To the Sorting! (( 1st years ))

[Professor Rubeus Hagrid]

A giant of a man in a moleskin overcoat waited at Hogsmeade station holding a large lantern up. Nearly as tall as the train itself, Rubeus Hagrid waited as the Hogwarts Express slowed to a crawl, then finally stopped. One by one the prefects opened the train doors and lowered the steps for the students to exit. "Right then! Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" Hagrid said in a voice that echoed throughout the station immediately gaining the attention of everyone. One by one little 1st years converged around Hagrid. Checking a parchment he produced from his large coat pocket, he began counting heads. "Come along now! Firs' years over here!" He again called out as he was missing three students. Within a minute the last of the first years had joined them. Putting the parchment away in his pocket, Hagrid turned and lead the way off the paved walkway and onto a dirt bath.

"C'mon, follow me. Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!" Down a steep narrow path Hagrid led the first years as they walked for a few minutes. "Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here." The narrow path opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. 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. "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. The ride across the lake took a mere five minutes. "Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff. The boats then crossed under a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the face of the cliff. Through a dark tunnel the boats continued until they reached a underground harbor.

"Alright then, firs' years right here please" Hagrid called as he climbed out of his boat and stood at a staircase. "Follow me" Hagrid said as he turned and began climbing the stairs, his enormous strides carrying him up three stairs at a time until they reached the top of the staircase and were greeted by a huge oak door. "Everyone here? Stay together now" Hagrid said as he then 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 which gave warning that she wasn't one to cross. "The firs' years, Professor McGonagall, now if ye'll scuse me, I've got urgent business to tend to" Hagrid said as he turned and headed back down the steps.

[Ayumi]

Ayumi felt the hogwarts express begining slowing down as they entered the station. She jumped a bit when the train jerked and then finally stopped. She listened as the train let out a loud hiss, and smoke protruded into the air. She cast a look across the car, and eyed Liam, who nodded, "So we're finally here.." She muttered, as the compartment doors opened. Shaking her head, she quickly changed from her boots to the hogwarts uniform shoes. After strapping it on, and making sure it was secure, she threw her boots into her trunk, and rushed outside into station.

She shivered a bit, as the cold air hit her in the face. Tightening her robe around her body, she looked around, confused and dazed. She was about to step back into the train, when she heard a gruffy voice call out First Years. She shrugged, and walked slowly towards the voice, pushing through the crowds of students. She stopped when she felt herself bump into a fur coat, looking up, she saw that it belonged to a huge man.

She stared up in awe, she had never saw anyone of such immense size. Ayumi shook her head, to snap her out of the rude gae. She fiddled with her fingers, as she watched other first years crowd around her, all with nervous looks, and confused eyes. She bit her lip, and quickly strolled after the giant man as they made their way away from the station. After a few minutes, the giant man said something about seeing hogwarts. Ayumi looked up, and saw the magnifacent castle, it's many glowing windows, and it's overcasting structure looking down upon them.

Ayumi gazed in awe, her mouth almost open, when she felt herself bump, yet again into someone else. This time, another first year. She apologized quickly, and stepped back, far away from the boy. After awhile, she saw that they were all entering small boats, perched upon a great black lake. Ayumi took her place in one, sided with three other anxious first years. The air of excitment could be felt within the boat, no one spoke, as they made their way across the water, and towards the caslte.

Finally, the small boat bumped into the shore, and Ayumi made her way out of it, and onto the soft ground. Again, the first years walked for a couple of minutes, the giant man making sure that all of them were still piled together. Until finally, they had come to a stop, infront of a gigantic pair of double doors. The giant man held up a giant hand, and knocked on the door, the sound echoing throughout the air. A few seconds later, a stern looking woman opened it, and noted that this was the group of first years.

The woman cast a look over the group, and the giant man left, trudging down the hill, leaving the first years to the stern woman. Ayumi bit her lip, as she began cracking her fingers, anticipating the next thing that would happen.

[JasonStrife]

Jason looked around as the train stopped and grabbed his trunk. He followed a couple of students and watched as someone chased after a toad. He then walked outside and heard a scruffy voice and saw a man that had to be at least eight or nine feet tall. He walked torwards the man. He followed the man as they headed torwards the lake. The man told them all to get in a boat and he joined a girl over to a boat. After they all got in a boat they were of. At the first glance of Hogwarts he knew that the place was the exact opposite of what he had expected it had the coolest look about it and it would be fun to explore it. When they reached the bank they walked up to a door and was left in the care of a stern looking witch.He stood next to the girl that had been on the boat with him and he said " Hello I'm Jason Strife, and you are?"

[zanna]

Zanna hopped into the small boat, and watched in awe as the crossed he dark river. The castle itself was amazing, it's immense size breath taking. Zanna ran a hand across the freezing water, and looked around, seeing if anyone was as excited as her. However, everyone was a bit on the nervous side. Sighing deeply, Zanna stepped off the boat, when it stopped, and padded softly on the bank. As the group began to advance towards the castle, Zanna began to twirl with her hair feverishly, wondering what would happen next.

[jaspar]

Colin stepped down from the Hogwarts Express uncertainly, wondering what would happen now. The trip from Platform 9 and 3/4 had been long but interesting; it had been the first time Colin saw other Hogwarts students other than Ayumi whom he had met at the Leaky Cauldron. He met first-years like him, most of them eager and excited like Colin to discover this whole new world of magic, some even muggle-borns like Colin who knew almost nothing about where they were going. He also saw the much taller and older sixth and seventh years who greeted each other warmly. It was a bit like going to muggle boarding school, but only a bit. Everybody was wearing robes for one thing, and Colin wasn't used to them yet but was too busy looking at everything else for this to worry him. He sat down in a compartment with first and second years, and the second years informed the first years about to expect on their first day.

A loud voice bellowed and Colin was suddenly surprised to see a huge man approach the first years and count there heads. Colin was amazed by the man's size; his arms looked as thick as Colin's waist and he was as tall as a nearby tree. Colin couldn’t wait to see the school after the huge man said it was just round the bend. He got his first glimpse of the school in a minute. The Hogwarts castle looked magnificent. Colin had seen castles before in his history books on television, but this was no ordinary castle. It was different than any castle he had ever seen. Perched atop a high mountain across the edge of the dark lake they were standing on Colin gazed at it in awe, mesmerised by the sight. He didn't have much time to look at it though; the man was pushing everyone onto small wooden boats so they could cross to the other side. In a minute everybody was on the boats and they were sailing. The lake was as smooth as oil, and it was a sight for sore eyes, but Colin and the other first years were far from calm. Colin felt the journey was too short when they arrived at the other side; he was beginning to get very nervous and less excited than he had been feeling a while ago.

Colin lowered his head as they got to something like an underground harbour to avoid some overgrown ivy and clambered out onto the rocks with the others. Everybody followed Hagrid making sure to keep close to each other; it was definitely not a time to get lost. They reached the double-doors at the front of the Hogwarts castle and their leader knocked with his gigantic fist on the door three times. A witch dressed in robes of emerald-green opened the door immediately, nodded at the man who the witch addressed as Hagrid and looked at the first years. Colin looked at her wondering who she was and waiting for further instructions, apparently it was her turn to take charge of them.

[nicole]

Nicole was very still as she sat in her compartment as the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station and came to a stop. She, like the other students, got to their feet and made for the doors, where prefects stood to let them out. Nicole looked up at the girl who was standing by the door, a brown haired, fair skinned girl with a crooked nose, who wore a large “P” badge on her chest. When the doors opened everyone surged forward, but the girl with her crooked nose, kept order and allowed Nicole and the other first years like her, out onto the platform first. As Nicole stood under the night’s sky, she looked around the town that they had just arrived at, but she had not time to really take in anything for a loud burly voice called, “Firs’ years! Firs’ years!!” and took her attention away from everything else, especially when she saw who had called them.

Nicole stepped forward with the other timid first years, and came to stand before a man who was almost as tall as the train itself, and almost just as wide. Her eyes opened wide at the sight of this strange man, who would have stood out on any street in England, but everyone here seemed not to notice. She followed him as he called to them, beckoning them onto a dirt path. Nicole wondered where they were going, as she realised the rest of the school wasn’t with them, she was growing nervous. Was there some other test for them to perform before they could become part of the school? The night air was chilly, and Nicole shivered, though she was not entirely sure it was the air, or just the nervous butterflies that were frantically beating away at her stomach. They followed a narrow path down to a bend and then to a large dark lake, there is where Nicole got her first look at Hogwarts. It was amazing, the school was atop a high cliff and it was enormous, the biggest or one of the biggest buildings she had ever seen. Nicole was in disbelief that this was where she was to live from now on.

Nicole climbed into a small boat with three other students as the large man instructed, she was a little shaky at first, but finally got her seat. Suddenly on a word from the man, the boats set off from shore as smoothly as if someone were guiding them, within a few minutes they were reaching a small entrance in the cliff and the man was instructing them to lower their heads. The boats continued till they reached a small harbour that lay within the cliff, Hogwarts harbour. Once again Nicole found herself following this unusual man, this time they were climbing some stairs, which led to a large oak door, where he instructed them to wait. Nicole found herself wondering for what, but that answer was soon in coming as the man knocked on the door and a tall stern-looking woman opened up for them. On the “I mean business” looking woman’s arrival the huge giant of a man left them and disappeared down the stairs.

Nicole stood transfixed, not sure what she was expected to do, or what to say, at the very moment she would have wished for her bed back at the orphanage. However, Nicole knew that part of her life was over, never to come again, she was starting new here, and perhaps this place would be better than the many homes she had found herself in over the last few years.

[artemis]

Artemis walked out of the train in a high manner, brushing his sleek black hair back, he blue eyes gazed through the mist. Students began to pile out, jabbering, and conversing about things Artemis cared less for. He began to walk forward, searching for the place that he was destined to go. He stopped abruptly when he heard a booming voice call out from the distance, "Firs' years!" Artemis made his way towards the voice, rudely bumping into people that stood in his path.

He finally reached the source of the voice. A ragedy man of immense size stood before him, and other first years. Artemis snorted and muttered, "Who hired this bloke?" A few seconds later, the group began to move, out of the train station, and towards a huge black lake. Artemis looked up, gazing at the Massive Castle, shrugging, he felt no sensation of excitment or joy, after all, it was just a castle. He looked down at the muddy bank in disgust as the mud squished onto his shoes. Shaking it off hastily, he stepped into one of the boats.

Finally, they had reached the other side, and yet again, Artemis's shoes met with the dirt. Disgruntled, he pushed through the other first years and stood near the massive man. They were soon lead to a set of tall wooden doors, which was opened by a stern looking woman. Atemis sighed, knowing that the sorting would begin... soon

[Ayumi]

Ayumi pulled her robe around her even tighter as the group stood huddled outside of the castle, "Why can't we just get inside!" She muttered to herself as she rubbed her hands together. Her eyes gazed from each person, then towards the stern woman, then to the ground. She sighed, and blew into her hands. A voice startled her, and quickly, she turned around. It was a boy, the same one that had shared the boat with her. She smiled, and answered, "I'm Ayumi Kimoto, nice to meet you Jason." She said, extending out her hand. She looked back to the door, then added, "So are you nervous 'bout the sorting?"

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Standing in the hallway beetween the Great hall and the front doors, Professor Minerva McGonagall watied patiently for the first years to arrive. Sorting in the castle was one of the most anticipated events of the year. Hope fully we get a good batch of Gryffindors this year Minerva thought to herself. It was true that Gryffindors had a good quidditch team, and had one the house cup many times over the past 6 years, and no one can forget how they had produced a Triwizard champion. But then once you think of all these things you have to think of three sixth year students, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and of course Harry Potter.

It was ture that without these three students many of the things Gryffindor had accomplished would not have happened. Hopefully the next batch of Gryffindors will live up to the standards and accomplish many things. Suddenly the sound of doors opening took Minerva out of her thoughts. When the doors were fully open a giant stood above many small figures. The man was Rubeus Hagrid. "Thank you Hagrid." Minerva said as Hagrid walked away. "Come now everyone get in a group around me." Minerva said to the first years.

Minerva could see the terrified looks on some of the students faces. Most of the kids didn't know what was coming and were scared of it. Minerva looked around at the students one more time and then adressed them. "Welcome to Hogwarts. The banquite will soon begin, but before you can go sit down you must be sorted into your houses. The sorting is important because while you stay in Hogwarts your house will be like your family. The four houses are Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff."

Minerva looked around at the students again and said "The ceremony wil begin shortly. I will come and get you when we are ready." Minerva then turned around and walked into the Great hall. Then shortly after walked back out into the hallway. "Ok now everyone follow me." Minerva turned around and walked back into the Great hall.

As she walked into the Great hall the heads of students turned towards her and the first years. Minerva walked up to the front of the hall where a stool and a old hat sat. The hat was the sorting hat that sorted the students into their different houses. When Minerva got to the stool she turned around and picked up a list of names. "Natailia Antipova." she said loudly. Minerva watched as the girl walked up and Minerva put the hat on the girls head. "Ravenclaw." the hat yelled out. Aplause rang out and the girl went and sat down. Minerva went through many students and then she got to Artemis Fowl. "Artemis Fowl." Minerva said waiting for the girl to come up.

[artemis]

Artemis and the rest of the group began walking into the castle. A few minutes later, they found themselves in the great hall. Artemis looked around, at the house banners, and the many students that sat on theit designated house. He also took a glance towards the high table, and gazed down at each and every teacher. Still, he was the least bit impressed. Soon, the Sorting ceremony began. It took a couple of students before Professor Mcgonagall called his name. There was a ravenclaw student, and then a gryffindor, hufflepuff, then slytherin. Artemis looked up when his name was called. He brushed his hair back, and walked towards the ragedy old hat in his usual high manner. He took his seat, and looked out at the massive amounts of students. His gaze was soon shut out by complete darkness, as the hat fell over his head.

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva watched as the boy walked down to the stool. The way the boy walked it looked as if he had a certain confidence to him. When the boy got up and sat on the stool, Minerva put the hat on his head. The hat began to move around and then a few seconds later yelled out "Slytherin." Minerva took the hat off his head and watched as the boy stood up and walked over to the Slytherin table. As the aplause dissapered Minerva began calling out more names. One by one the students continued coming up and sitting down and being sorted. Then Minerva got to Colin Jaspar. "Colin Jaspar." Minerva yelled out.

[jaspar]

The first years were lead to the Great Hall by the strict-looking woman in the green robes. She talked to them telling them a bit about the school and its history, and Colin listened attentively as he followed her with the others. Once they reached the Great Hall the first years stood in front of a wooden stool with an old and rather dirty-looking Hat on top of it. Colin looked at the hat and was startled when it suddenly began to sing. It sang from a rip near the brim, singing about different houses, and then something about unity between the houses being important. Then Professor McGonagall started calling the students in alphabetical order to be sorted.

Colin put on the hat. It covered Colin's eyes completely and as he stared into the darkness he heard a voice talk appraisingly. "Hmm… you seem daring and earnest… and you know I can see bravery and courage under that nervousness… that makes you a GRYFFINDOR!" said the hat, the last word said in a much louder voice which was heard by the whole Hall. Colin got off the stool and walked off to the table decorated in scarlet and gold and he sat down quickly. He was glad to finally sit down; the eyes of the whole Hall on him had made him feel a bit jittery.