Chapter 3

Ara marveled at the ancient looking castle, as they grew closer on the boats. The gentle lapping on the sides of their canoes was incredibly soothing; almost lulling her to sleep but she wouldn't let it. She had far too much energy from anticipation. Ara wanted for the boat to go faster, but at the same time, she wanted to go slower.

When they finally reached the castle, the first years gathered on the steps to the school. In front of the students stood the hairy giant. She's pretty sure he introduced himself, but couldn't remember his name. Ara could feel her heart starting to calm down as other kids whispered excitedly around her. The door suddenly swung open, revealing a tall, grey haired witch with emerald green robes and a stern look on her face.

"The firs' years, Professor," the colossal man with the pink umbrella told the lady. The woman nodded in appreciation.

"Thank you, Hagrid," she thanked the man Ara supposed was Hagrid then turned to the first years. "Please follow me, students," the professor then lead them to a small, empty chamber that was next to the great hall. Ara could hear the rest of the school through the doors. While the first years walking after her, Ara hanging back so she would be in the middle of the crowd. She hated being in the front; all eyes would be on her that way.

While some of the others had been quicker to enter the castle, she had lost her newfound friends so she had hung back, trying to not draw any attention to herself.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," greeted the professor. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because during your time here, you will be in your House. Your House will be your family in Hogwarts. You will have classes with your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend your free time with your House," She explained. Ara raised an eyebrow, the speech sounding a little rehearsed to her.

"The four Houses are named Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your accomplishments will earn you House points, while any rule breaking will lose you House points. At the end of the year, the House with the most House points is awarded the House cup, which is a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours," She looked over the crowd of first years, meeting Ara's disbelieving look for a second. Ara turned bright red and glanced away. "I suggest getting your main priorities straight in order to be sorted properly. I will be back soon when we are ready for you; please wait quietly," was all she requested before heading inside.

After the doors had closed, the others started to talk amongst themselves while Arabela just nervously thought about the future. What do each House mean? Wait, what were the names again? One was a mythical creature. Griffin? I think that's it… She continued to try to remember the names of the Houses. There were definitely only 4. Right? She furrowed her eyebrows as the woman appeared at the door once again. She only motioned for them to follow her.

Her eyes widened as they walked into the Great Hall, her heart began to pound once again. There were hundreds of students sitting at 4 long tables, all parallel to each other. Those must be the four Houses. She concluded. I wonder which one was which. Ara then began panicking as to how she would find out how she would know which one she would sit at when she was sorted.

She marveled at the ceiling and the bright candelabras that were floating around. Put together, it all looked so amazing and beautiful. Ara dragged her attention from the huge room to the professor as she silently took out an old hat and put it on a small stool.

Ara stared at the raggedy hat as it began to talk. She looked around, hoping to see anyone she knew in the crowd. Arabela then spotted Guinevere and the twins. She stopped herself from walking over to them when she realized how comfortable with each other they seemed. Well, the twins seemed to be fine but Gwen looked a little awkward. Still. When they quieted and looked forward, Ara realized that the hat had begun to sing a song about houses and thoughts. She heard it saying something but she couldn't make out the words, her brain refusing to comprehend what it was singing.

She sighed and resigned herself to looking around again. This time, Ara found Shelby by herself. Maybe she wants some company Ara thought hopefully before crushing the thought. No way. Why would she want to hang out with a loser like me? She let out a small sigh before turning her attention back to the singing hat, which had just finished and now everyone was applauding. Ara quickly joined, pretending to have been listening.

The professor, Ara concluded that she must find out her name, then stepped forward holding a cliché roll of parchment.

"When I call out your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she explained before beginning. "Akins, Amanda," she called out.

A pale, athletic looking girl with straight blonde hair walked up to the hat with a stoic look on her face. She put the hat on, almost covering her eyes. Half of a moment passed before her house was called out.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" barely a second passed before the table second to the right erupted in cheers, greeting their new family member. Wait, panicked Arabela. Are they going by last name or first name alphabetical? She took deep breathes as quiet as she could. It's okay. She soothed herself. It's okay. They're going by last name. You'll be fine.

Melody Balderas was sorted into Gryffindor; the table farthest to the left while Jemma Devries and Nathaniel Fynn were sorted into Ravenclaw; the table second from the left. Marie Daniels was sorted into Slytherin; the table farthest right.

Ara closed her eyes as she listened to the names and the houses being called out.

"Geller, Brianna,"

She squeezed them tighter, knowing her name was next.

"RAVENCLAW!"

She sighed, trying to relax.

"Giovenelli, Arabela," Ara winced, opening her eyes. She then nervously walked to the stool, putting the huge hat on her small head.

"Ahh, slightly advanced intelligence," Ara jumped a little as she heard the hat's voice in her head. "Not terribly brave, has potential," She rolled her eyes slightly. Just get this over with, you stupid hat. She thought impatiently, her anxiety getting the better of her. "Quite rude, too," said the Sorting hat indignantly.

"SLYTHERIN!" it called out suddenly. Her eyes widened, quickly putting the hat back on the stool as she got up. Ara turned to the table on the farthest right, who was cheering. Not quite as loud as they had for some of the others, but still loud enough to feel embarrassed. She pushed up her glasses up the bridge of her nose as she sat down.

Ara looked up at the crowd of first that had yet to be sorted, seeing her new friends looking at her. She smiled nervously and gave a small wave. Her heart cracked when the twins ignored her. Why had they ignored her? The hat had only judged her personality. Were they really judging her because she gotten sorted into a House they may not have liked very much. Well, screw them. She thought bitterly. If they judge me because of my House then they aren't worth it.

The crack in her heart made by the twins was healed a little when Shelby and Gwen had acknowledged her. At least I still had them. Arabela thought warmly as she shot a glare at the twins. Arseholes. She growled. Ara quickly turned her attention back to the Sorting ceremony, forgetting that it was still happening.

"Harrison, Shelby," the woman called out. Shelby walked up, looking like she would rather be somewhere else. She had barely put the hat on her head before the hat called out her house.

"RAVENCLAW!" it announced. Shelby walked over to the cheering table and sat down. Ara sighed; as she quickly grew bored of hearing the names of people she didn't know being put into one of the four groups. She began drawing on her hand with her finger, imagining what the invisible lines looked like on her palm. When she didn't like what she 'saw', she scribbled all over it and started over. Ara vaguely listened to the names being called before one finally caught her attention.

"Taylor, Guinevere," the tall girl awkwardly walked up to the stool, her hair making it seem like she had a bigger head than she did as she put the hat on her head. It didn't cover her eyes as it had the others because of her big hair. A moment passed.

"SLYTHERIN!" Ara's face nearly split in half as Gwen joined her at their house table.

"Hi," Ara greeted as she sat next to her.

"Hey," was all Gwen said as she got herself situated. Ara's smile faltered for a moment before appearing again. It wasn't long before it was the twins' turn.

"Weasley, Fred," one of the twins broke off and sat on the stool.

"GRYFFINDOR!" it announced for both Fred and George when it was George's turn.

Ara tried to meet the gaze of either twin before giving up. They were on the other side of a huge room, so what was the point. It's not like they would want to talk to you anyways. Her conscious told her bitterly. So much for having a nice year. Your first friends are actually pretty judgmental and now hate you while the one friend you do have doesn't want to talk to you. The only actual friend you might actually have is in a diiferent House and has barely spoken to you. Plus, you're too socially awkward to make any friends unless they come up to you. Ara groaned.

This is going to be so much fun. She thought sarcastically before sighing and starting to eat the food that had magically appeared after the headmaster had said a few words.