As a giant man was calling all the first years to follow him, Lea said goodbye to the older students that participated in the discussion on the train. When Ginny, Luna and Colin get closer to the man they hear that there are four to a boat luckily there are four of them.
"Around the bend here you will be able to see Hogwarts," the man said in broken English and thick accent. He was not wrong and once everyone caught sight of the castle they all gasped and fell silent. Not a single word was uttered by a student after the shock of the castle coming into view.
"Watch your head now," though no one had to but the man who spoke since they were all much shorter than he.
When Lea spotted the new adult she realized right then and there that this professor would be the strict one out of everyone. She also had a weird feeling in the back of head that she was something special though Lea could not place why.
"Here are the first years Professor," the way this man said it made Lea think this is a yearly thing they do.
"Yes I can see Hagrid. Come along children no time to waste," and just like that they were off through the castle to head to the great hall.
As they followed the Professor she began speaking, "Welcome to Hogwarts, the start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room."
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Sytherin. Each House has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule breaking will lose House Points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours."
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
After that long speech Collin looked a bit nervous.
"I wonder how we will be sorted, is there a test that we had to study for." Colin looked about ready to faint at this statement.
"Don't worry Collin, my grandpa told me we just have to put on an old hat and the hat will do all the work for us. No need to overthink something like this." Lea stated in a calm voice. Most were shocked to hear that someone was actually told what the sorting processes would be. Especially Professor Mcgonagall who had stepped out of the great hall now that they were ready for them. It was in agreement a few hundred years ago that no one would tell the new first years the sorting process just to see their reactions when they first saw the hat.
Of course Myrddin would not know of such agreement since he had not interacted with the wizard inn world since he helped make the Statute of Secrecy but who cares about the little details.
As the first years walked into the hall many of the older students noticed that they weren't as nervous as they were supposed to, the second years were a little upset that no one was as nervous as they were last year. Mcgonagall however looked a little shocked at something and everyone noticed that. Well except for the three not in attendance currently. After the sorting hat sang the sorting started.
"When I call your name, come up to be sorted."
"Colin Creevey" "Gryffindor!!"
"Luna Lovegood" "Ravenclaw!!"
"Ginerva Weasley" "Gryffindor!!"
"Azalea Wylt" Lea was the last one to be called up, and as she walked up she looked super nervous. As the hat was placed on her head it was a little bit too big and this is when everyone noticed how tiny she was. You could hear the "Aww's" from the older students.
"Well hello there Ms. Wylt, it has been quite some time since I saw your Grandad last. How is he doing?" The hat asked Lea knowing very well she knew who he was talking about.
"He is doing well Allistor, he is very excited to finally have a magical descendant. I spent the summer with him and he taught me exciting things like how to use magic without a wand. He tells me I should still use it especially in public just so that way I don't get found out quite yet." Lea tells the hat not saying a single word out loud and only in her head.
"Well I guess I have to sort you into your house, any preferences? No, well ok then. Hmmm cunning yes but not ambitious so not Slytherin, brave but not the strongest trait and not something you thrive for so not Gryffindor. Loyal and hardworking of course maybe Hufflepuff, Smart incredibly so with an eidetic memory to boot but has lived your whole life being judged by how smart you are and hates the competition so definitely not Ravenclaw then to much pressure tha Leaves…"
"Hufflepuff!!!" Allistor said out loud, what Lea did not realize was that she was a hat stall and quite a long one. Though the shocked faces around the room were mainly because everyone who talked with her on the train thought for sure she would be in Ravenclaw. It only took a few seconds though before the whole hall was cheering for her.
After the feast the first years were led to the Hufflepuff common rooms, when they arrived Professor Sprout their head of House was already there.
"Welcome to Hufflepuff I am Professor Sprout the Herbology teacher and your Head of House now eac one of you has a dormitory with your name on it as well as your roommates. Since we have an odd number of girls one of you will get you own room and don't worry it is completely random chosen by the magic of Hogwarts itself so even I don't even know the pairings," as Sprout said this she had a huge smile on her face and tried to keep her voice warm and welcoming.
"Now there are not many rules and curfew may be subject to change but I won't bore you with the details there will be a list of rules on your trunks, but if you have any questions do not be afraid to ask me or any of the older students especially those with badges that say prefect on them. With that, head out and find your rooms and get some rest." With that last statement Sprout went out and Lea finally looked around. The common looke to be underground sort of with a beautiful cozy feeling surrounding it and the fireplace.
After the exciting day that was today Azalea decided to head to bed in a room by herself excited for the next day filled with magical classes.
Word Count: 1,237