Waking up early, Harry could barely contain his excitement to leave for Hogwarts.
The past few weeks seemed to take forever as he looked forward to finally beginning his magical education. Throughout the last few weeks, he and Hermione maintained their correspondence with one another, eagerly awaiting their entry to the magical castle. Every day, Harry's owl, Hedwig, would fly back and forth as they compared notes about subjects they each found fascinating. Harry, most interested in Potions, DADA, Transfiguration, and Charms would share his fascination with barely restraint enthusiasm as he would describe their use. Hermione, fascinated by Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration would gladly return his enthusiasm. The two genius, happy to have found somebody their own age who reciprocated their intelligence, quickly formed a friendship.
Making plans to meet up in the train station, Harry went over his mental list to ensure that nothing was left behind.
'Trunk, check. Wands, double check. Potions, check. Clothes, check. Money, check. School robes, check. School books, check.'
Looking at his mirror, Harry checked over his outfit to ensure everything was in order.
Dressed in charcoal grey trousers, a baby blue top, a grey vest, and brown loafers, Harry was satisfied with his look. Using his minor skill as a metamorphagus, Harry styled his hair in a thicker, wavier form to resemble the windswept style he had originally tried. Being able to change his appearance, however minor the changes, were a godsend to the famous boy. As it turned out, while he did possess the ability of metamorphagi, he was not able to change his entire body as those who held full mastery. Regardless, he was able to change facial features, hair color and style, faintly change the color of his eyes, and make small changes to his height and muscle mass. Harry was happy, nonetheless, to be able to perform this.
Taping the lock of his trunk with his wand, it quickly shrunk to the size of a matchbox. Placing it in his pocket, Harry walked downstairs where his family was finishing their breakfast.
"Good morning." he said, greeting his aunt and uncle.
"Hello, Potter, is today the day at last?" his uncle replied, slowly filled with excitement.
"Yes, today is the day I leave for Hogwarts. Aunt Petunia, I left behind a mail box in my room that is enchanted to send me letters while I am at school, if there are any complications or issues with any witch or wizard, let me know. Remember, we need to maintain the image of a happy family, otherwise we may attract attention." he reminded.
"Very well, will you be needed a ride to the train station?"
"No, I have made other arrangements."
"Then this shall be goodbye for now.", he uncle stated, a wide smile his face.
"Yes, goodbye.", trying to not let his uncle see his face of hurt, Harry turned and walked towards the front door.
In the hallway, standing before the door, stood his cousin Dudley.
"I heard that today is when you're leaving for school." he mumbled.
"Yes."
Nervously, Dudley continued to look down as he replied.
"Well, I hope you have a good year. Maybe you can send me letters about your school…and maybe some of those chocolates."
Smiling, Harry stated, "Yeah, I'll make sure to send you some. I left your mom a mail box where we can send each other letters. Keep an eye out for any chocolates."
With a quick shake of their hands, Harry stepped out and continued to walk down the street to the empty lot the professor and he used.
Wand out, he heard a 'pop' burst before the Knight Bus appeared before him.
"Ah, Mr. Evan, hitching another ride?"
Hazel eyes, wavy black hair, and a toned complexion, Harry looked different that when he left the Dursley's residence.
"How do you do, Stan. I'm afraid I need a ride to King's Cross. Its my second year, you see."
"Well, come on in."
With a lurch, the Knight Bus burst through the street, making its way to London.
Standing in the midst of a crowd, Harry was waiting for Hermione and her parents to arrive. Having agreed to meet at 10'oclock near the third pillar in Platform 9, he awaited their arrival.
Within minutes, he heard a "Harry!" shrieked from behind him.
Turning around, Harry observed Hermione and her parents making their way towards him.
Mr. Granger, standing tall, had the same brown hair color that his daughter wore. Hazel eyes and a gentle smile, he had a trusting face. Mrs. Granger, looking like an older version of Hermione, had darker brown hair with wavy locks; the same brown eyes as her daughter, Harry had no doubt she was Hermione's mother.
In front of them, dragging her trunk, was Hermione. A wide smile, she was waving to Harry as she weaved through the crowds.
A growing smile, Harry made his way towards the Granger family and decided to help Hermione with her trunk.
"Harry, I'm so glad we found you! I wasn't sure we'd find you in this crowd."
Grabbing a hold to her offered hand, Harry laid a gentle kiss upon her knuckle.
"Hermione, a pleasure to see you once more." he said, smiling, locking his eyes directly to her.
A light pink hue burst throughout her cheek, she replied, "It's good to see you too."
Dragging his eyes away from Hermione, he turned to face her father.
Extending his arms, he greeted Mr. Granger, "A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Granger, Hermione has spoken greatly about you."
With a gentle smile, he accepted his offered hand, "I must say, its nice to put a face to the name, Hermione has not stopped talking about her first magical friend."
Red-faced, Hermione interrupted, "Dad, I didn't talk about him all that much."
Chuckling, her mother corrected, "Oh, Hermione, I don't think you went a single day without mentioning him."
His smile growing, Harry turned to offer his hand to Mrs. Granger, placing a kiss on her knuckle, he greeted, "A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Granger. It's clear where Hermione gets her beauty from."
Laughing gently, she turned to Hermione, "What a charmer, this one."
"Its not charming if one is simply stating the truth."
Giving a kiss to her cheek, Mr. Granger put his arm around his wife, "Well, you're definitely not wrong about that. But, please, call us Daniel and Emma. Calling us Dr. Granger will get old quickly."
"Then I insist you call me Harry."
"Okay, can we now get to the train? I read that it's the same train that has been used for centuries." interrupted Hermione with enthusiasm.
"Of course."
Keeping his pace, Harry coached the Grangers how to enter the Platform 9 ¾.
A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express. Harry looked behind him and saw a wrought-iron archway where the barrier had been, with the words Platform Nine and Three Quarters on it. He had done it. Surrounding it, groups of families were spread throughout the platform. Children of every age could be seen running around their parents. Dressed in their black school robes, students from every year could be seen hugging and kissing their families away.
Gleaming from nearby sunlight, the scarlet steam engine glowed a bright red hue, on its side, written in golden letters read, 'Hogwarts Express.'
Eyes opened; the Granger family were in a similar trance as they soaked in every detail of the train.
"Now that is a train." murmured Mr. Granger.
With a squeak, Hermione said, "Come one, Harry, let's get a compartment."
Rushing her parents, the group made their way towards to the side of the engine. After giving them a long, tight hug, the Grangers gave their goodbyes with a reminder to send them a letter every day about their time there.
Entering the train, in a row of compartments, was a black carpet floor that spread endlessly. Making their way to the back, Harry spied many students filled in the compartments, some with red and gold trim, others in blue and bronze, green and silver, and yellow and black.
Finally, finding an empty compartment halfway through the train, the pair entered into a small room that had two benches lined by the sides, overhead held a rack. Offering to lift Hermione's trunk, Harry placed it above them. Settling across one another, they sat in a comfy bench with black cushion. Looking at one another, they began to feel their nervousness begin to creep in.
Looking out their window, the pair spent a few minutes in silence as they observe the students hugging their families. A group, with the most vivid shade of red was standing directly across them in the platform; two tall lanky boys that looked identical; another older boy with curly hair was standing tall and proud; the youngest was pale and lanky with unruly red hair and countless freckles; in the midst of them all was a young girl, their sister, crying as he held on to her mother's hands; the mother, wearing brown robes, wore a motherly look and a somewhat portly look was staring directly to the twins, scolding at them.
Besides them, stood a shorter pudgy blond hair boy, giving a clearly awkward hug to an older lady, wearing the most bizarre hat with a vulture.
Further away, looking around themselves, with a sneer stood a trio; platinum blond hair, they wore robes of a finer quality; the man, tall and fit, looked around with barely hidden discontent; the mother, a beautiful blond had her beauty disfigured by a sneer, looking down on others, it gave her the appearance of having smelled something foul; their son, a mirror image of his father, looked every bit discontent as his father.
A 'knock knock' interrupted their spying.
Turning back, Harry saw a young boy, brown hair styled neatly, he possessed dark brown colored eye, he held an awkward smile as he said, "Sorry to disturb you, it seems like the rest of the compartments have filled. May we sit with you?"
Looking behind him, Harry saw two young girls; to the left, stood a redhead with a fair complexion and brown eyes; to the right, stood a rich blond girl with pigtails and cornflower blue eyes.
Standing before them, Harry replied, "Of course, be welcomed under the rights of guests."
Recognition filling their eyes, they stood upright, bowing before him, the boy said, "We accept and assent to your protection, we swear no foul magic at hand. I am Terry Boot, heir presumptive to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Boot. May I present Susan Bones, heir presumptive to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Bones and Hannah Abbot, daughter of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Abbot".
With a look of confusion, Hermione watched as Harry returned their bow, "Greeting, Heir Boot, Heir Bones, and Daughter Abbot. May I introduce the delightful Hermione Granger of the House Granger and myself, Harry Potter, heir presumptive of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter."
With a look of surprise, the newly named trio stared at Harry incredulously.
"Please, take a seat."
Helping the redhead, Susan, and the blond, Hannah, with their trunks, Harry took note of their continual silence.
"Please, feel comfortable. I promise, I do not bite."
His aptly named 'charming smile' at full blast, both Susan and Hannah blushed as they sat.
Breaking the silence, Hermione asked, "I'm sorry, Harry, but what was that?"
"As you may come to learn, Hermione, within the magical community the concept of noble families is an existing one. One that you must become familiar with. The four of us belong to what is commonly referred to as the 'Original 13'. The 13 families that founded the original ruling body that was later changed to what is the current body of government, the Ministry of Magic. Our little introduction is simply a customary way of greeting one another."
Confusing still evident, she asked, "What did you mean by House Granger?"
"Being a muggle-born, whenever you are introduced or introducing yourself, you will refer yourself as the daughter of House Granger."
"I see, and is this a common thing? To talk like that?"
At this, Susan chose to speak up, "No, for the most part, none of us involve ourselves in this 'noble talk'. However, whenever you are introducing yourself, it's always best to do so in order to avoid disrespecting anybody. Unfortunately, there are some pureblood who care too much about the 'purity of their family's blood'. Neither one of us care all about that."
"Does it matter that I am not a pureblood?", Hermione timidly asked, evidently concerned.
"No," answered Terry firmly, "only pureblood bigots who have a warped view of things would care about such nonsense."
With a gentle look, Hannah, sitting besides Hermione, placed her hand above Hermione's.
"Don't worry about it, the four of us belong to the 'highest hierarchy of the social ladder' and we don't care about that nonsense. Its only the stupid purebloods who are overcompensating for their lack of wealth or skill. Its literally the only thing they can brag about."
"Hermione, don't ever worry about that. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask me. If you'd like, you can borrow my book about pureblood customs and traditions."
Looking relieved, Hermione replied, "Oh, would you please, I already feel like I have so much to catch up on ."
"Don't worry, I'll help you."
Looking face to face, Harry's words were sincere. Unaware of his body, Harry let go of her hand with a slight blush.
"How about we change the subject," suggested Susan.
"Yes, please, how about we each talk about ourselves." Harry offered.
And so, for the next couple hours, the quartet began to talk about their own childhood.
Susan Bones, raised by her Aunt Amelia, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, was the only remaining child of Edgar and Ellen Bones. Orphaned by the Blood War, she was the only child of the House Bones. Raised alongside Hannah, they were best friends since babies. Like her aunt, Susan aspired to become an auror, sometimes seeing her aunt train, this inspiration was reinforced by her aunt's fierce fighting.
Hannah Abbot, an aspiring Potions Mistress, enjoyed going with her mother to her job as a Healer in St. Mungo's. The younger sister to James Abbot, she loved to care for her family's greenhouses and ride their horses. A real green thumb, she could not wait to begin Herbology and Potions.
Terry Boot, eldest child of Thomas Boot, planned to become an enchanter. A long line of enchanters and ward breakers, he was continuing the 'family business'. He had two younger siblings, Charles and Roxanne, who he doted. His interest lied in Arithmancy and Charms.
Hermione Granger, the only child of dentists, she rarely enjoyed any candies. A bibliophile, she experienced a rather lonely childhood filled with bullying. Before finding out she was a witch, she had planned to become a lawyer. Nowadays, she wasn't sure what she wanted to do but was extremely excited to begin learning.
Having to obscure certain details regarding his childhood, Harry chose to focus on his time as the school's primary striker, practicing Krav Maga, and learning Spanish and French.
As time went by, visible through the window, they were able to see the change from London to fields of grass and trees.
Around half past twelve there was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling, dimpled woman slid back their door and said, "Anything off the cart, dears?"
Just realizing how hungry he felt, Harry stood to see what the woman held in her car. Within it, were a wide variety of candies and chocolate; Bettie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs. Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, Licorice Wands, and a number of other strange things Harry had never seen in his life. Not wanting to miss anything, he got some of everything and paid the woman eleven silver Sickles and seven bronze Knuts.
Looking at his pile in wonder, Terry said, "Are you sure you'd want to buy so much?"
"Of course! Besides, you are all welcomed to anything you'd like. There is no way I'll ever finish this much. Please, help yourself." motioning his hand, he invited them.
Reaching for a candy, they quickly relaxed whiled enjoying the magical candies.
Hesitantly, Hermione chose to say, "I don't know, Harry. I don't think my parents would appreciate me getting any cavities from so much sugar."
"Hermione, you don't have to worry about that. There is a simple potion that can return your teeth to their previous state. Cavities is nothing to worry for any witch or wizards." assured Susan.
Assuaged, she began to indulge herself with each candy.
"What are these?" Hermione asked Terry, holding up a pack of Chocolate Frogs. "They're not really frogs, are they?"
"No," said Terry. "But see what the card is. I'm missing Agrippa."
"What?"
"Oh, of course, you wouldn't know - Chocolate Frogs have cards, inside them, you know, to collect - famous witches and wizards. I've got several collected, but I haven't got Agrippa or Ptolemy."
Hermione unwrapped her Chocolate Frog and picked up the card.
It showed a man's face. He wore half- moon glasses, had a long, crooked nose, and flowing silver hair, beard, and mustache. Underneath the picture was the name Albus Dumbledore.
"So, this is Dumbledore!" said Hermione.
"ALBUS DUMBLEDORE CURRENTLY HEADMASTER OF HOGWARTS
Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling."
Hermione turned the card back over and saw, to her astonishment, that Dumbledore's face had disappeared.
"He's gone!"
"Well, their enchanted to be able to move and leave their card," said Hannah. "He'll be back. Oh, I've got Morgana again and I've got about six of her... do you want it? You can start collecting."
Offering her card, Hermoine accepted it.
Looking at the selection, Harry chose to open a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.
"You want to be careful with those," Terry warned Harry. "When they say every flavor, they mean every flavor - you know, you get all the ordinary ones like chocolate and peppermint and mar- malade, but then you can get spinach and liver and tripe. My father said he once got a booger flavored one."
They had a good time eating the Every Flavor Beans. Harry got toast, coconut, baked bean, strawberry, curry, grass, coffee, sardine, and was even brave enough to nibble the end of a funny gray one Hannah wouldn't touch, which turned out to be pepper. The countryside now flying past the window was becoming wilder. The neat fields had gone. Now there were woods, twisting rivers, and dark green hills.
There was a knock on the door of their compartment and the round-faced boy Harry had seen on platform 9 ¾ came in. He looked tearful.
"Sorry, I'm Neville" he said, "but have you seen a toad at all?"
When they shook their heads, he wailed, "I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!"
"Have you asked one of the prefect to help you? Perhaps they would be able to cast the summoning charm?" recommended Susan.
"Maybe. I'll go look for one now. If you see it..."
He left.
Continuing their conversation regarding the benefits of dragon manure for the care of magical plants they enjoyed their veritable sweet feast.
Within half an hour, the door of the compartment slid open, and a redheaded boy came in. "Would you mind if I sat with you all, my brothers kicked me out of their compartment."
Looking around, Harry saw no reason to deny him.
"Of course, be welcomed under the rights of guest."
With bright red ears, the ginger boy stared at Harry.
"Uh-right, I accept and assent under your protection." he mumbled.
Offering his hand, Harry introduced himself, "Nice to meet, if you'd like we don't need to do all that formal nonsense. I'm Harry Potter, with me are the ladies Hermione Granger, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, and the gentleman is Terry Boot."
With a shake of their heads, each aforementioned person nodded their head in acknowledgement.
"Are you really Harry Potter?" Ron blurted out. Harry nodded.
"And have you really got - you know..." he pointed at Harry's forehead.
With a frown, Harry replied, "Well, that's rather rude."
Blushing a bright red face, he ginger mumbled, "Sorry-um, I'm Ron Weasley."
"A pleasure, Mr. Weasley."
Motioning to the empty seat beside Terry, he invited him forward.
Now awkward, Ron sat in silence.
"Tell us about yourself, Ron."
Embarrassed by having everyone face him, he was looking gloomy. "I'm the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. You could say I've got a lot to live up to. Bill and Charlie have already left - Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of Quidditch. Now Percy's a prefect. Fred and George mess around a lot, but they still get really good marks, and everyone thinks they're really funny. Everyone expects me to do as well as the others, but if I do, it's no big deal, because they did it first. You never get anything new, either, with five brothers. I've got Bill's old robes, Charlie's old wand, and Percy's old rat."
Ron reached inside his jacket and pulled out a fat gray rat, which was asleep.
"His name's Scabbers and he's useless, he hardly ever wakes up. Percy got an owl from my dad for being made a prefect, but they couldn't aff - I mean, I got Scabbers instead." Ron's ears went pink. He seemed to think he'd said too much, because he went back to staring out of the window.
"Well, that sounds like an adventure. As you can see, we have a pile of candies, please help yourself."
For the next hour, they continued to talk about their personal passions. Ron's, it seems, was to become the Keeper for the Chudley Cannons. Sparking a rather intense debate, Susan and Ron spend the better part of the hour arguing who the better team was, the Chudley Cannons or the Holyhead Harpies.
"The Chudley Cannon have a much better team this season, just you wa-."
He was interrupted when the compartment door slid open yet again, but it wasn't Neville the toadless boy.
Three boys entered, and Harry recognized the middle one at once: it was the pale boy he had seen at the platform.
"Is it true?" he said. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter is in this compartment. So, it's you, is it?"
"Yes," said Harry. He was looking at the other boys.
Both of them were thickset and looked extremely mean. Standing on either side of the pale boy, they looked like bodyguards.
"Oh, this is Crabbe, and this is Goyle," said the pale boy carelessly, noticing where Harry was looking. "And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Ron gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigger. Draco Malfoy looked at him.
"Think my name's funny, don't you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."
Recognizing the surname, Harry decided to interrupt.
"I'm sorry, is the decorum that one should expect from the House Malfoy? Entering without invitation, not allowing for introductions, and insults, warranted or not." he ended with a firm look to Ron.
A light blush, Malfoy looked flustered.
"What an embarrassing demonstration of House Malfoy's heir manners." he scolded, lightly.
"Fortunate for you, I believe in second chances. Enter and be welcome under the rights of guest."
Recollecting his image, Malfoy demonstrated a small bow and replied, "I accept and assent to your protection. I apologize for my regretful behavior, and I thank your grace. I am Draco Malfoy, heir to the House Malfoy, with me are Vincent Crabbe, heir to the Ancient House of Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, heir to the House Goyle."
The boys, now named Crabbe and Goyle, extended a small bow to the group.
"A pleasure, as affirmed, I am Harry Potter, heir presumptive to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, with me are the ladies Susan Bones, heir apparent to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Bones, Hannah Abbot, daughter of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Abbot, Hermione Granger of the House Granger; the gentleman are Terry Boot, heir apparent to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Boot, and Ron Weasley, son to the Ancient House of Weasley.
With a bow, Draco acknowledged each one. His bow, slightly lesser than the rest, was a bare indication to Ron and Hermione.
"Charmed" he drawled. "It will be a pleasure to attend Hogwarts with you, Heir Potter. I look forward to the next seven years."
"The pleasure is mine, sir Malfoy"
With that, the trio made their exit.
"What a snob, that one, I love how you put him in his place, Harry!" exclaimed Ron.
"He was not wrong to take offense by your laugh against him. Regardless of your issues with him, resorting to fighting solves nothing. We have the rest of seven years to attend classes with each other, I would hate to spend it fighting endlessly."
"Harry, why is it that you are the only one to introduce us?" asked Hermione.
"Within us all, Harry stands above us due to his standing as the heir apparent to his house. The rest of us, since our parents are alive and the current Lords or Lady, stand below him. As such, as the highest ranking member, Harry bears the responsibility to introduce us and offer us his protection as guest of his." explained Terry.
"It's a whole lot of unnecessary drivel, but it serves a purpose within the community." stated Susan. "Anyways, where were we…oh, yeah!"
And with that, the debate of Quidditch teams began.
Time Lapse
A few hours later
After allowing the ladies to change into their robes, the boys did so similarly.
The train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Harry shivered in the cold night air. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and Harry heard a booming voice.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here! A huge man, with a big beard and big hairy face beamed over the sea of heads.
"C'mon, follow me - any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"
Slipping and stumbling, they followed the giant man down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that Harry thought there must be thick trees there. Nobody spoke much. Neville, the boy who kept losing his toad, sniffed once or twice.
"Ye' all get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."
There was a loud "Oooooh!" The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black take.
Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore.
Allowing the ladies to enter first, they were accompanied by Terry. Using another boat, Harry and Ron were joined by Nevile and a dark haired, fair skinned girl.
"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself.
"Right then - FORWARD!"
And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.
"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads, and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.
"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.
"Trevor!" cried Neville blissfully, holding out his hands.
Then they clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, coming out at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle. They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.
"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?" Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.
The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face and Harry's first thought was that this was not someone to cross.
"The first years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She pulled the door wide.
The Entrance Hall was so big you could have fitted the whole of the Dursleys' house in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors. They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Harry could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right – the rest of the school must already be here – but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "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 Slytherin. 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."
Her eyes lingered for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on Ron's smudged nose.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly." She left the chamber. Harry swallowed.
"How exactly do they sort us into houses" he asked Ron.
"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking."
No one was talking much except Hermione Granger, who was whispering very fast about all the spells she'd learnt and wondering which one she'd need.
"I very much doubt that they would put us to the test this early." Harry replied, attempting to calm her nerves.
Then something happened which made him jump about a foot in the air – several people behind him screamed.
"What the –?" he gasped.
So did the people around him. About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to each other and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be arguing.
What looked like a fat little monk was saying, "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance –"
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost – I say, what are you all doing here?" A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years.
Nobody answered.
"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them. "About to be sorted, I suppose?'"
A few people nodded mutely.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar. "My old house, you know."
"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Professor McGonagall had returned.
One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall.
"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."
Feeling oddly as though his legs had turned to lead, Harry got into line behind a boy with sandy hair, with Ron behind him, and they walked out of the chamber, back across the hall and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall. Harry had never even imagined such a strange and splendid place.
It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles which were floating in mid-air over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the Hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver. Mainly to avoid all the staring eyes, Harry looked upwards and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. He heard Hermione whisper, "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside, I read about it in Hogwarts: A History ."
It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all, and that the Great Hall didn't simply open on to the heavens.
Harry quickly looked down again as Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool, she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty. Aunt Petunia wouldn't have let it in the house.
'Maybe they had to try and get a rabbit out of it,' Harry thought wildly, that seemed the sort of thing – noticing that everyone in the hall was now staring at the hat, he stared at it, too.
For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth – and the hat began to sing.
"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!"
The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.
"So, we've just got to try on the hat!" Ron whispered to Harry. "I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll."
With a smirk to Ron, Harry turned to look at the professor.
Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said. "Abbott, Hannah!"
Pink-faced, Hannah stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moment's pause –
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. Harry saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat again, and Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hannah.
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
The table second from the left clapped this time; several Ravenclaws stood up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them.
"Brocklehurst, Mandy" went to Ravenclaw too, but "Brown, Lavender" became the first new Gryffindor, and the table on the far left exploded with cheers; Harry could see Ron's twin brothers catcalling.
"Bulstrode, Millicent" then became a Slytherin. Perhaps it was Harry's imagination, after all he'd heard about Slytherin, but he thought they looked like an unpleasant lot.
He was starting to get nervous.
'What if there was some issue? What if the Hat found out about his secrets and exposed him?'
"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Sometimes, Harry noticed, the hat shouted out the house at once, but at others it took a little while to decide. "Finnigan, Seamus," the sandy-haired boy next to Harry in the line, sat on the stool for almost a whole minute before the hat declared him a Gryffindor.
"Granger, Hermione!"
Hermione almost ran to the stool and jammed the hat eagerly on her head.
"RAVENCLAW!" shouted the hat. Happily, Ron and Harry clapped along with everyone.
When Neville Longbottom, the boy who kept losing his toad, was called, he fell over on his way to the stool. The hat took a long time to decide with Neville.
When it finally shouted, "GRYFFINDOR," Neville ran off still wearing it, and had to jog back amid gales of laughter to give it to "MacDougal, Morag."
Malfoy swaggered forward when his name was called and got his wish at once: the hat had barely touched his head when it screamed, "SLYTHERIN!"
Malfoy went to join his friends Crabbe and Goyle, looking pleased with himself.
There weren't many people left now.
"Moon"…, "Nott"…, "Parkinson"…, then a pair of twin girls, "Patil" and "Patil"…, then "Perks, Sally-Anne…, and then, at last –
"Potter, Harry!"
As Harry stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall
"Potter, did she say?" "The Harry Potter?"
The last thing Harry saw before the hat dropped over his eyes was the hall full of people craning to get a good look at him. Next second he was looking at the black inside of the hat. He waited.
"Hmm," said a small voice in his ear. "Difficult. Very Difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes – and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting….So where shall I put you?"
'Hello, can you hear me?' Harry thought.
"How curious, a budding Occlumens. Yes, dear boy, I can hear you."
'If I may, I was hoping to be placed in Ravenclaw.'
"I see, and why is that?" the hat asked.
'I know people expect me to be in Gryffindor, my parents being there and all. This ridiculous idea that I stopped the Dark Lord probably doesn't help. But I'm not one to jump into fire without a plan. I would probably fit in with Slytherin, but I can do without the attached reputation of 'being a dark wizard'. Hufflepuff is a wonderful house, but where I need to be, to achieve more of my plans require me to be in Ravenclaw. There, people will take my intelligence as a natural happenstance, there will be less people to question my maturity, and, most important, Hermione is there.'
"Well, if you're sure – better be RAVENCLAW!"
Harry heard the hat shout the last word to the whole hall. He took off the hat and walked shakily toward the Ravenclaw table.
Shaking people's hands along the way, he sat next to Hermione, he exchanged a happy smile with her. Nodding to a few of the older students seated nearby. He turned to look at the sorting.
In the center of the High Table, in a large gold chair, sat Albus Dumbledore. Harry recognized him at once from the card Hermione got out of the Chocolate Frog on the train. Dumbledore's silver hair was the only thing in the whole hall that shone as brightly as the ghosts.
And now there were only five people left to be sorted. "Thomas, Dean," a black boy even taller than Ron, joined Harry at the Gryffindor table. "Turpin, Lisa," became a Ravenclaw and then it was Ron's turn. He was pale green by now. Harry crossed his fingers under the table and a second later the hat had shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry clapped loudly with the rest as Ron collapsed into the chair next to Nevile Longbottom.
Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.
"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered. Harry didn't know whether to laugh or not.
Harry's mouth fell open. The dishes in front of him were now piled with food. He had never seen so many things he liked to eat on one table; roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and, for some strange reason, peppermint humbugs.
The Dursleys had never exactly starved Harry, especially after he finally stood up to them. Dudley had always taken anything that Harry really wanted, even if it made him sick. Harry piled his plate with a bit of everything except the peppermints and began to eat. It was all delicious.
Harry looked over at the Slytherin table and saw a horrible ghost sitting there, with blank staring eyes, a gaunt face, and robes stained with silver blood. He was right next to Malfoy who, Harry was pleased to see, didn't look too pleased with the seating arrangements.
When everyone had eaten as much as they could, the remains of the food faded from the plates, leaving them sparkling as clean as before. A moment later the deserts appeared. Blocks of ice cream in every flavor you could think of, apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate éclairs and jam doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, Jell-O, rice pudding…
As Harry helped himself to a treacle tart, the talk turned to their favorite subject.
Harry, who was starting to feel warm and sleepy, looked up at the High Table again. Hagrid was drinking deeply from his goblet. Professor McGonagall was talking to Professor Dumbledore. A timid man, trembling, in his absurd turban, was talking to a teacher with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow skin.
It happened very suddenly. The hook-nosed teacher looked past other teacher's turban straight into Harry's eyes – and a sharp, hot pain shot across the scar on Harry's forehead, within his mind, he felt a sharp stab to his shields.
"Ouch!" Harry clapped a hand to his head.
"What is it?" asked Penelope, the fifth year prefect.
"N-nothing."
The pain had gone as quickly as it had come. Harder to shake off was the feeling Harry had got from the teacher's look – a feeling that he didn't like Harry at all.
"Who are those professors? The one with the turban and the dark haired man." he asked Penelope.
"Oh, the one with the turban is Professor Quirrell, he's this year's DADA professor. No wonder he's looking so nervous, that's Professor Snape. He teaches Potions, but he doesn't want to – everyone knows he's after Quirrell's job. Knows an awful lot about the Dark Arts, Snape."
Harry watched Snape for a while, but Snape didn't look at him again.
At last, the desserts disappeared too, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent.
"Ahem – just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."
Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins.
"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
Harry laughed, but he was one of the few who did.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. Harry noticed that the other teachers' smiles had become rather fixed.
Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"
And the school bellowed:
"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 flied 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."
Everybody finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest.
"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!
The Ravenclaw first followed Penelope through the chattering crowds. Harry's legs were like lead again, but only because he was so tired and full of food. He was too sleepy even to be surprised that the people in the portraits along the corridors whispered and pointed as they passed, or that twice Penelope led them through doorways hidden behind sliding panels and hanging tapestries. They climbed more staircases, yawning and dragging their feet, and Harry was just wondering how much farther they had to go when they came to a sudden halt.
Located at the top of a tightly winding spiral staircase, the Ravenclaw Common Room was found behind an old, wooden door that has neither handle nor keyhole, but rather a talking bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle.
"Unlike other Houses, here in Ravenclaw, entry into the Common Room will require you to answer the riddle." explained Penelope.
Suddenly, coming to life, the eagle knocker spoke.
"What is always in front of you but can't be seen?"
Silent, the first years thought about the answer.
Walking forward, Harry responded, "The future."
"Correct, enter and be welcomed,"
Swinging open, the door moved allowing passage.
The common room was decorated in their House colors, blue and bronze silk wall hangings and a midnight-blue carpet decorated with stars. The room was wide, circular, and very airy, with a domed ceiling painted with stars to match the carpet, and walls with graceful arched windows that provide a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. There were bookcases, tables, and chairs, and opposite the entrance is another door leading to the dormitories. Beside this door is a plinth on which stands a life-size statue in white marble of Rowena Ravenclaw wearing her diadem.
Standing before the dormitory door, Penelope and Jeremy, the other fifth year prefect, stood.
"Gather around everyone. Gather around!"
Coming together, the first year group gathered before the prefects.
Popping out from a door, hidden besides the pathway from the entrance, exited Professor Flitwick.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Ravenclaw House. I am Professor Flitwick, your head of house and Charms professor. For the next seven years, each and every one of you will reside in these dormitories. If you have any concerns or questions, please, feel free to ask any older student or myself. My door is always open to my students. Within that door, you will find your rooms; each of you will be sharing a room with another, written on the door of each door will be the names of who they belong to, please look for your name. For now, go and rest up, I am sure you are all tired from the long day. Please make sure to arrive here in the common room by 0715 so that Ms. Clearwater and Mr. Swanson can guide you back to the Great Hall. Once there, I will be handing out your class schedules. Off with you, good night!"
With that, they all entered through the doorway, leading up a stairway where the first landing belonged to the first years. Looking at the names, Harry found that his roommate was Terry Boot.
'Wonderful!'
Entering it, Harry found a big round room, on each side stood a queen size four-poster bed with curtains, a large wardrobe, and a desk with chair. Directly in front of the door, between each side was a door that lead to a bathroom. Wrapped in a blue color, was a soft cover and blanket, before each bed was their trunks, on top of them were their own owls.
"Looks like we'll be roommates" observed Terry.
"I'm glad. I was concerned who I'd be lumped with." he replied, jokingly.
After showering and changing into their nightwear, the boys set to place their belongings within their respective wardrobe. Harry, lifting the owl cage, placed it above a stand next to the wardrobe and offered some treats to Hedwig.
"I don't know about you, Harry, but I'm absolutely knackered. I think I'll be heading into bed. Good night!"
"Good night, Terry!"
With that, Harry went to lie in his bed. Enchantingly soft, Harry barely closed his eyes before he was swept away into Morpheus' realm.