The rest of the train ride went considerably peaceful after Terry lost the game of chess. As the Hogwarts express arrived at Hogsmeade Station everyone got ready to step out of the train.
Everyone stepped outside onto the platform in the cold of the night, the lanternss casted shadows on the stone platform.
"Firs' - years, Firs'- years. This way!" Boomed a voice, they saw a large man holding a lantern himself calling for them. Wilhelm recognised the man as Hagrid, Hogwarts resident half-giant and groundskeeper.
"He's huge." Terry muttered, while Theodore nodded at his words.
The crowd of first years quickly surrounded Hagrid who smiled warmly down at them."Alrigh' then, follow me! Watch yer step, now!"
Hagrid lead the crowd of first years through the outskirts of Hogmeades village, a few lights flickered in the distance but the true beauty of the village was hidden by the night. Soon the group arrived at the docks, Hagrid's voice boomed again as he said,"No more'n four on a boat!"
The Black Lake streatched out before them, reflecting the the starry night. Everyone boarded the boat and soon it began to move forward following Hagrid.
The Hogsmeade village vanished in the night as the Hogwarts castle emerged before them, standing magnificently on the cliff. The castle's tall towers and glowing windows casted a majestic reflection on the lake, making the view truly breathtaking.
The boats docked in the boathouse, Hagrid turned towards the group and explained,"There's a Floo station over in the corner. If any of yeh happen to fall in the lake somehow, yeh can use that instead o' the stairs."
"How would someone even fall in the lake?" someone in the crowd asked, sounding genuinely confused.
"Clearly someone stupid enough to jump off a cliff," Tracey muttered under her breath, earning a snort from Daphne.
"Alrigh', follow along now. Let's not keep Professor McGonagall waitin' any longer," Hagrid said.
---
The group followed Hagrid up the stairs, before two giant door stood Professor McGonagall waiting for the first years.
"Thank you, Hagrid." said McGonagall, as Hagrid nodded and left.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term
banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall,
you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room."
McGonagall went on to explain the four houses and their traits, the points system, how the point system worked and the House Cup.
Wilhelm listen quitely, he already knew it, but sorting too was going to be a crucial choice, where he ended up mattered the most. Wilhelm silently prayed to not get in Gryffindor or Slytherin as both of these houses were the center of attention thoughout the story.
Wilhelm deep in his thoughts completely ignored Harry, Ron and Malfoy's childish banter, the ghosts complaints about peeves, and that Professor McGonagall had returned and was calling out for him.
"Mr. Grehman...Mr. Grehman"
Wilhelm blinked and replied,"Sorry, Professor I was lost in thought."
McGonagall simply nodded and said," Now that I have your attention, everyone form a line and follow me!"
Quickly forming a line the first years followed McGonagall into the great hall. The hall had four tables lined across, students seated on them. Above each table were hundreds of not thousands of candles floating in air, the cealing reflected the night sky outside and infront of them was the teachers table. Wilhelm noted every recognisable figure like Dumbledore, Snape, Filtwick, Hooch, Sprout...
In front of the teachers table was a long stool on which sat an old looking Hat–The Sorting Hat, which started to sing. Wilhelm gazed thought the crowed trying to spot more noticeable figures. As the singing stopped McGonagall picked up the hat and started calling out everyons name.
Hannah Abbot got sorted to Hufflepuff, while Susan Bones was sorted to Ravenclaw. Terry's name was called and Wilhelm patted him on the shoulder soon enough the hat shouted "Ravenclaw". One by one everyone was getting sorted, Tracey went to Slytherin, a guy named Seamus Finnigan was sorted to Gryffindor. Daphne followed Tracey to Slytherin and Hermione Granger went to Gryffindor.
"Grehman, Wilhelm" McGonagall called. Wilhelm walked towards the stool and sat on it. "Hmm, alot of determination I see, ambition too. Hardworking with a bright mind....hmm. better be Ravenclaw."
Wilhelm let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and calmly walked towards the Ravenclaw table,"Welcome to Ravenclaw" said Terry as he patted Wilhelm on the back.
Neville was sorted into Gryffindor and as McGonagall called for another student,"MacDougal, Morag" Wilhelm went in deep thought, he wasn't feeling anything strange which meant his decision to avoid Gryffindor and Slytherin was right.
Once everyone was sorted Dumbledore stood up,"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we
begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit!
Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"
"What?" Asked a confused Terry.
Wilhelm shrugged and said "Could be something meaningful, who knows."
Terry nodded at Wilhelm answer and dug into his feast. After everyone was fed and watered the first years were instructed to follow their prefects, a girl named Penelope Clearwater instructed them to follow her.
As they made their way towards the Ravenclaw common room, Wilhelm analysed the route trying to make a mental map of it.
Penelope explained how they didn't have a password, rather they had to answer a puzzle to enter the common room. The Ravenclaw common room was a wide, circular room. Arched windows were on the walls, where curtains of blue and bronze hung. Outside the window Wilhelm could see the dark mountains. The ceiling was painted with stars, and the floor has a midnight-blue carpet. There were tables, chairs, and bookcases, and in the opposite of the door stood a tall white marble statue.
Wilhelm went to find his bed with Terry and met with two other boys, a dark brown haired boy named Anthony Goldstein and dark haired boy named Michael Corner.
'looks like these three are my roommates.'
---
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter or any of the original elements from the books, movies, or universe. All rights belong to J.K. Rowling and the respective creators. This is just a fanfiction made for fun. I'm not a professional author—just someone who had an idea and wanted to write it down. Please don't expect perfect grammar or writing, I'm doing my best and learning as I go.