Short Story Contest [VOTE NOW!]
Feb 16, 2015 18:35:38 GMT
Post by Dumbledore on Feb 16, 2015 18:35:38 GMT
Voting ends 20th of February.
siriuslywinchester's story
PercyWood's story
@thestral's story
Sybill Trelawney's story
Quies's story
siriuslywinchester's story
My father showed me how to slip through the barrier onto platform 9 and ¾. I wondered if it felt odd to him to be here after so long or whether he wanted to get on the train too and head back to Hogwarts. It was a strange feeling, moving through a solid wall, but my mind soon switched to the mass of young witches and wizards milling around the steaming Hogwarts Express. These would be my companions for the next seven years. I really hoped that I made some good friends. After saying 'Goodbye' to my father, I jumped onto the train and found an empty carriage. I struggled to put my luggage up on the rack but eventually managed it and settled down ready for the long journey.
Shortly after the train left London, the carriage door opened and a girl with long brown hair and freckles popped her head in and asked if she could share the carriage. We chatted for the whole journey whilst eating sweets from the trolley and speculating about what life at Hogwarts would be like. The girl, Cho, was a first year herself and was hoping to be sorted into Ravenclaw like both of her parents. Nobody else joined us in the carriage, so when we arrived at Hogsmeade we stuck together.
A tall, hairy man greeted us at the station, introducing himself as Hagrid, and showed the first years down to the lake were we took boats to the the castle. Some of the boys in our boat joked about the giant squid and tried to scare the other girls, but my father had already told me the Squid was harmless and liked to be tickled. As we floated over the lake, the castle loomed above us. It was such an awesome sight and one that I'll never forget.
Once the boats landed, we headed up a grand staircase and through some huge oak doors. The amazement of the castles appearance was echoed by the fantastic ceiling in the Great Hall which was full of stars. The first years were all herded to the front of the Hall ready for the sorting. Glancing around the room there was a sea of older students seated at long tables and another table at the head filled with teachers. At the centre sat Albus Dumbledore, the headteacher.
The sorting began promptly, and my friend, Cho was sorted into Ravenclaw as she'd wished. I was happy for her, but I wanted to be sorted into Hufflepuff like my father. When my turn came, the Sorting Hat asked all sorts of odd questions, like whether I enjoyed playing pranks, or what books I like to read. I was very nervous and tried to answer honestly. Eventually the hat shouted “Hufflepuff” and all of the students sat at the house table erupted with cheers as I walked over to join them.
After the sorting, Dumbledore said a few words (most of which were gibberish) and the feast began. WOW, what a feast it was. I had never seen to much food and I ate until my stomach ached. When pudding arrived I ate even more. The Hufflepuff prefects told me that our common room is near the kitchens – I'm going to put on so much weight here, I can tell.
Once the feast was finished, the Prefects called the first years to follow them and we headed to the common room. We have to tickle a pear to get through the door! It has such an adorable giggle. The common room is really comfy. Chairs and bean-bags are scattered everywhere, and the fire was roaring and warm. There is plenty of space, so I'm sure even when it is full of Students there will be a seat available. We headed straight up to our dorm rooms and I discovered I am sharing a room with 4 other first years. The beds are huge and the mattresses feel comfy, so I'm sure with that and all the work that we'll be doing I will sleep well. The other Hufflepuff first years seem nice so I'm sure I'll soon make friends and feel at home.
Lessons begin first thing tomorrow, though we don't have our timetables yet. The prefects have said we will get them at breakfast in the morning, so first lesson will be a quick surprise. I hope I don't get lost on the way and get into trouble for being late. I think I will despair if our first class is Defence Against the Dark Arts or Potions. I've heard that they're both quite complicated and that Professor Snape is very harsh. I'm most looking forward to Charms and Astronomy lessons, they sound like the kind of classes I will enjoy and understand. I hope we have one of those tomorrow so I can get stuck in straight away!
Shortly after the train left London, the carriage door opened and a girl with long brown hair and freckles popped her head in and asked if she could share the carriage. We chatted for the whole journey whilst eating sweets from the trolley and speculating about what life at Hogwarts would be like. The girl, Cho, was a first year herself and was hoping to be sorted into Ravenclaw like both of her parents. Nobody else joined us in the carriage, so when we arrived at Hogsmeade we stuck together.
A tall, hairy man greeted us at the station, introducing himself as Hagrid, and showed the first years down to the lake were we took boats to the the castle. Some of the boys in our boat joked about the giant squid and tried to scare the other girls, but my father had already told me the Squid was harmless and liked to be tickled. As we floated over the lake, the castle loomed above us. It was such an awesome sight and one that I'll never forget.
Once the boats landed, we headed up a grand staircase and through some huge oak doors. The amazement of the castles appearance was echoed by the fantastic ceiling in the Great Hall which was full of stars. The first years were all herded to the front of the Hall ready for the sorting. Glancing around the room there was a sea of older students seated at long tables and another table at the head filled with teachers. At the centre sat Albus Dumbledore, the headteacher.
The sorting began promptly, and my friend, Cho was sorted into Ravenclaw as she'd wished. I was happy for her, but I wanted to be sorted into Hufflepuff like my father. When my turn came, the Sorting Hat asked all sorts of odd questions, like whether I enjoyed playing pranks, or what books I like to read. I was very nervous and tried to answer honestly. Eventually the hat shouted “Hufflepuff” and all of the students sat at the house table erupted with cheers as I walked over to join them.
After the sorting, Dumbledore said a few words (most of which were gibberish) and the feast began. WOW, what a feast it was. I had never seen to much food and I ate until my stomach ached. When pudding arrived I ate even more. The Hufflepuff prefects told me that our common room is near the kitchens – I'm going to put on so much weight here, I can tell.
Once the feast was finished, the Prefects called the first years to follow them and we headed to the common room. We have to tickle a pear to get through the door! It has such an adorable giggle. The common room is really comfy. Chairs and bean-bags are scattered everywhere, and the fire was roaring and warm. There is plenty of space, so I'm sure even when it is full of Students there will be a seat available. We headed straight up to our dorm rooms and I discovered I am sharing a room with 4 other first years. The beds are huge and the mattresses feel comfy, so I'm sure with that and all the work that we'll be doing I will sleep well. The other Hufflepuff first years seem nice so I'm sure I'll soon make friends and feel at home.
Lessons begin first thing tomorrow, though we don't have our timetables yet. The prefects have said we will get them at breakfast in the morning, so first lesson will be a quick surprise. I hope I don't get lost on the way and get into trouble for being late. I think I will despair if our first class is Defence Against the Dark Arts or Potions. I've heard that they're both quite complicated and that Professor Snape is very harsh. I'm most looking forward to Charms and Astronomy lessons, they sound like the kind of classes I will enjoy and understand. I hope we have one of those tomorrow so I can get stuck in straight away!
PercyWood's story
Home
It was a day just like all the other days when I finally went to Hogwarts. The sun was shining and the sky was blue, but in my head it wasn’t that well. I was nervous. Not in a normal ‘this is new so of course you’re nervous’ way, but really, really nervous.
What if the Sorting Hat didn’t put me in Slytherin? But what if he did? Would the others like me? Would I be smart enough to follow the lessons of would they kick me out after a week?
These doubts were running through my head when I said goodbye to my parents and entered the train. It felt like a whole new chapter in my life, but I wasn’t sure that was a good sign. Words could be horrible too and maybe this was a chapter about the disappointing life of a failing witch.
The train left the station and I didn’t have another choice then searching for a place to sit, as long as I didn’t want to stay in the hallway.
Of course there was no empty compartment left. Why should there be? Why would there be something what was easy for me when the person who controlled the universe has the possibility to make things worse?
I ended in a compartment with two other, nervous first years. One of them told me he would go home if he was put in Slytherin so I kept my mouth shut. I wasn’t going to tell him I belonged in Slytherin and I wasn’t going to tell him why it was an awesome house. He wouldn’t understand the greatness. He was just another boy with a tunnel vision, like all the other people.
It took hours to get to the final destination: Hogwarts. By the time we finally arrived I had decided I didn’t like those two first years with their ‘Gryffindor is the best house and if we’re not put there we go home’ talk, so I was relieved when I could leave them.
A enormous man shouted that all the first years must follow him, so I, like all the others, walked with him to a lake. There were little boats waiting for us, just as my parents had told me. I was in a boat with three other girls, but as we were all nervous, nobody told their name. When we finally saw the castle, everyone gasped for air. It was beautiful. My parents told me all about it, but words weren’t enough to describe the beauty. It was strong, firm and ruling. It was there for years but that didn’t affect its beauty. That made it even more mysterious.
Everyone walked slowly into the castle, enthralled by everything. Nobody spoke as we walked all the stairs until we saw an old woman waiting for us. She told us that our houses will be like our family and something more but I wasn’t paying attention. There were so many things around me I wanted to see.
Finally, after what felt like hours, we went into the Great Hall to get sorted. Everyone was watching us and I got even more nervous, if that was possible. Everyone would see me failing!
The Sorting Ceremony started and lots of people were sorted. Except me. When everyone was sorted and they wanted to put away the Hat, I stood there, still waiting for my turn. Luckily one of the teachers noticed me, so it was finally my turn. The Hat hadn’t even touched my head when it shouted ‘Slytherin!’
I was relieved. This was where I belonged. This was the house where my whole family had been and where I was meant to be. No, I didn’t fail. For one time in my life, I didn’t disappoint anyone. This was my moment. I was finally home.
It was a day just like all the other days when I finally went to Hogwarts. The sun was shining and the sky was blue, but in my head it wasn’t that well. I was nervous. Not in a normal ‘this is new so of course you’re nervous’ way, but really, really nervous.
What if the Sorting Hat didn’t put me in Slytherin? But what if he did? Would the others like me? Would I be smart enough to follow the lessons of would they kick me out after a week?
These doubts were running through my head when I said goodbye to my parents and entered the train. It felt like a whole new chapter in my life, but I wasn’t sure that was a good sign. Words could be horrible too and maybe this was a chapter about the disappointing life of a failing witch.
The train left the station and I didn’t have another choice then searching for a place to sit, as long as I didn’t want to stay in the hallway.
Of course there was no empty compartment left. Why should there be? Why would there be something what was easy for me when the person who controlled the universe has the possibility to make things worse?
I ended in a compartment with two other, nervous first years. One of them told me he would go home if he was put in Slytherin so I kept my mouth shut. I wasn’t going to tell him I belonged in Slytherin and I wasn’t going to tell him why it was an awesome house. He wouldn’t understand the greatness. He was just another boy with a tunnel vision, like all the other people.
It took hours to get to the final destination: Hogwarts. By the time we finally arrived I had decided I didn’t like those two first years with their ‘Gryffindor is the best house and if we’re not put there we go home’ talk, so I was relieved when I could leave them.
A enormous man shouted that all the first years must follow him, so I, like all the others, walked with him to a lake. There were little boats waiting for us, just as my parents had told me. I was in a boat with three other girls, but as we were all nervous, nobody told their name. When we finally saw the castle, everyone gasped for air. It was beautiful. My parents told me all about it, but words weren’t enough to describe the beauty. It was strong, firm and ruling. It was there for years but that didn’t affect its beauty. That made it even more mysterious.
Everyone walked slowly into the castle, enthralled by everything. Nobody spoke as we walked all the stairs until we saw an old woman waiting for us. She told us that our houses will be like our family and something more but I wasn’t paying attention. There were so many things around me I wanted to see.
Finally, after what felt like hours, we went into the Great Hall to get sorted. Everyone was watching us and I got even more nervous, if that was possible. Everyone would see me failing!
The Sorting Ceremony started and lots of people were sorted. Except me. When everyone was sorted and they wanted to put away the Hat, I stood there, still waiting for my turn. Luckily one of the teachers noticed me, so it was finally my turn. The Hat hadn’t even touched my head when it shouted ‘Slytherin!’
I was relieved. This was where I belonged. This was the house where my whole family had been and where I was meant to be. No, I didn’t fail. For one time in my life, I didn’t disappoint anyone. This was my moment. I was finally home.
@thestral's story
“Now then, if you look at the board you’ll see that there are many branches of transfiguration, which we will study in more detail later on in the year.” Professor McGonagall had been droning on for ages, and as Maya looked around the class she could see some of her classmates drifting off. When will the real magic start? Maya wondered. This was her first lesson of her first real day at Hogwarts and, if she was completely honest, she felt a bit let down. It just wasn’t what she had expected.
Maya Harrell was used to magic; she had been born with a witch for a mother and a muggle father, and was the last of three children. Her older brothers, Damon and Max, were both wizards – in their seventh and fifth years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – so when Maya got her letter, she was ecstatic. Her brothers had told her so much about the school, and she had been greatly looking forward to it. And then she’d arrived. The train journey, she had to admit, was pretty exciting. Maya had never been on a train before, and the trolley just made it better. Plus, that was where she made her first friend. She had been sitting in her compartment, stuffing her face with pumpkin pasties, when she’d heard a yell from up the corridor. Cautiously, Maya had opened her compartment door to find three first years chasing after a rat. As they struggled down the narrow corridor, one of the three stopped and gave Maya a funny look. The girl was quite short, and had straggly blond hair that had been tied up in a ponytail. After seeing Maya’s supposedly very confused expression, she explained, “Steven opened the compartment door.” Maya just nodded. The girl held out a hand. “I’m Lily, by the way. What’s your name?”
“Maya Harrell.” Maya replied, shaking Lily’s hand.
From then on they’d apparently been best friends. Lily had followed her back into her compartment, and they’d spent the rest of the journey talking about who they were and what they thought Hogwarts would be like and what house they thought they’d be in. Maya didn’t know what house she would be in, her mother had been in Ravenclaw, but both her brothers had been sorted into Hufflepuff. Lily was an only child in a pure-blood family. She thought that she was going to be in Slytherin because both her parents were in that house. Maya thought that any house would be lucky to have Lily. She was everything that Maya wanted to be: confident, smart, funny. And she was the first real friend that Maya had had. She’d never been any good at making new friends, but now she had Lily.
When The Hogwarts Express finally arrived in Hogsmead station, Maya was pretty glad to get out in the fresh air. The boat ride to the castle was so much fun, although the gatekeeper, Hagrid, was a bit scary. So was Professor McGonagall, who had led them up the steps to the Great Hall. Hogwarts castle was huge! And the Great Hall was magical. The enchanted ceiling was made up of blue and red swirls, and there were floating candles that made everything in the hall glisten like a queen’s jewels. And the smell! Oh, it smelled absolutely wonderful! It smelt of roast chicken with gravy, potatoes and parsnips! Maya’s stomach growled. “Look!” whispered Lily, “It’s Dumbledore!” The girl was pointing up at the long table at the front of the hall, where Maya could see a very old-looking man in an extravagant purple robe, with a silver beard as long as Maya was tall. He was looking at them as they walked up to the front, smiling. Professor McGonagall stopped and turned to face Maya and the rest of the first years. The sorting hat sung its song, as Maya’s brothers had told her it would.
Then Professor McGonagall stepped forward. “When I call your name, you will put on the hat to be sorted.” She said to the mass of students, “Aery, Lily!”
Lily stepped forward and lightly sat on the stool. Almost immediately, the hat cried, “SLYTHERIN!” The table with at the end screamed and clapped as Lily sat down. Maya had to wait until half of the rest of her year had been sorted.
When McGonagall finally shouted, “Harrell, Maya!” she nervously stepped up to the front. As the hat was placed on her head, Maya held her breath.
“Ahh, you’re the third Harrell we’ve had now.” The hat spoke into Maya’s ear. “Two were in Hufflepuff, but where to put you? You certainly have the intelligence to be in Ravenclaw… but you want to find somewhere to fit in… I’m going to put you in… SLYTHERIN!”
Maya could breathe again. It was okay. She’d be with Lily. Maya stood and the hat was taken from her head. She sat down at the Slytherin table next to Lily, who hugged her, and everyone was smiling at her and cheering.
“Miss Harrell, am I disturbing your daydreaming?” Maya looked up to see Professor McGonagall looming over her.
“N-no Professor.” She replied meekly.
“Good, then I trust you know what I just said?”
“You said that we’ll be starting with transformation, as it’s the easiest type of transfiguration.”
“Indeed, Miss Harrell.”
The lesson continued with the class trying to turn matches into needles. No one succeeded.
After Transfiguration, Maya had double History of Magic – which she nearly fell asleep in – and Charms – where they tried to make feathers fly, and a lot of people could do this, but not Maya.
“You’ll get the hang of it eventually, Maya, you’ll see” said Lily, who had been trying to cheer her up all lunch, with no luck.
“It takes time to get the knack of things.” Agreed Jamie, a third-year Slytherin the girls had met yesterday. Sam, Rhea, and Amelia chimed in with their encouragement.
“Thanks guys.” Maya tried a smile, but she was still no more convinced. She hadn’t been able to do anything all day, and had actually started to wonder if there had been a mistake and that she wasn’t a witch after all… she hoped not. She would hate to leave this place, and she would hate her friends. As the bell went and they trudged off to their next lesson, Maya noticed Professor Dumbledore watching her. He caught her eye and smiled, Maya just chewed at her lip.
“Welcome, everyone, to your first flying lesson!” said Madam Hooch, as she walked down the line of students. She went on for a while but eventually they were actually allowed to command their brooms. Maya’s obeyed on her first try, and shot straight up into her hand. It was the first thing she’d done right all day. Lily, who was standing opposite her, grinned at Maya and tried, and failed, to command her broom. Once everyone had their broom in hand, they were told to mount, and take off on Madam Hooch’s whistle. Maya lightly pushed herself off the ground, and looked down at her feet – which were hovering a few inches above the ground. She was doing it! And apparently she was the only one who’d managed to do it, as when she touched back down Madam Hooch asked her to show that class how to do it! By the end of class, Maya was still the only one who’d been able to hover, and Madam Hooch had shown her how to go forwards and to turn.
“Maya, you were amazing! Have you ridden a broom before?” asked Lily as they rushed to potions. Maya hadn’t, but she had no time to answer because Professor Snape was already talking when they got to class. Luckily, he ignored the fact that they were late as they found their seats. Maya was in a good mood, and listened to every word. She finished her potion with time to spare, and Professor Snape said that it was perfectly done.
“Ten points to Slytherin,” he said, “for an outstanding first potion. You should go far in this subject, Miss Harrell.” Maya turned to look at Lily with eyes as wide as plates, and Lily grinned and congratulated her.
“Get on with your own work, Miss Aery.” Professor Snape said, looking down at Lily’s smoking cauldron.
Maya and Lily stepped inside Slytherin common room, which Maya loved. The green lanterns and the fact that they were underneath the lake gave the room a gorgeous green tinge, which gave it a nice cosy feeling. The chairs were really comfortable, and everyone was so nice to her. Lily threw herself down onto a plush sofa. Maya jumped on top of her. “Hey! Get off!” Lily giggled. Maya sat up and stuck out her tongue. After a pause, Lily said, “See, I told you you’d get the hang of it.” Maya smiled. She had gotten the hang of two classes, so far, and she was determined to get better at the rest of them, no matter how much time she had to put into it.
Maya Harrell was used to magic; she had been born with a witch for a mother and a muggle father, and was the last of three children. Her older brothers, Damon and Max, were both wizards – in their seventh and fifth years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – so when Maya got her letter, she was ecstatic. Her brothers had told her so much about the school, and she had been greatly looking forward to it. And then she’d arrived. The train journey, she had to admit, was pretty exciting. Maya had never been on a train before, and the trolley just made it better. Plus, that was where she made her first friend. She had been sitting in her compartment, stuffing her face with pumpkin pasties, when she’d heard a yell from up the corridor. Cautiously, Maya had opened her compartment door to find three first years chasing after a rat. As they struggled down the narrow corridor, one of the three stopped and gave Maya a funny look. The girl was quite short, and had straggly blond hair that had been tied up in a ponytail. After seeing Maya’s supposedly very confused expression, she explained, “Steven opened the compartment door.” Maya just nodded. The girl held out a hand. “I’m Lily, by the way. What’s your name?”
“Maya Harrell.” Maya replied, shaking Lily’s hand.
From then on they’d apparently been best friends. Lily had followed her back into her compartment, and they’d spent the rest of the journey talking about who they were and what they thought Hogwarts would be like and what house they thought they’d be in. Maya didn’t know what house she would be in, her mother had been in Ravenclaw, but both her brothers had been sorted into Hufflepuff. Lily was an only child in a pure-blood family. She thought that she was going to be in Slytherin because both her parents were in that house. Maya thought that any house would be lucky to have Lily. She was everything that Maya wanted to be: confident, smart, funny. And she was the first real friend that Maya had had. She’d never been any good at making new friends, but now she had Lily.
When The Hogwarts Express finally arrived in Hogsmead station, Maya was pretty glad to get out in the fresh air. The boat ride to the castle was so much fun, although the gatekeeper, Hagrid, was a bit scary. So was Professor McGonagall, who had led them up the steps to the Great Hall. Hogwarts castle was huge! And the Great Hall was magical. The enchanted ceiling was made up of blue and red swirls, and there were floating candles that made everything in the hall glisten like a queen’s jewels. And the smell! Oh, it smelled absolutely wonderful! It smelt of roast chicken with gravy, potatoes and parsnips! Maya’s stomach growled. “Look!” whispered Lily, “It’s Dumbledore!” The girl was pointing up at the long table at the front of the hall, where Maya could see a very old-looking man in an extravagant purple robe, with a silver beard as long as Maya was tall. He was looking at them as they walked up to the front, smiling. Professor McGonagall stopped and turned to face Maya and the rest of the first years. The sorting hat sung its song, as Maya’s brothers had told her it would.
Then Professor McGonagall stepped forward. “When I call your name, you will put on the hat to be sorted.” She said to the mass of students, “Aery, Lily!”
Lily stepped forward and lightly sat on the stool. Almost immediately, the hat cried, “SLYTHERIN!” The table with at the end screamed and clapped as Lily sat down. Maya had to wait until half of the rest of her year had been sorted.
When McGonagall finally shouted, “Harrell, Maya!” she nervously stepped up to the front. As the hat was placed on her head, Maya held her breath.
“Ahh, you’re the third Harrell we’ve had now.” The hat spoke into Maya’s ear. “Two were in Hufflepuff, but where to put you? You certainly have the intelligence to be in Ravenclaw… but you want to find somewhere to fit in… I’m going to put you in… SLYTHERIN!”
Maya could breathe again. It was okay. She’d be with Lily. Maya stood and the hat was taken from her head. She sat down at the Slytherin table next to Lily, who hugged her, and everyone was smiling at her and cheering.
“Miss Harrell, am I disturbing your daydreaming?” Maya looked up to see Professor McGonagall looming over her.
“N-no Professor.” She replied meekly.
“Good, then I trust you know what I just said?”
“You said that we’ll be starting with transformation, as it’s the easiest type of transfiguration.”
“Indeed, Miss Harrell.”
The lesson continued with the class trying to turn matches into needles. No one succeeded.
After Transfiguration, Maya had double History of Magic – which she nearly fell asleep in – and Charms – where they tried to make feathers fly, and a lot of people could do this, but not Maya.
“You’ll get the hang of it eventually, Maya, you’ll see” said Lily, who had been trying to cheer her up all lunch, with no luck.
“It takes time to get the knack of things.” Agreed Jamie, a third-year Slytherin the girls had met yesterday. Sam, Rhea, and Amelia chimed in with their encouragement.
“Thanks guys.” Maya tried a smile, but she was still no more convinced. She hadn’t been able to do anything all day, and had actually started to wonder if there had been a mistake and that she wasn’t a witch after all… she hoped not. She would hate to leave this place, and she would hate her friends. As the bell went and they trudged off to their next lesson, Maya noticed Professor Dumbledore watching her. He caught her eye and smiled, Maya just chewed at her lip.
“Welcome, everyone, to your first flying lesson!” said Madam Hooch, as she walked down the line of students. She went on for a while but eventually they were actually allowed to command their brooms. Maya’s obeyed on her first try, and shot straight up into her hand. It was the first thing she’d done right all day. Lily, who was standing opposite her, grinned at Maya and tried, and failed, to command her broom. Once everyone had their broom in hand, they were told to mount, and take off on Madam Hooch’s whistle. Maya lightly pushed herself off the ground, and looked down at her feet – which were hovering a few inches above the ground. She was doing it! And apparently she was the only one who’d managed to do it, as when she touched back down Madam Hooch asked her to show that class how to do it! By the end of class, Maya was still the only one who’d been able to hover, and Madam Hooch had shown her how to go forwards and to turn.
“Maya, you were amazing! Have you ridden a broom before?” asked Lily as they rushed to potions. Maya hadn’t, but she had no time to answer because Professor Snape was already talking when they got to class. Luckily, he ignored the fact that they were late as they found their seats. Maya was in a good mood, and listened to every word. She finished her potion with time to spare, and Professor Snape said that it was perfectly done.
“Ten points to Slytherin,” he said, “for an outstanding first potion. You should go far in this subject, Miss Harrell.” Maya turned to look at Lily with eyes as wide as plates, and Lily grinned and congratulated her.
“Get on with your own work, Miss Aery.” Professor Snape said, looking down at Lily’s smoking cauldron.
Maya and Lily stepped inside Slytherin common room, which Maya loved. The green lanterns and the fact that they were underneath the lake gave the room a gorgeous green tinge, which gave it a nice cosy feeling. The chairs were really comfortable, and everyone was so nice to her. Lily threw herself down onto a plush sofa. Maya jumped on top of her. “Hey! Get off!” Lily giggled. Maya sat up and stuck out her tongue. After a pause, Lily said, “See, I told you you’d get the hang of it.” Maya smiled. She had gotten the hang of two classes, so far, and she was determined to get better at the rest of them, no matter how much time she had to put into it.
Sybill Trelawney's story
Waking up had to be the hardest thing, ever. I liked the school so far and it seems the lessons are going to be fun too, but leaving my warm and soft bed...My heart felt like it was shattered in pieces when I hauled my still sleepy body out of my bed. I stroke the blue with bronze sheets smooth and I looked around the Ravenclaw's Girls Dormitory. After all the excitement I've went through yesterday, I haven't had the time to take in how beautiful it was. The midnight-blue ceiling with the thousands of painted stars and the window profited a view on the rising of the sun. The yellowy-white rays of the sun started to slowly shine into the room and through it's light you were able to see little particles dancing around in the room. The peaceful sleeping faces of my roommates made this blissful picture complete. Afraid to corrupt this precious scene, I silently took my uniform and I carefully, trying not to make a single sound, I tip-toed to the bathroom. Taking a nice warm shower woke me up completely and feeling fresh I stepped into the Common Room. I looked around once more and what was hidden in the soft candlelight, was appearing now in the bright sunlight. Amazed at all the old books and the beautiful paintings I turned round and round in the circular room. I gently picked out an old leather book out from the shelf behind the statue of the gorgeous Rowena Ravenclaw and I plopped down on the blue couch. Looking slightly up, I saw the same starry ceiling as in the Dormitory. I was reading the dreamy book and the lessons were forgotten, till my new friend Kaeya startled me by hugging me from behind. With a soft yelp I turned around, only to see her grinning like an idiotic psychopath. Some of the seniors looked at us questioningly, but Kaeya decided to simply brush it off and she ran to the entrance of the Common Room. "Hey Nicole! Let's go to the Great Hall before all the seats are taken!" she yelled at me from across the room. I simply nodded and walked back to the shelf to put away the book I have been reading the past few minutes. Quickly walking then to the energetic Kaeya, I opened the entrance and we went on an adventure to find the Great Hall.
Finally arriving at the enormous entrance, we entered the Great Hall. It took us roughly 30 minutes to get here, so it was to be expected that there were almost no seats left at the Ravenclaw table. The both of us quickly walked past the Slytherin table and we sat down far in the back of our table. I looked hungrily at all the delicious food presented before us and I quickly placed some toast with Bubble Tea in front of me. Kaeya just looked weirdly at me as I slurped down the liquid, but Bubble Tea is my favorite tea. I couldn't help it. "I really don't get how you can drink that, it's gross." she exclaimed looking disgusted as I poured more of the tea in my cup. "It's not gross. You're gross. You're the one eating paprika." I said as i wrinkled my nose. I liked a lot of food, but I'm already gagging when I smell paprika. I shuddered as I tried to breath with my mouth, but the horrible taste still came into my mouth and I quickly tried to wash it down with even more Bubble Tea. When I finished my toast at last, I threw some cake onto my plate and I started to demount it's layers one by one, leisurely devouring them. Kaeya kept hasten me, but this was my revenge for eating that paprika. After 20 minutes of slowly eating my cake, I was finally done and we stood up the walk to our first lesson at Hogwarts. Let's just hope the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was nice, because I read stories about that particular subject. Well, I'm sure most of them are made up, but you can never be careful enough. And so, with an uneasy feeling in my stomach, I started my first day.
Finally arriving at the enormous entrance, we entered the Great Hall. It took us roughly 30 minutes to get here, so it was to be expected that there were almost no seats left at the Ravenclaw table. The both of us quickly walked past the Slytherin table and we sat down far in the back of our table. I looked hungrily at all the delicious food presented before us and I quickly placed some toast with Bubble Tea in front of me. Kaeya just looked weirdly at me as I slurped down the liquid, but Bubble Tea is my favorite tea. I couldn't help it. "I really don't get how you can drink that, it's gross." she exclaimed looking disgusted as I poured more of the tea in my cup. "It's not gross. You're gross. You're the one eating paprika." I said as i wrinkled my nose. I liked a lot of food, but I'm already gagging when I smell paprika. I shuddered as I tried to breath with my mouth, but the horrible taste still came into my mouth and I quickly tried to wash it down with even more Bubble Tea. When I finished my toast at last, I threw some cake onto my plate and I started to demount it's layers one by one, leisurely devouring them. Kaeya kept hasten me, but this was my revenge for eating that paprika. After 20 minutes of slowly eating my cake, I was finally done and we stood up the walk to our first lesson at Hogwarts. Let's just hope the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was nice, because I read stories about that particular subject. Well, I'm sure most of them are made up, but you can never be careful enough. And so, with an uneasy feeling in my stomach, I started my first day.
Quies's story
Eleanor looked at the solid barrier in front of her.
“We have to go through that?” she asked her parents skeptically. “But how? Wouldn’t we just crash into it?”
“No sweetie, the magic will lead us through, watch your father,” her mother answered with a smile.
Eleanor turned her gaze towards her father who gave her a reassuring smile before stepping towards the barrier. One moment he was in front of it and the next he was gone.
“Are you ready?” her mother asked. Eleanor nodded nervously. Together they walked towards the barrier, making sure no muggles looked their way.
Eleanor's mouth fell open when she saw what was on the other side. The steaming red train looked magnificent. Several witches and wizards were packed on the platform, all dressed in muggle clothes. Owls hooted, cats hissed, it looked like chaos. Suddenly a toad hopped in front of Eleanor's feet before someone caught it: “You can’t just jump of my shoulder when you please.”
Eleanor looked at both of her parents. “We will see you again during Christmas break,” her mother said. “Take care of Mystique will you? There’s an owlery in Hogwarts, she can stay there.”
Eleanor nodded. Her father took a step closer and hugged her tight. He said nothing, he was never good at goodbyes. Eleanor smiled lightly at him before taking her suitcase and stepping on the train.
She walked towards an empty compartment and tried to stuff her suitcase on the rack above the chair but she was just a little too short. She wanted to climb on the chair but just at that moment a boy appeared at the doors of the compartment.
“Need some help with that?”
Eleanor looked at him, a smile covered his face and his eyes were twinkling. Before she could answer however, the boy had taken her suitcase out of her hands and stuffed it on the rack with ease.
“Thank you,” said Eleanor.
“You’re welcome, I’m Samuel, second year, sorted into Hufflepuff,” he introduced himself reaching out his hand. Eleanor took it while saying her name.
“So, you’re a first year?”
“Yeah, how do you know?”
Samuel shrugged his shoulders and plopped himself down on one of the seats. “Lucky guess.”
Eleanor sat down on the seat opposite Samuel. He had brown, curly hair and an angular jaw line but his bright blue eyes attracted the most attention.
“Can you tell me what do you have to do during the sorting ceremony? Is it a certain task? My parents wouldn’t tell me, they told me it had to be a secret.”
“And they’re completely right. But you don’t have to be afraid. It’s nothing dangerous.”
Eleanor smiled, a little bit relieved but the fear for the ceremony was still there. She had heard tales from other witches and wizards that had caused shivers running down her spine. Her parents had reassured her that those tales weren’t true but she still couldn’t shake off the feeling of fear when she thought about the sorting ceremony.
“Samuel, here you are!” said a voice suddenly, the sound of it disturbing Eleanor's thoughts. She looked up and saw that a second boy had arrived at the compartment.
“Hey Eric, I thought you were bringing your sister?”
“Yeah, she’s on her way, but who is the girl?”
“Eleanor, she’s a first year, I helped her with her suitcase.”
“My sister is a first year as well,” said Eric while he sat down next to Samuel. “Look, there she is.”
A girl with short brown hair and a toad on her shoulder walked inside the compartment. Eleanor recognized her as the girl who had caught the toad that had hopped in front of her feet. Her brother helped her put the suitcase on the rack and then the girl sat down next to Eleanor.
“Hi, I’m Madison,” she introduced herself. “And this is Wilberd,” she added while pointing to her toad. “So those two idiots are sorted into Hufflepuff, or as I like to call it, the House For Losers. Which house do you prefer? I want to be in Gryffindor, just like my dad.”
Madison looked at Eleanor with a questioning look.
“Well, I definitely don’t want to be sorted in Slytherin,” Eleanor began. “And I’m not smart enough for Ravenclaw so I guess it’s going to be Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. I think Hufflepuff would be nice. They say that Gryffindor is full of people with a big ego,” she shot back. Both of her parents were sorted into Hufflepuff so she knew all about it and one thing was certain: it wasn’t a House for Losers.
“You’d be more than welcome,” Eric said to her. Eleanor smiled. Madison, however, looked at her as if she couldn’t believe what Eleanor had just said.
“Are you serious? You want to be sorted in the house full of retarded people whose favorite hobby is to hug everyone they pass?”
“Madison!” Eric cried angry.
“What, brother? Can’t handle the truth?”
“It isn’t the truth!”
Samuel laid a hand on Eric's arm to calm him down and Eric gritted his teeth. Madison shrugged her shoulders. “As long as you keep believing that.”
During the rest of the train ride Eleanor chatted with the two boys. They told her stories about what they experienced in their first year but refused to tell her something about the sorting ceremony or what the common room of Hufflepuff looked like. They seemed nice guys and she didn’t understand why Madison hated them so much. Eleanor could feel the disgust radiating form the girl while she listened to the conversation and after a while she took her suitcase and left the compartment with the words: “I can’t listen to this nonsense anymore, good luck in Loserville, Eleanor.”
“Don’t bother about Madison, she’s in the middle of trying to find herself, trust me, until a month ago she hadn’t any problems with Hufflepuff. I don’t know what happened to her.”
Eric sighed and Samuel looked at his friend. “It’s probably just a phase,” he said. “And you know, the sorting ceremony will decide which house she really belongs in. It’s what inside that counts, not her behaviour from the past month.”
“You’re probably right,” answered Eric.
When the lunch lady arrived they bought as much candy as they could. After a while Eleanor looked out of the window. Hogsmeade came into view and in the distance she saw the castle of Hogwarts. It was as magnificent as her parents had described. She wondered what it would look like inside. They changed their muggle clothes for their school uniforms and waited until the train reached the platform. Excitement ran through Eleanor's veins.
“Firs’ years! Firs’ years over here!” yelled a huge man who stood waiting on the platform.
Eleanor looked at the two boys, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t worry,” said Samuel. “Hagrid is a nice person.”
Eleanor nodded and said farewell to the boys before walking towards Hagrid. When all the first years had arrived in front of him he led them towards a lake where multiple boats stood waiting for them. Before she stepped into one of them, Mystique left her shoulder and flew towards the castle.
“Don’t worry,” Hagrid reassured her. “She will fly towards the Owlery.”
Eleanor shared a boat with three other first years who looked terrified. Eleanor pointed her gaze towards the castle again. It towered over them and looked like it couldn’t be destroyed by anything. The boats sailed over the dark water and into a dark tunnel until they came to an underground harbor. They climbed out of the boats onto the ground which was filled with pebbles and then Hagrid lead them towards a huge, oak door on which he knocked three times. After the last knock the door swung open and a stern woman came into view. She introduced herself as professor McGonagall. She explained the rules that were used in Hogwarts and told them about the different Houses.
After her explanation she opened the double doors towards the Great Hall. It was marvellous. Thousands upon thousands of candles were floating above four long tables. The first years formed a line between the two middle tables and Professor McGonagall placed a stool in front of them. On the top of it she put an old hat that looked worn out. Eleanor looked at it with surprise in her eyes. Suddenly a rip near the brim opened like a mouth and the hat began to sing about the four Houses. It took a while before Eleanor realized there wasn’t going to be a test at all. They just had to put on the hat.
The hat distributed the young witches and wizards into the different houses alphabetically and when it was Madison's turn she sat down on the stool with twinkling eyes, a smirk on her face. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head and he yelled: “Slytherin!” almost as soon as the brim touched her forehead. Eleanor looked around towards Eric who sat down at the long table of Hufflepuff. His mouth fell open from shock and his eyes widened. She saw how Samuel said something to him and she gave Eric a little smile before concentrating on the sorting ceremony again. When it was her turn she sat down on the stool nervously. She fixed her eyes on the two boys at the Hufflepuff table and waited till the hat made his choice. “Hufflepuff!” he said after a few nerve-racking seconds. Eleanor smiled and walked towards the two boys, they applauded loudly when she joined them at the table. Samuel gave her a high-five but Eric stared at his plate. Still in shock about his sister.
When the sorting ceremony was over, the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, gave a little speech and then food appeared at the table. Eleanor's eyes widened when she saw the amount of food.
“It tastes good, doesn’t it?” Samuel said with a smile.
“It’s amazing!”
“Well, now you’re sorted into our House, I can tell you a secret: the common room is situated close to the kitchens and the Elves who work there are more than happy to give you something extra if you’re hungry between meals.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
When they finished their meals a prefect from Hufflepuff called out to the first years, leading them through a maze of corridors until they reached some old barrels.
“Now, listen carefully, this is important. The only way you can enter the common room is if you tap with your wand on the barrel two from the bottom, middle of the second row, in the rhythm of Helga Hufflepuff.” He demonstrated it and the lid swung open, exposing a passageway.
“If you tap on the wrong barrel or use the wrong rhythm, you will be doused in vinegar and the lid won’t open, so be careful! Now, follow me!”
He crawled inside the passageway and the first years followed him. A smile appeared on Eleanor's face when they arrived in the common room. It was a cozy, round room decorated in black and yellow, plants hung from the ceiling and a cozy fire was crackling in a fireplace. Different round windows let the sunlight in, creating a strange but warm light inside the room.
“First year girls, follow me, I’ll show you where the dormitories are situated,” a girl with a prefect badge said. Eleanor and three other girls followed her towards an underground tunnel that was sealed with a perfectly round door and formed a connection between the dormitory and the common room. Four-poster beds stood in the cozy room and on each one stood a suitcase. Eleanor recognized hers immediately.
“You can start unpacking or come to the common room again, as you wish. Tomorrow you will receive your timetable.”
The girl smiled at them before disappearing in the tunnel again.
Eleanor knew by instant Hogwarts would feel like a second home.
“We have to go through that?” she asked her parents skeptically. “But how? Wouldn’t we just crash into it?”
“No sweetie, the magic will lead us through, watch your father,” her mother answered with a smile.
Eleanor turned her gaze towards her father who gave her a reassuring smile before stepping towards the barrier. One moment he was in front of it and the next he was gone.
“Are you ready?” her mother asked. Eleanor nodded nervously. Together they walked towards the barrier, making sure no muggles looked their way.
Eleanor's mouth fell open when she saw what was on the other side. The steaming red train looked magnificent. Several witches and wizards were packed on the platform, all dressed in muggle clothes. Owls hooted, cats hissed, it looked like chaos. Suddenly a toad hopped in front of Eleanor's feet before someone caught it: “You can’t just jump of my shoulder when you please.”
Eleanor looked at both of her parents. “We will see you again during Christmas break,” her mother said. “Take care of Mystique will you? There’s an owlery in Hogwarts, she can stay there.”
Eleanor nodded. Her father took a step closer and hugged her tight. He said nothing, he was never good at goodbyes. Eleanor smiled lightly at him before taking her suitcase and stepping on the train.
She walked towards an empty compartment and tried to stuff her suitcase on the rack above the chair but she was just a little too short. She wanted to climb on the chair but just at that moment a boy appeared at the doors of the compartment.
“Need some help with that?”
Eleanor looked at him, a smile covered his face and his eyes were twinkling. Before she could answer however, the boy had taken her suitcase out of her hands and stuffed it on the rack with ease.
“Thank you,” said Eleanor.
“You’re welcome, I’m Samuel, second year, sorted into Hufflepuff,” he introduced himself reaching out his hand. Eleanor took it while saying her name.
“So, you’re a first year?”
“Yeah, how do you know?”
Samuel shrugged his shoulders and plopped himself down on one of the seats. “Lucky guess.”
Eleanor sat down on the seat opposite Samuel. He had brown, curly hair and an angular jaw line but his bright blue eyes attracted the most attention.
“Can you tell me what do you have to do during the sorting ceremony? Is it a certain task? My parents wouldn’t tell me, they told me it had to be a secret.”
“And they’re completely right. But you don’t have to be afraid. It’s nothing dangerous.”
Eleanor smiled, a little bit relieved but the fear for the ceremony was still there. She had heard tales from other witches and wizards that had caused shivers running down her spine. Her parents had reassured her that those tales weren’t true but she still couldn’t shake off the feeling of fear when she thought about the sorting ceremony.
“Samuel, here you are!” said a voice suddenly, the sound of it disturbing Eleanor's thoughts. She looked up and saw that a second boy had arrived at the compartment.
“Hey Eric, I thought you were bringing your sister?”
“Yeah, she’s on her way, but who is the girl?”
“Eleanor, she’s a first year, I helped her with her suitcase.”
“My sister is a first year as well,” said Eric while he sat down next to Samuel. “Look, there she is.”
A girl with short brown hair and a toad on her shoulder walked inside the compartment. Eleanor recognized her as the girl who had caught the toad that had hopped in front of her feet. Her brother helped her put the suitcase on the rack and then the girl sat down next to Eleanor.
“Hi, I’m Madison,” she introduced herself. “And this is Wilberd,” she added while pointing to her toad. “So those two idiots are sorted into Hufflepuff, or as I like to call it, the House For Losers. Which house do you prefer? I want to be in Gryffindor, just like my dad.”
Madison looked at Eleanor with a questioning look.
“Well, I definitely don’t want to be sorted in Slytherin,” Eleanor began. “And I’m not smart enough for Ravenclaw so I guess it’s going to be Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. I think Hufflepuff would be nice. They say that Gryffindor is full of people with a big ego,” she shot back. Both of her parents were sorted into Hufflepuff so she knew all about it and one thing was certain: it wasn’t a House for Losers.
“You’d be more than welcome,” Eric said to her. Eleanor smiled. Madison, however, looked at her as if she couldn’t believe what Eleanor had just said.
“Are you serious? You want to be sorted in the house full of retarded people whose favorite hobby is to hug everyone they pass?”
“Madison!” Eric cried angry.
“What, brother? Can’t handle the truth?”
“It isn’t the truth!”
Samuel laid a hand on Eric's arm to calm him down and Eric gritted his teeth. Madison shrugged her shoulders. “As long as you keep believing that.”
During the rest of the train ride Eleanor chatted with the two boys. They told her stories about what they experienced in their first year but refused to tell her something about the sorting ceremony or what the common room of Hufflepuff looked like. They seemed nice guys and she didn’t understand why Madison hated them so much. Eleanor could feel the disgust radiating form the girl while she listened to the conversation and after a while she took her suitcase and left the compartment with the words: “I can’t listen to this nonsense anymore, good luck in Loserville, Eleanor.”
“Don’t bother about Madison, she’s in the middle of trying to find herself, trust me, until a month ago she hadn’t any problems with Hufflepuff. I don’t know what happened to her.”
Eric sighed and Samuel looked at his friend. “It’s probably just a phase,” he said. “And you know, the sorting ceremony will decide which house she really belongs in. It’s what inside that counts, not her behaviour from the past month.”
“You’re probably right,” answered Eric.
When the lunch lady arrived they bought as much candy as they could. After a while Eleanor looked out of the window. Hogsmeade came into view and in the distance she saw the castle of Hogwarts. It was as magnificent as her parents had described. She wondered what it would look like inside. They changed their muggle clothes for their school uniforms and waited until the train reached the platform. Excitement ran through Eleanor's veins.
“Firs’ years! Firs’ years over here!” yelled a huge man who stood waiting on the platform.
Eleanor looked at the two boys, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t worry,” said Samuel. “Hagrid is a nice person.”
Eleanor nodded and said farewell to the boys before walking towards Hagrid. When all the first years had arrived in front of him he led them towards a lake where multiple boats stood waiting for them. Before she stepped into one of them, Mystique left her shoulder and flew towards the castle.
“Don’t worry,” Hagrid reassured her. “She will fly towards the Owlery.”
Eleanor shared a boat with three other first years who looked terrified. Eleanor pointed her gaze towards the castle again. It towered over them and looked like it couldn’t be destroyed by anything. The boats sailed over the dark water and into a dark tunnel until they came to an underground harbor. They climbed out of the boats onto the ground which was filled with pebbles and then Hagrid lead them towards a huge, oak door on which he knocked three times. After the last knock the door swung open and a stern woman came into view. She introduced herself as professor McGonagall. She explained the rules that were used in Hogwarts and told them about the different Houses.
After her explanation she opened the double doors towards the Great Hall. It was marvellous. Thousands upon thousands of candles were floating above four long tables. The first years formed a line between the two middle tables and Professor McGonagall placed a stool in front of them. On the top of it she put an old hat that looked worn out. Eleanor looked at it with surprise in her eyes. Suddenly a rip near the brim opened like a mouth and the hat began to sing about the four Houses. It took a while before Eleanor realized there wasn’t going to be a test at all. They just had to put on the hat.
The hat distributed the young witches and wizards into the different houses alphabetically and when it was Madison's turn she sat down on the stool with twinkling eyes, a smirk on her face. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head and he yelled: “Slytherin!” almost as soon as the brim touched her forehead. Eleanor looked around towards Eric who sat down at the long table of Hufflepuff. His mouth fell open from shock and his eyes widened. She saw how Samuel said something to him and she gave Eric a little smile before concentrating on the sorting ceremony again. When it was her turn she sat down on the stool nervously. She fixed her eyes on the two boys at the Hufflepuff table and waited till the hat made his choice. “Hufflepuff!” he said after a few nerve-racking seconds. Eleanor smiled and walked towards the two boys, they applauded loudly when she joined them at the table. Samuel gave her a high-five but Eric stared at his plate. Still in shock about his sister.
When the sorting ceremony was over, the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, gave a little speech and then food appeared at the table. Eleanor's eyes widened when she saw the amount of food.
“It tastes good, doesn’t it?” Samuel said with a smile.
“It’s amazing!”
“Well, now you’re sorted into our House, I can tell you a secret: the common room is situated close to the kitchens and the Elves who work there are more than happy to give you something extra if you’re hungry between meals.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
When they finished their meals a prefect from Hufflepuff called out to the first years, leading them through a maze of corridors until they reached some old barrels.
“Now, listen carefully, this is important. The only way you can enter the common room is if you tap with your wand on the barrel two from the bottom, middle of the second row, in the rhythm of Helga Hufflepuff.” He demonstrated it and the lid swung open, exposing a passageway.
“If you tap on the wrong barrel or use the wrong rhythm, you will be doused in vinegar and the lid won’t open, so be careful! Now, follow me!”
He crawled inside the passageway and the first years followed him. A smile appeared on Eleanor's face when they arrived in the common room. It was a cozy, round room decorated in black and yellow, plants hung from the ceiling and a cozy fire was crackling in a fireplace. Different round windows let the sunlight in, creating a strange but warm light inside the room.
“First year girls, follow me, I’ll show you where the dormitories are situated,” a girl with a prefect badge said. Eleanor and three other girls followed her towards an underground tunnel that was sealed with a perfectly round door and formed a connection between the dormitory and the common room. Four-poster beds stood in the cozy room and on each one stood a suitcase. Eleanor recognized hers immediately.
“You can start unpacking or come to the common room again, as you wish. Tomorrow you will receive your timetable.”
The girl smiled at them before disappearing in the tunnel again.
Eleanor knew by instant Hogwarts would feel like a second home.
