First-Year Entrance 2024-2025

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The sky had blackened with just the stars and moon hanging above when the train made a calm stop at the station. Anna quickly packed her bags up, putting away Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them that had fallen onto the floor of the train when she’d fallen asleep halfway on the way. As she peeked her head out of her compartment, she realized she was the only one who hadn’t changed into her robes. Panic enveloped her as she quickly sorted through her outfits before reaching her robes. By the time she’d changed into them, she was one of few left leaving the train. Tossing everything back inside her trunk, she clicked it shut, leaving it in the compartment as she quickly exited it. Her heart was racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation as the night air wafted over her. It was chilly and she was glad for her robe as she wrapped it tightly around her, observing the station they’d stopped at.

The unfamiliar voice of a man caught her attention. He’d introduced himself as Ruckus and led them toward a large looming lake, and before them were rows of colorful boats with rubber duckies attached to each of them, the kind she’d see in the commercials or in the bath section in the toddler department at the retail stores. These bright and welcoming boats were a sharp contrast in her opinion, to the boundless looking, inky Black Lake. They all swayed gently on the water, awaiting for them to board it. Yet despite their cheerful appearance, it as a deep dread that the young girl felt inside. Her eyes widened and her heart began to race. She stood back as others began to file into the boats, all the while her mind was set on the water, black and endless.

She didn’t realize she’d been frozen to the spot until she heard a voice behind her, a first year who’d tapped her shoulder. “It’s our turn.”

She chewed her lip, caught between the terror of entering a boat on open water, to holding up the line as it were to get to the school. In the end, she found herself walking toward a yellow boat, the sunniest looking one in her opinion. While it did little to soothe her anxiety, she sat the furthest from the sides and decidedly looked down at her hands, refusing to look up as the boats took off, the moonlight and the lanterns attached had shadows dancing around them.

As the boats swayed and moved gently across the lake, Anna clutched her hands at her sides, trying to will herself to calm. She could hear the excited chatter around her, all the while she could only hear it as deafened sounds, her mind completely focused on getting back on land. She hadn’t even gotten the chance to try to truly relax herself before she was suddenly hit with a frightening hurdle. The boats began to rock; hard. She let out a terrified squeak, her eyes darting around to find some other boats were having it even worse, some even disappearing beneath the surface.

Horror gripped her, and when she witnessed two students tumbling into the water, she lost her breath.

Were they alright?
Would she be next?

The man called Ruckus mentioned something about a Grindy…something, Anna couldn’t make it out, too caught up in the frightening situation for it to really register. Everything seemed to be pandemonium, and she didn’t know how much time passed or what would happen next…
And then suddenly, she heard gasps of astonishment, and despite her fear, she whirled around to face what had caught everyone’s eye-

Her eyes widened and her lips parted in awe.

Hogwarts Castle.

It was magnificent, in all its glory. She’d never seen a castle up close before, not even close. It was massive, lit by what looked to be thousands of warm lights within. As they continued to drift toward it, the boats suddenly glowed, the many colors glittering among the lake, creating a beautiful kaleidoscope of color.

Your new home…

Those words echoed in her mind, her eyes now only on the castle, her fears of the once wobbling boats slowly ebbing as they neared closer to land; closer to starting her new life in this place. And once the boats touched ground and she half scrambled out of the boat, she found a small smile form on her lips, and even her heart had begun to calm;

She was here.
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Fiona stepped off the Hogwarts Express, her heart pounding with excitement and nerves. The cool evening air was filled with the hum of students' chatter, the hoots of owls, and the distant rustle of the Forbidden Forest. The platform was bustling with activity, but Fiona's eyes were drawn to the towering figure of Hogwarts Castle in the distance, its turrets silhouetted against the moonlit sky.

As Ruckus called out for the first-years, Fiona joined the throng of new students making their way towards him. She glanced around at her fellow first-years, wondering if any of them felt the same mix of awe and apprehension she did. Her thoughts briefly drifted to her family back on the Isle of Skye, and she felt a pang of homesickness, quickly replaced by excitement for the adventures ahead.

When they reached the dock, Fiona's eyes widened at the sight of the boats adorned with colorful rubber duckies. The sight brought a smile to her face, easing some of her nerves. She felt a strange sense of comfort in the cheerful scene before her.

"Please select one of the boats behind me, complete with colorful friends," Ruckus instructed. Fiona quickly made her way to the boat with the yellow ducky at the lead. The color reminded her of the warmth and brightness of summer days back home, and she felt a sense of reassurance as she climbed in. Three other students joined her, their faces reflecting the same mixture of excitement and curiosity.

As the boat glided smoothly across the Great Lake, Fiona took in her surroundings. The stillness of the water, the shimmering reflections of the stars, and the faint outlines of the castle towers above created a magical and serene atmosphere.

The yellow ducky bobbed cheerfully beside their boat, guiding them towards the castle. Fiona's nerves began to settle, replaced by a sense of wonder and excitement. She couldn't wait to see what adventures awaited her in the magical world that was now her home.
Fiona felt a thrill of excitement as the boat moved forward, her eyes fixed on the approaching silhouette of the castle. She chatted with the other students in her boat, sharing their hopes and fears for the year ahead. The friendly, reassuring presence of Ruckus and the cheerful yellow ducky floating beside them made the journey feel special and almost magical.

Before Fiona could really settle into the serene rhythm of the boat ride, she noticed the water beginning to ripple more than usual. Fiona's grip tightened on the side of the boat, her heart beginning to race as she leaned over to get a better look.

"What's happening?" one of her boatmates whispered, his voice tinged with fear.

Fiona's boat rocked violently as the waves intensified. She gripped the sides tightly, her heart pounding with fear. One boat in particular, surrounded by orange duckies, caught her attention. Before she could react, two students tumbled into the water while the remaining two were probably holding on for dear life.

Then it became clear what had caused the ruckus: grindylows. Fiona's eyes widened as she saw the little creatures with their glowing fish eyes and grasping hands. "They're trying to take the duckies," she realized, her mind racing, as she observed their fascination with the bobbing bath toys.

Fiona's fear quickly turned to determination. She leaned closer to the others in her boat, her voice steady despite the chaos. "Hold on tight! We'll get through this." She wasn't sure if she was reassuring them or herself more.

"Everyone stay calm; they're just grindylows trying to steal me ducks. Let me get you two out of the water first," Ruckus's voice carried over the chaos, a steadying presence in the turmoil.

Fiona watched as Ruckus expertly maneuvered to rescue the students who had fallen overboard. She felt a surge of admiration for the caretaker and a renewed sense of resolve. "We need to keep the boat steady," she said to the others. "If we work together, we'll be fine."

Her boatmates nodded, their fear giving way to focus. Together, they balanced the boat as best they could, Fiona's calm leadership helping to keep the panic at bay.

Fiona's mind raced, but she stayed focused on the task at hand. Her connection with nature and animals gave her an unexpected sense of calm. "Maybe they're just curious about the duckies," she mused aloud, trying to keep the mood light despite the situation.

Suddenly the creatures' attention was turned towards a fellow first year girl in the purple boat and they began to make their way towards the boat with a determination that Fiona was certain would be anything but a warm welcome.

Just as Fiona began to reach for a duck to throw in a desperate move of distraction, the boats all turned a corner that revealed the Hogwarts castle suddenly in full center view in all its beauty and magical splendor. At that same moment, the little ducks all began to radiate a magical glow, so suddenly it spooked the Black Lake creatures back to theirs depths.

Fiona's attention was briefly redirected back to Ruckus who turned toward the castle with a sweeping gesture, "There she is! Hogwarts! Your new home!"

Fiona’s heart swelled at the sight of the magnificent castle. The fear from the grindylows faded away, replaced by awe. "It's beautiful," she whispered, her eyes wide with wonder.
As Fiona's boat glided smoothly across the Great Lake, the towering silhouette of Hogwarts Castle began to emerge from the darkness. The castle, with its majestic turrets and ancient stone walls, seemed to shimmer under the moonlit sky.

Fiona felt her breath catch in her throat. The sight was more magnificent than anything she had ever imagined. She had seen pictures of Hogwarts in her textbooks, but nothing could have prepared her for the sheer grandeur of the real thing. The castle looked like it had sprung straight out of a fairy tale, with its windows glowing warmly, casting a golden light on the lake's surface.

"This is incredible," Fiona whispered, her voice barely audible over the gentle lapping of the water against the boat. She glanced around at her boatmates, hoping to share this moment of awe and wonder. Their faces mirrored her amazement, eyes wide and mouths slightly agape.

As the boat drew closer to the shore, the castle's details became more distinct. She could see the ivy clinging to the stone walls, the ancient wooden doors that guarded the entrance, and the myriad of towers that soared towards the heavens. Fiona felt a surge of excitement and nervousness; this was to be her new home, a place where countless adventures awaited.

Fiona's heart swelled with anticipation. She couldn't wait to explore every nook and cranny of the castle, to uncover its secrets, and to make memories that would last a lifetime. As the boat bumped gently against the dock, she knew that this was just the beginning of her magical journey at Hogwarts.

As Fiona Rowan MacGregor stepped out of the boat onto the grounds of Hogwarts, her eyes were still wide with wonder at the sight of the magnificent castle. The soft, glowing light from the rubber duckies around the boats added a touch of whimsy to the magical moment.

Fiona glanced around to make sure no one was watching too closely. The yellow ducky that had been her companion on the boat ride bobbed cheerfully beside her. With a quick, stealthy motion, she reached down and untied the string that attached the ducky to the boat. Slipping the rubber duck into her pocket, she couldn't help but smile to herself. It would be a small keepsake from her first adventure at Hogwarts—a reminder of the unexpected excitement and the beauty of the night.

As she joined the other first-years making their way up to the castle, Fiona felt a sense of anticipation and excitement. She was ready to embark on her magical journey, and the little yellow ducky tucked safely in her pocket would be her secret companion.

Interacting with @Bree Grey

Aboard the BLUE BOAT

It was a sunny day with few clouds and Elm felt as if the day could not get better. The water shimmered beautifully as the sun shone its rays upon it and a castle in a faraway distance, cast its image upon the lake, looking quite tall and majestic. As Elm hurried along with the group of other first year students to the boats, he could not help but shoot one last lingering look behind him, where his elder brother, Maple, was waving before joining the older students elsewhere.

With a cheerful skip in his step, Elm pranced to the waters edge. Below him on the lake were multiple boats with different colored duckies, scattered about the boats in a haphazard manner. It was an utterly hilarious sight to the boy. He reached out to pick one up. It swam away. That intrigued him even more, so he reached out again. Again, it swam out of reach. Having enough of the odd battle, he held his hands up in a silent retreat, deciding it was best to leave the magical duckies alone...for now.

Elm was assigned to a blue boat, which made him very glad, it being his favorite color and all. When he sat down in the boat, he felt a tad sick from the way it rocked. Gulping in some clean air, he looked about him to try and distract himself. In the distance, he spotted Bree. He did not hesitate a moment, before quickly shooting up a hand and waving her over to his boat, "Bree Grey! Over here!"

Only Stop: Hogwarts ...revisit his past...

Speech | Thoughts

Interacting with:

The man calling to them introduced himself as Ruckus, which Luca heard because he got close enough in time. After observing for a few moments, the boy could tell that the man was a bit older, judging by the salt and pepper in his beard, but he otherwise seemed unremarkable. However, this didn't concern Luca much, as Ruckus appeared to be friendly. He was generally far too distracted by the future laid out before him, starting with the trek across the Great Lake that his mother had always told him about.

A smile played across Luca's face as the man mentioned that it was dramatic to see the castle this way, but he was excited to relive his mother's memory. He wanted to believe that he wasn't scared of the dark, but this was, truthfully, the first time he would be there by himself. Luca approached one of the boats and chose the red one, opting to sit in the front and get comfortable, feeling the boat start moving before too long. The boy tried to pay attention to everything Ruckus was saying, but it was difficult to hear him over the distractions of everything: the castle, the lake, the darkness, and... grindylows?

Grindylows! Luca tried to suppress a small yelp of fear, as they were unfamiliar to him, but Ruckus's voice was reassuring enough for him to grip the edge of the boat and his seat while staying brave. His attention was divided between the grindylows and Ruckus, who was handling them. Still, everything returned to calm once they reached Hogwarts, and the items that Luca didn't recognize suddenly lit up in a fantastic display of colors. Luca hadn't even noticed that the creatures got spooked and left them alone.

Luca began laughing as Ruckus made it clear that the rocking boat was just a trick and everyone was now safe. However, he couldn't help but notice the sudden retreat of the squid tentacles and the adults' attention being drawn to something else. He tried to look back to catch a glimpse of what it was, but he was blocked by many other boats full of eager students waiting to take their first steps on Hogwarts' hallowed grounds.

Luca paid attention to most of what Ruckus said, particularly regarding the lake’s various creatures. When the man mentioned dinner time, the boy noticed his stomach starting to growl. He realized that he hadn't eaten anything on the train, and it was beginning to affect him, so he decided he would indulge at dinner. Ruckus announced that it was time to head up to the castle; Luca looked up with a broad smile and began climbing the stairs to the Great Hall.

His story continues: Sorting Ceremony

made by Ellie Randensmith


I wave a quick good bye to Luca and Olivia as I step off the train. Hopefully I could see them again soon! I would definitely ride on the boats with them but I promised Elm that I would ride with him.

I hear him call me and I go run over to him. “Hi! It’s so great to see you again! Honestly I’m so excited to finally go and find out what my house is. I hope I don’t get slytherin,”

I smile brightly at him as I bounce on my feet. I look around at the other kids as they head to the boats. I finally sit down next to elm instead of standing next to the boat. “I wonder who else is going to sit here! Maybe we all would become friends and start a whole friend group!” I think over for a moment, “Or they would become our worst enemies and we would be fighting with them for seven years! Image that. Fighting with someone for seven years!”

I become silent for a moment or two then I decide to ask Elmo something. “Hey elm. What house do you want? Or expect? Like I might become slytherin because my both of my parents were but I would love to become a gryffindor.”

I wait for his answer and look around. I take a glance at the water wondering if I’ll see anything move in there.