{Over the Great Black Lake, Hogwarts}
"Right then... FORWARD!" Hagrid shouted, and the boats started moving on his command.
I braced for a sudden lurch, but instead it was a smooth transition from stillness to motion as we started cruising and picked up speed, gliding across the water. I looked around as we all moved in formation, following Hagrid's boat.
'Well, he's not piloting it, so we are moving along a fixed path. I wonder how these boats were enchanted.' I thought and turned to Hermione.
"Was there something about these boats in Hogwarts: A History?" I asked. It was one of her favorite books, but I hadn't dedicated as much time to it other than a basic cursory reading.
"Yes, arriving at Hogwarts is a tradition that is followed every year. Rumor has it that Godric himself brought the first class of students over the boats and Rowena Ravenclaw herself created the enchantment that drives these boats," Hermione whispered excitedly.
Her excited voice washed over the four of us as we focused on the boat. My eyes drifted to the side. As we moved, I noticed we left almost no ripples on the lake's surface, which led me to the real reason the scene felt almost otherworldly.
'There are fucking no waves or ripples in this massive lake even though the wind is blowing.' I thought as I dipped my hand over the side. The water was freezing cold, but even my hand penetrating the water's surface barely left any ripples. A mysterious force quickly smothered any disturbance that I left behind.
'Well, Hogwarts went to great lengths to make a great first impression. I wonder what source feeds such a massive spell. Surely a person can't maintain this kind of spell.' I thought as the others watched my actions, repeating them with fascination.
Amid this overwhelming display of magic, we reached the other end of the lake, beneath the castle's canopy. I could see the castle up close. It was made of white and brown stone mixed together. It towered over our heads, and I could see light emanating from several windows.
We shuffled together, most of us silent in awe of the magical building, but quite a few nervous about the upcoming sorting. I ought to be nervous as well, but I know where I'm going. Now I even have contingency plans in case I do end up in the snake's den by mistake.
We walked up a few stone steps and arrived in front of a massive oak door. Hagrid motioned for us to wait, then walked over and knocked three times with his large hands.
The door swung open moments later, and I caught a glimpse of my favorite teacher. Her sharp grey eyes noticed me immediately, but she didn't return my nod as she looked at everyone.
"The first years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid announced as Professor McGonagall nodded at him.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She replied before she addressed us, "Follow me."
She said, and then walked through the large doors. We walked through a courtyard and a hallway before we reached a grand marble staircase. I looked up and couldn't quite make out the roof as the stairs kept moving one after another.
'Oh boy, learning their patterns could take a while. Should I ask the twins for the map.' I thought as we stopped in front of another large door. Prof. McGonagall turned around and addressed us as a group.
"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."
She finished the sentence in one breath, reminding me of an excited Hermione. "The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."
She looked back at the noise coming from the door and continued, "The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as possible before you have some time"
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait here quietly."
She left the chamber. And an excited bubble burst as everyone started talking about the sorting ceremony. Before I could speak, though, an unfamiliar face quickly barged into our little group.
"Are you really? Harry Potter?" Lavender asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement and a need for gossip. I looked at her. Her tie was a little loose, and her buttons were unbuttoned. The shirt was a size or two small for her, but I guess she knew that, as her cleavage was visible even in formal attire.
...
[Lavender Brown]
[7]
...
'A good source of LP it seems, though I need to make sure Hermione doesn't get jealous.'
"I would assume so. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss?" I offered my hand.
"Lavender Brown, the pleasure is all mine, Harry," She whispered as she closed the distance slightly. I felt Hermione's frown as I nodded to Lavender and tried to steer the conversation away from the obvious.
"So how do we get sorted?" I asked Susan as Lavender pouted at being ignored.
"Don't know, my Auntie won't tell me. She says that it's tradition that we don't know." She shrugged.
"I know it, I know it... Do you want to know, Harry?" Lavender jumped in place beside me, drawing my attention with her bouncing breasts.
Without me saying anything, she leaned against me, her breasts squishing my arms as she leaned in to whisper in my ear, "There is an enchanted artifact called the Sorting Hat. You put it on your head, and it will sort you into one of the four houses that best suit your talents."
She lingered a bit after and then whispered, "If we get sorted into the same house, wait for me tonight..." She purred into my ear, gave me a wink, and walked away giggling with a brown-skinned girl.
Before anyone from our group could voice their complaints, I jumped back as a white silhouette emerged from the door right beside me.
'Fucking jump scare.' I screamed internally as I backed away. About twenty ghosts had just
streamed through the doors and the walls. They were a pale shade of pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing
at the first years.
They seemed to be arguing. What looked like a fat little monk was arguing: "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance-"
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name, and you know, he's not really even a ghost..." The ghost wearing a ruff and tights paused, looked at us, and asked, "I say, what are you all doing here?"
"New students!" exclaimed the Fat Friar, smiling around at everyone. "About to be
Sorted, I suppose?"
I nodded mutely along with a couple of other students.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar. "My old house, you
know."
"Move along, everyone," I heard Prof. McGonagall say as she emerged once again from the doors. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall and the gates.
"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."
She pushed the door open, and I peered inside as I walked in, Hermione quickly stepping up beside me, boxing out Lavender. Ignoring her antics, I looked upwards at the starry sky. Not a cloud was in sight today, and I sighed in wonder at the sight. Excitement welled up as I forced myself to calm down.
'I'm in fucking Hogwarts, baby...'
---
AN: What do you think of Lavender's looks?
28+ Advanced chapters on P.atreon: p,atreon.com/AndreaHodges