Dani was honestly a bit surprised by the severity of Acacia's disdain for Gryffindor, as the man from the Ministry had presented all of the Houses as more or less equal, though it was entirely possible that he was supposed to present an unbiased opinion to avoid giving the students the impression that one House was significantly better than the others. Acacia's opinion seemed to be more honest and reliable, especially concerning the fact that she had two brothers in the House.

In short, Dani found herself feeling a little apprehensive about the possiblity of her ending up in Gryffindor. There was almost no way she was going to end up in Slytherin, as she wasn't a very good leader-type person. "What about the other two?" Dani wrote on her board, feeling that she was probably going to end up in one of those and wanting to know what they were like. "Are they as bad as Gryffindor?"

It was then that Acacia replied to Luke's offer of joining him in meeting new people on the train, explaining that she wanted to look at the textbooks and that there would be plenty of time to meet new people once they arrived. "I'll stay here for now. Writing and walking is hard to do at the same time," Dani wrote, showing the board to the both of them.

Almost immediately after, an individual who was obviously a member of the faculty stuck her head into the cart and advised Luke to move quickly if he was in fact planning on going to a different cart, citing their proximity to Hogwarts and a sharp bend down the track as reasons for her advice. What was more unnerving than her sudden appearance was the fact that she didn't seem to be in a hurry to leave afterwards, providing, at least for Dani, a feeling of discomfort.

She tried to ignore it, however, continuing her conversation with Acacia. "Which textbooks are you interested in the most?" Dani wrote, turning to Acacia once they knew what her decision on the matter was. She did hope that Luke wouldn't be upset with her, but he hadn't spoken up much at all, and so she wasn't as concerned as she normally would have been.

Out of all of his family, Jake was the most adventurous of them all. He had convinced his parents to let him go into the village and play with the kids there. His parents had thought it was crude but Jake liked it. It made him feel special among the kids being the only magical user. He was brave enough to risk eating those beans even though there was a high chance of getting a nasty one. So he was not afraid of anything but muggle food freaked him out. It was all chocolate and vanilla in some combination. These cookies seemed to be similar. They were odd to say the least. However Jake did eat chocolate frogs, which would have freaked his new friends out to no end. If they were reluctant with something as simple as Every flavor beans, a moving chocolate that looked like a frog would incite panic.

Jake grabbed an Oreo and examined it like it was a rare treasure he had found. He was amazed by how simple it was. The muggles seemed to do this a lot. Have simple things that were so easy to them. Jack took a small bite and his eyes lit up. "Wow that is really good!" He said eating the rest smiling at Roze. Then Devlin pulled out another Muggle snack. This time some sort of chocolate spread? Why did the muggles obsess over chocolate? It was not that great. Jake preferred something more sweet but his companions seemed to think otherwise. He nodded at Devlin "Thanks man. " He said putting a small bit of it on a cracker. He took a bite and he liked. Just not as much as the Oreo. It was the hazelnuts most likely. That was another muggle thing he did not get but he smiled at Devlin all the same. "Wow that was good. Different but good. " He said nodding as he looked out the window.

"I just remembered something. My brothers mentioned baseball when they were no holiday in America. Said it was like being a Beater. Hitting a ball with a bat but the ball was lighter and not trying to hit your opponent with it and bases?" Jake asked trying to sound like he knew what he was talking about at all. "If you like that you might make a great Beater!" He exclaimed proud of himself for getting that. Martin looked up as if these outbursts were normal. "I am fast so I am a decent keeper. " He explained figuring that he and Devlin had a liking of sports even if it was the opposite side of the magical spectrum. "My dad is a Puddlemere United fan but mum likes the Montrose Magpies. All about locations. I'm a Puddlemere boy myself. " He said not explaining what that meant. He tended to do that.

Roze smiled in agreement with Jake, glad that he enjoyed it. She was looking forward herself to indulge in the sweets of the wizarding world - but she might just avoid the beans for a bit.
Taking a cracker and dipping into the nutella - damn, she loved nutella - she thanked Devin and nibbled it contently. As the conversation swiftly veered towards Quidditch, her hair developed a few purple streaks among the dark blonde as her curiosity sparked. Quidditch was definitely something she wanted to look at - it wasn't really the same, reading about it, and she'd never even seen someone fly on a broomstick before, having lived in a muggle community.
"My brother was Beater for the Gryffindor team when he was here." She stated, finishing the cracker, then feeding Sora a cat treat. "According to him, he reckons I'd be a good Chaser. I'm good at working out where people are going to, you see." she said, then paused. "And I suppose I'm quite fast, but I've never been on a broomstick before. Besides, first years aren't allowed on the teams, are they?" She queried, frowning slightly as she thought back to the letter she had received a few months back.

Devin still glanced at Roze's hair every so often as the group started to talk about quidditch. He understood the basics just like Jake seemed to grasp baseball. "That is a start." He said cheerfully to the magic borns survey of baseball. He dipped his knife into the chocolate whip and then started to wash the knife over a piece of bread. He wished he had been able to get some peanut butter as well but it was crazy expensive on this side of the Atlantic.

Devin had consumed every bit of knowledge about the sport and was proficient enough to know the positions he was even up to,date on some of the teams that play with his family being fans of the United team Jake mentioned. He was confident in his athletic ability with muggle sports but the thought of flying around had him on edge. Devin even got a chance to ride a broom though he didn't trust himself on it. Still it was healthy competition and it got him excited.

"The beaters are the enforcers of the team like in hockey." He said thinking it was a better connection to a muggle sport. "Keeper is the same as a goalie in hockey and soccer. Chasers are the forwards or strikers depending on how they position themselves on the field and the keeper is in a league of their own." Devin then muttered another comment though not loudly. "Though that shouldn't be how they play."

He could hear himself fall into his excited sports tone so Devin pulled back somewhat. He was self aware enough to sometimes catch himself before he went too far and being surrounded by a magical train still had him pretty self conscious. "I would be comfortable with being a keeper as well." It was the managing position. A role Devin had played in nearly every sport he played. He was a point guard in his coed basketball team. Catcher in his colt league baseball team and goalie on his hockey team. If he could he would have had a longer list, but there are only some many seasons in a sports year.

As he heard the two talk about speed Devin couldn't help but turn commentator. "Speed isn't important for those positions. It's reflexes and hand eye coordination. As he looked the two up and down he could already tell he was assessing them the way he would his friends when picking teams for a pickup game. "If I were to place you I would put you at forward midfielder." He said pointing to Jake. "And you I would want playing Seeker. My way not the positions way..." His tone went low like he was continuing the thought but in his mind. He snapped out of it and apologized.

"Sorry. I really like sports..." Devin didn't blush but he did feel like he made the room awkward. He glanced out the window for a moment to see the rush of green hillsides fly by.

Luke looked at the teacher who was roaming the hall of the train car. She seemed like a strict teacher. She was kind of scary looking, and Luke had no interest in making enemies in the faculty so early in the semester. Luke nodded his head with a "yes, ma'am," as he took her advice and left for another cart.

He would much rather get into trouble, without the woman looking over his back so he decide to head for the opposite end of the car, he was exploring after all. As he reached the end of the car he looked though the window and saw two boys talking with a girl about sports. It was a better conversation starter to get to know some of his fellow students so he can have some kind of an idea of how the semester was going to feel.

He opened the door to the cart and stepped in.

"Pardon my intrusion, but while in the hall I overhead your conversation about sports which caught my interest. My name is Luke Soper. What sports do you play?"

"Pardon my intrusion, but while in the hall I overhead your conversation about sports which caught my interest. My name is Luke Soper. What sports do you play?"

"It's cool - you sound like you'd make a good manager. You've certainly got an eye for tactics." Roze spoke up once Devin apologized, smiling at him easily. "Whichever house you're in, I bet you'd make a good asset to their Quidditch team." She added, thinking about his words. Being Seeker did sound interesting, certainly. She supposed she would have to try all of the Quidditch positions before trying out next year.
Her musings were momentarily cut short at the entrance of another student - Luke. Picking up Sora so that he could sit down on the spare seat by her, Rozalia offered up a welcoming smile.
"Hey, I'm Rozalia. You can call me Roze though." She introduced herself. "I don't really play much competitive sport - but I'm definitely going to try Quidditch."

"Hrm, well, the other two, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw aren't particularly interesting from what I've heard and read." Acacia replied to Dani as Luke left. Honestly, she didn't think much of the other houses, though that was probably better than hating on them. She didn't much know the particulars of the houses either, but she had read that Hufflepuff valued hard work, and Ravenclaw valued wisdom and learning or some such. "From what I do know, is that Hufflepuff values hard work, and Ravenclaw are for those who just want to learn a lot." She finished. "And that's about it. We'll probably learn more once we get to Hogwarts."

After she finished explaining, the conversation moved to a subject she was much more interested in. Textbooks. Namely, those dealing with potions. "The better question here, would be which one would I not be interested in!" She chuckled with a grin. "I've always been a bit of a bookworm back home. It was the only thing I could do better than my idiot brothers, so I came to like learning and reading a lot, among other things." The 'other things' was her mischief making and constantly getting her brothers in trouble. Not that Dani needed to know that. "I'd have to say though, one of my favorite subjects is Potions. You ever seen one made before? I have my textbook here somewhere. I think we could probably read up on them."

Magnus smiled. "Well however you came to be here it seems we are in for a wild ride. Also Felix I assume the daily prophet is a news paper for magic folk and what bloody sport do you play with a broom?" He knew that they were used for flying but Agnes hadn't told him anything else and knew nothing about sports that used them. Either way he shook it off and drifted off into thinking about playing tag on brooms and wished he had a broom.

.::Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry::.

Orianna Greco whom the most happy housemistress at Hogwarts. Today she was different, and found herself in a somber mood. One could only tell by the dimmed luster of her hazel eyes, her smile was plastered upon her face as always, mounted between her cheeks like a trophy. It was not so much that the professor was being-fake, rather, that a smile had become the default position of her peach colored lips.

Her job today was to prepare and present the Sorting Hat! An enchanted feather duster and a lint brush busied themselves cleaning the hat, each swished and swayed through the air by magic. Meanwhile, Orianna stood back with a can of muggle-made Febreeze, she pulled the trigger on the spray-bottle and engulfed the sorting hat in a deodorizing cloud.

“Oh my!” The Sorting Hat sneezed. “That-That smells… quite nice, actually.” The Hat seemed to settle down.

Orianna waved away the duster and lint brush, and began to look over the fabric of the hat more closely. As she did so, she thought about the the various legends of the Sorting Hat, stories and parables. She herself did not attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, she wondered if she would have been sorted into Hufflepuff, the house she was now in charge of.

“Curious?” The Sorting Hat spoke, it’s mouth was a tear in it’s side. “Why don’t you give me a try! I may be more fashionable than you think!”

Greco smiled, she was a playful and curious type. She glanced around to be sure she was alone, she couldn’t stop herself, she took the old hat and placed it upon her head.

Something unexpected happened.

Nothing.

Her headspace was quite, wasn’t the hat supposed to be jabbering and deliberating? She even tugged the brim a few times, just to be sure the old thing hadn’t fallen asleep.

She sighed, perhaps it only worked on first years. She began to remove the hat when it finally spoke to her.

“Yes, a Hufflepuff through and through! No questions about that. We will need that Huffle-Heart! If only I could sort through all these teachers this year! We will need the house virtues to guide us! Even Slytherin! ”

“Need them? Are you… Clairvoyant? Do you know something?” Orianna clenched her hands together.

“Me? No, but you are! I saw what you saw this morning!”

Orianna blushed. “Yes, I read my cards… and my teacup... but I’m no prophetess, I only read cards for myself… and only on the first day of school, Christmas, and my birthday.”

“Oh, dear child, you must trust your instincts!”

It seemed that the Sorting Hat wasn’t clairvoyant on it’s own, but saw what she herself had seen in her own reading. She wondered just how sentient the hat was, and wondered if it still knew something that she did not. It’s job was to see into the hearts of children and sort them into the house they would be most successful in, it rarely explained itself or it’s choices. Perhaps this was a similar event, telling Orianna what she needed to hear, without much explanation.

Yet, sometimes the hat did more than that: “Is it true that you gave Harry Potter the Sword of Godric Gryffindor?”

“I’ve a few tricks up my sleeve! Or up my pointed chimney as it were! Now, if I’m not mistaken, It’s time for my big moment!”

Orianna nodded, taking the hat from her head and resting it on a large red pillow. She turned, and began to carry the hat down a long corridor. Soon, they would reach the great hall, and she would bring the hat before the entire school and a crowd of wide-eyed first years.

~~~

.::The Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade::.

Sadria would pace down the hallway and call students to attention. “Gather your things and line up.” She reminded each and every one, helping someone recover their luggage, shooing along the ones who lingered.

She directed the first years to follow a tall dark woman with white hair: Professor Sinistra. She held a lantern, and would quietly lead them down a path and toward the shore of a long river. They would board several long boats, Professor Sinistra would stand at the stern. With a wave of her hand, and without a word, the boats would slowly move down the river.

After rounding a bend, they would see something truly spectacular. The long awaited sight. Hogwarts. It stood, a tall and regal castle, high on the horizon, towering above the river, forest and rock surrounding it. The starlight shone behind it, and hundreds of little windows glowed, the castle was regal and inviting, welcoming it’s students home.

The students in their boats were dwarfed beneath the grand castle. They floated toward it, until coming to a large gated cavern entrance. They passed into the darkness, only the woman’s lantern could be seen for some time. If they peered into the darkness they might see the shadows move, or a pair of eyes flicker and blink back at them, were these visions real or merely a product of their young imaginations?

Finally they came to a dock beneath the castle. Professor Sinistra would wait as the students gathered on the dock, she looked over them with a sharp harsh eye, as if judging each and every one. Then she would lead them up a flight of stone steps. The students would begin to feel the heat of the castle as they ascended. Then, she opened a large set of double doors, that lead into the great hall.

They would see all the older students already gathered, they were sat at four long tables, and the teachers sat at a fifth long table at the head of the hall, elevated from the rest.

Pearleane leaned in as her eyes scanned the paper and the drawing that adorned it. Her lips parted in awe, ”Wow!” she exclaimed, ”That looks amazing, you’re a natural.” she complimented, nodding her head rapidly. ”Do you have any more? Can you draw me?” the girl asked with no filter. Ah, the artist’s worst question ‘Can you draw me?’. Pearleane’s puppy eyes gleamed as she looked at Caelum.

---

Caelum could be noticed sitting up just a bit straighter, her chin just a bit higher, her confidence boosted by the compliments. “Why, thank you.” She replied politely. “And no, I do not have more. I always start a new sketchbook at the beginning of every school year. This is my very first drawing.”

She turned her eye to the girl, true, some artists might be intimidated or annoyed by random requests, but Caelum was not one of these. She was unashamed of her talents and eager to put them to use. She flipped the page, her answer was obvious, and gingerly lifted the gray pencil in her left hand, and kept the other two at the ready between the knuckles of her right. “I would love to.”

She studied her subject for some time before she touched the pencil to the page. Pearleane was a beautiful subject, that was the easy part, for even a beautiful subject could be botched upon the page. The shine in her curls, the curve of her noise, the details on her dress, these were easy to interpret, but how to framer her on the page, the background, and the rules of composition all needed to be taken into consideration. Sure, it was just a sketch, and sometimes Caelum would relax and draw experimentally. But her father had taught her the adage she adhered to “Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect”. Besides, this was a commission, she wanted to do her best. “You can keep looking at me… but turn your cheek a little to the left.”

---

”Oh I see.” Pearleane commented upon Caelum’s lack of drawings in her sketchbook. It made sense after the girl informed her that it was brand new. Pearl was impressed by the girl’s ‘first’ drawing and hope that the two would at least be able to have some courses together so that Pearleane could see what the girl was working on next. Giddy with excitement, the young woman sat up straight in her chair, sucking her tummy in slightly and making a bit of a smolder towards Caelum. Her eyes squinted slightly as to appear mysterious.

Nodding to Caelum’s instructions, Pearl turned her cheek slightly to the left. ”Is this alright?” the girl asked, grinning as the girl started the drawing process.

---

Caelum would be quiet and focused upon her work for the remainder of the journey.

After the initial sketch and outline were done, Caelum would say. “You can move around a bit now, I have the outline started.” her memory would do the rest, and when needed, Caelum would re-pose the girl to her original position. Caelum found herself impressed by the girls focus. Most kids who wanted their drawings done were excited at first, stone still for the first thirty seconds… then could no longer handle the task of modeling.

Caelum was quiet and focused, her mind was full of the girl’s image. Looping curls, round lips, a button nose, all these things manifested at the tip of her pencil. She was so engrossed in her project that she was startled to feel the train slowing down.

She looked out the window, and saw a thick dark forest give way to a quaint little village. Then she looked at her drawing, and with a few delicate strokes of her pencil, the portrait was finished.

“What do you think?” She passed the sketchbook into Pearleane’s hands

---

Pearleane wouldn't admit it out loud, but sitting still for the journey had been her toughest task yet.

Wanting to make a good impression to Caelum, Pearl kept still for the most part. Her young, bright eyes sometimes glancing over to see if she could sneak a peek at the sketch so far. When Caelum would let her take a break Pearleane found refuge taking a candy out of her small purse and chomping it happily as she watched the girl’s pencil dance around the crisp paper. It was practically hypnotic. Going back to her original position several times, the process was daunting but Pearleane knew the outcome would be worth it.

The scenery outside flourished into something new as Caelum then handed the book to Pearleane. Gazing down, her lips parted in both awe and appreciation. She had captured an unrecognizable creature of beauty on the page. The detail in the work was done with such precision and care, that one would think the two had been friends for years. ”Wow, Caelum.” was the only thing Pearleane could muster out as she looked from the page up to the talented girl sitting across from her.

The train had came to a stop marking the arrival to Hogwarts.

Handing the book back to Caelum, Pearleane smiled, ”I don’t want it.” the girl spoke, bluntly. She had not meant it to sound so rude, but the flush of red in her cheeks arose as she corrected herself, ”N-n-not that I don’t want it.” she started, ”I just want you to keep it so that it will be safe, and so that you’ll have something to remember me by.” the girl nodded, grabbing what belongings she had in the car with her and standing up. ”I guess this is our stop.” she commented, hoping the girl had plans to walk with her out of the train as well.

Alistair looked down at his feet as he got off the train, it was very sudden as he was from one moment talking to his class mates right to getting off the train. It was a very fast day today for him as he was feeling quite overwhelmed but he couldnt let that get to him as he grabbed his luggage, which he had almost forgot. But now after he had gotten his luggage he had quickly got back to the group that was heading down a path to a river, mostly likely to the boats that lead to Hogwarts from what he heard from other peers. The path was quite smooth, probably because it was used every year and had to be tended so no accidents could happen, that would be disaterious...

Inside the boats, Alistair was nervous as he glanced through the deep dark waters that surrounded Hogwarts, slowly drifting closer and closer to a new world for him. Everything about Hogwarts was amazing for him as he was awed by the large walls and towers that the School had, easily towering the boats as they approached closer. His attention often quickly change from the secenary to the other peers on his boat, and took note that this was a boat full of 1st years most likely as they too were amazed at what they saw. He was in the back of the boat which meant it was less watched over on and he pulled out his wand, before silently saying "Lumos..." before wand could illuminate the teacher glanced down the row making sure the students were safe. His spell of the other hand fumbled and simply flickered before it slowly faded.

He sighed as he put his wand back into his pocket and waited for the boat ride to be done so he could actually practice some of these spells. He was excited to see what he could do with the spells he had written down, glancing at his notebook.

From Acacia's explanation of the other Houses, Dani was fairly certain that she would end up in one of them, which gave her some measure of comfort. She had entertained the notion that she wouldn't have fit in in any of the Houses, especially considering the fact that she had no previous experience with magic. Which House she would actually end up in was another question entirely, as she didn't consider herself to be exceptionally smart nor hardworking.

The excitement in Acacia's voice resurged when the topic shifted towards textbooks. Dani wouldn't have exactly pegged her as a bookworm, though it was rather evident that she was passionate about learning. Just more evidence that one couldn't judge a book by its cover, she supposed.

"I've never seen one, no," Dani wrote, interested in where the conversation would lead. Unfortunately, before the conversation could be continued further, the professor that had been standing in the doorway announced that they were approaching their destination and should begin grabbing their luggage and preparing to disembark, with a reminder that first years were to follow Professor Sinistra.

Silently, Professor Sinistra led them down to a group of waiting boats that began moving down the river once everyone was boarded, some, like Dani, a little more apprehensively than others. Before too long, the self-propelled boats rounded a bend, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry visible above and before them. From there, the boats passed into a hidden cove where the students dismounted and were lead up the stairs into the building itself.

After traveling up what seemed an eternity of stairs, they arrived on the stage in the Great Hall with four large tables stretched out below them for the students of the various Houses and the table where the staff sat above and behind the stage. In the center of the stage sat a stool with a felt hat on it, clearly the fabled Sorting Hat. Anxiously, Dani awaited her turn at donning the hat to hear which House it would put her in.

One moment she was talking with Dani, the next she had lost her new 'friend' among the others as the first years disembarked the train and made their way towards the boats. She had to admit, it was quite the sight to see. Though, she didn't feel as excited as her brothers had seemed to think she would be once she got here. Speaking of...where had they gone anyways? After losing them at the platform she hadn't seen them at all. Probably arguing anyways, so not really much to concern herself with. With a small sigh, she got into the boats headed for Hogwarts.

By the time Acacia had gotten in, the excitement had worn off, and she took a seat quietly among the other first years, a somewhat bored look donning her face. The other students were staring, either slack jawed at the scenery or whispering among themselves. "Easily impressed fools...." She thought, looking across the lake at the other boats crossing instead of the castle itself, still unimpressed, though she wore a friendly smile to mask it from the other students.

After what felt like an eternity to her, they finally reached the other side and disembarked from the boats. A professor, or at least someone she assumed was a professor, was there to greet them and lead them into the castle. The interior was almost exactly how she had imagined it, thanks to the tales of her brothers. The only thing she did not expect, was the number of stairs. There was way too many of them. If she had to walk up and down those stairs every single day...she sighed. Well, no sense in complaining about it.

After some more climbing, the professor finally led them to the Great Hall. Now this, this was a sight to see, even causing her to be a bit awestruck. It was absolutely wonderful. She looked over the long tables, giving all of the houses students a good looking over, lingering just long enough on Gryffindors table to make a noticeable grimace, before looking at Slytherins table. Now, all she needed was to wait for the sorting ceremony. She briefly wondered what the reactions of her brothers would be if she did get put in Slytherin. The thought put a smile on her face as she waited.

Devin let out a steady sigh of relief after seeing his nutty sports obsessed side be welcomed rather then ignored by the small now seemingly ever increasing group. The new boy to enter seemed friendly enough but a final verdict him was going to have to wait as the train made its way into the station. The cars quickly unloaded their cargo of eager students to their respected transports. Devin followed the orders given and made his way to a small,dock with boats parked along the side.

Devin managed to get into a boat with three unfamiliar faces. He smiled at them and they did the same back. Still it was clear they were just as nervous as he was especially since he couldn't figure out how the boats started to move on their own. 'I'll never get used to this' he thought to himself.

When the boats turned the gentle bend in the lake the view of the school mesmerized the young Canadian. He felt like all the castles in his young adventure books had come to life right before him. The tower overlooking the whole grounds was constantly busy with birds and the flames lit up the buildings with just enough light to make out the massive complex including the walkway to the quidditch pitch down below in the valley. Walking with his jaw barely hanging on Devin was like the rest of the first years. A sheep being herded into the great hall.

'I'm really never going to get used to this...' The young man thought as he looked up at the ceiling. He saw a familiar face in Jake and moved to stand next to him. "Is that normal?" He asked pointing to just about everything. He felt himself already mostly comfortable around the fellow first year. After all he knew what baseball was so he must be at least an alright guy.

Jake was going to respond when he heard the train whistle go off. He knew that it was time. They were at Hogsmeade station and thus they were at Hogwarts, finally. He had made it. He was getting to Hogwarts and thus his dream. Soon he would be learning magic and other things that he had only heard about from his brothers. He was here and had even made a few friends on his way here. He had not expected that at all. Jake walked off the train and basically ran to the boats to cross the lake.

He sat down on the boat basically jumping for joy as he waited for the boats to set off. After a few minutes they finally did and Jake looked up in wonder as the castle came into view. He knew the boats were enchanted to move along the same path they always did. He watched as the castle got larger and larger. By this point Jake would have swam to the castle if that meant getting there faster. Course he knew swimming in the lake was basically a death sentence with all the nasty things living there.

After a few minuted he was there. Where all the rest of the first years were gaping like fish, Jake seemed to be more calm. His brothers had prepped him for this day for years. After a while he noticed Devlin walking over. Jake smiled at his new.. friend? He thought Devlin was a friend but he made friends easily. "Yah this is normal. The ceiling is suppose to look like the current weather. The candles are always floating and you haven't even seen the Sorting Hat yet! Yes I said sorting hat. That's the thing that chooses our houses. It is really really old. " he explained looking around happily. "People should ignore us....hey there's my brother Ryan! " He said waving to an older looking version of himself. The older masters waved back before turning away. "I can't wait for the Sorting." He said to Devlin still smiling.

Headmistress McGonagall stood and took the lectern in the top middle of the room in front of the teachers table. “Welcome new first years and students who return this year. I have a few things to go over before the sorting hat places you into your houses. For one I will not be head of Gryffindor this year. I give it over to our new Professor Longbottom of Herbology.” Claps resounded through the hall. McGonagall smiled and waved her hands to quieten the crowd. “Secondly The dungeon level will be off limits to everyone this year and all clubs held there will be moved to another location to be determined by the club heads. Also off limits is the Forbidden Forest. Though we have a better understanding of it there are still creatures that won’t think twice about hurting you. Also I want to say to Hagrid who has retired from teaching this year, but will continue on being groundskeeper, that you will be missed on the teaching front but we are all glad you have decided to stay with us. Lastly I welcome Charlie Weasley to teaching Study and Care of Magical Creatures.” Charlie stood and waved as applause rang out. Once they had quieted down he spoke.

“For those of you that aren’t able to take my class yet. Friendly advice is to never feed my dragons.” He sat back down and McGonagall took back over. “Well then, dragons. Anyhow everyone lets get the sorting started and then the feast. First years line up in the middle row and please come when your name is called. She sat back down and turned things over to the master of ceremonies Professor Greco.

Professor Greco cleared her throat as she stood and moved next to the Sorting Hat and his pillow. “We will now being the Sorting Ceremony. When I call your name please come forward and I will place the hat on your head so that you can be sorted into your houses. After which you will join your house table marked by the banners above the table.” She pointed and told the students what each banner meant and then began calling names. SO the sorting began….

Finally Magnus' name was called. Nervously he walked up the small bit of stairs and to the chair. "Please sit." Professor Greco said. Magnus did and then the hat was placed on his head. Suddenly the had sprung to life on his head. "Well now hello Mr. Magnus. Glad you are here." Magnus' hair shifted to a dark blue then red and then green. "Oh well this is nice! Haven't had one of you in a very long time. Well now where to put you. Hufflepuff? No.... Gryffindor!? No...." The sorting hat went quite for a second. "SO the snake or the raven boy?" Magnus couldn't think or speak. All he knew was that he had to clear his mind. He stopped all thought rushing through his head and his hair to its normal color. "Ah now then only someone from Ravenclaw can clear themselves out like that so quickly...so RAVENCLAW!!" The Sorting Hat yelled out and applause rang out. Magnus stood and then went down to the table of Ravenclaws some clapping him on the back and others giving him the thumps up while a couple gawked at him because of his hair. He looked back at the sorting hat and it gave a smile at him but wasn't sure why.

Devin listened to the schools headmistress give a curt welcome towards his fellow first years along with a few choice warnings and introductions. 'Definitely beats the assemblies at his school back home' he thought to himself. The sorting began and before he had time to register just how amazed he was over the fact that there was a talking hat in front of him he heard his name ring out clear against the massive dinning room.

Walking up to the stool he felt little assurance from the headmistresses thin smile as she placed the hat on top of the young Canadian. "Welcome to school boy." The hat said. When it talked Devin could feel a slight tussle from the brim. "There seems to be plenty of confusion in your thoughts. Unsure what to ask for... But a desire to do right is there... That kind of importance to you and your family... Must be. Griffindor!"

As the houses name rang out a steady applause came from one of the tables dressed mostly in red and gold. Seeing the lion symbol above and using common sense Devin went to this table to join his newfound family. As he sat down he was introduced to some of the prefects who would be his RA in a sense. After a quick conversation the group around him turned back and they all watched the sorting continue. Devin let out a long breath. The first hurdle had been jumped.

Jake watched as a few others were sorted into their respective houses. He was a ball of nerves knowing that he had to be a Griffindor no matter what. He was going to be like his family no matter what. He smiled at that thought. Soon he would be in the house his father and grandfather had been in for generations. Family legend spoke of how his ancestor had been chosen for the house by Godric Griffindor himself when he had first made his house. Soon after he had thought this he heard his name. Without fear he heard his name ring out.

Jake walked up with a firm smile on his face. He was not scared as the hat was placed on his head. "Ahhh... This is not a head I had been on in years. " The hat murmed into his ears." Oh... There we are... Fearless even when you know you should be worried... Unafraid of that which should be feared... There is ambition in you, boy. To be more than your brothers. The snake would support that. Make you great.Yes, boy I know where you must go...Griffindor!" The hat yelled out as applause came from the table.

Jake jumped up as the hat was removed. With a smile he basically ran over to the table. As he did so his brother slapped him on the back as Jake walked by. 'Good job little brother." He said as Jake passed. He sat down next to Devlin and slapped his new friend on the back"See! I told you you had nothing to fear! I told you that you would be a Griffindor. You had all the traits of one. This is great! The two of us in the same house. My brother said that you make your best friends in your house. Stick with me and I'll help you with the more magical stuff. This is gonna be crazy." Jake said masking his former nervousness with his rapid fire talking.

Roze had been quiet for the remainder of their journey, although she couldn't help a few quiet gasps of awe upon looking at the castle, it's dark silhouette looming in the distance as they crossed the calm waters of the lake. Oh, she was so going to have to swim in this water.
The views of the castle just got more spectacular as they neared, her heart thumping away in her chest at the thought of all the endless troves of knowledge hidden in those ancient walls. She felt as if walking through a dream as she and the other first-years were led along the corridors, soon reaching the Great Hall.
While watching the Sorting Hat, she wondered once more about what house she would go in. According to Legend, the hat made it's decision, but it sometimes took your choice into account. However, her eyes were drawn to a boy by the name of Magnus, who appeared to be a Metamorphagus like her. Brightening up slightly, she watched as he was put in Ravenclaw, the house she was preferring.
As her name was called out, she eased her way to the front of the line and perched herself on the stool, her hair now back to it's usual light brown; her excitement had worn off slightly, but a thrill of it returned as the hat was place don her head, it slipping down past her eyes, so the endless amount of students staring at her were blocked out.
"Hmm... another Metamorphagus? This is interesting, very interesting indeed...well, anyway, let's take a look at you." It paused for a split second before talking again. "A decent amount of bravery - and stubbornness." It gave a chuckle. "Both excellent traits for Gryffindor. However, there's some cunning in there for Slytherin. A kind heart for Hufflepuff... ah. And the thirst for knowledge. Very interested in that, aren't you? Well, I suppose it should better be...RAVENCLAW!" The hat shouted the final word, and it was removed suddenly from her head. Blinking in the sudden return of the light, she grinned at the realization she was getting in the house she had wanted to, and she practically skipped to her new table, gaining various welcomes and handshakes from the denizens of the house. Settling herself next to Magnus, she gave him a grin.
"Hey. I'm Roze. Nice to see someone like me here." She said cheerfully, pulling one of her curls slightly; the blonde/happy colour had erupted from her roots immediately after the hat was removed, making it obvious that it wasn't any ordinary hair.

Acacia watched as others walked up to the sorting hat and get put into their respective houses. It was nerve wracking, even for her. Not that she would let that bother her one bit. Soon, it was her turn for the hat. With a confident air, she walked up, and sat down where she was supposed to. She looked over the room, her eyes falling on the faces of her brothers as the sorting hat was put on her head. Her brothers gave her a thumbs up, and obviously telling the other Gryffindors around them she would most likely end up in their house. Hah. Laughable. She gave each of them a glare from where she sat, receiving a confused look in response. Not that she would have to deal with that. She was confident she was getting the house she wanted.

The hat came to life on Acacia's head as she stared back at her siblings. "Oh very feisty this one and a bloodline in Gryffindor I see." The Sorting Hat let out a chuckle. "BUT you are not the same as the others. Sure you have courage but yours has cunning dragging it to the surface. You tend to look before you leap, but are ready to strike at a moments notice. You are going to be a great I can tell. Yes, Yes, YES!! I have just the place for you!! SLYTHERIN!!" The Sorting Hat yelled.

Acacia, simply gave a smug grin as the hat was removed from her head. From there, she could see the other Slytherins cheering, and her brothers at the Gryffindor table simply staring in disbelief. Alexander looked as though he was about to pass out from shock. Jackson seemed to take the news better, but he seemed more...concerned, than upset. A few other Gryffindors looked to be a bit confused as well. No doubt her brothers had been prematurely telling them she would be put into their house. And that is why, they probably were now looking like fools. Don't go telling someone something until you know for a fact that its going to happen. Well, whatever. Their idiocy was no concern of hers. She walked down and made her way to the Slytherin table, taking a seat with her fellow housemates.

From departing the train to entering the school Pearleane was in a constant state of wonderment and awe. She glanced around to the other new students with a cheeky grin. How exciting was this? Pearleane found Eyeris and gave a friendly wave. She hoped this wouldn't be the last time she saw the girl she had sort of made friendship with on the ride here.

It was suddenly the crowd's attention turned to Headmistress McGonagall who stood in front of the lectern in the top middle of the room in front of the teachers table. Everyone's eyes gazed upon her. The ceremonies were to begin. Pearleane fidgeting slightly, listening to the woman's speech. She welcomed them all and introduced several members of faculty, all in which Pearl knew somewhat from the stories her mother sometimes told her.

Another man spoke only a moment, “For those of you that aren’t able to take my class yet. Friendly advice is to never feed my dragons.” Pearleane giggled loudly at the comment, but wondered if he was serious. Dragons had to eat too didn't they? The headmistress took back control of the speech declaring it was time for the sorting of the houses to begin.

Professor Greco cleared her throat as she stood and shuffled to the Sorting Hat and his pillow. “We will now being the Sorting Ceremony. When I call your name please come forward and I will place the hat on your head so that you can be sorted into your houses. After which you will join your house table marked by the banners above the table.” The woman spoke, Pearleane's eyes darting across to look at the tables, . She wondered where she would be placed, and what that would entail for her future at Hogwarts.

Promptly Pearleane got in line and waited for her name to be called. After many students were called, she was finally the third in the line. Reaching into her small cheetah printed purse she took out another mint and sucked on it nervously, "What if I trip in front of all these people?" she pondered, hoping that if that did occur she would end up tripping out the window and into the mouth of a troll. She was also not looking forward to leaving most of her personal touches behind during her time at Hogwarts; her clothes, accessories, and the food she hid in them most importantly. Would she be able to hide her purse within her robe? She would have to test it. Two students left, than one as Perleane's mint was nothing but a sliver in her mouth, cutting into her gum. She removed her hat and gripped it's edges tightly as her name was finally called.

Climbing the stairs carefully she sat down with a small huff. She didn't need to be told to sit, she was already tired from waiting in line and the long trip getting there. Professor Greco placed the hat down on the girl's mess of braided ebony curls and it soon began to speak. "No need to be nervous young Pearleane Pompaque. Your mother Claudia was quite the opposite when she sat here for the first time." Pearleane gasped slightly, her crimson lips then closing into a tight smile. He had remembered her mother, and knew how much of a strong woman and excellent leader she was. Would he plan to place her in Gryffindor as well? "Ah yes, there is no mistake you're a Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal, those patient Hufflepuffs are true, and unafraid of toil. Hufflepuff is where you belong!" The sorting hat sung, half teasingly as he made the announcement.

She was one of the first of the first years announced to Hufflepuff that evening, but from the grin plastered on her face she would have been happy with any house. The applauds followed her to the table as the older members welcomed their newest. Pearleane didn't bother placing her hat back on her head, still too dazed in excitement. A few of the older girls complimented her on her attire and makeup, and sympathized that she would soon be unable to keep most of it.

"Well, I always have looked great in black and yellow." she teased, settling in.