Arya Chastain lifted her eyes from her book. She spent most of the ride to Hogwarts in a private compartment towards the back of the train reading
Hogwarts: A History. Three other students shared the compartment. Apart from introducing themselves, the students just talked amongst themselves and left her alone to read.
The Hogwarts Express slowly came to a stop. Students excitedly rushed to gather their belongings and exit the train. Arya glanced out the window to see where they’d stopped.
Where’s the Castle? She looked around hurriedly; the Castle was nowhere in sight. She closed her book, slipped it into her bag, and exited the train.
The air was rigid with a soft breeze. The moonlight shone on the lake and illuminated each ripple of water. Off a short distance, cottages and storefronts lined the streets. Arya noticed a sign on the platform that read
Hogsmeade Station. Her mum had told her about Hogsmeade. But even her mum’s descriptions never prepared her for its beauty. Under the moonlight, Hogsmeade looked enchanting and magical.
The students scurried to follow a large man who introduced himself as the
Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts. “
First-years, follow along closely,” the man instructed. He led them to the lakeshore, where several boats sat patiently waiting for riders. Everyone split into groups of six to eight and boarded the floating devices.
‘Ooohs’ and ‘aahs’ escaped the mouths of anxious students. Arya sat in her boat, mesmerized by the sound of the water as they moved closer to the castle. The sound was relaxing, calming even. The closer they got to Hogwarts, the larger the castle appeared. Its size was intimidating. Even so, deep down, Arya felt at ease for the first time in years. It was like the Magic of the moment had stripped away her anxiety and sadness, even if only for a moment.
#
The first-years gathered in the Entrance Hall of the Castle. Conversations and laughter echoed off the ancient stone walls. People in magical portraits moved about and welcomed them to Hogwarts.
After a few moments, a Professor instructed them to follow to the Great Hall. The room was humungous. Four long wooden tables with benches sat evenly spread throughout. Some students had already taken their seats. The professor led the first-year students to the front of the Great Hall.
“
Gather round. Stand here,” the professor told the students. “
In a moment, you will hear your name. When I call your name, step onto the stage and sit here on this stool,” she pointed. “
I will place the sorting hat on your head, and it will decide which Hogwarts House will be your home for the entirety of your time at this school. Your housemates will be your family,” the professor announced.
The professor unrolled a scroll and began reading names off the list. Each student sat on the stool. The professor placed the sorting hat on the students’ heads as they sat down, and the hat sorted them into one of the four Hogwarts Houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. After each ceremony, the students sat at their House Table with the rest of their housemates.
Arya stood shyly towards the back of the group of students. She watched her classmates get sorted into their respective houses. One girl sighed in relief when the sorting hat announced her house as Gryffindor, and she slid off the stool with a huge smile and ran to her House Table. Arya could only assume it was the house her classmate hoped for.
Secretly, Arya wished to be in Ravenclaw. Blue was her favorite color. She had always thought of herself as intelligent and witty. The real reason that Arya wanted to be in Ravenclaw was because her father was in that house during his Hogwarts years. Arya wanted to carry on her father’s legacy in the House he grew up in.
“
Arya Chastain!” the Professor called out her name. Slowly, Arya slithered through the dwindling crowd of first-year students and walked onto the stage. She gulped as she sat on the stool. Her right leg began to involuntarily bounce up and down just as the professor placed the sorting hat on her head. “
No need to be nervous,” the professor added as Arya looked down at her feet.
The hat sat on her head for about a minute. “
Hmmm,” it started. “
You’ve experienced great loss in your life,” the hat whispered. “
I see bravery, intelligence, and determination. But where should I put you?” it asked. “
You would do amazing things in Gryffindor…”
The sorting spoke to her and told her how great she could become in each Hogwarts House. As it talked, she whispered, “
Please say Ravenclaw, please.”
“
Ravenclaw? Are you sure?” the hat asked.
Arya tightly closed her eyes, “
Please, please, please…”
“
Well, if you're positive,” the hat said. “
It better be Ravenclaw!” The sorting hat announced Arya’s house to the entire school. The Great Hall erupted in applause. Cheers flooded her ears from her house table. She smiled and slumped on the stool in relief. She jumped down off the stool and joined her fellow Ravenclaws at the Ravenclaw table. She sat down, and several of Arya’s housemates patted her on the back and welcomed her to Ravenclaw. Her smile grew, and Arya thanked her housemates.
I’m going to have the best first year ever! 