Part 6
"Four te a boat!" Hagrid shouted. "And don't let yerself fall in, else the giant squid'll get ye!"
Vanessa shot an alarmed look at Siren, who had latched onto her wrist and was dragging her to the nearest boat.
"Giant squid?" she asked.
Siren laughed. "Yup! Hogwarts is famous for a lot of things, one of which is it's giant squid that lives in the lake. I've never heard of anyone ever falling in, or about the squid getting them...it wouldn't be in the lake if it was dangerous."
"Sure."
Siren pulled Vanessa into one of the boats and they were quickly joined by Hanna and Leah. Samantha and Magenta were in another boat with two other girls. Fred, George, and Lee were in a boat with the blonde.
"I don't think the boys are too happy with their fourth person." Hanna observed.
"That is definitely no smile on those faces." Siren laughed.
Suddenly, the boat lurched to a start and began gliding smoothly across the lake.
"I think I'm gonna be sick." Hanna said, her face paling.
Vanessa looked at her new friend in alarm. "Um, I used to get like that all the time, just put your head between your knees, that should make it somewhat better."
Hanna did so. After a minute she said. "It worked!"
"Oi, keep your head there, git!" Siren cried.
"M'kay!"
Vanessa smiled.
Looking up, she sucked in a breath. The castle of Hogwarts was immense and breathtaking. From where she sat in the boat, she could see the huge main doors that lead inside and the huge sloping lawns to the right. She could see the start of a dark, mysterious forest in the distance and barely make out the edges of what appeared to be greenhouses. The windows of the castle were all lit up. The effect was breathtaking.
"I've heard that Hogwarts was the finest wizarding world in the world, but this is beyond what I was expecting…" Siren breathed.
Hanna looked up. "Merlin…"
The boats slid silently through the water and anchored itself to the shore.
"Alright, everybody!" Hagrid's voice was heard and the girls turned. "Once yer all out of te boats, I want ye all to line up inte two rows."
They scrambled out of their boats and hurried to obey.
Once this was accomplished, Hagrid nodded. "Alright, off we go."
The large man led the procession across the vast lawn and up to the large oak doors of the school.
An older woman stood at the top of the steps. She looked stern yet kind and wore a pointed hat that was all black and looked rather old.
"Hello, students. Welcome to Hogwarts. My name is Professor McGonagall. I am the head of Gryffindor House and Transfiguration teacher. If you would all follow me, I will show you to the Great Hall where you shall be sorted into your houses."
An excited murmur went through the little crowd as they followed the elder woman into the school.