I approached the burly man and stood amongst the crowd of bustling eleven year olds. Being just over 5 foot made me fit in slightly, but it took only a few minutes for the man to realize I was a sore thumb.
"Aren't yeh lost," he asked, "All other years to the carriages."
"It's my first year here, I'm the transfer," I muttered, embarrassed as the younger students snickered at me.
"Ah right, yeh stay with me." Our mass exodus began when the large man walked us through some arches and right to the water. A myriad of boats sat on the shoreline, each with its own lantern.
"Where are the oars," a small girl asked from behind me.
"Such a muggle," a boy next to me hissed.
"You stay with me," the large man announced, grabbing me by the shoulder. Only a scrawny boy was allowed in the boat with the immense man and I, due to the obvious fact that the boat would clearly sink if any more weight was added.
"I'm Hagrid," the man introduced himself, "Gamekeeper of the grounds, I also teach Care of Magical Creatures."
"I'm Christine, I'm a seventh year transfer from the states," I replied, "Magical Creatures isn't on my schedule, it's pretty stuffed already."
"Yeh already remind me of someone I know, overfilled her schedule evr'y year, but yeh should be able to handle it."
"Did yeh go to a school of magic back home?"
"Yes I did, I didn't expect I'd win the year abroad scholarship at all," I confessed. I watched the dark, swirling waters below me; there was something immense following our boat. My eyes darted back and forth as I followed the massive creature from one side of the boat to the other.
"That's just our giant squid, he'll do yeh no harm," Hagrid told me, adding a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Hearing the words "giant squid" did not make the knot in my stomach go away, and I anxiously waited for the rickety boat to reach solid ground. We all clambered to the entrance and once we were all counted, entered a stone corridor. After the group passed through a colossal wooden door we were signaled to wait patiently. I felt awkward amongst the slew of eleven year olds, most of them made sneer faces at me. Many of the boys in the group were a great deal taller than I was, and it wasn't difficult to hear them snicker loudly. I shut my eyes and told myself: Only a few more minutes and I'll be back with my friends who at least have proper attitudes. After taking a deep breath in, the door opened and a slender woman greeted the group with a smile.
"I trust your sail across the lake was relaxing; we are about to begin our Sorting. Please no pushing or shoving when we enter the Great Hall; you will each be called alphabetically." A brave readheaded girl stepped forward and followed who I assumed to be the Headmistress into the tremendous hall. I tilted my head back and gazed at the vaulted ceilings which emulated the night sky. Four large tables covered the floor, each with students in house specific robes wearing small black caps. The Gryffindor table waved at me, and from behind a ways the Ravenclaws did as well. I made a shy, awkward reply back, but I was much too distracted with the decor of the setting. On a platform sat who I presumed were Professors. In the center was a large chair, with a lively faced man who I easily determined was the Headmaster.
"Boys and girls," the man exclaimed while standing, "Welcome to Hogwarts school of Witchraft and Wizardry; I am Revellus Artiste, your Headmaster." We applauded respectfully and listened intently.
"These talented witches and wizards who sit beside me will be your Professors for the next six years of your lives; teaching each and every one of you how to handle magic with the utmost precision and style."
"In this crowd stands one of you, however, who will not be with us for six years, let a lone more than one." I felt hundreds of eyes burning into the back of my head. My lips went numb and my mouth went dry.
"Miss Hetter we open our school to you as an asylum of learning and fraternity. It has been nearly 30 years since Hogwarts has accepted students for a one year basis, and this experience shall be much more productive, safe and enlightening than that experience." He lifted his hands to signal applause, and slowly but surely the crowd joined in.
"I apologize for making you turn as red as a blast-ended skrewt, but it is necessary to extend our international welcome to you before the start of our feast," he added with a quieter tone and a smile, "Let the Sorting begin!" Small children filed out before me, each shaking as they sat on a stool where an old hat perched. The weary patched hat mumbled and groaned before being put on the head of each student. When a decision was made the hat would cry out which house the student was to spend their years in. I was too busy keeping track of the eight Gryffindors, two Hufflepuffs and a Slytherin who were sorted when my name was finally called.
"Christine Hetter," the Headmistress shouted a bit sternly, and I forced my way onto the platform. My hands were sweating and I sympathized with the children who shook the entire trip to the stool. I sat down and gripped the seat firmly. The frumpy mass of cloth was lowered onto my head and I closed my eyes. For about fifteen seconds the hat said nothing.
"You're significantly older than those who came before me," it finally blurted out.
"Don't you know it's rude to insult a lady's age," I murmured back.
"Witty, what a tongue," the hat replied, "You're remarkably bright, it's easy to read the stress you've already put on yourself with that schedule." A table of green-clad boys and girls snickered at me, I felt my face turning deep scarlet.
"At the same time showing up at a school six years older than the other new entrants takes a great deal of bravery." The hat moved around on my head and groaned a few times.
"Well then, I guess...RAVENCLAW!" I sighed in relief as the table of blue and bronze erupted into whoops of delight. Lisa cleared a spot next to her and across from Brad and I eagerly sprinted over to my new comrades.