New Adventures (anyone sensing a title theme here? ^_^)
I don't own anything of JKR, only my own OCs, etc, etc)
After an excruciating ride across a freezing cold lake, the large man herded us into a huge castle. I mean GINORMOUS. Nothing could have prepared me for the beauty that is Hogwarts. Two large, oak doors swung outward and we were told to stay in the entrance hall until summoned. Soon the other first years began to buzz with excitement and nervousness.
"What do you think they sort us with?" George asked. He looked ecstatic, probably hoping it was something crazy. "Percy said they use a wise hat, but who would believe that?"
How would a hat determine your house? I wondered. Rowan had explained the four houses and what they stood for a few days ago. Slytherin was for the type of person that caused trouble, was pure wizard, and most likely rich. Raveclaw was for the smart and intelligent, while Gryffindor was for the brave of heart. I still didn't understand Hufflepuff (what a silly name!). I only hoped that I wasn't sorted into Slytherin.
Suddenly, the students quieted. "Line up, children! Single file, everyone!" An older witch waved her hands as if to move the students, "Weasley! Yes, you two, stop pushing. Now we are going to walk out ORDERLY and stand quietly until called upon." She turned toward the door and led the students into a larger hall where the rest of the students were already seated.
In the front of the hall was a stool with a hat placed upon it. I guess the Percy boy was right after all. As the line came to a halt, the hat began to sing. The song wasn't too long, and it briefly outlined the houses and the qualities they possessed. After its song ended, the witch that had directed them extracted a scroll from her robes.
"Bobbin, Melinda!"
A squat girl made her way to the stool. She lifted the hat and sat on the stool. Within moments of placing the hat on her head it yelled "HUFFLEPUFF!" She smiled slightly and replaced the hat on the stool and walked quickly to the Hufflepuff table.
Several minutes passed as I waited for my turn. The hat seemed to be calling houses at random, and I was worried it would put me in Hufflepuff, or worse, Slytherin. All too soon, my name was called. I walked rather slowly, hoping I would never reach that stool. I slowly picked up the odd hat and sat on the edge of the seat. I lightly placed the hat on my head and cringed when it spoke.
"Hmmm… I sense you would not be like to be in ol' Slytherin, neither in Hufflepuff. You are rather cunning, quick to learn. I know where you are meant to be. RAVENCLAW!" The whole exchange took less than a minute, but seemed to last an eternity. I grinned and set the hat back down. I smiled at Rowan and skipped to an empty seat. A few people applauded me and clapped me on the back.
A few more names and both the twins were sorted into Gryffindor, the Rowan into Ravenclaw. "I knew it!" She practically yelled. She ripped the hat off and ran to the Ravenclaw table where I had a seat saved for her. "I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!" She didn't stop squealing until a professor asked her to calm down. "Well. I did know it."
The headmaster stood and congratulated the new students and wished us a good meal. The next moment, the silver plates along the table filled with magnificent food. Puddings, steaks, rolls, even a bowl of something bright orange. I had never seen so much food in one place.
"Hey Ro," I said between bites of mince meat pie, "Where does all this food come from?" I continued shoveling food into my mouth.
She finished swallowing and shrugged. "No idea. House-elves, maybe?"
I dropped my fork. "Elves?" I looked at all the food. "Elves made my dinner? Wow…" Everything about the wizarding world constantly amazed me.
After everyone was stuffed and tired, the headmaster dismissed us and all the food vanished. The older students led the first years to our dorms, and let me tell you something, when a person (me) is really tired from a day of traveling and eating half a cow, climbing three flights of stairs (or more, I was too tired to count) is not that fun.
"Madcap." One of the older students stated. At first I thought he was talking to himself, then I realized that the previously locked door had opened into a common room. Comfortable armchairs and long shelves of books crowded the room. "Boys dorms on the right, girls are on the left."
Most everybody drifted off to their beds until it was just Rowan and I. "I'm so glad we were sorted into the same house. And not into Hufflepu-" she was interrupted by a yawn. "Hufflepuff. Night Brin."
"G'night, Ro" I trudged up yet another flight of stairs and fell into the bed with my stuff on it. Too tired to do anything else, I fell asleep with my robes on, shoes still tied, and hair up.
[A/N] I have too much free time! For those who favourited this story: Thank you! And don't expect me to keep updating like this all the time, lol. Chapter 4 might take a while, as I am researching some stuff (thank you HPLexicon!) and I have some stuff coming up. And again, I still need a beta. Anyone with mad editing skills please PM me or leave a comment that mentions beta-ing. I'd love to work with someone that I can email rough drafts.