Chapter Five

The Sorting Hat

"First years! First years this way!" A raspy voice echoed across the platform as they exited the train and Rigel, Cedric and Rick made their way to the person to whom it belonged. They were met by a grumpy looking middle aged man holding a lantern. The first things Rick noticed about him was his dishevelled greasy brown hair and his small nose that stood in stark contrast to his rather stout build. The man didn't seem to notice them and looked almost bored as he continued to holler his message over their heads. When all of the first years had gathered, Grille, as the man had introduced himself, led them to a small dock where a dozen or so little boats lay, emitting a wheezing sound with every step he took.

"Come on, move along," Grille urged them. "Get into the boats, no more than four per boat."

"I hear they call him 'the Cricket'." Rigel whispered as they searched for an available boat. "You know, because he sounds like one when he walks." But Rick wasn't listening. His attention was drawn to a boat next to theirs, where the Mordaunt boy he saw at Ollivander's pushed a rather heavy boy out of the way in his hurry to get into a boat. The heavy boy stumbled into the water and only just managed not to fall into the lake face first and Mordaunt and his friend laughed hatefully as the heavy boy struggled to get back on shore.

"Come on, there's a boat here." Rigel said, oblivious to what had happened next to them and he led Rick and Cedric to one of the boats.

"Fascinating." Cedric uttered as they got on board. "I've heard these navigate themselves. Did you know only the first years use these? Of course, seventh years do so as well at the end of their final year. Did you know the boats were first introduced-"

"You know, I really don't care." Rick snapped and Cedric awkwardly fell quiet. Rigel frowned at Rick and opened his mouth to say something comforting to Cedric when they were interrupted by a squeaky voice.

"Hi, can I join you?" It was the heavy boy Mordaunt had pushed into the lake. His robes were more wet than dry and he looked at them rather hopefully.

"Please do." Cedric replied kindly before Rigel or Rick could say something, moving to make room in the boat.

"Thank you. I'm Frank, by the way." He panted as he got into the boat, making it so it lay in the water lopsided. "Frank McCallum."

"Cedric, and that's Rigel and Rick." Cedric introduced them but Rick scarcely acknowledged the new boy. Frank seemed rather doltish and he had no interest in befriending idiots.

When everyone had found a seat, the boats set off of their own accord and softly glided over the water. As the first few boats went around a bend, there were more than a few 'ooh's' and 'aah's' uttered and as their boat followed, Rick immediately understood why. It was hard not to be impressed by the view in front of them. A huge castle sat atop a cliff on the lake's shore, it's dozens of towers and turrets accentuated by the light from the full moon above them. Rick felt a thrill of anticipation run through him. He had never seen anything like it before.

"It's beautiful." He heard Cedric murmur in awe beside him.

"Yeah." Rick could not help but agree. The boats glided across the smooth and calm dark lake towards the castle until they passed through a curtain of ivy that hid the entrance of a cave with an underground dock. The boats landed on a beach of pebbles and the first years clambered out of them, skidding over the slippery rocks. Mr. Grille lighted the way with his lamp and led them up a staircase in the rock. They climbed and climbed, at least a hundred steps until the rock gave way to grass and they found themselves on the smooth lawn in front of the castle. Up close, it looked even bigger and Rick couldn't quite tell if it was his imagination but he felt a buzz run through his entire body, as if the magic inside him recognized the magic of the castle. There wasn't much time to contemplate this, however, because Grille marched on and lead them up the front steps to a pair of huge oak doors. The first years gathered on the top step as Grille banged his fist on the door. It immediately opened to reveal a tall, old but lean man in long midnight blue robes. His long grey hair hung loosely over his shoulders and a matching scruffy beard ended halfway down his chest. His face was full of lines, especially around his dull blue eyes, and looked almost leathery. Rick thought he must be over a hundred years old.

"Thank you Mr. Grille, I'll take it from here." The man addressed Grille with a deep voice. Grille grunted and disappeared. "I am professor Lloyd, the deputy headmaster." The old man introduced himself. "Follow me please." He showed them in and led them into a large entrance hall. A lot of noise came from a door to their right and Rick realized the older students were already in the castle. Lloyd, however, guided them through a door on the left that led to a small chamber.

"Welcome to Hogwarts." Professor Lloyd greeted them when they had all filed in. "In a few moments, you will enter the Great Hall where you will be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Your house will be like your family while you attend this school, you will take classes with your fellow house members, spend your free time in your house common room and sleep in your house dormitory. Any rule breaking will cost your house points while possible triumphs will earn you points. At the end of the year, the house who has the most points will win the house cup." The professor explained calmly. "Any questions?" No one spoke. "Good. You will wait here while I'll go see if everything is ready." He disappeared back into the entrance hall, leaving the new students by themselves. As soon as the door closed, the first years began to chatter.

"I heard we need to battle a troll to decide in which house we belong." A boy with short black hair and a round face said to his neighbour.

"I've heard we need to make a rabbit disappear." Another boy said.

"Do you know what this sorting ceremony is about?" Rick asked Rigel, starting to feel just a bit nervous. His new friend looked nervous too, his face quite pale and he was unable to utter more than a quick "No." Rick tried not to let Rigel's nervousness infect him but he couldn't ignore the butterflies holding a party in his stomach.

"We are ready for you." Lloyd suddenly interrupted the chatter, making them start. "Please form a line." Rigel got behind Rick, who in turn was standing behind Cedric as the professor escorted them across the entrance hall, through the large oak doors into the Great Hall. Rick had never seen anything like it. It was so large the Clayton house would have fit in it about ten times and it was illuminated by hundreds of floating candles, hovering over four long tables where the older students were already sitting, watching them - they must have gotten here some other way than by boat.

At the end of the hall, one large table stood facing the other four where the staff was seated. To avoid all the stares and attention from the older students and teachers, Rick's glance turned to the ceiling only to find that there wasn't one. Instead of a stone ceiling, he was looking at the open sky and Rick wondered what they did when it rained. Nevertheless, it was marvellous to behold and he momentarily forgot about his nervousness in all the excitement. The procession of first year students came to a halt in front of a little stool on which lay an old and worn hat. It was full of stitched up patches and smudges and it did not look like anyone was still wearing it, and really, who would want to? Rick wondered what they were going to do with it. The Great Hall fell silent and watched the hat in anticipation. Then, suddenly a crack near its base opened and to Rick's amazement, along with that of his peers, the hat began to sing.

It is the start of a new year

New students have come

And I must place them in their house

Like I have always done

The task is not an easy one

It requires skill and care

To divide amongst the houses

So each can get its equal share

Those who will be Gryffindors,

Are people who know no fright

If you are brass and courageous,

Then in Gryffindor you'll be alright.

Others will be Hufflepuffs,

Who are loyal and just

Who help those in need

And in whom you can place trust

Others still will be Ravenclaws,

Known for their wisdom and wit

They value learning and study

Like wise Rowena did.

Finally, there will be Slytherins,

Whose cunning above all else exceeds.

They are clever and furtive

Just what a Slytherin needs.

So put me on your head

I have never yet been wrong

Let us begin the Sorting

And I will tell you where you belong!

Rick applauded with the rest of the student body when the hat finished its song. He was relieved to hear all they had to do was put on a hat but he was still nervous about where he was going to end up. The hat had described the four houses much the same as Henderson had back in Diagon Alley but it did not help Rick much either. Intelligence? He was not stupid but he hated books and learning. Hard work? He avoided it as much as possible. Ambition? He barely knew what he wanted to do tomorrow, let alone years from now, plus, he abhorred the thought of sharing a house with people like Mordaunt and Rydell. That left bravery and that, he felt, did not apply to him either. There is no bravery to be found in hiding and looking on as your mother gets killed. The scar on Rick's shoulder started to itch as his mind wandered back to that night but he refused to pay it any notice. Instead, he focussed his attention back on professor Lloyd.

"When I call your name, you will come forward, put the Sorting Hat on your head and wait to be sorted." The professor explained as he unfolded a long parchment scroll. Several of the first years looked quite nervous now. Rigel seemed to be lost in his own world, biting his lip in nervous anticipation and next to him Cedric looked as if he was ready to faint.

"Anderson, Colin!" Lloyd called and a blonde boy stepped forward. He bit his lip in nervous anticipation as he sat down on the stool. The Sorting Hat dropped down well over his eyes and ears and everyone waited for something to happen. After about a minute, the rip near the brim opened and the hat called out.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The table on the far left burst out in applause and Colin almost broke into a run to join them, a huge smile on his face. Rick applauded politely with the rest of the Hall before the next student was called.

"Andrews, Edmund!" Andrews quickly became a Ravenclaw and the table second from the right broke out in applause and cheers.

"Asanty, Gerald" became the first Hufflepuff and the table next to Gryffindor's broke out in cheers as Gerald joined them.

"Bailey, Rigel!" Rick saw Rigel swallow before steeling himself and striding towards the stool as confidently as he could manage looking pale and nervous as he did. Rick remembered what Platt had said on the train, how Rigel's entire family had been in Ravenclaw. Rigel hadn't seemed overly excited about following in their footsteps and Rick wondered how Rigel would feel if he indeed ended up in the same house as his family. Then he wondered how he would feel if Rigel were sorted into Ravenclaw and he was not. Rick told himself it shouldn't matter much. He was here to learn magic after all, not to make friends. But still, he had to admit he wouldn't mind if he and Rigel ended up in the same house.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The Hat screamed about a minute later and Rick applauded with the other students as Rigel made his way to the Gryffindor table looking equal parts surprised and confused. After Rigel, the two brothers Rick had met on the train, Christopher and Peter Barlow, were sorted into Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw respectively and by the time Lloyd reached the C's, Cedric was as white as a sheet.

"Caerns, Regina." Lloyd called and Rigel's cousin bumped into Rick on her way to the Sorting Hat. It sat but briefly on her head before it yelled "RAVENCLAW" and Regina hopped off the stool, practically skipping to the Ravenclaw table. Rick did not miss Rigel's look of relief that his cousin was in a different house than he was.

"Carmichael, Cedric!" Rick felt Cedric freeze next to him and had to give him a little shove to get him moving. The boy tripped over his own robes halfway to his destination and practically fell on the stool. A couple of students laughed and Rick could not help shake his head at Cedric's clumsiness. The hat deliberated longer this time – it had to be close to three full minutes - until at long last, it called out "GRYFFINDOR!" Rick couldn't hide his surprise at hearing the Hat's decision, he was sure the nerdy boy would end up in Ravenclaw and judging by Cedric's own reaction, he was baffled too. The newly sorted Gryffindor numbly walked over to the far left table and took a seat next to Rigel as Rick waited with the rest of the first years to be sorted.

"Henderson, Robert!" Robert nodded to Rick as he passed him on his way to the stool. The hat did not need long before it screamed: "RAVENCLAW!" Henderson went to join the other Ravenclaws with a big smile on his face, happy he got the house he wanted. Rick impatiently waited as the next few students got sorted. Natasha Henlock, the newly sorted Hufflepuff, was followed by "Lewis, Samantha!"

Rick saw the redheaded girl he'd seen in the Leaky Cauldron and who'd glared at him on the Hogwarts Express after he'd cursed her friend step forward looking terrified. Professor Lloyd placed the sorting hat on her head and moments later, she became the first Gryffindor girl. Lewis looked relieved and practically skipped to the Gryffindor table where she saw Rigel and promptly sat down next to Colin Anderson, waiting for the others to be sorted.

After Lewis, it was the turn of the plump boy who'd shared their boat, Frank McCallum. After about half a minute, the hat decided McCallum was a Gryffindor and the boy was in such a hurry to reach the far left table, he stumbled over his own feet and planted his face on the floor. A lot of students laughed as a red faced McCallum took his seat next to Lewis. Rick hoped the hat would hurry up. He wanted his own sorting to be over. He wasn't too nervous about which house he would get into - after all, he could learn magic in any house – but the anticipation of being judged in front of the entire school was slowly killing him. After McCallum, Paula McKenley became a Hufflepuff just before Lloyd called "Mordaunt, Livius!"

Rick stared as the boy with slick black hair confidently marched forward and professor Lloyd put the Hat on his head. It had barely touched the boy's head before it screamed "SLYTHERIN!". Mordaunt smirked smugly and arrogantly strutted to the Slytherin table. He briefly looked back, his eyes meeting Rick's and Rick felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. He immediately understood why Mordaunt had been sorted into Slytherin, there was something positively evil about that boy. Finally, Lloyd reached the O's.

"O'Connell, Richard!" Rick tried to look cool and unbothered as he approached the stool. He caught a glimpse of Rigel giving him the thumbs up before the inside of the Hat was all he could see.

"Aah, it's been a while since I was met with such raw talent," Rick nearly jumped when he heard the voice talking softly in his ear but he couldn't help but feel pleased about what it had said. "Nor that much pain and suffering." The hat continued and the smirk on Rick's face fell. He quickly decided he didn't quite like this Hat being able to read his thoughts.

"Hmm." The Hat mused. "A more reserved character combined with a yearning for recognition and greatness. Yes, you would do well in Slytherin." Rick immediately thought of Mordaunt and Rydell and found that he didn't like the thought of sharing a house with them.

"Not a fan of Slytherin or just one Slytherin? They aren't all bad, you know and Slytherin has the potential of making you a great sorcerer one day." Rick had to admit, he quite liked the sound of that but still, there was something about it that didn't sit right with him, he just couldn't name it.

"Your lack of enthusiasm is telling." The hat continued unperturbed. "I see there is something you crave more than power, even if perhaps you don't realize it yourself. Perhaps Slytherin isn't the house you need after all." Rick didn't really understand what the Hat was on about. What could he crave more than the power to beat everyone who had ever tried to hurt him? But the Hat didn't elaborate, it appeared to have reached its decision because it continued,

"What you seek, you will find in GRYFFINDOR!" Rick heard the last word resound through the entire hall and the table to his left burst out in applause as professor Lloyd plucked the Hat off his head. Slightly confused, Rick made his way to the Gryffindor table and took a seat next to Rigel, happy that it was over. Rigel congratulated him and together they watched the rest of the sorting ceremony. As Andrew Platt, the annoying boy from the train, was being sorted, Rick let his gaze wander to the High Table and recognized professor Harewell – back in her bright yellow robes – sitting next to an older man in a large golden chair. He was sitting in the centre of the table so Rick assumed he was the headmaster, Tiberius Aldebourne. He looked very different than what Rick had expected. He'd expected a tall, severe looking, old and humourless man, what he saw was a short, plump man with a round face and a small dutch beard. He looked very jovial and beamed at the students, applauding eagerly for each first year being sorted.

"Rydell, Martin." Professor Lloyd called and a scrawny blond boy Rick recognized as one of Mordaunt's friends stepped forward.

"Rydell?" He asked Rigel.

"Must be Atia Rydell's little brother. I imagine he'll be just as nice as his sister." Rigel said as Martin Rydell was immediately sorted into Slytherin. Professor Lloyd continued with his list of names until finally, Zecker, Gregory was the last person to be sorted and when he had taken his place at the Slytherin table, professor Lloyd placed the stool aside. Aldebourne rose and immediately all chatter died away. The headmaster beamed at the students, pleased to see them all.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I have a few announcements to make but first let us enjoy this lovely feast." He clapped his hands and suddenly, the empty golden plates and goblets on the tables were somehow loaded with delicious food and drink. Every kind of food you could wish for was there: mashed potatoes, beef, drum-sticks, meat pies, ... Rick had never seen so much food together in his life and immediately began shovelling it in his mouth, barely bothering to put it on his plate.

"Easy there, there's enough for everyone." Rigel jested but Rick barely paid him notice. This was the first decent meal he'd had in years, he was going to stuff himself until his stomach exploded. A few seats to his left, Colin Anderson was claiming the other first years' attention.

"I was bound to end up in Gryffindor." He was telling them smugly as they ate. "My whole family's been in Gryffindor so it really wasn't a surprise. My brother even made Prefect. Look, he's sitting right there, you can tell by the Prefect's badge on his chest." Rick peered down the table and indeed saw an older version of Colin a bit further down the table, a shiny badge on his chest. Then Colin launched into a glorifying speech of his family and their accomplishments. Rick didn't pay much more attention. He much preferred thinking of how to go about getting some of this food up to their sleeping quarters in case he got hungry during the night.

After dinner came dessert, which was equally as delicious and plentiful, not to mention surprising. Rick jumped nearly a foot in the air when a silvery transparent thing came floating through the custard just as he was about to reach for it. As the thing rose higher, he saw it was in fact not a thing but a silvery transparent man wearing old robes with a high collar. It looked like a ghost.

"Hello, I am Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, resident Gryffindor ghost." The ghost said. "Welcome to Gryffindor! I hope you'll do well in our house." He finished with a grandiose bow which nauseatingly, made his head wobble on his neck, as if it was not completely attached.

"You're Nearly Headless Nick!" Anderson shouted. "My brother told me loads about you."

"Then I suppose your brother told you I prefer Sir Nicholas, if you don't mind." Sir Nicholas replied slightly insulted and he hovered away greeting the older Gryffindor students.

"I read about Sir Nicholas." Cedric piped up. "He died in a botched execution, the axe they tried to behead him with was blunt, you see so he died before his head was completely severed and even now as a ghost, it's still attached by an inch of skin." Rick pretended not to hear him and instead watched Nearly Headless Nick join up with the other ghosts to perform a little show above the house tables. The ghosts finished their show under loud applause and when everyone had had their last fill of dessert, the empty plates disappeared in the blink of an eye and the chatter died down as professor Lloyd tapped his glass to get their attention. Professor Aldebourne rose.

"I hope everyone has enjoyed the feast and I trust there are no hungry stomachs anymore." He began, looking pleased. "I hope everyone is ready for another year at Hogwarts, I know your professors and I certainly are. Now, to get on with the usual announcements. First years, I'm obliged to inform you that the Dark Forest is forbidden territory, something I still need to remind some older students of every once in a while." His gaze glided over some guilty looking faces.

"Mrs. Whifferdill, the concierge has also asked me to remind you all that performing magic in the hallway and corridors is forbidden. Also, the list of forbidden items is revisable in her office. Quidditch tryouts take place next week, anyone in second year or up wishing to represent his or her house in the competition for the Quidditch Cup, can try out. Now, I'll leave you to it for tonight, off to bed and sleep tight!" The students applauded once more before getting up and moving as one towards the oak doors.

"First year Gryffindors, follow me please." A voice called. Rick looked up to see Colin's brother waving them over. Rigel and Rick joined their housemates and from the back of the group they could just hear what the prefect was saying.

"Hi there, my name is Ed Anderson and I'm your prefect this year. I'll be escorting you to our common room so keep up and don't fall behind."

"That's my brother." Colin couldn't help but mention to the dark brown haired girl next to him. They reached the doors at the same time as the Slytherin prefect and the first year Slytherin students. The two prefects coolly acknowledged each other and lead their respective parties through the doors and in opposite directions, Anderson up the stairs and the Slytherin prefect down a dark flight of stairs off the Entrance Hall. Rick made to follow Rigel out to the entrance hall when he was hindered by someone bumping into him. It was the dark haired boy, Mordaunt.

"Watch where you're going, Flobberworm." He said, shoving Rick aside. Rick did not know what a 'Flobberworm' was but he doubted it was a compliment.

"I could say the same, dimwit." He retaliated. Mordaunt stopped and turned around, the look on his face a combination of surprise, anger and disgust.

"What did you just say?" His voice had a distinctly threatening edge to it.

"You heard me." Rick replied. "You should watch where you're going before you accuse others of being as clumsy as you are." He said, determined not to be intimidated by the growing group of Slytherins gathering behind Mordaunt throwing him dirty looks. Rick did not care, he was not afraid of them.

"Do you have any idea who you're talking to?!" Mordaunt hissed, stepping closer but Rick did not back down.

"I'd say I'm talking to a bonehead in need of some glasses." He said snidely. The comment clearly hit home for Mordaunt because he reached into his pocket for his wand and pointed it at Rick's throat.

"Watch what you say, Flobberworm." The boy hissed. "Or you might be spending your first night here in the infirmary." The other Slytherin boys sniggered. Rick's eyes remained locked with Mordaunt's, refusing to show his unease. He had no doubt Mordaunt already knew some curses and probably some a little more severe than the innocent one Rigel had taught him. If it came to a fight, he was surely in trouble but he refused to back down.

"Is that supposed to be a threat?" Rick asked mockingly. The tense moment was interrupted when Rigel arrived on the scene.

"Rick? What's keeping ..." He faltered when he saw Mordaunt pointing his wand at Rick. "Mordaunt."

"Bailey." Mordaunt acknowledged with disdain. "You might want to teach your friend here his place."

"Yes, remind me again what place that is?" Rigel asked with feigned sincerity. Rick smiled faintly, reassured to see Rigel was taking this so lightly. Mordaunt narrowed his eyes. More and more people were stopping to see what was going on, causing a hold up in the Entrance Hall. Soon someone in charge, a teacher possibly, would come and put a stop to it. Mordaunt seemed to realize this as well and slowly stowed his wand back into his pocket. He smiled evilly.

"You didn't need to look so scared, worm," he addressed Rick. "I wasn't going to curse you. That would be a waste of time and energy." He laughed. "I've never seen a Gryffindor that scared." The other Slytherins roared with laughter. Rick felt himself grow hot with rage and embarrassment. Scared? He'd show him scared! He lunged for the Slytherin boy who stumbled backwards in complete surprise, catching Rick's first blow to his cheek before his cronies could step in to try to drag his attacker away.

"Get him, Rick!" Rigel was urging him on. Several other students were cheering and yelling but Rick only got a few blows in when someone dragged him off Mordaunt and restrained him.

"Let go of me!" He tried to shrug the person off but the other person's grip was too firm.

"What is going on here?" A stern voice interrupted the fight. The voice belonged a tall woman with a general look of severity about her, from her straight, tightfitting robes, to her long straight nose and her raven black hair neatly tied in a knot at the back of her neck. She was obviously one of the teachers and Rick got the distinct impression that she was not to be messed with. Her sudden appearance calmed him down enough to take in the situation. To his delight, Mordaunt was still lying on the ground with a bloody nose, his cronies trying to help him up. The Slytherins all rushed to explain what had happened.

"He attacked Mordaunt, professor..."

"... without any reason..."

"Mordaunt provoked him!" Rigel countered.

"He's crazy..." The professor held her hand up and instantly, everyone shut up. She turned her gaze on Rick who was still being restrained by his captor.

"Mr. Crusher?" Rick was about to say his name wasn't Crusher when the boy restraining him answered.

"I arrived too late to see how the fight began, professor." The boy replied smoothly. The professor looked sternly at Rick.

"Fighting is prohibited at Hogwarts no matter the reason, Mr. ...?"

"O'Connell." Rick provided.

"Mr. O'Connell." She repeated. "Five points will be taken from Gryffindor this time. If I catch you fighting again, I assure you that the punishment will be more severe. Now, I suggest you all head to your dormitories. Mr. Mordaunt, you should go to the infirmary to get that looked at." She said serenely, motioning to the boy's already swollen eye. With a glare at Rick, Mordaunt turned around and walked away. The crowd dispersed and Rick felt the arms holding him loosening their grip and he shrugged them off.

"Easy now, no need to get angry again." Said Crusher. Rick turned around to see an older Gryffindor looking amused at him. If he had to guess, Rick would have said he was a fifth or maybe even sixth year.

"Why'd you do that?" Rick demanded accusingly. "I had everything under control."

"Well excuse me for trying to help you." The boy said.

"How was that helping me?" Rick accused.

"Your little stunt just now cost Gryffindor five points." Crusher said. "If I hadn't stopped you, it could have been double that plus detention for you. Think about that next time you feel the urge to punch someone you don't like in front of a professor."

"He called me a coward." Rick defended himself but the older boy wasn't impressed.

"He was baiting you and you let him get to you." He replied coolly.

"He didn't get to me!" Rick denied indignantly and Crusher shook his head.

"You could've fooled me." He said before he and his friends walked away towards the stairs. Rick glared at his retreating back.

"That must be some kind of record." Rigel said as he came to stand next to Rick. "Five points deducted on your first night at Hogwarts." Rick didn't answer. He didn't much care for five points, he was more upset about the fact Mordaunt got away unpunished. Rigel, however, misinterpreted Rick's silence.

"Don't feel too bad, it's only five points and Mordaunt had it coming. He's used to walking all over people. Now he'll think twice before doing it again."

"You know him?" Rick asked.

"Not personally no, but his family is pretty infamous. He's Rydell's cousin, you know, the girl who threw Cedric out of his compartment? That should tell you enough." Rigel explained. "Come on, we need to catch up with the others or we'll never find the dormitory." Rick nodded and followed Rigel up the stairs.

"You know, I think it's going to be an interesting year." Rigel said as they jogged to catch up with the others.

"How's that?" Rick asked.

"With you around, how can it not be?" Rigel smiled and Rick could not help but return it. "Come on, let's go find the others." Said Rigel and they sprinted up the stairs to catch up with the other Gryffindors. They found them on the second floor, getting an explanation about Gryffindor house from the Prefect. Rigel and Rick joined them discretely, earning them a suspicious look from Lewis that demanded they'd tell her where they'd been but they wisely decided to ignore her. Anderson led them through different corridors and across several flights of stairs, even through a passageway that was hidden behind a tapestry and Rick jumped when one of the staircases they were taking suddenly moved in a different direction. Astonished, he grabbed the rail to steady himself.

"They tend to do that." Rigel explained as he too held on tightly. After that, they went through another corridor, took another right and then another and just when Rick thought they'd never get there, they ended up in front of a portrait of a fat lady dressed in a pink dress.

"Password?" She asked in a solemn voice.

"Fortitudo leonis." Edward Anderson answered and the portrait flew aside to reveal a passage. One by one, they passed through the portrait-hole into a large warm room dressed in red and gold, the colours of Gryffindor. A fire was crackling invitingly in the fireplace and a large banner with a lion was hanging from the far wall. Chairs and little round tables were strewn across the room and comfortable looking sofa's sat cosily in front of the large fireplace.

"Dormitories are up the stairs. Boys to the left, girls to the right. All your belongings have already been brought up." Ed Anderson explained but Rick was too distracted to pay much attention. He tried to take in every single feature of the room, from the notice board to the small statue of a lion's head on the mantle. It already felt more like a home than his own rundown bedroom in Coakley. The sleepy first years quickly went up the stairs to their beds. The boys' dormitory was in one of the towers judging by the contours of the room, though Rick could not tell which. He had a vague idea to maybe ask someone but saw that the others had already closed the curtains around their beds and he decided he was not that eager to know. He quickly changed into his pyjamas and closed the drapes around his bed but sleep did not come that easy. His knuckles hurt from hitting Mordaunt and just the thought of that boy made his blood boil again. He would find a way to get back at him for insulting him. Eventually, after thinking of scheme after scheme and long after the others had fallen asleep, Rick succumbed to sleep as well.