Hogsmeade station was dark as the eight o'clock evening filled the area. A slight cold ambience lingered also, but being slightly squashed next to many more first year students may've warmed me up a small bit. Small circular lampposts were dotted around the station, but other than that, I could see nothing else. I looked around frantically for Edmund and Celia, my new friends (or at least for the time, which I hope they will stay my friends).
"Firs'-years! Fir's-years please come over 'ere! Firs'-years over 'ere!" called a low voice coming somewhere to the right of the station. "Fir's-years 'ere!" I look to my right and see a large, giant-like man standing tall above the sea of students. He had a large, grey-auburn beard which stuck out quite large. He wore a long, tattered and square patched brown coat with some many other layers underneath. Judging by the beard, he is quite old, but surely someone old can't be that large. I follow (more likely am pushed) the wave of first years towards the man.

"Rubeus Hagrid, pleasure to meet yeh'll" he starts, raising his hand a waving. "Yeh'll all gera see 'ogwarts in a few minutes, and yeh'll be blooming 'appy when ye do!" He hobbles round and walks towards the entrance to somewhere. A long path is where it leads too, and down that path is a glimmering large black lake. Above that beautiful lake, on a large hill is something even more beautiful, even in this dark evening. Hogwarts castle, with towers and turrets, glows with torch light from inside. This, is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen so far! "Told yeh'll you'll be surprised!" Hagrid announces. He leads the way down the long dusty path towards a fleet of boats.

"Three per boat please!" he calls out, climbing into a boat himself. I grab Edmund and Celia by the arm and we rush into a boat.
"Ready guys?" I whisper to them, grinning wildly at the castle.
"I've been ready since forever," Edmund replies.
"More than ready," Celia adds. And suddenly, as if by magic- I mean actual magic now!- the boats begin to move towards the castle. I swear I hear Edmund squeal!

We cross the lake in our wooden row boats (which are oar-less might I just add), the light of the castle growing brighter. Edmund natters away about the first few places he will visits first like the Library, the Tapestry Corridor, the Astronomy Tower, the Green Houses and the Covered Bridge. He seems to know a lot about the castle, due to his mother I presume, which makes me kind of jealous. The boats get further and further towards the cliff edge until we come towards a large curtain of ivy.
"No, no, no, no!" Edmund exclaims, "I'm allergic to ivy!" He pulls his robe over is entire body as we move under, arriving safely at a boathouse, the Boathouse. The boats all stop next to the sides and we all climb out.
"Edmund," Celia whispers. "It is okay to come out of that protective shell of yours now." We all climb out of the boat and follow Hagird up a long flight of stairs and into a courtyard. We come to a great brown door and Hagrid knocks loudly on it. Almost instantly both doors open revealing a tall man (not as tall as Hagrid) with long white and purple robes and short and spiked black hair. He had a scar across his left eyebrow, which made him seem very scary and intimidating to me.
"Fir'-years are here, Professor Centurion, all safe an' sound!" Hagrid beams at Professor Centurion and strolls off into the castle. The black haired Professor smiles at us with a smile so wide; it would split his face in half if he smiled any harder.
"Follow me," he says, delightedly. He leads us down the corridor and into a square chamber, which sits proudly in front of a set of large, golden doors with swirly patterns engraved on it.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, one of the best schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry there is! The beginning-of- term feast will begin very shortly! You will indeed enjoy the feasts a lot at Hogwarts. But, before you start to eat, you must be sorted into your houses. The Sorting Hat will be placed upon your small heads and will decide exactly what house is right for you! Your house will become your brand new family whilst here at Hogwarts, so treat each other with respect as you will be living with them, spending time with them in-between lessons and even take lessons with them!
"The four houses are called Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. Each of these marvellous house groups has its own noble history and never in the schools had existence produced a terrible witch or wizard, each has grown to be strong and powerful! You will receive house points for your given house for good behaviour and outstanding work and points will be removed if you if you break any rules at all? I hope this is clear, hm? Anyway, house points will be added at the end of the year and the house with the most points, will receive the House Cup, an honourable reward for your house! Each of you all will not fail to please the founders of your house, I believe?" He looks around sternly on the last sentence, but his smile soon returns.
"Good. The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly, so prepare yourselves and converse with your new schoolmates!" Professor Centurion swiftly moves down the corridor and out of sight.

"Guys, my hair," Celia asks. "Does it look okay?" She fiddles around with it, bat combing and straightening it again with her dainty fingers.
"It looks perfect," Francesca says, appearing from behind. She pushes Celia's hair all to one side and clasps her hand over her mouth. "Beautiful!" Francesca hugs Celia and looks at me and Edmund. Nervously, we all hug each other and I instantly feel less apprehensive about the Sorting Ceremony.
"What actually happens in there?" Francesca asks. "I really didn't revise for any test the Sorting Hat will give us..."
"Not a test," Edmund reassures. "The hat is simply placed upon your head and he finds characteristics within you about which house suits you." Now that is defiantly reassuring, but at the same time, still very nerve racking! What if the hat doesn't like my characteristics like my sisters? What if Callum doesn't get chosen? I honestly will be very upset if he doesn't get through; he is my twin brother after all. Professor Centurion comes back, grinning even more wildly.
"Now, shall we get on with the show?" he asks, before pushing the large doubles doors open, cheers and whistles coming from inside. We walk up a middle isle, two tables on one side and two on the other. Candles float in the air all around the hall and the ceiling looks like the evening sky. A beautifully large fireplace sits firmly on the far right of the hall but directly in front of us is a wooden plat formed area with a large, long table in which the Professors sit. In the middle of them all, on a tall golden chair, sits a woman with long silky brown hair, bright red lips and a powdered face, a long royal pink dress which puffs out slightly at the bottom and a waist length deep purple robe with long sleeves. We stop at the front of the decking, where Professor Centurion, directed by his long black wand, places a smooth, dark wooden stool with an old, dusty wizards hat.

"Now, when I call out your name, you will come up and sit on the stool where the hat will be placed upon your head. Once he calls out your house name, you may go and sit on your houses table. Now, let us begin!" Professor Centurion waves both hands in the air and wild screams and claps come from every student. He gestures them to be quiet and pulls out a golden scroll from within his robes. Suddenly, the hat sings.
'Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!'

"Ables, Bellona!" Professor Centurion calls out and a girl with long, brown hair walks up onto the platform. She sits on the stool and Professor Centurion places the hat on her head. After five seconds, the hat roars, "GRYFFINDOR!" and applause comes from the far left table.
"Abad, Ryan!" becomes a "HUFFLEPUFF!" and joins the table on the right.
"Abarca, Terry!" becomes a "SLYTHERIN!" and joins the table next to Hufflepuff on the right.
"Babcock, Amanda!" become a "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Bagley, Jerry!" becomes a "GRYFFINDOR!" and joins the table on the far left. Many names are called out until, the name "Butler, Callum!" is called. Instantly, my eyes become fixed on my twin as I watch him make his way through the crowd and onto the stool. Professor Centurion whispers something to Callum, which makes him smile and nod. The hat is places only a little above his head before it shouts out "GRYFFINDOR!" Callum makes his way, pretty coolly, towards the Gryffindor table.
"Butler, Charlie!" calls Professor Centurion. Edmund pats me on the back, which reminds me I have to move. I make my way towards the stool and sit down.
"Son of Donna Higgins and Finlay Butler, am I right?" he whispers to me. I nod,
"Donna Butler now, but yes." I reply. This must've been what he asked Callum... He places the Sorting Hat on my head and it covers my eyes. I just managed to see the four flags which covered that four tables. One was yellow and black with a large badger, the second was green and silver with a snake, the third was blue and bronze with an eagle and the last was red and gold with an impressive lion. The tables we set it golden plates and I see Edmund's smiling face before that hat is covered.
"Hmm..." the hat whispers. "Brave, like a Gryffindor indeed. However, not as much as your brother... Smart as well, a good Ravenclaw in here. And some signs of a... Slytherin... hmm..." There is a small pause. "No, no never fear, your path is clear. I am very sure... RAVENCLAW!" The hat is pulled from my head and I head towards the table second from the left. I think, if I remember rightly, I am the first Ravenclaw so far.
Francesca is called up a little while after me and is placed in "HUFFLEPUFF!" along with her twin, Isaac, who is also placed in "HUFFLEPUFF!"

I note one particular girl by her looks, similar to Celia and Cynthia in looks, but with straight, jet black hair. Claudia Dean her name is, and she frowns upon the girl before her, Katherine Canary, who sits next to me on the Ravenclaw table. Katherine seems nervous, if not scared. Maybe this is completely new to her, magic, and being shy must be the cherry on the cake. I feel a little sorry for her actually, so after this is over, I will make sure to try and strike a conversation.

Claudia takes her place on the stool, a smug grin on her face. This is what my mum and dad used to call a 'True Slytherin', but Rachel would always say not all Slytherin are evil. But, not entirely taking me by surprise, that hat booms out "SLYTHERIN!" and she rushes to the Slytherin table. A few more students are sorted in a wide mixture of houses until Cynthia's turn comes, I pay attention again. I seem to not take any notice of the other students apart from my friends and some very familiar sounding names. Cynthia walks up, quite proudly actually, and sits on the stool. I'm not sure she meant to do it purposely, but she sat on that stool pretty... seductively shall I say... Professor Centurion places the hat on her head and it booms out "RAVENCLAW!"

I'm quite surprised actually, very surprised. If this house thing my parent's talk about is true, she would've been placed in Slytherin, I'm sure of it... I mean, after all, she did seem to mock Celia a lot on the train. But, it is what is on the inside that counts I guess.
"Franklin, Edmund!" calls Professor Centurion, looking at Edmund directly. He obviously knows Edmund via his mother, the librarian I recall. Edmund seems like a nice lad, but I'm not too sure what house he will be in... Well, the hat seems to know (obviously) as he is "RAVENCLAW!" He rushes down to get as close to me as possible, also avoiding Cynthia.
One of the next notable names is Sebastian Grabble, as when he was sorted in Slytherin Claudia seemed to cheer quite loud. Celia is next, and a Ravenclaw she becomes. Drew Mitchells, Zara Contee, Darren Rough, Albus Potter are sorted into Gryffindor (or at least the names I decide to take in, mostly as Callum seems to stand up and greet them all, apart from Albus).
Scorpius Malfoy, Savier Trent are Slytherin's and get greeted by Claudia, Sebastian and another girl going by the name of Kayla Deformibus. Laura Jonglyu is a Hufflepuff and finally a Rose Weasley is sorted into Gryffindor.

Professor Centurion removes the hat and stool and takes a seat next to the woman on the big throne, who rises when he sits and moves her way to the front. She stands with a hand on her hip and a beaming face. She nods to the four houses and begins.
"Welcome to Hogwarts! I am Professor Rosalina Titania Fostmith, but you can call me Professor Fostmith! Well, I'm sure you are all going to enjoy the company of your new families," she says, raising both in a posh, delicate way. "And I am very sure that you will enjoy your time here at Hogwarts! But, we must all remember to try our best and make sure to do the founders of Hogwarts extremely proud!" The hall cheers and so do I. "Now, let the feast begin!"

At first, food was appearing on the plates like holograms then suddenly they realised themselves and the entire hall was filled with different marvellous smells. Even things I didn't like, like Sheppard's Pie, smelt gorgeous. I wasn't eating Sheppard's Pie though, no way. The hall filled with chatter as everyone filled their plates with food from the golden plates. There was almost everything here!
I took three eggs, Spaghetti Bolognaise, Sausages, Bacon, Chicken, and Chinese Noodles. Plus the amounts of Pumpkin Juice, which might I add tastes spectacular! It all is very good indeed! I decide to take as much as possible.

"So, what are you most looking forward too?" asks Edmund, talking across Katherine. He scoffs his face with mash potato.
"Charms, I think. However, I'm not too sure exactly what I would like..." I reply. Celia gulps down some Pumpkin Juice and leans forward to Oliver.
"I'm looking forward to potions class. Being able to brew a potion that will make my cousin Claudia sick would be brill'!" she exclaims.
"Well, that is something I must agree on!" Cynthia says, waving a fork of pasta around. "It would be good to see her being laughed at. The stuck up snob!"
"Well I think Astronomy will be superb! I mean, some wizards and witches believe we get our magic from the stars. I would love to find out if it is true!" Edmund chortles, wiping his face of mash potato.

"What about you?" I ask the girl Katherine who is next to me. I see a small smile on her face and she looks up at me. She pushes her long fringe out of her face and strokes her pixie cut hair.
"I'm not too sure..." she whispers. "I don't come from a magical fami..." her voice trails off slightly. I place my arm on her back.
"It is fine, please don't worry about it. There are plenty of students here who are completely oblivious to this too. You don't have to feel alone," I say to her. She smiles at me and shakes my hand. "Besides, I'm counting you as a friend now anyway, you have no choice to hang around with me." She gives me a warm smile and whispers,
"Thank you."

The main course disappears just like it appeared and is replaced by many puddings and treats! From Toffee Éclairs, Chocolate Éclairs, Trifle, Sticky Toffee Pudding, every flavour of ice cream, cake, Cauldron Cakes, Lemon Meringue Pie, Apple Crumble, Rhubarb Crumble, a chocolate fountain, Rice Pudding and SO MUCH MORE! I fill my plate with almost everything chocolaty and have three scoops of strawberry ice cream. I gulp down more Pumpkin juice and tuck in. Once I begin to feel full, and a little drowsy, the food disappears and everyone goes silent as Professor Fostmith stands up again.

"I do hope everyone enjoyed there meal, hmm?" she asks, nodding at the four tables once again. "Good, now that is a very happy welcome and return to everyone! Excellent! I am pretty sure all of you are quite sleepy, so I won't keep you all long, I promise. But, just a few notices to being with.
"The Quidditch tryouts for second years and above will take place in two years time, please see Madame Gorakye for more information." There is a small groan at Madame Gorakye's name. "You may also ask you're Head of House or Quidditch Captain for some more info.
"No spells are to be casted in the corridors, please use the certain courtyards for spell casting and duelling. Dates for Duel club will be given soon and are open for second to fourth years. If you have any questions do ask your teachers and prefects! Now before we go, the school song?"

Professor Fostmith pulled out a rather large, thin and light wooded wand with a large clear crystal in the middle. She flicked it once and a magical scroll appeared in the air above all four tables.
"Sing it how you prefer! Okay, ready? Ah one, two ,three-" and the school burst into song.

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot!"

"Very beautiful indeed! Marvellous! Now, off to bed you 'orrible lot!" exclaimed Professor Fostmith and disappeared off.

Two pupils at the end of the Ravenclaw table stood on the table and shouted,
"First years over here please!" We all rushed over to where they were standing, giving them space to jump off.
"Hello, I am Ravenclaws head boy, Alex Corvus and this is your head girl, Sandra Bellesage! We will be guiding you too the common rooms so do pay attention!" Alex says, showing around his Prefect badge.
"Yes, do pay attention," starts Sandra. "If you have any further questions in the morning, do feel free to ask! Now, follow us!" They both lead the way out of the Great Hall.

We walk up a large staircase, which move. Sandra reminded us that we should be very careful when using them, just in case we fall off, but apparently that hasn't happened for a while. We walk to the west side of the castle and make our way to the fifth floor where they take us down a corridor and towards a painting. Alex pulls it aside, and it smiles at us as he does so. I almost forgot pictures could talk and move! We moved into a small corridor behind that picture and arrive at dark wooden door with a bronze eagle knocker.

"Now, this our common room doesn't have a password unlike some. We are asked a question by the doorknob and, if guessed correctly, we get to go inside," Alex says, pointing to the doorknocker.
"And don't worry if you get it wrong, just wait until someone arrives and then you can both work out the question. That way, you learn," Sandra states. She turns to the knocked and it comes to life.
"What came first, the phoenix or the flame?" it asks Sandra, a musical tone to its voice. Sandra thought for a moment, scratching her red hair.
"Well...Really, there is no exact answer. A phoenix needs a flame to be born from, but for a phoenix to be born, there must be a phoenix there," replies Sandra, looking hopeful.
"So, basically, a circle has no beginning," adds Alex.
"Very, very clever indeed!" sings the doorknocker and it swings open. The prefects stride in and we follow. The common room is beautiful indeed; we must be in a tower as it is round. It is dotted with dark wooden furniture like grand scenic bookcases, gold and bronze mirrors, gorgeous blue rugs with bronze rims, blue velvet chairs, dark tables, large chess sets, a beautiful stone blazing fireplace and a large, marble statue of the Ravenclaw founder, Rowena Ravenclaw. To the left of Rowena's statue are two sets of stairs, one on the right and one on the left.

"Boys bedrooms on the left," says Alex,
"Girls on the right!" finishes Sandra. They both jolt off towards their bedrooms. Edmund and I say goodnight to Celia, Cynthia and our new friend Katherine and both make out way to our beds, twelve new boys and twelve girls.

Me and the boys arrive in our dorm, twelve large four poster beds, each with a bedside table and Wardrobe. The beds were laid with blue and bronze bed coverings and had deep blue curtains on them. The round room had several mirrors dotted around and three windows. Our trunks were placed in front of our beds, with our names on. Womble lay sleeping in his cage next to my bed. I am in the bed next to Edmund. We all change into our pyjamas and pull our curtains shut. Instantly, we all fall asleep to the gentle sound of the wind blowing through the tower.