Chapter 7

Elora was bubbling over with excitement the morning of September the first. She had been packed for ages, so she spent the early hours of the morning rushing between family members, talking quickly about how great the day was going to be. Eventually, everyone became annoyed with her, and she was shut in her room. Her mood did not dampen, however. She simply flipped through her books, imaging what it would be like to study at Hogwarts.

She had a hard time keeping quiet during the trip to King's Cross. She never had been to a train station before. Upon arrival, she found it simply marvelous. There were many people with trunks walking to and fro. The young girl wondered where they were supposed to go to get to Platform 9 ¾.

"Over here," Phoebe said as she directed her family to the right. They stopped at a barrier between two platforms. "Just walk right through. Braeden, you go first."

Braeden walked briskly towards the barrier with his trunks on a cart in front of him. As he reached the brick barrier, he suddenly disappeared. Elora let out an involuntary gasp.

"It's not hard," Arnold said gruffly. "Emile, you next."

Elora's eyes trailed away for a second, and she caught sight of someone watching them. It was Tom! Forgetting about her mother's dislike of the boy, she called out, "Tom! Over here!"

The rest of her family immediately turned to look at the kid. Tom hesitated before strolling over to them with his trolley. "Hello," he said politely. He glanced at the barrier. "IS this where we go in?"

"Yes," Elora said brightly.

"I'm sorry, what is your name?" Phoebe asked gently as she bent down to inspect the boy.

"Tom Riddle," he said without blinking. "I'm friends with Elora. It is my first year at Hogwarts too."

"Ah," Phoebe said, and a flash of understanding crossed her face. "I see. Well, we all best be going before the train leaves." She glanced at her eldest daughter. "Go ahead, dear."

Elora came to stand beside Tom and gave him a small smile. She simply looked at her and nodded. She was worried that her mother remembered her, and that she would pay for it later. They were in too much of a public place to reprimand her now of course. At least she would have to believe Elora that Tom was a wizard. Plus, maybe she would forget about this incident the next time they saw each other.

It did not take long for Emile to break through the barrier. Then everyone's eyes were on Elora. She smiled nervously as she pushed her trolley up to the barrier. Well, it was time to go.

Elora took a running start towards the barrier. She instinctively flinched as she neared it, but she did not feel anything as she passed through. Then she was at the platform, where her siblings were waiting for her. She looked around with amazement. "That was neat," she said.

"You have not seen anything yet," Braeden said with a smirk.

A second later, Tom emerged with his trunks. Elora smiled at him. "Hi, Tom."

"Who's this?" Emile said, quirking an eyebrow.

Elora smiled. "This is my friend, Tom. We met at the park."

"Hello," Tom said.

"You're friends with her?" Emile scoffed. "I suppose you'll learn. I'm Emile, and this is my brother, Braeden."

"Good luck, kid," Braeden said.

Before anyone had a chance to say anything else, Elora's parents emerged from the barrier. "Let's go then," Phoebe said as she strutted forward.

Tom fell in step beside Elora as the group walked down the platform. Elora kept staring at the train, finding it magnificent. She was sure it would be even more amazing inside. And then Hogwarts! She could hardly wait; she was growing excited again, and she grinned.

"This is a good spot," Arnold said abruptly, stopping his family.

Elora glanced at the train and noticed the empty seats in the compartments. She glanced at her parents. Were they supposed to leave now?

"Have a good trip, you three," Phoebe said with a tight smile.

Braeden nodded. "Right. I have to go; I have prefect duties."

"Take care, dear," Phoebe said.

"Good luck," Arnold added.

Then Braeden left with his trunks to board the train.

Phoebe smiled down at Emile. "I'm going to miss you, honey."

Emile gave her a small smile in return. "Me too." They hugged. Then Emile trotted over to her father and hugged him as well.

"Have a good time in Slytherin," Arnold said warmly before she let go. He looked at Elora and frowned slightly. "You, try to get into a good house."

Elora smiled weakly. "Right." She was remembering what her Granny had said, though. Any house would be a good one.

Just as Emile had started to board the train, a whistle sounded.

"You best be off," Phoebe said to her youngest daughter.

Elora glanced at Tom, who had been watching the family with no sign of emotion. "Let's go." The two of them pushed their trunks forward and then helped each other on the train.

Luckily, Elora was able to find an empty compartment. After stowing their trunks in a corner, she and Tom sat across from each other near the window of the compartment. Elora looked out the window to see her parents standing there. She suddenly felt a strange twinge of sadness. She had never been away from her parents for more than a weekend; what would it be like to live without them?

The train began to move, and her parents eventually slid out of view. Elora relaxed and looked away from the window. She noticed that Tom was staring at her with a curious expression on his face. She blinked. "What?"

"Are you sad to be leaving?" Tom asked in a tone that suggested he could not believe it.

Elora frowned. "No. I'm excited. It's just going to be different. I don't know what to expect."

"It's going to be great," Tom said firmly. "We're going to be free. No one is going to hurt us."

Elora smiled slightly. "Right." Freedom… that was what she wanted, right? She wanted the freedom to be herself without being punished. She had to believe she would get that at Hogwarts. Everything was going to be fine now.

The two friends talked idly for awhile. At half past twelve, a smiling woman slid back their door and said, "Anything off the cart, dears?"

Realizing how hungry she was, Elora immediately leapt up and went out to the corridor. Candy was always a special treat for her. Her parents had given her some money, so she felt justified in buying some snacks now.

She bought several treats before taking her seat across from Tom again. She frowned when she saw that her friend had not bought anything. He probably did not have any money to spend, she realized. He lived in the muggle world and he was an orphan. "Do you want anything?" she asked. He had to be hungry.

Tom shook his head. "I am fine."

Somehow, Elora did not believe him. She suspected his pride was preventing him from accepting. Well, they were best friends; she would have none of that. She got up and moved to the seat next to him. Then she put a cauldron cake on his lap and smiled at him encouragingly.

Tom blinked before picked the cake up. "Thanks," he said. He stared at the food oddly; he had probably never seen anything like it before. After taking a bite, however, a pleased expression crossed his face.

Elora grinned, glad that he was enjoying it. She took a bite of a pumpkin pasty. It was delicious!

Some more time passed. Elora wondered when they would arrive. It could to long now. "Maybe we should change into our robes so we're ready when we get there," she suggested.

Tom nodded. "Good idea. Do you mind stepping out while I change?"

Elora smiled slightly. "Sure."

No one else was in the corridor when she walked out. Tom emerged a couple of minutes later. Elora smiled at how handsome he looked in his wizard robes. Then she ducked inside the compartment to change into her own.

Sure enough, not 20 minutes later, a voice echoed through the train: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train; it will be taken to the school separately."

Elora's excitement was growing once again. "This is it!"

"Our future awaits," Tom said with a nod of approval.

Now there was a crowd in the corridor as the two kids exited their compartment. The train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform.

Then Elora saw a lamp close by, and a voice said: "First years! First years! This way!"

Elora and Tom walked over to where the other first years were gathering beneath the man who was carrying the lantern and calling them over. Elora had heard he was one of the professors at Hogwarts, though she could not remember which one.

"This way," the man repeated. "Follow me."

Everyone followed him down a steep, narrow path. After rounding a bend, Elora caught sight of a large castle in the distance, and she let out an involuntary gasp. Hogwarts!

Now they were at the edge of a great, black lake. Elora thought the water looked pretty in the moonlight. "Four to a boat," the man said as he pointed to a row of boats near the edge of the water.

Elora and Tom clambered into the nearest boat they could find. They were soon joined by two girls, who gave them nervous smiles. Elora nodded at them, but other than that, there was no communication between the four. Elora was simply too excited to talk. She wanted to get to Hogwarts now! She was soaking in every moment.

"Forward!" the man shouted once everyone was in a boat.

Elora was surprised when the boats started moving of their own accord. This was so great! She craned her neck to view Hogwarts as they drifted closer and closer.

Soon, they reached the cliff upon which the castle stood. They all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.

They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door. The professor raised his hand and knocked three times on the door.

The door swung open, and a man dressed in blue robes with a long white beard and moon-shaped spectacles stepped out. "First years?" he said to the professor in a voice Elora took to be friendly. "I can take over. Thank you, Bosco."

The new man pulled the door wide open, and the students follow him inside. The Entrance Hall was very large, and Elora found herself in awe. The man led them into a small, empty chamber off the hall. Elora stood closed to Tom as she waited for what would happen next.

"Good evening," the man said with a warm smile. "Welcome to Hogwarts. My name is Professor Dumbledore. 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 named Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced magnificent witches and wizards. No one is better than any other. 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 will return when we are ready for you. Please wait here." He smiled again before leaving the chamber.

"I've met him before," Tom whispered in my ear. "He was the one who told me about Hogwarts. I'm not sure I trust him."

Elora frowned but did not say anything. Dumbledore seemed nice enough. If he was their professor, she was sure she would have the chance to make up her own mind about him soon enough.

Dumbledore retuned several minutes later. "Well, then," he said, looking around at the children with a smile on his face, "let us proceed into the Great Hall. Form a line and follow me."

Elora got in line behind Tom. They all walked out of the chamber, back across the hall, and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall. Elora was amazed at what she saw. She thought she had never seen a more wonderful place. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. There were silvery ghosts floated amongst the tables. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting.

Dumbledore led the first years up to the long table, and they came to a halt in a line facing the other students with the teachers behind them. Elora looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. A huge grin was plastered on her face. She was finally there!

Dumbledore placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. Then, on top of the stool, he placed appointed wizard's hat. The hat was brown, frayed, and very dirty. Elora joined the rest of the students in watching the hat, waiting for something to happen. Suddenly, a rip near the brim of the hat opened and it began to sing:

"A thousand years or more ago
when I was newly sewn,
there lived four wizards of renown,
whose names are still well known:
bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
they hatched a daring plan
to educate young sorcerers
thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
formed their own house, for each
did value different virtues
in the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?

'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!"

The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again. Elora was amazed by the hat and what it had relayed. It had never been wrong? Well, that was good news indeed! It seemed she had nothing to worry about after all.

Dumbledore stepped forward, holding a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you may put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," he said. He cleared his throat before reading the first name. "Allen, Matilda!"

A girl with long brown hair stepped out of line and walked up to the stool. She put on the hat, which fell over her head, and sat down.

A moment later, the hat called out, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Elora did not think this sounded too hard. She could not wait for her turn. The students at one of the tables began to cheer and clap as Matilda skipped down to join them.

"Avery, Sebastian!" said Dumbledore.

"SLYTHERIN!" the hat shouted after a minute.

Eventually, Laurie was named a Gryffindor and Jean and Marjorie became Slytherins. Elora found this interesting because the two houses were supposed to be rivals. She doubted these girls would care, though. They had stuck together for as long as they could walk. It took a long time to get to the Ls, and by then, Elora was shifting weight between her feet nervously.

"Leatherby, Elora!"

Elora let out a breath of relief. Finally! She skipped over to the stool and picked up the hat before placing it on her head. The hat fell over her eyes as she sat down. She nearly jumped when it began to speak into her ear.

"Another Leatherby," the hat said. "Let's see, where to put you? You've got an adventurous spirit, I see. And you're very loyal. Hmm… You have a powerful desire for knowledge, and you're very original. Let's go with RAVENCLAW!"

Elora let out a breath of relief. One of her family's houses! That would show everyone! She smiled as she took the hat off, stood up, and trotted over to the Ravenclaw table. Braeden nodded in approval as Elora sat across from him.

"Good job," he said. "I didn't think you had it in you."

Elora smiled slightly. She knew she would have been fine in any house, but she was glad she did not have to deal with her family's disapproval. And she was in her Granny's house! This was going to be so much fun.

Soon, it was Tom's turn. Elora watched intently as he put on the hat. Only several seconds hat passed before the hat proclaimed, "SLYTHERIN!"

Elora's smile fell in disappointment. Tom glanced at her as he walked to the Slytherin table.

"I approve," Braeden said to her.

Yes, she supposed he had been put in a good house. Maybe now her mother would stop her insane condemnation of their friendship.

The only other student Elora noticed was Mildred, who, unfortunately, was placed in Ravenclaw. Elora wondered if the girl would be nicer away from her friends, but she was not going to count on it. She hoped the other girls would be more hospitable.

After the sorting, Headmaster Dippet welcomed them. Then they were free to eat. Elora had never had more amazing food in her life. Once she was finished, she was content listening to Dippet give a little speech before sending them off to their beds.

Elora stayed close to Braeden who, as a prefect, was supposed to show the first years to their common room. "There is no knob on the door to our common room," Braeden explained as they walked down the corridor. "There is an enchanted bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle. Once you knock on the door, the knocker asks you a question, and you are let in if you answer it correctly. The riddles are usually fun and enjoyable. You'll catch on."

Elora was not sure about that. Would the questions be hard? The door to the common room was on top of a long, winding staircase. Luckily, the other students had already arrived, and they did not have to answer the question to be let in.

Elora loved the Ravenclaw common room right away. It was circular with windows all around. Looking out, she could see a stunning view of the lake, the Forbidden Forest, the Quidditch pitch, and the Herbology gardens. The room was draped with blue and bronze, which Elora found quite pretty. The dorm rooms were colored similarly.

Luckily, the first years were too tired to talk. Their trunks were already in the room, so getting ready for bed was an easy task. There was a smile on Elora's face as she sunk into bed. She finally felt like she had found a home.