"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here! All right there, Harry?" A giant man with a funny accent approached the group and patted Harry's shoulder to which the latter almost knelt on his knees. The man's big hairy face beamed over the sea of heads.

"C'mon, follow me – any more firs'-years? Mind yer step, now! Firs'-years follow me!" Slipping and stumbling, they followed Hagrid down a steep, narrow path. Nobody spoke much. Neville, the boy who kept losing his toad, sniffed once or twice.

"You know him?" Ron asked Harry, pointing towards the big guy.

"He is Hagrid, he came to help me with my shopping. He is a friend"

"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."

The narrow path had opened suddenly on to the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

While the students were busy appreciating the beauty, a loud voice brought them back to reality.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Alex and Nicole went ahead and boarded a boat, they were followed by Harry and Ron but as Ron was about to get on, he was pushed aside by Hermione, who was the fourth one to join them.

"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself, "Right then... FORWARD!"

And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass.

Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood. Except for Hermione, who was staring at Alex intently.

"Is there something on my face?" Alex finally asked, not able to hold back anymore.

"No, it's just I wanted to ask you something. Can...?" Hermione wanted to ask but was cut short.

"No" Alex replied sternly.

"Please just o...uuu" Hermione wanted to try once more, but words stuck in her mouth.

"Brother don't be like that, if you behave like this you won't have any friends" Nicole, who initially wanted her brother to handle it, pitched in. She wanted her brother to have a normal conversation with someone other than herself otherwise if they are not in the same house, he would be lonely.

"I don't need one," Alex said while releasing Hermione from his magic "And you, I like a peaceful environment around me. You are way too loud and don't stop once you start. I would appreciate it if we have minimal contact".

Listening to Alex's words Hermione went silent. Her eyes turned a bit misty, she was obviously hurt by his words. Nicole viciously glared at Alex.

'Heads down!' yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff, getting Alex out of the situation, they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy which hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle until they reached a kind of underground harbour, where they clambered out on to rocks and pebbles.

"Whose toad is this?" said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.

"Trevor!" cried Neville blissfully, holding out his hands. Then they clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, coming out at last on to smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle.

They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.

"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?" Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.

The giant door opened slowly with a creek sound. Hagrid went in followed by the students, as they climbed the stairway.

At the end of the stairway stood a tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." prof McGonagall replied. Hagrid left the students there.

"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 your free time in your 'house' common room.

"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 honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever 'house' becomes yours.

"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 you can while you are waiting."

Her eyes lingered for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on Ron's smudged nose.

"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."

As soon she left the students began to chat among themselves.

"So it's true, what they were saying on the train. The famous Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts" a white-haired boy said getting the attention of every student.

Soon a low buzz of chatter erupted among students.

The boy continued" This is Crabbe and Goyle and I am Malfoy, Draco Malfoy".

Listening to the boy's name Ron let out a snicker.

"Think my name's funny, do you? I have no need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand me down robe. You must be a Weasley" the boy replied with scorn " You'll soon find some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You need someone to help you with that" the boy said to Harry.

"Hey, who are you to decide which family is better than the other" Nicole wanted to stand for Ron.

"Who are you to pitch in, bitch" looking at Nicole, Malfoy cursed.

"You..." Nicole was at a loss for words.

"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start." Professor McGonagall had returned.

"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."

Harry got into line behind a boy with sandy hair, with Ron, Nicole and Hermione behind him. Nicole looked around to find Alex, only to find him way back in line.

Soon they entered a large hall full of students sitting in rows. As they were walking, suddenly a scream was heard. When Nicole looked behind she found Malfoy on the floor and Crabbe and Doyle who were right behind him were now lying on him. The hall after a moment of silence erupted with laughter.

Nicole looked at the trio on the floor and then towards his brother, who just shrugged and came forward 'accidentally' stepping on Malfoy's leg.

"Thanks, I feel better now but it doesn't mean I have forgiven you. Apologise to Hermione after the sorting." Nicole said to Alex.

"It's not worth grumbling upon such small matters. You will soon find out that though this world looks fascinating on the surface, it's harsher and crueller than the one we lived in" Alex said and continued "As for apologising, I will think about it" to which Nicole nodded.

"Will keep that in mind" as they walked down the hallway Nicole asked, "Say brother which house do you think we are going to be in? I want to be in the same house as yours".

"All the houses are the same and have their own legends so whichever house you join don't feel inferior to the other. And us being in the same 'house', it will depend on fate" Alex explained his reasoning.

"You are more talkative than a usual brother" seeing the change in his usual behaviour she asked.

"Well, I just feel like talking to you a bit more that's all".

"You don't think we will be in the same 'house' do you?" sensing the meaning behind his words she asked.

Before Alex could reply they were interrupted by a loud voice that rang across the hall.

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again. "So we've just got to try on the hat!" Ron whispered to Harry. "I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll."

"How dumb can he be to actually believe that?" Nicole asked Hermione and the latter just smiled. After the scolding she got from Alex she has been awfully quiet.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," prof McGonagall said.

Soon students were being sorted into different houses one by one.

"Granger, Hermione"

Hermione walked towards the stool and was sorted into Gryffindor. Ron too was sorted in Gryffindor like the other Weasleys.

"Ashbridge, Nicole" listening to her name Nicole almost ran to the hat.

"Hello, professor long time no see" Nicole greeted Prof McGonagall.

"Let's skip the pleasantries miss Ashbridge" It was hard for Prof McGonagall to deal with Nicole she wanted to get rid of her soon.

"You are no fun" Nicole made faces towards her.

As soon as the hat was put on her hat she closed her eyes. After a moment of complete silence, a loud voice rang in the hall

"Gryffindor"

Nicole sprang from the stool and ran towards the Gryffindor table and sat beside Hermione.

"Potter, Harry!"

As Harry stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall.

"Potter, did she say?"

"The Harry Potter?"

"Hmm," the hat began to say and its voice can be heard by everyone. "Difficult. Very difficult."

One could see Harry gripping the edges of the stool and mumbling something.

"Not Slytherin, eh?" the hat continued." Well, if you're sure... better be GRYFFINDOR!".

The Gryffindor table erupted with joy. Weasley twins yelled, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"

After this little episode, the sorting continued, and the last one to be called was Alex.

Alex walked up to the stool and nodded towards prof McGonagall to which the latter nodded back with a smile. Albus Dumbledore who saw this was amused by the unusual behaviour of Minerva. Prof McGonagall placed the hat on his head.

"Another interesting one!" the hat said. " Brave, Loyal to your master, Intelligent, cunning and resourceful, you have the qualities to belong to any house you want. With the qualities of a leader, I would say..."

"Slytherin"

Only some students on the Slytherin table applauded. Alex looked at Nicole, who was shocked and then went towards the Slytherin table and sat at the very last.

"Now prof Dumbledore will say a few words" prof McGonagall's voice sounded. She looked a bit upset.

"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!, Thank you".

As Dumbledore finished, several dishes appeared on the table. Alex got up from his seat and went towards the Gryffindor table. Without paying attention to anyone, he went towards Hermione and with a very soft tone said "Sorry" and came back to his seat. Hermione was left speechless while Nicole burst into laughter.

At last, the desserts too disappeared, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent.

"Ahem, just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start of term notices to give you.

"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins.

"I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch.

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death," Dumbledore said with a serious tone "Off to beds now".

Alex followed the Slytherin prefect Gemma Farley to the Slytherin common room. As they stood outside a stone wall Gemma Farley said" The password changes every fortnight and is posted on the noticeboard. You are warned not to bring anyone from a different house into the common room or reveal the password to anyone". Then she turned towards the wall and said "Pure-Blood". The bricks shifted and the common room appeared in front of them.

The Slytherin common room was a long, low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling, from which round, greenish lamps were hanging on chains. A fire was crackling under an elaborately carved mantelpiece ahead of them, and several Slytherins were silhouetted around it in carved chairs.

Under the direction of the prefect, Alex and the others went to the rooms assigned to them. Alex was the only one in the room, and his belongings along with new robes with house emblem were in his room.

Alex went to the cage in which his pet was kept. He took him out of it and fed him. After that Alex crashed on his bed and slept.

* * * * *