Finished First Year Entrance 2022-2023

"This is nuts... like really nuts..."
Cal looked up at the massive castle that loomed over the vast lake. All the students seemed to be blown away by the castle, and it was no wonder. Hogwarts was astonishing. The dim moonlight that lit the castle made it seem even more mystical and surreal. Climbing into a boat and launching with the others, Cal could barely make out the features of his classmates. Cal picked up the lantern from the boat and held it to better illuminate the now occupied vessel. Now equipped with a light source, he could see the excited faces that surrounded him.
Making their way across the lake, Cal was so caught up in his own thoughts and anticipations of reaching the shore, that when a loud crack of thunder rang out and lightning illuminated the sky, he dropped the lantern into the water.
"Uhhhh im... Im sorry!" he exclaimed to the others in the boat.
"Great" he thought. "Good first impressions I'm making..."
As embarrassing as it was, Cal was quickly drawn back to the situation at hand, as the castle loomed ever closer as the boats drifted across the lake. It wouldn't be long before they docked...

Action - Join Boat 6

Turbulent Travels

Thunder rumbled across the sky as the group neared the castle. A few of the students were clearly rattled by the storm, which definitely did not help any nerves they likely already had for their first day. A chilling wind blew across the Great Lake, pushing away any remnants of haze that had been sitting on the surface of the water. As the fog dissipated, the view of the castle fully came into view. The tippy-top of the castle towers pierced the sky, their windows alit with flickering candlelight.

It seemed some of the students had begun to get more comfortable with those in their boats, and others had decided to sit tight and quiet until the wait was over. Fin's gaze swept over the students, who (thankfully) weren't trying to go swimming tonight. The boats drew closer together, as their journey was nearing an end. The tight formation allowed easier conversation to happen between the boats, as well as seeming just close enough to climb from one to the other.

The caretaker looked at the student in her own boat as he introduced himself. She offered him a comforting smile. "Finley, Miss Finley. It's nice to meet you, Sebastian.". She cleared her throat, and spoke to the group. "Right, anyone have any questions before we arrive? Because once this evening starts, there won't be time to think until your head hits your pillow."

CRACK!

Another bolt of lightning came crashing down, nearly touching the water right next to boat three (Marcela, Alora, Crystal and Efelion). The crack of thunder rang strong as a few small drops of rain landed on the water. The winds of the storm began to pick up, and the boat in front, boat one (Finley, Farron, Sebastian and Calista), began to rock from side to side, pushing the passengers against the sides of the wooden vessel.

"We're almost there, everyone! Just a bit farther, keep holding on!"

All Aboard! → Off We Go... → KaBOOM! → Turbulent Travels → ???

ACTION: Joining boat 6

Olive had been on edge a lot for one day already and the day wasn't even over. Anxiety, fear, excitement, hope, frustration and some pain. Before leaving home, she was afraid something would go wrong and she would never leave. At the train station there was lots going through her head - leaving her previous life behind while contemplating both sides, choosing the unknown. And in the train, she was so anxious about meeting new people, trying to...and failing. In every step, a storm of emotions overwhelming her. If it wasn't for the fear of being taken back home, she would have fallen asleep on the way to Hogwarts. There was still some adrenaline keeping her going, and she was used to it.

At the edge of the Black Lake, the expected nervousness about being around new people again just wasn't there. It had been defeated by the stillness of the nightfall. As if darkness pushed the noise away and people's agitation was forced to be held inside. It felt peaceful. Olive didn't exactly enjoy being in the dark but partial darkness was particularly pleasant to her. At that moment, after what felt like a battle, Olive felt like she was finally in her element and could relax a bit. When she heard the sound of a thunder, she felt welcomed by nature into this new place. There was something about thunders and lightning that made her feel safe. As if a stronger force was on her side, watching over her. A nice cold wind blew the haze away and it was as if that same force, her welcoming friend, had opened the curtains to show her her new home. What a view!

All the way until this point Olive was desperately looking for signs that she was welcome here, accepted. She looked for it in people's eyes, but was too afraid to look longer than a couple of seconds. Most first years (if not all of them) may be feeling something similar but fear does this weird thing in people's heads that make them thing that they are the only ones who are scared. It keeps them quiet, you see? But nature is never shy, it invites you in. You just need to join in her dance, let her lead, and above all, learn how to appreciate it.

The storm was a welcome song which Olive enjoyed and drank in like hot tea in a cold night. She knew that once she got to the castle, anxiety would come to fight her again. So she let drank it all in and felt the noise inside fade.

date: sep.1 | place: great hall | english | mandarin | action join boat 6

She had thought that the platform behind the pillar was the most surprising thing that had ever happened to her. Well, she was wrong. So very wrong.

The night breeze welcomed Ayuna out of the Hogwarts Express. She stepped down from the train with her pigtails swaying behind. I hope there won't be a storm, she thought, crossing her fingers behind her back. The girl was wearing a simple white t-shirt with blue rims and matching blue shorts. Her dark brown hair was neatly tied into two pigtails with black ribbons.
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Ayuna sat on boat six, feeling the comfortable waves rocking the boat back and forth. She liked it, that feeling, and so she relaxed, inhaling and exhaling the fresh air. All her worries and anxiety seemed to melt, as she enjoyed this one-of-a-kind boat ride.

CRACK! Lightning struck the river, slightly missing a boat. Ayuna jumped, "妈呀！" OMG!, she shouted, breathless and scared. All the relaxation melted like ice in an oven, replaced by another hot wave of fear.

"We're almost there, don't lose your head." Ayuna kept saying to herself, she wanted to make a good impression among her teachers and students. As the magnificent castle loomed nearer and nearer, her heart was how filled with excitement with a bit of nervousness.

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Edward had lost sight of Reynard and the other kid from the train but he followed the crowd of other first year students. A woman waved at them and shouted they should leave their luggage behind and introduced herself as Finley Greer.
Edward wasn't very fond of leaving his precious books behind but he had no choice. The boats, which they were shown to board were not big enough for a huge trunk.

As he arrived at the lake, six of the boats were already full of students, so he climbed into the seventh one. He got into the boat and waited excitedly, with a huge grin on his face. Soon he would see the castle.
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When all students were seated in a boat, the boats started moving without anyone moving them. Like magic.
Of course! We are heading to a magic school, Ed thought but could not help thinking how cool and at the same time creepy that was. The train had at least felt like muggle trains.
They moved across the lake and the castle was still out of sight and the suspense was getting unbearable.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning lit up the view and a rumbling thunder followed just after it. Edward flinched in shock. He had been so focused on getting to see the castle that he had not noticed the coming storm. Normally not afraid of thunderstorms, he was suddenly scared. They were on the water! Every child knows that it's dangerous! Why would they still let us get into the boats on a huge lake? he thought.

But he had no choice than to trust Miss Greer and in the next lighting, he finally saw the castle and the thunderstorm was forgotten for a moment.
Wow, what a view. The castle was bigger and higher than Edward had imagined. He had seen pictures but it was nothing compared to the view from the lake that they got. Even without the lightning, he could see the silhouette with all the towers right in front of them. It was beautiful!

However, he had not much time to sit in awe when a further lightning bolt came crushing down, almost hitting the water next to another boat. The storm was pushing some boats to move left and right.
Edward hoped that the trip was over soon and they would be safe inside the castle.

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403

Green: Speaking in Romanian
Purple: Speaking English
Blue: One of her siblings is speaking
Action: Joining boat 7

Outfit

Reducio

Thorn had lost sight of her brothers after getting off the train. It was a nice break from all the chaos as it was not a very pleasant train ride. She made her way to the great lake where she got into a boat and sat next to a red haired boy. Of course there had to be a storm and as the rain came down she shivered. The waves on the lake were making the boat rock from left to right. It wasn't a very comfortable boat ride but the lake was still beautiful. As hogwarts came into view she was absolutely flabbergasted. It was everything her brothers had described to her she was so excited to get inside and be sorted. She turned to the boy next to her. "It's beautiful isn't it, I'm Thorn by the way, Thorn Cullen and you are? she said sticking out her hand to the boy. The boats finally made it to the other side of the lake and bumped gently against the dock. She quickly got out leaving her boats leaving her boat mates behind and bounded up the stairs to the castle she couldn't wait to be apart of hogwarts.

@Edward Foxe

Alex was exhausted by the time the train pulled into the station. The idea of food wasn't near as appealing as a warm bed. She felt a slight pang of homesickness for her own quiet room and the books she kept nearby like dreamcatchers behind her head. She wondered idly if her grandparents were settled in for the night, her grandmother stitching up some clothes, her grandfather catching the last bit of news for the day.

“First years, you’re with me! Leave your luggage behind, please!”

Instantly her tiredness was replaced by nerves as she made her way along with the other first years toward the dark-haired woman. Behind her was a row of small wooden boats on the edge of a massive body of water that reminded her of the harbor in Irvine. The castle in the distance was unlike anything she'd ever seen. It looked almost like a toy, with its twinkling lights reflecting off the still water. A spear of lightning licked the sky behind its rooftops, giving it more of an eerie vibe.

“Go ahead and pick a boat, sit with whoever you’d like. Just no more than FOUR to a boat. Got that? Four. Ready… Go!”

Suddenly she felt like she was at the school gym, waiting to be picked for a team. She hoped she wouldn't impose on anyone as the first six filled with the students in front of her. Awkwardly she clambered into the seventh boat and tried to mind the personal space of the others as she sat.

At the command of the Caretaker, the boats swiftly began to move. Alex was no stranger to the sea. She had been in rowboats, sailboats, and motorboats. But this...

Her knuckles were growing white with the strength she used to anchor herself to her wooden seat. She had half a mind to jump into the water and swim back to shore; however, there was something different about this lake that kept her firmly in place.

The storm was growing closer. The wind was slowly finding its strength, and lightning flashed across the sky, shadowed by heart-rumbling thunder. Alex liked storms, but her face grew pale as a blindly close strike lit up the water. She could have sworn something was under her boat. Just as she was trying to get a better look, the rain finally arrived, a single fat drop landing on her face.

"Magic schools sound much more charming in books." She whispered.

The trip to Hogwarts was exciting, all of us first year students were very excited and wanted to get there as soon as possible. I traveled in a compartment with Mary, that girl I told you I met in Diagon Alley and Nay another nice girl, they are now my best friends. On the train we had a great time playing together, laughing, eating.... At the end of the trip a girl came to tell us that we had to put on our tunics. We thanked her and put them on to be ready when they announced we were arriving. When we arrived Miss Finley Greer the Hogwarts caretaker was waiting for us. We had to get on boats to cross the lake, they were boats of four, I was in boat 7. I went with more companions but unfortunately I don't remember their names. The boat ride was thrilling, the boat would lurch and we would get scared and then start laughing. Although it wasn't all laughter, I also had a thought:
While we were in the boat I thought that I was sure that I would love Hogwarts and even if that wasn't the case it was worth it to come.

A flood of students poured out of the train, most of them confidently peeling away from the mass of people and going towards the pathway to the castle. Finley shouted, “First years, you’re with me! Leave your luggage behind, please!” She waited a few moments as the incoming year of students began to congregate around her. She waited a minute or two before repeating herself.“Right then, everyone here? Good. I’m Miss Finley Greer, caretaker of Hogwarts castle. And this," she gestured to her red-headed friend, "is Professor Farron Horne. You'll get to know her very well in your astronomy classes going forward. Pleasure to meet you all. Tonight, you’re getting a special view of where you’ll be spending your next seven years, as we’ll be traveling to the castle by boat. After that, you’ll all be taken to the Great Hall for your sorting ceremony. These two things only happen once during your time at Hogwarts, so make the most of it, okay? Take a hold of every moment.” Finley stepped aside, revealing the wooden boats that would whisk us to are new home. “Go ahead and pick a boat, sit with whoever you’d like. Just no more than FOUR to a boat" Finley said. I got on boat 8 and waited for more students. It felt so cold on the water wish I could of had a coat on to keep me warm I was a nemec. So I got cold a lot.the boats instantly began to glide away from the dock. I glanced around and admired the lanterns swaying and the stars glinting in the sky overhead.I leaned over the edge to see how the water looked like. It was so dark I was praying that I don't fall in I am scared of water I can't see in. The light fog descending over the lake added to the fantastical atmosphere.

The cool night air brushed a refreshing flush of pink across Atticus's sunburned cheeks. As he wiped the exhaustion from his eyes, he considered briefly that he had never been particularly opposed to the cold despite being raised in a warmer climate. He found that as he spent more time out in the sun in the blazing spring and summer months, his body would impatiently yearn for the crisp, cool air of autumn. And on a night this clear, there was no use in complaining about temperature anyways. Every star in the vast cosmos was seemingly visible over the dark lake, greeting the first years with their pleasant twinkling as they all piled out of the train. Atticus couldn't help but stop and stare wide-eyed up at the stars, pulling his coat back over his shoulders as other first-years bumped and pushed their way past him. Suddenly, a loud shout pulled his thoughts away from the stars,

"First years, you’re with me! Leave your luggage behind, please!”

He and all of the other first years hurriedly began to walk towards the woman, awaiting instruction. After a while, the woman introduced herself as Finley Greer, and pointed the students in the direction of the boats they were to take across the Great Lake. Atticus eyed the boats suspiciously, but as other students began to pile in, he followed and hopped into the boat on the very end of the line, Boat 8.

Selecting Boat 8.

Once all of the first years had scrambled into the boats, Finley called out and grabbed their attentions once again;

"Right then, everyone ready? Forward”

At her command, the boats instantly began to glide away from the dock. Atticus glanced around and admired the lanterns swaying and the stars glinting in the sky overhead. He leaned over the edge to see what machine they had used to make it seem as though the boats row themselves, but was amazed to find that there was no machine! The light fog descending over the lake added to the fantastical atmosphere that was infectious amidst the excitable first years. Atticus nearly jumped out of his skin as the sky suddenly lit up with a stray bolt of lightning and a crack of thunder rumbling across the water.
The boats pushed onwards, the small waves of the Great Lake gently lapping against the wooden structures. Some of the students had wide grins plastered across their faces, others looked pale as they gripped the sides of the rocking boats. The sky became light as the day for a moment as a massive bolt of lightning jetted through the sky overhead, a massive clap of thunder immediately following. The boats shook with the force of the noise, but not enough to jostle anyone into the water (at least, as long as they were sitting, that is).
The storm raged long after the boats made it to shore, and several of the students were clearly shaken up. A chilling wind blew across the Great Lake, pushing away any remnants of haze that had been sitting on the surface of the water. As the fog dissipated, the view of the castle fully came into view. Atticus felt his breath catch in his throat at the massive size of the castle. He could only imagine what the inside looked like, and how would he ever learn all the corridors?
For the rest of the ride across the lake, he could only feel his anxiety rising.