September 1st, 1981
Andie stepped out into the Great Hall, along with all the first years. She was only a year older than them and was already a full head taller than the tallest first year. The small group followed behind a professor. Whom had introduced themselves as Professor Snape just mere moments ago. He led them to the front of the hall. Walking past the four tables that sat older students. They stopped at the bottom of three steps, which led to the teacher's table. Sitting at the top of the steps, was a stool. On top of it held an old, tattered, pointed hat. Professor Snape turned to address the students.
"When I call your name," he said, "You will sit on the stool, and you will be sorted into your houses." His voice was low and drowned on as he spoke.
As each name was called, the hat was placed onto the student's head. It would then shout out the corresponding house for that student to go to. With each house that was announced, the corresponding table would clap and cheer. Well, as much as each could; with how few students were at each table. Finally, it came to-
"Andrea Price."
Andie stepped forward. She swore that Professor Snape held a confused look on his face. Almost as if he recognized her. She sat on the stool, getting herself comfortable. The hat was then placed on her head, and a voice whispered in her ear.
"Hmmm, you have a great talent. A thirst to prove that you are worthy of even being here. A good combination. However, I see an incessant need to please those around you. Something that might be bad for in the future. Still, I can see that you would fit well in-"
RAVENCLAW!
The hat's voice boomed out through the great hall, echoing as it did so. Andie removed the hat, handing it back to Professor Snape. She got off the stool and walked towards the table that was cheering for her. She sat down at the closest seat available. The student settled and Professor Snape continued.
"Vivian Price."
Andie looked up. Her twin sister stepped out from the first years. She was as tall as Andie, and her red hair stood out amongst the blacks, browns, and blondes. Vivian got onto the stool. The hat barely touched her head, when it shouted out-
SLYTHERIN!
The table directly next to the Ravenclaw table sent out a cheer. Andie watched as Vivian got off the stool and joined her new housemates for the year. The last few names were read out. With a few more Slytherins, Gryffindors, and a Hufflepuff joining the school year. With all the students sorted, Professor Snape removed the hat and stool. Clearing the floor for the next teacher to speak. From the teacher's table, stood the white-haired man in the center.
"Welcome," he said, opening his arms in a friendly gesture. "To a new year at Hogwarts. I am Professor Dumbledore. Headmaster of the school. I hope you are all geared up for a new year at Hogwarts. Now before we start this beautiful feast, I have a few words to say. Here they are. Nitwit, blubber, oddment, tweak. Thank you."
He sat back down. Andie frowned in confusion. The start of year speech at Ilvermorny was typically longer and more eloquent. A few moments passed. Then piles of food materialized on the empty dishes, which littered the tabletops. The items consisted of roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, bacon, steak, steak and kidney pies, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and peppermint humbugs.
Again, it was all so different from Andie's previous experiences. She'd never seen so much food before. Andie began to pile a little of everything onto her plate. She began to eat, as the hall erupted into a buzz of chatter. Andie was on her third mouthful, when a plate slid onto the table beside her. She turned to look. A girl, the same age as her, sat. Dark hair, and blue eyes. The girl sported yellow and black house colours. A wide grin was spread over the girl's face.
"Renee?!" Andie exclaimed, trying not to choke on her food.
"You seem surprised. Funny, I could've sworn you knew I was here before you transferred."
"No, I knew. It's just… aren't we supposed to stay at our own tables?"
Renee took a bite of her meal.
"Hmmm, na. I mean, they prefer we stay at our own tables, but we won't get in trouble if we move to sit with friends."
Renee gave a small nod to the teacher's table. Only Professor Snape looked annoyed at the sudden shift of the student.
"Anyway," Renee continued, "I gotta say, I didn't expect you to be a Ravenclaw."
"You didn't?"
"Nope. I was expecting a Slytherin, or at the very least a Gryffindor."
Andie took a bite, then swallowed.
"When do we get our class schedules and uniforms?"
"Uniforms will be waiting in the dorms, along with your luggage. As for the schedule, we get that in the morning during breakfast."
"We?"
"Yeah. In case you haven't noticed, there's not many students this year. Normally each student has personalized classes. Not this year. We'll all be grouped up with our school year. So, first years all have the same classes, second years have all the same classes. And so on and so forth. We'll be able to sit together for the whole year."
"Oh, the horror," Andie said, in a sarcastic tone.
"Shut up."
Renee punched Andie's arm. Andie gave a laugh, as she poured herself a glass of juice. She sipped at it. Renee chuckled.
"What?" Andie questioned.
"Nothing. You just act like you haven't eaten for a month."
"I never get to eat anything like this at home."
"You can slow down. It's not like you're gonna go hungry anytime soon."
Andie shot a sideways glare. Renee half put her hands up.
"Point taken. Just, save some room for dessert."
The rest of the meal was passed with discussion of what the two had gotten up to over the past year, after Renee moved. Their conversation died down a little, as they watched the food disappear, only to be replaced by dessert items. Blocks of assorted ice cream, apple pies, spotted dick, chocolate gateau, treacle tarts, pumpkin tarts, chocolate eclairs, jam donuts, trifle, strawberries and jelly, and rice pudding. The conversations continued, as the two began to gorge themselves on the sweets. They didn't stop, until they felt like their stomachs were going to burst. Finally, the desserts disappeared. Dumbledore rose to his feet again. He cleared his throat, before speaking.
"Just a few more words, now that we are all full and watered. I have a few start of term notices to give. First years should note, that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils." An almost stern look was shot to all the students. "I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the halls. And finally, quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house, should contact Madam Hooch."
Andie leaned closer to Renee and whispered.
"Can't go into the forest? Just how dangerous is this school?"
"It's fine," Renee whispered back. "There's just some creatures there that are a little more dangerous than most."
Andie went to respond, but was cut off by Dumbledore continuing to speak.
"And now, before we head off to bed to dream of sugar plums and fairies, let us sing the school's song." With a flick of his wand, a long, golden ribbon flew from the tip. It rose high above the tables and twisted itself into words. "Everyone, pick your favorite tune; and off we go."
Hogwarts, Hogwarts. Hoggy Warty Hogwarts.
Teach us something please,
Wether 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 till our brains all rot.
Everyone finished at different times. Some quicker and some purposely taking longer. Once the hall was quiet, the teachers clapped; with Dumbledore clapping the loudest.
"Ah, music," he said, wiping a tear from his eye. "A magic beyond all we do here. And now bedtime. Off you trot."
The students rose from their seats to follow their houses, head boys and girls to their dormitories.
"Whelp, time to head to our home for the next year," Renee said, as the two girls stood.
"How do I know which way to go?" Andie asked.
"See that boy there?" Renee pointed to a black haired boy, no older than 17. On his robes was a blue badge, trimmed in bronze. "That's Ravenclaw's head boy. If you follow him, he'll take you to your common room. You better hurry before he leaves without you. I'll see you at breakfast."
"Alright."
With that, Renee bounded off to follow the Hufflepuffs. Andie moved towards her house's head boy.
"Ravenclaws, listen up," the boy called out. "I'm David. Head boy of our house. This is Heather. Head girl. If you'll follow us, we'll lead you to Ravenclaw tower. Let's go."
David turned on his heel and led the small group of newcomers out of the Grand Hall. They went through corridors, navigated the changing staircase, and almost to the other side of the school. They reached an oak door. A bronze knocker, in the shape of an eagle sat in the center of it. David raised a hand and knocked the knocker twice. From the door, emitted an echoey voice.
In spring, I am gay in handsome array; in summer, more clothing I wear; when colder it grows, I ling off my clothes; and in winter, quite naked I appear. What am I?
Silence followed for a few moments, before David spoke.
"A tree."
The door opened wide, revealing a large, spiral staircase.
"Follow Heather up," David told the newcomers. "She'll explain the dorms upstairs."
Heather started the descent, with the students piling in after her. It was a good, solid minute of climbing; then the students pooled out into the common room. A wide, circular area. Arched windows, decorated with blue and bronze silks. Midnight blue carpet, covered in stars, lay all over the floor; which was reflected in the domed ceiling. Tables, chairs, and bookshelves furnished the room. At the far end, opposite where the students had just piled in, sat two other staircases. Sitting between them, sat a statue. A woman, made from white marble. Heather stood at the center of the room. She turned to face the others.
"Welcome to Ravenclaw tower. Boys' dormitories are up the stairs on the right. Girls', the same on your right. You'll find your belongings have already been brought up. Curfew is in a few hours at nine-thirty. Should you need the bathroom before then, it's back out and the first door on the right. If you find yourself locked out, either myself or David will make a final check at ten to let you in."
"Alright," David cut in. "Get yourself familiar with everything, and then get settled for the night. Lights out at ten."
David and Heather moved away from the students and back down the spiral staircase. Andie broke away from the group and made her way towards the girl's dorm. Single beds circled around the walls of the room. In the center was a heater. As was said, luggage sat at the foot of each bed. Andie went to each one, looking for her belongings. Finding it, she brought her suitcase up onto the bed she assumed she had been assigned. Opening it, she pulled out a white nightgown. She changed into it. She put her trunk back down and threw her robes over the top of it. She crawled into bed, excited to start her first day. The chatter from the common room barely travelled up to where she was. Andie closed her eyes, hoping that sleep would come as soon as the noise died down.