Chapter 20

It is nighttime at Hogsmeade station, the train blows its whistle and pulls into outside the station. Hagrid walks along the side aisle, with a lantern. People, in their robes, begin pouring out of the train.While Hagrid shouted"Right, then! First years! This way, please! Come on, now, don't be shy! Come on now, hurry up!"

Harry and Hermione, were now in their robes and walked up to as Hagrid saw harry and greeted" Hello, Harry."

Harry gave small smile and replied" Hey, Hagrid." with Hermione, Daphne, and Tracy beside him as Ron who was following Harry looking at Hagrid could only say"Whoaa!"

Hagrid with a smile said" Right then. This way to the boats! Come on, now, follow me." Hagrid guided, a large number of boats as Ron tried to sit on the same boat as Harry but couldn't as he saw Harry was with Hermione, Daphne, and Tracy. Ron mentally cursed Daphne and Tracy for getting close with Harry as he went on another boat. As the boat went across a vast lake, where up ahead a huge castle, known as the Hogwarts Castle, can be seen. Everyone was in awe with it as Hermione smiled and said"It looks beautiful."

They continue on further towards the castle. Later on, the first-year students walk in the castle, and up the staircase.we see Professor McGonagall is waiting. She taps her fingers on a stone railing, and then goes to the top of the stairs to greet the newcomers.McGonagall with a stoic face said" Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule-breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup." A scared-looking boy called Neville Longbottom spotted his toad sitting near McGonagall. He jumps forward. Neville yelled" Trevor!" he catches his toad; McGonagall stares down at him as some of the students laugh as said" Sorry" and went backs away, embarrassed as Harry felt bad for him. Also, he whispered, "This is a form of controlling students with peer pressure as when you lose points you will be under the scrutiny of the entire house, also these points and house cups don't matter outside in the real world as no one will ask how much points you got for your house nor will they ask if you won the house cup,only thing matters is your owls and newts."Hermione was thoughtful then nodded and as did Daphne and Tracy.

McGonagall with same stoic expression spoke" The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily. she looked at Harry for a second but he ignores it as she with slight sadness leaves to go into the Great Hall.A boy, with short blonde hair, speaks up"It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."Some of the students started whispering, "Harry Potter?" Draco went introduces his two friends" This is Crabbe and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy...Draco Malfoy." Ron snickers at his names Draco in anger questioned" Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley. Well, soon find that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." extends his hand to Harry as he just said, "I must Heir of Malfoy family to call Daphne and Tracy the wrong sort."Draco immediately knew he messed up as he quickly went away as the Malfoy family was already having problems dealing with Lord Blake's faction and their family history with the muggles were released which although was suppressed by Lucius it still got out to all the major houses which caused the Malfoy Families standing among the dark families to fall.Now if both both Lord Greengrass and Lord Davis knew about this he knew he was done for as he stayed away from Harry and his friends.

Daphne with smirk whispered"That was very slytherin of you."Harry shrugged and replied"I don't need a house to say if I can be loyal,brave or cunning.After all everyone can have these traits in them it's just when you use them."

Soon Mcgonagall leads everyone through two large doors and into the Great Hall, where there are four long tables with thousands of students, as well as floating candles. The roof appears to be the sky.

Hermione explained"It's not real, the ceiling. It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."