A First Year Entrance First Years Only

Interacting with Andrew Vance

The screeching halt of the train made Nick shoot up slightly, a while ago and when the conversation faded away thanks to Andrew falling asleep, Nick followed suit, as he laid his head against the glass and let himself get lost to thought and motion. He shaked his head, his eyes slightly closed and still very much asleep. He rubbed them, he was having a nice dream, and the abrupt ending he got was higly unsatisfying.

Nick muttered some half-response to Andrew's queery, and watched dazed as his buddy found out if they were or weren't at Hogwarts. When Andrew indicated it, Nick followed outside the compartment, "Wait, if we aren't quite at Hogwarts... Then why are we getting off the train?, even when questioning it, he got down the train, following Andrew.

He listened to the Lady explain their luggage would be taken to their rooms, and though feeling a bit uneasy, he didn't want to cause a ruckus, so he kept quiet and followed Andrew to the boat he got in, "Aww Man... Did we have to go on boat?", Nick felt uneasy yet again, "I get a bit nauseous on boats", bad memories surged on Nick's mind, and even when that incident happened a long time ago, he worried his weak stomach still hadn't growed up from that.

Interacting with Nicholas Kingsman

Andrew coughed into his sleeve, a reminder that his cold was still there, as he and Nick worked their way down the aisle of the carriage, sandwiched between a line of students.

“Maybe it’s a side stop?” Andrew guessed, in response to Nick’s remark.

It was evening now, when the two boys stepped off the train and onto the platform. Since breakfast that morning, Andrew hadn’t had anything to eat except for a licorice wand he had bought off the trolley a few hours earlier. Now that he was awake and moving, he was beginning to feel how hollow and empty his stomach was. He hoped he could find some “real food” soon, aside from the leftover licorice wands and chocolate frog that Nick had given him. Speaking of which, he really wanted to brush his teeth right now, after all the sugar he had consumed…

Down by the lake, Andrew settled in his chosen rowboat and waited patiently as the other students were being directed into theirs. He noticed Nick’s hesitation and uneasiness about getting into the boat with him. Andrew had never experienced motion sickness before, so he didn’t think there was anything he could relate, from his own personal experiences, that would make Nick feel more comfortable.

“I don’t think we’re going fast,” Andrew commented, casting his eyes over the calm, mirror-like surface of the lake. There didn’t seem to be any big waves that would cause too much of a rolling motion. “Unless if you wanna swim there,” he teased lightly, his more playful side peeking through, as much as his cold would allow him too, anyways. “But if you do have to throw up, turn your head that way.” Andrew motioned to the left side of the boat, away from where he was sitting on the right side.

When everyone was on board, and the boats self-sailed away, drifting farther and farther from the shore… it was Andrew’s turn to feel uneasy. Glancing down at the shrouded depths of black water below him, he couldn’t help but give a small shudder.

“I hope there’s no monsters down there,” he uttered cautiously. After a few moments, Andrew snapped his gaze straight ahead, so he wouldn’t be tempted to think about the creatures of the lake anymore.

As the boats drew nearer to the school, Andrew’s breath was taken away by the sheer magnitude and size of the castle, the scale of which he couldn’t have imagined would exist outside of storybooks. Coupled with the fact that he was now a wizard… It really did feel like a fairy tale.

Once they reached the docks at the castle, and the students would unload, boat by boat, Andrew would turn to Nick with an anxious, quivered sigh. “You ready?”

Climbing out of the rowboat, Andrew followed after the herd of students, trembling with nervous excitement as he entered through the doors of the castle.

Andrew Vance exits thread

Interacting with Andrew Vance

Sitting on the boat, he could feel the really cold wood, even through his clothes, which brought a feeling of chill to his whole body. Even when they hadn't sailed, the castle was visible, and even from afar, it was huge. The whole shape and general structure depicted by it reminded him of a castle of similar dimensions to this one he saw on a videogame, though that videogame was about killing Dracula, and he doubted that Wizards were high on Vampire Hunting.

Andrew's jokes and comments brough a smile to his face, at least he had a friend with him, so he wasn't all alone on this boat ride that might result on part of his inwards becoming outwards, "Sure, sure, just do the same if you get nauseous for any reason", he joked back, but the boat was indeed not going very fast. His fingers clenched unto fists, awaiting some feeling on his stomach, his fear of showing up like puking would make him show up eclipsed whatever wonders he had at the boat moving on it's own.

However, as minutes passed, nothing happened, and he relaxed, breathing with calm, "Guess my stomach's grown up since... that", he commented, glancing at Andrew with a smile, just when he said something about monsters on the water, "Don't worry dude, I'm sure there are a ton, but they eat much bigger fish than us", he put a sinister smile on his face, then laughing away. Nick never was a kid to grow scared easily, at least not with horror stories, social and actual (Not stories) problems were the ones that got on his nerves.

The rest of the ride went smoothly, Nick got some amazing views at the giant castle, loving the castle itself and hating he didn't bring a camera, his mom would love something like this. When they got there, reality hit Nick, and he felt his stomach full of dread at the sudden realization that he had to enter that World fully, leaving behind his muggle life, for now at least. He looked at Andrew, who asked him if he was ready, which he responded with a bit of a smile with worried eyes, "You betcha I'm not! But screw it! Let's go Andrew!", he tried his best to pull some courage, leaving the boat and following everyone to that big and looming castle.

Nick King exits the thread

Donny was extremely nervous to become a first year. Strictly speaking, he was even more nervous about what house he would be sorted into, but that was just another adventure awaiting his arrival. The night was quite reasonable to Donny, a little humid but the breeze from the lake was just enough to spice up his experience. He followed the group of other awaiting first years, some as equally nervous as he, others confident and eagerly watching their steps. He didn't feel the need to talk, but once in a while he'd hear a few of mesmerized  "Whoa!"'s and small heads turning up to look at the grand entrance of Hogwarts, the stone shimmering at the bottoms of the bridge. 

He finally boarded his boat, he didn't take the time to recognize anyone in his boat, for his eyes were pierced on the view of the castle, each time the candle light shimmering through the stained glass grew bigger as the magical boat neared the land. Then, he found himself saying it, yes, he did a number like this, "Whoa!" a young, greedy look of admiration on his face. He'd be living here for months on end, and it was definitely better then his old house on 17 Forester road, England. 

            

The boat ride was daunting to say the least. As a horde of first years converged on the banks and the loud voice called to order, Isaac stared at the bobbing reflections of the lanterns on the water, gleaming gold. The stars shone above and he felt ridiculous standing in a cloak, but his sorting ceremony was soon, and he was nervous too.

Perched on the bank, all of the other voices blurred away, leaving only his own concentration. The second that the boats were ready to board, he embarked on shaky legs, leaping into the boat.

A splash soared out and a couple of students were soaked, causing them to shout angrily at him. He called a half-apology over his shoulder, but wasn't really concentrating. Suddenly, the boat began to tilt wildly on its own, causing him to yelp. His cloak, already sopping wet, flipped upwards and blinded his face as he fell over.

Good going Isaac. You bloody fool. You just got dry from the train ride! he thought savagely, pulling himself onto his feet. With his soggy shoes, he treaded water, memories of swimming coming back to him. A few powerful strokes sent him back to shore, hopelessly soaked again and ready for his first year.

Well it can't get any worse, can it?

When the train came to a halt, Angellica held her breath as she hugged her copy of Hogwarts: A History she had perused between discussions with peers. She had met people, and as quickly as they had come in contact, life seemed to have taken them apart. The trunks were being taken away, to be found in dorms later that evening after the sorting ceremony. While the older kids were comfortably chatting as they made their way in the opposite direction, the blonde stood on the platform, taking in information, and yet not quite capable of motion beyond a quiet nod.

Soon she was ushered with the other first years to the edges of the lake, nestled in small boats. She had managed to sit on the side, her gaze falling on the darkness that was the water. She could have sworn she saw movement and if she hadn't read about the Giant Squid living within the waters, she might have been scared rather than fascinated. It was odd, she wasn't enjoying being on the water by any means, in fact, she seldom enjoyed the feel of her feet not being on solid ground, yet there was too much data going about for her to overthink her situation. There would be plenty of time for that, but right then, it was all about seeing what she had read about and being mesmerized by the lights ahead.

The castle perched on a small mound in the distance, looming over as they drew closer. The lights were warm, inviting, a sight she wasn't quite familiar with. The amber of the lights held a promise within them she hoped was true. She thirsted for knowledge and power, and Hogwarts had produced some of the world's greatest wizards. Some of the darkest, but mainly the greatest, footsteps she hoped she could follow in. Footsteps she would pursue at any cost in her quest to prove her worth in her father's eyes.

Brielle was nothing but relieved when the train had come to a stop. If she had stayed on any longer she thinks she might have been sick.

Fortunately, Brielle made friends with most of her peers in her compartment. Of course, there was one that didn't like her very much, but Brielle just ignored her.

As all the children were evacuated off the train, she noticed some older children, third year or so, speaking together in groups adequately. Of course, Brielle was a tad bit intimidated by their stares, but she shook it off and followed the rest of the first years to the lines of the lake.

As they reached closer to the marvelous castle, she could see it in all its glory. Brielle was full of mixed emotions; Happy, scared, amazed, nervous... The list went on for her.

As the boat hit the shore, she and the others scrambled out of the boat, while listening to what will take place when we go inside. They told us about the sorting ceremony. Brielle prayed that the sorting hat places her well.

She noticed a Blonde headed girl beside her staring up at the old castle. She carried the book Hogwarts; A history. She seemed so full of joy and pride, and Brielle couldn't help but match it.

As Martyn made his way off of the Hogwarts Express, the great crowd of students ushering him along the path away from the train, he quickly found himself separated from the only person he sort of knew.

Not that it mattered all too much, anyways; now that he was away from the relative privacy of his own small compartment, and back among the mass of his peers, his social anxiety quickly returned. Being stuck in a crowd of so many people at once sucked out any remaining energy he might have had to use to talk to people.

Instead, he found himself turning his attention elsewhere as the First Years were separated out from the rest of the crowd and ushered onto small boats, simultaneously trying to keep up as well as attempting to look over the heads of the other students towards the glow of a building in the distance; he could just make out the top portions of the school, though not in great detail.

Thankfully, blessedly, Martyn seemed to find himself on one of the final boats to push off, which meant that his was slightly less crowded than some of the first ones that had already shoved off into the water. Though some of his fellow passengers entertained themselves with conversation or laughter, for the most part silence quickly settled over them as each of them felt their anticipation rising.

Then, twinkling with light like the stars in the distance, he caught his first full glimpse of Hogwarts, and in that moment all of his anxiety and fears fell away, replaced with a simple thought.

Wow.

Martyn wasn't sure what it was he had been expecting, but his imagination paled in comparison to actually seeing the school for himself. Even from here, before he got close, he could tell it was ancient; yet, at the same time, that age only seemed to lend Hogwarts a silent pride, or strength. Lit in the night by, he assumed, either torchlight or magic, it was impossible for one's eyes not to be drawn towards it. It commanded his attention like he would think it commanded the attention of every other First Year there.

Or maybe not, he thought with a hint of annoyance, as two of the other students on his boat burst into a round of laughter, interrupting the quiet wonder of the moment.

Sighing, he hunched back in his seat on the boat, shrugging it off. It wasn't as if he would say anything to them, anyways, and soon enough he would be able to walk the halls of Hogwarts for himself, and experience its wonder up close. That thought made him smile. Then he thought about the library a place like this had to have, and his smile grew wider, before one of other First Years next to him noticed Martyn smiling to himself and he realized how odd it must be to see him sitting there grinning like a fool.

He turned red and looked down, and remembered once more that he was entering a very different world from the one he had grown up in. He would have to try and get used to constantly being surrounding by the other students, his peers; after so long never getting to spend any time with children his own age, there would have to be an adjustment period before he felt comfortable enough not to burn red or flinch anytime he did something that might draw too much attention to himself.

Martyn simply wasn't a fan of attention.

Hogwarts loomed closer and closer now, as he returned his focus to what lay ahead of him. He could see where the boats were coming to a stop, and the old stairs that wound their way up to the castle proper. Lights glistened along the stairs like they did above, making sure that everyone could see their path clearly.

As his own boat finally came creaking to a halt, and the other students stood and stepped off, Martyn felt his heart race as he followed suit, trying to swallow the lump in his throat as he joined the press of students heading up into the school.

Into Hogwarts.

The place where, he hoped, all of his dreams of adventure might come true.

If he managed to stop being so awkward all the time, anyways.

MARTYN RAND EXITS THE THREAD

I really hope I don’t get motion sickness.

Clara sighed as the slow methodical rocking of the train slowly began to disturb her stomach. Did wizards even have toilets? For her sake and the sake of the magical janitors, she really hoped they did.  She had been lucky enough to find an empty compartment, so at least if she vomited it wouldn’t be on another person.

Usually the brunette was more careful about these things, bringing medicine and distracting herself, but she had thought that with the whole magic thing, they would at least spelled the train to move smoothly. Apparently not though, because her stomach felt like that feeling you get after drinking orange juice and grinding your teeth. After a while, Clara slowly resigned herself to the never ending discomfort and decided to try to take a nap. So far, she hadn’t heard any accounts of anyone vomiting while sleeping, and hopefully she wouldn’t be the first.

When she woke up, the train was coming to a stop. She practically cried in relief, and rushed off the metal vomit trap. What she saw on the outside though was... blinding to say the least.

“Bloody hell,” Clara gaped at the mystical magic lake with a bloody castle,”that thing’s probably worth more than my entire family.” She definitely got some strange looks from other newcomers, but bloody hell this place must be expensive. Maybe if she tried hard enough she could nick a fork of something and support her family for a decade. Her train of thought was cut off by a woman yelling instructions in front. Maybe this being a witch thing would actually be fun.