Hey guys. Sorry again for the late update Musings of a Hufflepuff is now a comic series!

Chapter 8

Arrival

I didn't know what to think when Jean, Emma, and I disembarked from the small boat. The sight before us stunned me into silence. The castle was HUGE. Tall spires spiraled into the thunderclouds. It was made of grey stone that looked as if it had been centuries. It looked magical and exciting and mysterious. We were quickly ushered through the door and got very little view of the entrance hall, filled with portraits that moved and talked to each other. We were herded into a small stone room where we quickly found Emmick and Lila. Lila looked like she was going to be sick, but nervousness seemed to affect Emmick in a different way.

"OMG, can you believe that we're finally here? The entrance hall was like, so grand, and I was like, bloody hell, and even though my parents told me all about it, I'm still, like, so surprised and excited. Are you nervous about the Sorting? I am! I hope I get in-"

Lila, apparently, knew more than us about Emmick's personality flaws.

"Emmick, SHUT UP!" she commanded not-so-gently. Emmick obeyed with an eyeroll. We all quieted down as a very thin man in aqua robes cleared his throat.

"Eh-hem. Welcome, all first-year students! I imagine you are all very excited to be here, just as I was my very first day. But, important business comes first! In a few moments, we will proceed into the Great Hall for your Sorting! Keep in mind that your House will be where you stay for the seven years you are at Hogwarts. When your name is called, you will go up to the stool and place the hat upon your head. Then the hat will judge your character and sort you into one of our four houses, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff!" he announced.

"Did he just say the hat will Sort us?" I whispered urgently to Jean. She just rolled her eyes.

"And with that, let us all head into the Great Hall!" He ushered us into a VERY large room with…wait…no ceiling? She looked again. Yep, the ceiling showed the same cloudy sky as outside. There were also candles floating in midair, which I found very confusing and irrational. I turned my attention to the podium, where a very strict-looking woman with a wide-brimmed hat and dark red robes was clearing her throat. Then, she called the first name, and the sorting began.

I watched "Adams, Carly," a tall blonde girl, became a Gryffindor. A girl with mouse-brown hair and diagonal bangs, "Crowell, Amida," became a Slytherin the moment the Hat touched her head. Then, as if no time at all had passed, the woman called, "Deerfield, Jean"

Jean stepped confidently onto the raised area, sat down on the stool, and put the hat over her head. 1 second. 2 seconds. Then the hat spoke. "GRYFFINDOR!"

The table housing the Gryffindors burst into applause. Jean's face burst into a grin as she ran over to join them. There were high-fives galore. Next to go was, "Decksworth, Emma," who was sorted into Hufflepuff looking relieved. Then, after a few more Sortings, I was called.

I walked as if I was wading through molasses up to the stool, and put the hat on with shaking hands. It fell over my eyes and there was darkness.

You're a smart one, aren't you? Asked the hat rhetorically. She could do with some power, this one.

I don't care where you put me! I thought frantically. Just get me off this stupid stage! Everyone's staring at me! I'm sure the hat took this into account because a few seconds later, it yelled, "HUFFLEPUFF!" into the crowd. I removed the hat and ran to sit next to Hannah.

The rest of the Sorting went well. Emmick, whose last name turned out to be Lovegood, became a Ravenclaw, Teddy, a Gryffindor, and Lila Lyndon was a Hufflepuff. I was quite relieved when it was all over, and the feast began!