As annoying as Hermione was, explaining everything she saw, I wanted to listen when she talked about Hogwarts. I couldn't take my eyes off the castle the entire trip down the lake. I wanted to figure out every detail, even in the dark.

Hermione knew so much about Hogwarts, she was practically a text book on it. She knew the history, different professors, classes, everything.

If she didn't get into Ravenclaw, I'd be shocked.

I began to wonder what house I'd get sorted into. I wasn't smart enough for Ravenclaw, brave enough for Gryffindor, clever enough for Slytherin, or loyal enough for Hufflepuff. My mom was in Slytherin house when she went to Hogwarts, but she said she didn't enjoy it very much.

I kinda hoped I didn't follow in her footsteps, but only the sorting hat decides.

The boat thudded against the shoreline. I jumped out of the boat and bee-lined it for the man leading us into the castle.

"My father will hear of this…" a boy sneered behind me. "We shouldn't have to walk up this mountain! Honestly, this is ridiculous!"

"No worries," The big man answered, not turning around. "Just a short walk from here."

"Maybe for someone with the stride of a giant." He whispered low to his little posse. I got a good look at him; bleach blonde hair, blue eyes, and a persona screaming rich snob.

Hermione wasn't paying attention to any of this. She nudged me and made me look all around. "Isn't this wonderful? It's more beautiful than what I read…"

I had to agree, everything was breathtaking.

The inside was even more stunning. We walked through big heavy doors into a hall with stone walls surrounding stain glass windows. We walked for what seemed like ages through a dream.

I couldn't wait to explore this place.

We stopped at another pair of large doors, where a woman was standing there. She introduced herself as Professor McGonagall, and gave what seemed like the typical "welcome to Hogwarts" speech. Halfway through it though, I heard a squeal and saw a kid kneel down and pick up what looked like a toad. I recognized the back of his head.

Neville found Trevor.

"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily. I will be back to retrieve you." She turned around and walked back through the big heavy doors, closing them behind her.

"It's true then!" The blonde snob said loud enough for all to hear him. "What they said on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."

There was a loud murmur from everyone in the crowd. I tried to listen in on the blonde, but the noise made that impossible. He had gotten right into Harry's face at one point, then to the red head, but before I could see anything else, Professor McGonagall had come back through the doors and hushed the crowd.

"Were ready for you now. Follow me."She pushed the doors wide open.

Hogwarts has yet ceased to amaze me.

The dining hall was huge, stone, and well lit by the thousands of candles spread all over the… night sky?

"It's only bewitched to look like the night sky." Hermione pointed up. "We're perfectly safe."

Ravenclaw, for sure.

I was so enchanted by all that was around me, I didn't realize the hat was singing until his final note. Everyone around me clapped, and then Professor Mogonagle pulled out a scroll and began reading names in alphabetical order, by first name. The first kid called, a tall boy with mud-colored hair, sat at the stool up front, had the hat placed on his head, and in a few moments a voice bellowed into the hall "HUFFLEPUFF!"

After cheers from the nearby table sporting yellow, three more names were called. Then, just as I had feared,

"Attserk Clemens!"

I hated my first name now.

I pushed through the crowd. I managed to brush past Harry Potter and his ginger friend as I went by. When I took my seat, the last person I saw was the blonde-haired boy standing in the front row. He was giving me the creepiest smile I had ever seen. I didn't like it.

Then, the hat was placed on my head, and because of its large size, over my eyes. Everything suddenly went black and silent. I waited a few seconds for something to happen.

A voice from no-where spoke.

"My, lots of emotions locked inside! Hmm, I see bitterness, remorse, my you are a sad child…"

There was a pause.

I held my breath.

"You are indecisive as to where to be placed. You feel you are not fit for any category, but I see past that. Yes, I know exactly where you are to be placed. I say…"

"Gryffindor!"

A large cheer came from outside the hat. When it was lifted over my head, the blonde boy seemed surprised. I looked away from him and made my way to the scarlet table, where I received a few handshakes from my fellow house mates.

Gryffindor. The house of the courageous, the brave, and the pure of heart.

Me?

The hat says so, I guess.