A House for Everyone ((First Years))

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva peered out the window and watched the slew of black silhouettes floating across the lake. The first years were arriving, with Hagrid at the front, as usual. A serious mood washed over her. She thought of how relevant this day would be for these students. Here, at Hogwarts, they would start something that would last a lifetime. If they could only grasp the importance of this night.

She made her way to the staircase where she would meet Hagrid and take the first-years from there. She tried to think if there were any words she would want to share with them, but she thought it best to let Dumbledore do that. She would simply offer a warm smile and kind voice. They were probably too nervous to listen anyways.

The loud chatter of anxious voices alerted her that they were on their way. Also, she could hear the unmistakable voice of Hagrid leading the way. As they neared the top of the stairs, she looked over the group. It would be a good group of kids- she simply had a good feeling about them. "Good Evening Hagrid," she said softly, "And welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor, and professor of Transfiguration. If you would kindly follow me to the Great Hall, we will begin the sorting ceremony." The voices seemed to die at her command, and she turned toward the Great Hall.

Within minutes, she had escorted the students to the front of the Hall where she had the sorting hat perched on the small wooden stool. "Now, when I say your name, you may step forward and put on the hat. It will sort you into a house, and then you may join your new house table where you will be greeted by students of that house." She couldn't help but start to smile. This was truly one of her favorite parts of the year.

"Nitesh, Zeak." Minerva spoke loudly, waiting for the boy to step up and place the hat on his head.

[Zeak Nitesh G2]

I"m terribly terribly sorry for the delay in posting. Things in my life just seemed to catch up to me at the worst of times. I hope it is still alright for Zeak to post? I hope his reply will make up for my delay.))

Zeak’s head swam with noise and activity. He kept expecting to be waking up from this dream any moment now. The time had finally come, the date was here and he was off to his first year at Hogwarts. After helping him find a compartment and load up his stuff his mother and father said a tear-filled goodbye. Before he knew it the train was bumping along the tracks. Other students filled his compartment, but they were all fellow first years and couldn’t inform him of anything. All he had to go one was what Jeremaih had told him.

The train stopped and Zeak managed to exit without killing himself. A large booming voice rang over the crowd. “First years over here. All first years come this way.” Zeak tried to make his way through the crowd, but there was to much noise and he kept bumping into people. Just as he began to panic and grow frustrated a hand grabbed his. “Do you need help?” Asked a young female voice. Zeak sighed and smiled. “Yes, thank you.” With the help of the girl Zeak managed to make it over to the booming voice.

They waited there until everyone was gathered and than set off. They made the transition from dry land to a boat and before Zeak knew it they were sailing across a large body of water. Zeak lowered his head and twiddled his fingers and tried to ignore the astonished gasps and remarks of exclamation that arose around him. How he wished he could see the same sites as them. After the boat ride it was another short walk and than they stood and waited. The air had changed, they were inside an old building. Very old by the smell of it.

Before to long an elder female voice spoke to them and led them on. They entered a silent room, but it wasn’t an empty silence. It was a hushed silence. Zeak could feel the presence of others and eyes upon him. Before to long the elderly voice called out his name. Now Zeak did panic, what had Jeramaih said this was? A sorting ceremony. His mind raced as he tried to remember the proceedings. What if he couldn’t’ find the stool he was suppose to sit in? What if he just continued to search aimlessly forever?

Just as his panic began to rise again came the hand from the girl from before as she led him to the stool. Sighing in relief Zeak took the seat and felt a hat being placed on his head. There was a moments silence and than: “GRYFFINDOR!” came a shout from his head immediately followed by a large cheer from the room.

Zeak covered his ears and winced as the loud sound slammed into his sensitive ears. He slowly stood. Where to go now? He turned to where the loudest of the cheers were coming from, this had to be the Gryffindor table. Moving in that direction he was soon swept up and placed into a seat with many “congratulations.” And shoulder pats to go around.

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva clapped enthusiastically as Zeak was sorted into Gryffindor. She always enjoyed this part of the year, and looked forward to getting to know her new students. Smiling, she read the next name on the list and watched as the girl took her turn with the hat. "Valamont, Rebecca!"

((Sorry this has not been as smooth as I had hoped. I have changed the order so many times that I am a bit confused myself. However, Rebecca, you may post at your convenience.))

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

This time, the cheers came from Ravenclaw. The young girl walked to her table, and Minerva peered at the list to find the next name. "Gibbs, Darren," she announced for all to hear. The number of first-years standing up front was dwindling- most of them a little less nervous now that they had seen what was expected of them.

[Darren Gibbs S1]

Darren stepped off the train for the first, but almost certainly not the last time. It was his first day at Hogwarts today, and had at least had some idea what to expect. His parents had both come here in their teens, and had both been, almost immediately, apparently, sorted into Slytherin. And he really hoped to follon in their footsteps, not those of his brother who had been a Gryffindor. But he had been...odd, within the family, so he was bound to be a Slytherin, surely.

He picked up his trunk, and his rat's cage. Although he'd heard all about it, he'd never experienced it for himself, so he was actually excited. As he left the train, he heard a booming voice call for all 1st years to go over to where he was. Hagrid, it must be. He'd heard all about him-the half-giant/keeper of keys and grounds/Care of Magical Creatures teacher. Finding Hagrid-not much of a challenge, really-he was too big to miss. Anyway, along with the other 1st years, he made his way over to the boats which would carry them across the lake, wondering which people would become his friends, and which his enemies.

After the short boat journey across the late, all of the 1st years were lead across to the castle-a massive building, with many towers and spires...but he couldn't wait to see the dungeons! Then a lady, who introduced herself as Professor McGonnagall explained what was going to happen, and they were all lead into the Great Hall, where many students were already sitting there, at the 4 tables. He walked with the other students to the back, near the professors table, and waited to be sorted.

Many others went before him-including a boy introduced as Zeak Nitesh, who went into Gryffindor, and a girl named Rebecca who was sorted into Ravenclaw. But now it was hiis turn, and he made his way over to the stool with the mysterious hat, which would choose his fate. He placed it on his head, and within a matter of seconds, it called out SLYTHERIN!!! Loud enough for the whole schol to hear, and he went to sit by the table with the other students in green. There had never been a boy mmore proud to be a Slytherin.