The Diary of Hermione Granger

September 1st, 1991

I am shocked. I'm a witch! Even though I'm already here, I'm utterly bewildered at the thought of me doing magic and being a witch. I met two boys who are my age on the Hogwarts Express named Ron Weasley and Harry Potter. I read about Harry in a few books I bought at Flourish and Blotts (a wizard bookstore), such as The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts. He was only a year old when he survived the killing curse (which no one else has) his parents were murdered by a dark wizard called You-Know-Who. Harry even defeated him in the same night! Anyways, when I arrived at Hogwarts I was completely mystified! Hogwarts is a gigantic and absolutely gorgeous castle! Especially at night, when all the candles and lanterns glow and light up the island holding this monstrous school. When we arrived, we first years met a witch named Professor Minerva McGonagall, who gestured us up the marble staircase and welcomed us to Hogwarts. Almost at once she told us that we would be sorted into our houses. Hogwarts has four houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Each house is named after the four founders of the school, Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin. Then, after momentarily walking into the Great Hall, she returned telling us that the rest of the students were ready for us.
I was tentative to walk in. I let out a gasp as I entered the Great Hall. It is truly breathtaking! I read in Hogwarts A History by Bathilda Bagshot that the ceiling was bewitched by the four founders to look like the night sky. When I told my fellow first years this, the looked at me with utter shock! Honestly, am I the only one out of the all the first years (maybe even the whole school) who read all the course books and memorized them? When my name was called, I was completely nervous. To be sorted into a house, Professor McGonagall places an old wizard's hat on your head and that hat (which can think and speak), decides which house you belong in. After sitting a few moments on my bushy head and contemplating on putting me in Ravenclaw, the Sorting Hat finally made up its mind. "GRYFFINDOR!", it shouted out.
I grinned and sighed in relief. I was utterly pleased about being put into Gryffindor. I read on the train that it is the best and most favored house at Hogwarts. Some of the most famous witches and wizards were in this house! Even Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster, himself was a student in Gryffindor. He is one of the most powerful wizards that have ever lived. The Gryffindor table was the long and second table off to the left. As I was walking there my fellow classmates cheered for me and I had my hand shaken and hugged. I continued to watch my fellow first years be sorted. The two boys i met on the train, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter, were both also sorted into Gryffindor. Harry got the loudest cheer out of all of us, and the other houses looked jealous of us for getting the famous Boy Who Lived. All except for Slytherin, who look like quite an unhappy lot. After everyone had been sorted, Professor Dumbledore stood up from his throne like chair and gave a small speech. He introduced us to our Head of House. For the Gryffindors, we have Professor McGonagall, who teaches Transfiguration. Ravenclaw's is a tiny wizard by the name of Professor Filius Flitwick, who teaches Charms. Hufflepuff's Head of House is Professor Pomona Sprout, a plump witch with flyaway gray hair who teaches Herbology. Last but not least, Slytherins have Professor Severus Snape, who teaches Potions. Like his students, he looks quite unhappy and moody, maybe even more so. Apparently all of the students (excpet for the Slytherins of course), despise Professor Snape. Even some of the other professors don't trust him!
After Professor Dumbledore introduced the Heads, he lifted his hands and exclaimed "Let the feast begin!". And feast it was! Before my eyes, magically like nothing I've ever seen before, piles upon piles of delicious, decadent main courses and sides. And the desserts! They looked so elegant and mouthwatering. While I was eating dinner I talked to Percy Weasley (Ron's older brother) about classes. He said we'll start out small, and then progress our way up as the year goes on. After our fantastic meal, the Headmaster sent us up to our Common Rooms so we could get some rest. Percy guided us first years to the Gryffindor Common Room. He told us to keep an eye on the staircases because apparently, they like to change. Also, he showed us some of the portraits hanging on the walls. I find them quite fascinating. They even move and talk! Some of them were ever so polite, welcoming us to Hogwarts. However, Percy told us that some of them can be quite rude.
When we get to our Common Room we found a portrait of a plump lady in a pink dress. She opened her mouth and asked in a surprisingly deep voice, "Password?". Percy replied with "Caput Draconis", and when the portrait door flew open, every first year gasped awestruck by the beauty of the Common Room. Scarlet colored couches and armchairs were placed all around the room. Some of them surrounded a cozy and inviting fire place. Instantly, I began to feel at home from all the warmth and coziness. Percy directed us to our designated dormitories. The boys are up the stairs and on the right, the girls, the same on the left. I walked up the stairs to my dormitory, which I'm sharing with three girls who are also first years. Their names are Parvati and Padme Patil, and Lavender Brown. The second I opened the door, I felt at home once again. The smell of burning fire wood and freshly washed cotton bedding was so welcoming and comforting. The four of us girls each chose a bed to sleep in and the bed we chose was the one we'd stay in for the rest of our Hogwarts career. I chose the one next to the window, which is where I'm sitting at right now. The view from this window is unbelievable! After settling in, I pulled my dressing gown out of my trunk, changed out of my school uniform and robes and pulled the clean and soft gown over my head.
My head is a whirlwind from today. The significance of it all is just too much. But for now, I'm going to bed. I'll probably dream of how my first year at Hogwarts will turn out. I'm sure it'll be one of the most memorable years of my entire life!
Hermione J. Granger