Aftermath

Chapter 3: The Sorting

“Firs’ years over ‘ere!” He called, beckoning with huge hands. “Firs’ years come t’me!” I glanced at the other three.

“I guess we go over there, then,” Kaitlyn said, and we made our way through the crowds, joining the growing group of other, equally scared students, gathered in front of the man.

“Is tha’ all o’yer?” the giant man asked us. “Righ’ come on then. Down t’the docks!” We followed him down a dusty path surrounded by trees, staring around in wonder. I myself had only seen as many trees in Hyde Park, and was particularly enthralled.

Gasps from those at the front told me we had arrived at our destination - a deep black lake that glistened and shimmered in the light of the half-moon. It appeared I was not alone in my gasps of amazement and wonder at the beautiful reflections created by the gently rolling waves of water. Bobbing gently on the expanse was a small fleet of boats, each with a little lanterns attached, moored against a jetty that I hadn’t noticed before.

“No more’n five to a boat!” the large man called as we scrambled to get seats with our friends. I ended up squashed between Oscar and another girl who I had never seen before in my life. She smiled at me as she sat down, brushing her long, dark hair away from her face to reveal pretty blue eyes and a dreamy expression.

“I’m Morgan,” she introduced herself, holding out her hand for me to shake. I took it happily.

“Rosi,” I replied, returning her smile.

“Is tha’ everyone settled? Alrigh’ then - forward!” the large man commanded, and the tiny fleet of boats containing us jerked into motion, sliding smoothly across the surface of the lake. The large man lead us in his own boat, as we oohed and aahed at the scenery. “You’ll get yer firs’ sigh’ o’the castle jus’ round this corner,” the large man told us. Gasps of delight followed his words, as Hogwarts came into view.

The castle itself was beautiful, with firelight flickering in the windows and inviting us in. It stood magnificently tall, with towers of stone reaching to the sky. It stood on a raised plateau next to the lake, surrounded by mountains and shining in the moonlight.

Yet even I, a muggle until last month, could see the signs of the recent battle. Parts of the castle wall were still missing, the burnt stumps of trees littered the plateau and one tower looked as if it had never been fixed: a huge chunk had been gouged out, leaving a gaping hole. The castle was scarred with blackened bricks and broken walls.

We soon arrived in a small dock underneath the castle, where we climbed out of our boats and stood, shivering, to the side. I did a quick headcount, noting that there couldn’t be more than forty of us in total. I wondered if the intake was always so low, my mind wandering back to the battle.

We soon arrived at a small dock beneath the castle, and clambered, shivering, out of the boats. I was surprised by how cold it was; we were barely out of summer! It was then that I remembered that Hogwarts was in Scotland. Explains a lot, I thought, grinning to myself.

The large man lead us up some stairs, through a door and up some more stairs, until finally we reached a classroom sized space with large oak doors on one side and the smaller oak door we had come in by. I clutched Oscar’s hand, suddenly nervous. What if I wasn’t a witch? Would they send me home again?

“What happens now?” I whispered to Oscar. My answer was the large oak doors swinging open briefly to allow the entrance of a severe-looking woman in long, flowing robes and a tartan pointed hat.

“Thank you, Professor Hagrid. You may continue on to join the high table,” she addressed the large man, who nodded and slipped out of the double doors as discreetly as one of his considerable size could manage. The stern faced woman turned to face us, her eyes sweeping our quivering faces.