We walked along the pathway leading away from the train towards the carriages, James and Katie were hand-in-hand, yet he wasn't facing her, he was talking to Carter and Nick.
"I was thinking fireworks, red and gold, all through the hallways as we leave" James suggested, trying to live up to his name.
"Yeah, that's perfect, really show everyone which house is the best" Carter agreed. I turned towards Marissa.
"Is it always such a competition between the houses?" I asked. Back at Beauxbatons we had everyone in the year in their own dorms.
"Oh yeah, especially with Slytherin and Gryffindor, it's rather funny" She informed me. "Of course quidditch puts all the houses against each other, but we've won the house cup ever since James got on the team"
James, who I guess tuned in at the mention of quidditch, shot us a proud smile. "And we've won the house cup for the last…" He paused counting on his fingers. "9 years"
I was about to ask what the house cup was when I heard someone bellowing my name. "Melissa Gates, Melissa Gates" I spun around to see a rather short lady standing there. She had to be in her 40's, but she looked great for her age.
"Hey Professor Gills" the group chorused with grins, giving me the feeling they liked her.
"Hello" She said in a caring, but firm voice. "You must be Melissa" She said, turning towards me.
"Yeah that's me" I said with a questioning look, as so say and you are?
"Very good, come with me my dear" I shot the group a confused look and waved goodbye, following the professor.
"I'm the deputy Headmistress, we didn't find it right to have you with the first years, so we are bringing you to the castle myself. Professor McGonagall will introduce you to the school at the feast and you will be sorted" She informed me.
"How exactly are you sorted?" I asked, suddenly worried. Before answering we both stepped into a carriage which seemed to have nothing pulling it, and it started moving on its own.
"Oh it's simple really dear, but you will see soon enough" she said, but did not elaborate. In no time we were at Hogwarts, I looked up at the huge castle, much bigger and more raw then the one at Beauxbatons, which some would describe as a palace.
I followed the professor into the castle, in awe at its high ceilings, stone staircases, and the flaming torches that lined the walls. I could see students entering what I assumed to be the great hall, but I was steered away from the entrance.
I was brought to a small room, the door on the opposite side was ajar so I could peek out into the great hall. "Wait in here okay, McGonagall will give you the signal to come out." She said and with that she was gone , taking a seat at the long table of teachers.
I stared into the great hall, 4 huge tables faced the one Gills just sat down at. In front of the teachers table there was a stool, with a rather dirty, and worn-put hate on top, I'm not sure if it was my imagination, but I sweat the hat moved.
The ceiling was sprinkled with stars, probably bewitched to reflect the sky. Hundreds of students lined the tables, chatting amongst themselves. Finally the headmistress stood up, silencing the students at once.
"First Years, welcome to Hogwarts, the rest of you, welcome back" she said, smiling out at the students. "Before we start the sorting, I have a few things I would like to say. This year Hogwarts has welcomed a new student in their sixth year." She announced, everyone looked around to their friends with raised eyebrows. "I assume she will be accepted here, as she transferred from Beauxbatons. Come forwards, Melissa Gates." I walked out, feeling rather small in front of all these people. I scanned the tables, looking for my new found friends. Once I found them, I made eye contact with them, and Carter gave me a reassuring wink.
"You may take a seat on the stool for your sorting" She told me, and I did what I was instructed. The hat jumped to life, its huge flaps forming a mouth, its voice belting out a song. Once it was finished the whole student body erupted in cheers.
Finally it was placed on my head, and suddenly a voice rang through my ears. "From Beauxbatons I see, that takes some guts to switch schools, maybe you would be suited for Gryffindor. I also see some brains, Ravenclaw maybe? Hmmm…. GRYFFINDOR!" it yelled into the crowd, the far right table cheering.
I got up and quickly took a seat beside Katie, relieved I was in their house. The first years went on, being sorted into the 4 houses. Once there were all seated sparkling plate appeared in front of everyone. Dishes or vegetables, platters of meats, just about anything you could think of sprung up on the table.
I immediately was surprised, thinking of the light, delicate dishes served at Beauxbatons, but was happy. I filled my plate and began eating. There wasn't much talk, all of us stuffing our mouths with the scrumptious dishes. Before I knew it I was leaning back, my stomach full, and my eyes becoming droopy.
As the plates disappeared Professor McGonagall stood up once more. "Before we leave I would like to remind the students that everyone should be in there dorms by 10 on weekdays and 11 on weekends and holydays. No student should be in the forbidden forest and magic should not be used in the hallways" She said in a stern voice, eyeing certain people. "Goodnight"
We all got up, and headed to the dorm. I admired the portraits on the wall as they chatted to each other. And the ghosts that passed every once and a while, scaring the firsties.
I noticed the boys had disappeared, and as I looked around for them a red spark shot by my face. Followed by hundreds of red and gold fireworks erupting in the entrance hall. Everyone looked amazing, except the Slytherin's who looked annoyed at the prank. Teachers an around, trying to calm everyone down while the students laughed. It took another half an hour to get everyone in their common rooms.
"The password is Bloodtarts" the prefect voiced over the chatter. We finally reached a large painting of a very fat lady.
"That's the fat lady" Jasmine said to me, causing me to laugh at the irony of her name. Someone told her the password and she opened, allowing us to crawl through the whole.
The common room was brilliant, red gold splattered everywhere. Comfy chairs and couches scattered the room, a large fireplace in the center. Along one side you could see 2 staircases, one for the boys and one for the girls. Students kept coming up to James, Nick, and Carter high fiving them, congratulating them on their prank.
I took a seat on a couch with the rest of the group and they started telling me all about Hogwarts. They told me about how the stairs move, there are doors that only open on certain days, the giant squid in the lake, the whomping willow which would try to hit you if you got to close. It sounded great!
After a while we found ourselves unable to keep our eyes open we all stumbled to our dorms, falling asleep in seconds.