2019-2020 First Year Entrance Finished

interacting with @Reynolds McNeil

Reynolds! Rehhhhhh.... null.... ds. What an interesting name. Aly had never heard that name before, and she had to admit to herself, she was intrigued. With a name as plain as 'Alyssa', she had always been on the lookout for more unique names in her books and whatnot. She mumbled the name in her head over and over. Reynolds, Reynolds, Reynolds. Hopefully, since it was so different from all of the other names she'd heard recently, this one would actually stick in her head. Aly was usually terrible with names, but she was ready to start making friends at Hogwarts, and she couldn't exactly do that if she couldn't even remember what they were called.

There were a few moments of silence after the stammering boy introduced himself. Aly began to clear her throat, ready to launch into a spiel of questions that began to run like fire through her head- Where are you from? Are you excited? What House do you think you'll get? What do you think your favorite subject will be? and plenty of others- but then there was a soft statement from Reynolds himself.

"Your hair is big."

Aly, for a moment, was so surprised she didn't know what to say- and it was an exceedingly rare occurrence when the one and only Alyssa Hesper Salinger didn't have words to speak. For a moment she wondered if she'd been hit with some wandless Silencing Charm, but before she could think of anything to splutter, he was speaking again, something about her hair being big, cool, and that other girls would want to know her secret.

Finally, when he had finished the awkward sentence, Aly burst into laughter. She tried to keep it quiet enough, as the boat rocked gently beneath her pulling them out to the lake, that she wouldn't disturb the other girls in their boat... but nothing about Aly was ever 'quiet'. She managed to calm herself down enough to tell the boy, more matter-of-factly than she would have originally liked: "Water. The secret... is water. My hair is just this way, no matter what I do to it." She continued to chuckle lightly to herself. Only people with straight hair would ever say something so inane about Aly's curls.

"So, do you have a last name, Reynolds?" she began to ask. "And what House do you- woah."

Aly's green gaze had landed upon Hogwarts proper, just behind Reynolds up the hill from the lake. The multitudes of windows on the gigantic castle glowed golden against the darkness of the night, providing the only reason that the dark stone did not completely blend into the blackness. The last few straggling second-years and older students were just making it into the castle doors, which opened to a brightly lit corridor that Aly could just barely make out from far away on the lake. The castle's reflection shimmered softly on the rippling waters near her, and if Aly reached out her hand- not enough to rock the boat, just far enough to avoid that in fact- she could touch the very top of the tallest tower's reflection.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, completely awed by the sight.

Abort mission. Abort mission. The plan had failed. He was stuck on a boat with an overly friendly, cheerful girl who...thought he was funny? She laughed so loudly that Reynolds was sure the entirety of the castle grounds must have heard it! He resisted the strong urge to shush her but his face reddened at the idea of everyone glancing over at their boat in confusion and annoyance. Surely they thought the sound to be as obnoxious as he did.

Instead, not knowing what else to do, Reynolds attempted to laugh. It was clearly forced and nervous, but he hoped she didn’t notice. She finally stopped cackling long enough to tell him that “water” was the secret. Of course, he hadn’t really wanted to know the secret, just give her an opportunity to talk to the other girls. Why hadn’t she talked to them? Didn’t all girls like to talk about hair and clothes and things like that?

But now that she had said something about the water, he was a tad curious. Was she being truthful? Or sarcastic? Probably sarcastic, he shouldn’t be stupid, of course, it wasn’t just water. After all, hair didn’t just do that. It must have been some kind of magic secret and she was playing a game with him, thinking he was too stupid to figure it out. Behind his lips, Reynolds clenched his teeth. It wasn’t nice to play tricks on people.

The girl, Aly, continued on without giving it another thought though. He didn’t want to start a fight with her about it obviously, but it did annoy him. A fight would mean more talking though. Plus he always lost fights so what was the point? She started to ask some other mundane questions that he knew would only lead to more mundane questions, trapping him in a vortex of small talk, when she was suddenly distracted. Reynolds twisted so that he could see whatever it was she was looking at behind him.

The castle had properly come into view, no longer a shadowy smudge on the horizon. Reynolds just kept finding new things to look at. The spires, the windows, various outcroppings, towers, owls flitting around. Every shift of his eyes brought something new and more fantastic to his attention. And he couldn’t even properly see most of it in the dark! What must this place look like during the day?

“It’s bigger than anything I’ve ever seen,” he breathed. “It’s magnificent. Is this really where we’re going to live?”

He could hardly believe that Will thought they would ever run into each other here. Reynolds was sure that with minimal exploring he would be able to find a nook or two where he could hide and be alone.

Ava could hear the teachers as she got off the train, but it was hard to see them in the crowd of other first years. She stood on her tip-toes trying to spot them and yet it seemed that each had already gotten into a boat with other students, but the young girl was not perturbed nor was she easily defeated! The brunette jumped a bit still holding onto her luggage wanting to at least get a glimpse of the adults she would most likely be seeing a lot of and yet it did not seem this was going to be her chance as all she could see were boats being pushed into the water and darkness. She was not expecting night time so quickly or maybe the train ride had been so exciting she hadn't realized day turning to night. It didn't matter, what did matter was getting onto a boat!

The excited, starry-eyed first year found a boat and placed her luggage in before clambering in after it slipping and falling into the bottom, "Ah! Ow..." She winced and rubbed the back of her head before getting up, she was fine. A small slip like that was nothing compared to the bigger bumps along the way she was sure of it! So Ava dusted off her robes and sat on the bench looking around the boat with awe as she held onto her suitcase. She had to wait for three others, but for now she could admire the magic she was going to learn here in action!

There were no oars so she knew that magic was likely at play, but what kind of magic? She watched as other boats took off and tried to see if she could see more than what her ears could provide of sloshing water and shadowed movement, but to no avail. Ava pouted for a moment and sighed looking at the lantern hanging off the boat she was on. She wanted to poke it, but with the stunt on the train and this many witnesses she decided it may not be the best time to be messing with things.

Alexa stepped off the train wearing her new robes and hat that constituted her school uniform. A prefect had come to their compartment and told them to put on their robes shortly before the train had arrived. She was here! She was really at Hogwarts!

She had left her luggage on the train, told that it would be delivered to her room, but she felt nervous standing on the platform empty-handed. The one thing she had brought was her prize possession: her wand, which was in her pocket. It was not as though she had ever used it, or even had the inkling of how to do so, but she knew it was important and treasured it.

She saw Clay in the large crowd, the girl was just ahead of her. Alexa quickly scrambled after her, tapping her on the shoulder. "Mind if we go together?" She asked, a little timidly. But she likes Clay, and hoped they could be friends.

Up ahead, far ahead, someone shouted for first years. I suppose that's me, Alexa thought, still amazed (and somewhat disbelieving) that she could be a part of all these people. Wizards and witches!

She walked down the platform with Clay toward a gaudily dressed woman who was making a lantern hover in front of her. It was one of the first magical acts Alexa had seen done overtly, and she couldn't help but stare. Beside her was a man in black robes with tidy hair, and then another man dressed as though from an old movie. Both men had their wands lit up, the tips glowing, and shining a small light about them. These were the people who had called the first years.

She couldn't see them very closely, as she was toward the back of the crowd, but she followed the bunch of students off the platform and toward… A massive lake! The starlight shone down and glittered and sparkled in the moving waters of the lake, and for a moment Alexa was captivated. She barely noticed the fleet of boats on the shore, empty and without oars. When she did notice them, she pointed them out to Clay. "How do they make the boats go, I wonder? I mean, I'm sure it's magic, but…" She trailed off not really sure what she wanted to say.

She approached an empty boat and climbed inside, slipping slightly and landing heavily on her rump on one of the seats. Abashed, she glanced at Clay and laughed softly at herself.

When the boats began to move of their own accord across the lake, Alexa gripped the side reflexively, momentarily afraid. As she got used to the smooth ride, she looked ahead… And gasped.

Across the lake was the biggest castle she had ever seen, with tall battlements, huge towers, great blocks of stone, and the whole thing was filled with flickering lights in windows of varying shapes and sizes. These lights also reflected on the lake, mingling with the starlight, and the effect was grandiose and beautiful.

"That… That must be Hogwarts!"

@Alexa Mackenzie

Clay was just as excited as Alexa, yet she was equally anxious. She all of a sudden realized how serious this was, going to a new magic school full of people she didn't know who could do things she didn't know how to do. She would learn how to cast spells, brew potions, handle beasts, and care for plants. It was like watching a movie until you realized that you were actually in the movie, that it was now you reality.

She was a bit shaken but Clay managed to hop of the train, making her way towards the professor's who were leading the first years. She didn't know where the other girls were, she had gotten lost as everyone forced their way off the train. Most of the students headed off one way while the younger ones, the new students, followed to the professors.

Clay felt a tap on her shoulder. When she turned around she was delighted to find Alexa, the girl from the compartment. It was nice to have some light in this chaos. "Yeah, fine by me." She meant to say it nonchalantly, but she couldn't help but smile; Alexa was really nice to be around in all of this.

They both made their way off the platform, going towards the woods. Clay barely glanced at the professors, having gotten used to the way these people dressed and acted. She smirked as she watched Alexa stare; they were definitely an eyeful.

But that wasn't even the best part. As soon as they cleared the trees they were greeted by the Great Lake. It was more extraordinary that anyone could describe, and Clay wasn't even sure why. Maybe because of the magic that problem lived in it's depths because honestly, it sort of looked like any old big lake, but there was something mystical about it.

Alexa asked about the boats, which Clay only shrugged to. She was clueless as her. "Maybe they enchanted them...or are using telepathy. That's what's in the movies, at least." She was referring to general magic movies.

Students oohed and ahhed, which made her laugh because it was a great sight! But Clay wanted a better view, and she knew that in no time they'd be seeing the castle itself. Luckily Alexa chose one of the first boats, which Clay followed her into. She sat next to her and after it filled up, they are making their way across the waters.

At first all one could see was the water and hear how it lapped against the boats. But in no time the castle itself came into view, in which many, including Clay and Alexa, gasped, astonished by it all.

"That… That must be Hogwarts!" Alexa cried, clearly excited.

Clay gave her funny look; she meant to make a joke but instead found herself staring at her new companion. She couldn't help but notice how pretty Alexa's freckles were...or how pretty she was in general—Oh, hush up, thought Clay, flustered. She didn't know why she thought that.

She cleared her throat and look back at the castle. "Yeah, our new home for the next several months...or really years, actually," said Clay solemnly. She looked back at Alexa. "What are you most excited about for Hogwarts?"

AJ stepped off the train and pulled her robes close around her. She was not used to being so near to water, let alone in the dark and so late in the year. Somehow, the air seemed to hold a chill that she was not sure that she could get used to. Maybe in time.

A sense of unease fell over AJ as she walked away from the train and her belongings. She was told that her items would be waiting for her in her room, but she did not trust that they would make it. When she had been younger, her family had moved several hours away. Most of their belongings had gotten lost in transit, and it made her worried every time she traveled, that if she looked away from her suitcase she might never see it again.

She looked around and spotted a boat that only had one person in it. From this distance, it looked like a girl sitting alone. AJ decided to take her chance and approach. At the edge of the boat, she coughed to get the girl's attention.

"H-hi... My name is AnnieJade. I-I mean, my name is AJ. Mind if I sit with you?"

@Clay McGlinchy

As the little boat made its way across the water in the fleet of its fellows, getting closer and closer to the castle, Alexa could only stare in wonder. Then she clued in to what Clay had the said, and asked. This would be her home for the next several years! Just think of the adventure she could have, the people she could meet, the things she could learn and the friends she could make… It was a little overwhelming.

As she thought about Clay's question, Alexa released her hand from its tense grip on the edge of the boat, and trailed her fingers in the dark water they were passing through. It was freezing cold, and she quickly yanked her hand back, scooting over to be in the middle of the seat, and not close to either edge. She turned back to Clay. "I think I want to learn spells the most. What about you?"

She could only begin to imagine what kind of incredible things she would learn at Hogwarts. She had glanced over her books, but not read deeply into them yet after purchasing them in Diagon Alley. She had read enough, however, to realize that there was more learning to be done here than she could possibly fathom. And these books were only for her first year! She was astounded to think there would be six years after that!

@@AnnieJade Halstead

Ava was just starting to wonder if she would be waiting here all year when a voice had spoken behind her,

"H-hi... My name is AnnieJade. I-I mean, my name is AJ. Mind if I sit with you?"

The brunette looked to the fellow first year with a big grin, "Yeah! Hi! I'm Ava, AJ is a nice name." Scooting towards the edge of the bench the small witch's leg began to bounce a bit in her attempt to contain her energy, Yes! One down, two to go! Oh this was so exciting! First Cassie and Marilyn. Now this girl named AJ! Maybe she should seek out boys after this. Girls could be friends with boys, or maybe a tomboy would do. It was kinda hard to see the girl in the dark, but it didn't stop the girl from trying to see anyways. She was really only seeing a figure in shadows, but hopefully she could find who the stutter belonged to once she was on.

Ava remembered something her mother had said, it was about how shy and quiet people were usually very knowledgeable because they paid attention more. She had one really smart friend, but a second one wouldn't hurt. Plus, Marilyn was adventurous and so was Ava! Maybe Cassie was super adventurous too? Hm...maybe she should just worry about getting to know people instead of trying to describe them so much...

@Alexa Mackenzie

She meant to dip in fingers into the water, too, but Clay changed her mind after seeing Alexa's reaction to the water, which she laughed at. She looked longingly after the castle, wondering what would be in-store for her in the upcoming years. She would be at the school for the next six years like Alexa said. Sometimes that number sounded normal while other times it amazes her, mostly because she would be spending her time at a magic school, not a regular school full of normal people.

Whoa, not normal...I mean...muggles. It was going to take some time for Clay to get used to using that term. She had known about wizards for some time now but she had never spent much time around them, definitely not enough to call some people muggles and others wizards.

Alexa said she was looking forward to learning spells, which Clay nodded her head to. She didn't mind what she learned but she really wanted to know about the most powerful ones. Her current school books were made for novice learners so they were bound not to have anything too advanced, but maybe the school library would have some.

"I want to learn potions and about that thing called... Transformations? No, I think it's Transfiguration. I don't know, it just sounds cool." As cool as changing things into other things could be.

Clay leaned back and gazed up at the stars, resting her arms on the rim of the boat. The sky was clear and beautiful, she wished her grandmother could see. She hoped that she would get a good view in her bedroom, or wherever students were supposed to sleep.

"I hope we get in the same house, at least," she told Alexa, grinning. She pulled out her wand, gazing at it in wonder before pointing it at the castle. "What's yours made of? They said mine is... chestnut wood and snallygaster heartstring. I don't know what a snallygaster is but I also don't think I want to know..."

@Clay McGlinchy

Alexa smiled sheepishly after yanking her hand away from the water when she saw Clay’s reaction. It was cold, though! She realized the lake must be very deep. She wondered if it held as mysterious things as the castle was bound to. It made her look twice into the water, wondering what could indeed be down there.

Her thoughts turned back to the blood status that Meredith had explained on the train. She was a… Muggle-born. That was hard to remember sometimes, but then other times when she had seen magical born children on the train, and how they acted, and all the knowledge they already had, it was easy to remember she was outsider. Is that what a Muggle-born was? An outsider? From the blood status lecture, it seemed that that might be the case, but she desperately wanted it not to be. She was determined to be like any other witch or wizard (and wasn’t it weird to think that she was a witch!) and be just as good at magic as any of them. And especially just as good of a person. She always wanted to be that.

When Clay mentioned Transfiguration, Alexa reminded herself to look at her books that evening after the sorting ceremony. There had just been so much going on and so many thoughts in her head that she had had a hard time focusing on reading any of the texts, but she realizes now she might be behind. She felt foolish; she should’ve taken the time to read them, or at least parts of them! But that could be remedied.

“It does sound cool,” Alexa agreed with Clay, smiling.

When Clay mentioned getting into the same House, Alexa jumped on the idea. “That would be great! You have someone that I already know I like in the same house would be nice.” She blushed slightly at her admission, but it was true: she did like Clay, who seemed very down to earth and straightforward, qualities Alexa appreciated.

In response to Clay’s statement about her wand, Alexa couldn’t help but giggle. “Snallygaster? That doesn’t sound like something I would want to meet! Is it an animal? It must be, to have a heart string. My wand? Oh it’s willow wood with a phoenix feather core. I can’t believe it… That must mean phoenixes are real animals, as well. Amazing…”

She trailed off, distracted as the boat bumped against the far shore of the lake. With a cry of excitement, she leapt out of the boat onto land. “We are here!”