As the Hogwarts Express slowly eased to a complete stop, all of the students aboard the train could hear the familiar calling of Hagrid, "First years, over here! First years right this way". While the students began to slowly pull their trunks down from the overhead racks and make their way to either the carriages that pulled themselves or towards Hagrid and the boats, the excitement and whispers over what the Sorting Hat would predict for the coming year and whether or not they would be able to sneak past Mrs. Norris and Filch took hold and quickly captured their attention.
"Katherine, could you help me with my trunk? It appears to be stuck on the rack," asked Elena over her shoulder as she struggled to try to lift it down.
"Here, let me help you with that," replied Sirius Black as he quickly reached up to help Elena get her trunk down. The shock of hearing him of all people was enough to cause her to jump a few centimeters in the air.
"What are you doing in here and thanks I suppose, " said Elena in a tone that oozed sarcasm and disdain as Sirius lifted her luggage from the rack to the ground.
"Well, when a beautiful damsel such as yourself is in trouble, I'm here to rescue you in what ever way is necessary," answered Sirius with a flourish of his hand and a small bow.
"Thanks but no thanks Sirius. I can do my own rescuing and I don't need any help from you. I can take care of myself perfectly well, I'll have you know" retorted Elena. It was with this last remark that Elena grabbed her trunk, pushed past Sirius, and made her way to the nearest exit off the train.
"Well, mate," said James as he approached Sirius who was standing in disbelief, "better luck next time. Now you know that maybe calling her a damsel was going a bit too far. I think she can handle herself just fine".
"No kidding," affirmed Sirius as he quickly grabbed his own trunk and followed James and Peter off the Hogwarts express.
"So, Lily, how was the prefects meeting?" asked Katherine as she clambered into the carriage.
"They introduced the new prefects, went over the usual rules, and discussed some new responsibilities. It was rather boring. Oh, also Remus is officially the new Head Boy," responded Lily as she too climbed into the carriage, "Where is Elena?"
"I'm right here! Sorry, my trunk was stuck on the rack and I had a lovely run in with one, Sirius Black," answered Elena as she joined Lily and Katherine in the carriage.
"And how was that?" asked Lily as she attempted to straighten her disheveled robes and skirt.
"It was positively lovely," replied Elena with a touch of sarcasm, "He is still a git if there ever was one. He thinks he is above the rest of us since he is a pure-blood and one of the Marauders".
"He isn't that bad. I mean sure he is a little full of himself but he is ever so handsome," sighed Katherine, "He makes an excellent Quidditch player and I am sure he will make a fantastic auror or whatever it is he decides to be".
"If you love him so much Katherine, go ask him out!" responded Elena.
"Oh, I could never do that!" exclaimed Katherine as her cheeks quickly turned a deep shade of crimson.
It was with that final remark that Lily, Elena, and Katherine dissolved into a fit of giggles and their carriage began to make its way down the winding roads towards Hogwarts castle.
As the rest of the students began to walk into the Great Hall, the first years were busy listening to Professor McGonagall, explain that they were going to be sorted into one of four houses:
"Once those doors open, you are all to follow me into the Great Hall and once you have entered, the Sorting Hat will give a short speech or something of the sort and then we will proceed with the Sorting Ceremony. I shall call each one of your names and, once called, you shall sit on the stool as I place the hat on you. The hat will then decide which house you will be in for the remainder of your time at Hogwarts. Are there any questions?" finished Professor McGonagall.
"Professor?" asked a scared and timid first year.
"Yes, Colin," replied Professor McGonagall.
"What are the four houses again and what is the difference between them?" asked Colin in a voice that could barely be heard over the chatter of the other first years.
"Well Colin, the four houses are Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin. Ravenclaws are known for being wise and witty, Hufflepuffs are known for being friendly and fair, Gryffindors are known for being chivalrous and courageous, and lastly Slytherins are known for being cunning and clever. Each house has its own distinct characteristics and with that, we shall head into the hall and have the sorting begin."
It was with that statement that Professor McGonagall opened the doors to the Great Hall and led the group of first years in to be sorted into their houses.
"Now that we have all been sorted and stuffed I believe that it is time for us to go over a few rules that some of our older students seem to forget each year" stated Dumbledore with a glance to where the four Marauders were sitting. "First, as Mr. Filch has asked me to repeat again that the Forest is strictly out of bounds and anyone caught wandering in there, especially after hours, will be strictly and severely punished. In addition, all houses will be holding Quidditch trials in the next few weeks so please see the captain of your house for the exact time. Classes shall begin tomorrow morning and it is with that that I bid you all good night and welcome to Hogwarts!" finished Dumbledore and with a flourish of his wand, the doors to the great hall opened and the students began to rise from their tables.
"Gryffindors this way please," yelled Remus and Lily in alternating intervals, "Please follow us to Gryffindor tower. Right this way!"
Amidst all of the pushing, shoving and chaos that was occurring as all of the students tried to make their way to their respective houses, somehow, Elena ended up walking next to Peter Pettigrew who had gotten separated from Sirius and James.
"Hey Elena! How are you? How was your summer? Isn't it exciting to be starting our final year at Hogwarts!" squeaked Peter as they slowly made their way up the moving staircases.
"Oh, hi Peter. I guess I am pretty good and my summer was filled with much of the usual. What about you? Still hanging out with Sirius, James and Remus?" replied Elena as she waited for the staircase to swing back around.
"I'm great and just glad to be back. My summer was very boring and they are my friends. I am just so glad that they accepted me into their group. It is simply so much fun!" answered Peter as they finally reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Do you know the password Elena?"
"I believe that it is Antirrhinum majus," responded Elena to the portrait.
"Welcome to Gryffindor Tower and I hope that you have as lovely a year as I am sure to have!" said the Fat Lady as she swung her portrait open and winked to a neighboring portrait.
"Thanks Elena! I will have to remember or write it down somewhere" exclaimed Peter as he ducked under the frame to get into the Gryffindor Common Room.
"No problem Peter," answered Elena as they reached the Common Room. "Well, I'm heading up to the girl's dormitory so I shall see you later!"
"Bye Elena! It was lovely running into you! I'll see you later!" returned Peter as he waved goodbye and walked up the stairs to the boy's dormitory.
As Elena, Katherine and the other seventh year Gryffindor girls got ready for bed, Lily finally entered the room and plopped on her bed looking exhausted.
"Did they give you a run for your money Lily?" called Elena over her shoulder as she combed her wet hair out.
"They are insufferable! Were we really that annoying when we were first years?" responded Lily with a groan.
"Well, probably," answered Katherine, "I had no idea where I was going half the time and those moving stairs absolutely terrified me!"
"Ugh. I guess, but still, they ask so many questions! I'm glad McGonagall took over once we got into the tower. Remus and I were simply dying," stated Lily as she got up and went to go change into her pajamas.
"Just wait for tomorrow Lily, when they will all be asking how to get to their classes," replied Elena as she got into bed.
"You really had to go and remind me that classes start tomorrow, didn't you?" retorted Lily as she too crawled into her bed.
"Yes, I really did. I guess we should call it a night since classes start early tomorrow" replied Elena as she reached to turn off the lamp next to her bed.
"Good night you guys!" said Katherine as she too turned off her light.
"Good night," echoed Lily as she turned off her light, pitching the room darkness that was accented by the moon's pure white glow.
Thanks for reading and any comments, feedback or suggestions are appreciated! Please let me know what you think!