They piled out of stopped train becoming lost in the crowd. Suddenly a booming voice came from near the lake.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"
"I guess that's us" Venus said as she grabbed Riath's hand as Riaht had gotten lost in the crowd being shorter than most of the kids her age. Abe and David caught up quickly and they followed the giant mman to the lake.
"We're supposed to get in these? " Venus said apprehensively eyeing the old boats. "They look decrepid!"
Riath grinned at her. "I guess so?"
She shrugged and steped in the boat along with the others.
As it turned out no sinking, capsizing or turtling occurred And they entered the castle wet but unharmed.
They were led into the castle by giant man who had yelled Firs' years. Then they were left by an old lady who scared the living daylight out of them all when she said louder than anyone had expected. "Hello First years!" She cleared her throught and said "I am Professor McGonagall. I will be teaching you transfiguration! I am in Gryffindor and hope to see some of you in my house. In a moment you will be sorted into one of four houses but for now wait one moment please." And with that she swept out of the room
The crowd started to get fidgety and a few of them complained about Abe's bass.
"Leave him alone!" David said pushing the boys that were now taunting them to the side. It only stopped once Professor McGonagall came back.
"First years come with me!" She shrilled.
The crowd moved and the four new friends were swept into the great hall. People stared at them as they moved along. Riath felt her stomach drop and looked at Venus and the boys. The others looked less nervous than she felt. Soon they stopped and Riath who was looking around in awe at the ceiling which looked like the night sky bumped into Venus.
Venus looked back not startled but annoyed.
"Sorry!" Riath whispered to her
Suddenly the hat on the stool in the middle of the room burst into song.
Come hither young ones, witches and wizards,
Come sit on this stool just come hither.
And learn to which house you are destined to be.
Which you will only learn if you sit under me.
Will you be a Gryffindor?
their hearts brave like the lion's roar?
Or maybe that of Ravenclaw
The smartest and brightest of them all
Or perhaps Slytherin
The cunning people fit right in
Or last but least hufflepuff
The brave, hard working, with the loyalist stuff.
So come and sit and do not try to hide
For I'm the sorting hat and can see everything inside!
The hall burst into applause and thoughts raced through Riath's mind. Which one would she be in? She wasn't hard working, nor cunning, brave or super smart. Could they kick her out? Would she have to come back on the train in the dark? Her stomach gave another sickening lurch as McGonagall started calling names.
"Amerti Thomsan." Became the first Slytherin. And on and on it went.
"Dougal Mars!" The boy with the jet black hair who was taunting Abe strode confidently to the seat. After a few seconds he became the first Ravenclaw.
A boy with a long nose and brown hair whose name turned out to be Smith, Hunter. became a Slytherin.
It wasn't soon before "Gurgrich Venus!" was called. Venus bit her lip and hurried up to the stool. She put the hat on and had an expression like she was hoping very hard. The next word spoken was that of the hat RAVENCLAW! It yelled and Venus' mouth dropped open. She took the hat off, kissed it and practically flew to the Ravenclaw table where they had erupted in loud cheering.
More people we're called then
"Jackson, Abraham!"
Abe went up and was soon marked a Hufflepuff. Riath exhaled. They were already to J? She would be soon! And as if by fate she heard. "Jones, Riath!" She braced herself and ran up. Sitting on the chair she took a look at Venus and Abraham in their new houses.
Maybe I'll be with them. She thought fleetingly and put the hat on her head. She almost gasped as as there was a voice in her head.
"Hmmm.. " It said. "not cunning. You are smart. And loyal." Riath perked up. She would be with Abe or Venus! "But my dear, you will have to be brave. And you will be and therefore…" the last bit was shouted to the world "GRYFFINDOR!" Her eyes widened and she saw Venus shrugging. She took the hat off and walked to the now giddy Gryffindor table. Sitting down she was clapped on the back by someone. "Good job!" The voice said but she wasn't paying attention.
Soon other names we're called. David Minnow ended up in Gryffindor and took a seat next to her. It all ended then, Zumiba, Jilllian was sorted into Gryffindor and somebody on the staff got up and announced that the forbidden forest was off limits and other unimportant things. A feast appeared on the table and she dug into it glad that at the very least she was with Dave. Abe waved and smiled to them later and venus sent her a thumbs up. She felt the knot in her stomach loosen.
After all, she'd get to see the other two eventually right?