either gasped or gagged. Sir Nicholas, looking pleased by the reactions, put his head back to normal.
"So— new Gryffindors! Are you going to help win the house championship this year? Gryffindor has never gone so long without winning. The Bloody Baron's becoming almost unbearable— he's the Slytherin ghost." Sir Nicholas said gesturing to the Slytherin table. Eleta looked where he pointed and saw a ghost with blank eyes and robes stained in what could only be blood.
"How'd he get covered in blood?" Seamus asked, leaning forward excitedly
"I never asked." Sir Nicholas answered gently. Apparently The Baron was touchy about the subject.
After everyone had eaten their fill, the tables cleared and the desserts appeared. Eleta's mouth fell open. There had to be every type of desert imaginable. She took the closest thing and took a bite out of it and hummed in pleasure.
"Having fun there?" one of the twins, George if Eleta wasn't mistaken, asked looking amused. Eleta nodded and grabbed another dessert, swallowing a big bite of the last one.
"You eat like you're starving" Fred said
Eleta smirked "I know it drives my parents mad."
Before the twins could reply Seamus and a few other boys looked over at Eleta
"How about you? What are your parents like?"
Eleta shook her head and waved her hand dismissively "oh they're no one interesting. Just an every day witch and wizard."
"Oh come on they have to have done something funny at least once" Ron said.
"Really, they're quite boring. When they talk all you hear is blah, blah, blah, gab, blah."
The boys laughed and turned to Neville. Eleta shook her head slightly, smiling, and went back to devouring the desserts.
"Oh look at that George, Eleta's got something on her nose."
Eleta looked up and wiped her nose.
"Ah, no you missed it…its right here." George poked the tip of her nose and she felt the coolness of whipped cream. Eleta gasped and smiled at the same time.
"Oh, so do you! Here let me get it for you." She dipped her hands in her pudding and wiped it on both of their faces, laughing loudly. Just as their hands were about to go for the pie, Dumbledore quieted them.
"Just a few more words now that we are all feed and watered." As he said this the food disappeared "I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." his eyes moved to the twins, making Eleta snicker and then to get elbowed by George
"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker,"
"He's a total prat." The twins informed Eleta in a whisper
"To remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors." Dumbledore continued on "Quidditch trails will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.
"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
Eleta frowned. Though his tone was still light, there was some under tone that told Eleta that he was very serious. She looked briefly at the twins and saw that they too noticed that Dumbledore was serious.
"And now before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" Dumbledore said, waving his wand so a golden ribbon came out of the end and started to form words. "Everyone pick their favorite tune, and off we go!"
The twins started singing at a slow death march tone. George elbowed Eleta in the side; she got the hint, and started to sing along with them. Eventually they were the last ones singing, Dumbledore still conducting the last lines until they were done.
"Ah, music, a magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot."
George and Fred jumped up and grinned down at Eleta.
"Well see you latter mate" they winked at her and ran off.
Eleta soon realized the reason for their grins when she had to follow Percy to their dorms. She walked with Harry and Ron but seeing as they both looked like the living dead she didn't talk. Looking at them though, made Eleta notice how tried she was as well. She had woken up very early to make sure she would get to the train station on time- even though she still managed to be late- and now with a full belly she was starting to feel the effects of her early morning. They had a small run in with Peeves- the school poltergeist- but they eventually found themselves in font of a picture that was off a fat lady dressed in a pink dress.
"password?" the lady asked
"Caput Draconis" Percy said all business like, raising his head with an air of importance. The picture swung open revealing a cozy looking round room. It was all in red and gold, the chairs looked especially squishy, and a fire blazed in a hearth; all in all a very comfy and welcoming place.
Percy pointed the boys and girls to their dormitories and then left. Eleta turned to Harry and Ron with a smile
"see you two tomorrow. G'night." She turned and went to her dormitory, which she shared with a few other girls, the only one she recognized was the Hermione Granger she had met on the train. Eleta decide that she should talk to her seeing as it would get awkward if she didn't get along with one of the people she would be dorming with.
"hi I'm Eleta. We met on the train."
Hermione turned and looked at her "oh yes I know, I remember."
"good then we both know someone." Eleta said smiling
Hermione returned the smile "well I'm awfully tired so good night"
"good night."
Eleta shrugged as she got into bed. Hermione didn't seem too bad, despite her some what brisk ways. Eleta closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.