An extra long chapter today. Enjoy.

The door opened. We started walking up the stairs. I was nervous and excited.
The entrance hall huge. The stone

walls were lit with flaming torches, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.

We walked up the first flight of stairs to reach a flagged stone

floor where McGonagall was waiting for us.
I could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from the doorway ahead of us - the rest of the school must already be here- but Professor McGonagall stood there. We crowded on the stairs, standing rather closer together than usual, peering about nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "Now in a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your classmates, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses." She passed "They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." At the mention of Slytherin, I saw a boy with platinum blonde hair nod approvingly. "Now while you're here your house will be like your family. Your triumph will earn you points, any rule-breaking you will lose points.. At the end of the year, the House cup-" I heard a little croaking and she was interrupted when Neville screamed "Trevor". McGonagall gave Neville a disapproving glance.

Poor Neville." sorry," he said

"The spring ceremony shall behind momentarily," she said and walked away.

"It's true then" I heard a voice say. "What they were saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." The platinum blonde finished.
Everyone whispered between themselves.
But of course, I and Hermione had met him. We shared a knowing glance.
"This is Crabbe and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." He continued. Ron snickered.
He turned to look sharply at Ron.
"Think my name's funny, do you?" He asked "No need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand me down robe. You must be a Weasley." Ron looked away. "You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go make friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He brought his hand forward. " I think I can tell the wrong sort are for myself, thanks" replied Harry coolly without taking his hand. Whoa.
Draco looked like he had been slapped.
Just then McGonagall came and tapped him on his shoulder. He glared at Harry then moved.
"We're ready for you now. Follow me"
She said

That's it. I am officially freaking out.

The door opened revealing the Great Hall. I had never even imagined such a strange and splendid place. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting.

I saw many students staring at the ceiling.

"It's not really the ceiling." Stated Hermione.
"It's just bewitched to look like the night sky," I said
"We read about it in Hogwarts a History." We said together.

We reached in front of the staff table.
I saw an old hat sitting on a stool.

Hmm....I'm curious.

"Can you wait along here please." We all stood facing the staff table."Now before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words. "
Dumbledore stood up. "I have a few start-of-term notices which I wish to announce." He paused and looked at us."The first years please note that the Dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students" He then motioned towards a man with a cat "Also our caretaker Mr Filch has asked me to remind you that 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" I gulped. "Thank you," he said and sat down.

McGonagall said, "When I call your names, you shall come forth and I will place the sorting hat on your head and you will be sorted into your house." Whew. That sounds okay. Just don't trip. I noticed that all this while Kanak was quietly sitting on my shoulder.

Just then the hat started singing

"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 hall burst into applause after the song.

"Abbott, Hannah!"
A moment's pause -
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Brocklehurst, Mandy"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Brown, Lavender"
"GRYFFINDOR"
"Bulstrode, Millicent"

"SLYTHERIN!"
"Crabbe, Vincennt"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"
"

HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Finnigan, Seamus!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"

I noticed that sometimes the hat took time to decide but sometimes it would do it in an instant.

"Gregory, Goyle!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Granger, Hermione!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Longbottom, Neville"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"MacMillien, Ernie"
"HUFFLEPUFF"
"MacDougal, Morag"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Malfoy, Draco"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Nott, Thedore"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Parkinson, Pansy"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Patil, Padma"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Patil, Parvati"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Perks, Sally-Anne"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Potter, Harry!"
As soon as Harry's name was called the whole hall fell silent. Everyone was curious to know where Harry would go. My money was on Gryffindor.

I wondered which house I would go to. Slytherin? Nah. I'm a muggle-born. Plus from what I have heard only big egos go to Slytherin.
Hufflepuff? Maybe. RAVENCLAW was out of option as you needed to have quick wit and creativity for Ravenclaw. Which I don't have. Gryffindor? I would like to go there. It felt homely.

My thought process was interrupted when the hat shouted
"GRYFFINDOR!"
A few Gryffindor's were dancing and singing We got Potter, We got Potter.

"Thakur, Poornima"
That's it. I took a deep breath and walked towards the stool. I sat down and McGonagall put the hat on me.

"Ah hello there. Muggleborn I see..... Though I wonder............"
"Hello, sir. Yes, I am a muggle-born" I replied mentally
"Not Slytherin then-" I sighed in relief "-intelligent, quite hard working, determined, cunning, loyal hmm..... But have nice judgement skills. Courage... Oh and very brave. Quite like your bloodline."
"Ah well......let's see. You have a lot of qualities but your bravery outshines every other. Better be-" it shouted, "- GRYFFINDOR!"

I grinned at walked towards the Gryffindor table. Hermione hugged me. A few older students congratulated me.

"Thomas, Dean"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Thomas,
"Turpin, Lisa"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Ronald, Weasley"
The hat exclaimed "huh......Another Wesley"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Zabini, Blaise"
"SLYTHERIN!"

Finally sorting was over.

Everyone started chatting. I was taking my surroundings in. "Go, girl," I told Kanak. "Hello there" I heard two voices say together. I turned around to see the two ginger-haired twins.
"I'm Fred-" said the first one
"-and I'm George," said the second.
"Welcome to Gryffindor," they said together.
I giggled "Why, thank you"

A glass was being clung. "Your attention please," said McGonagall. The hall fell silent. Dumbledore got up and said" Let the feast begin" as soon as he said this, mountains of food appeared in front of us in good plates.

I was frantically searching for something familiar. I was sitting next to Parvati. She was looking a bit gloomy and eyeing the food too. "Hi there," I said. I remembered that her twin had been sorted in Ravenclaw.
She turned around and smiled at me
"Hi"
I started searching for something familiar again
"Searching for something familiar?"
I nodded. She chuckled. "I can't imagine eating this stuff every day"
"Yup. No rice, da, sabzi or roti"
"I figured. Do you eat meat?"
"Only chicken and fish"
"Suppose eating meat will be an advantage. I'm a pure vegetarian."
"Yikes" she nodded grimly.
I helped my self to some roasted potatoes, vegetables and gravy. I took a piece of roasted chicken and lots of fries. We chatted about different cuisines. Turns out she is from a wizarding family in India.

I saw that Ron just kept on hogging food while Hermione ate in silence.
"I'm half-and-half," said a boy with a thick Irish accent. "Me dad's a Muggle. Mom didn't tell him she was a witch 'til after they were married. Bit of a
nasty shock for him."

"Say Percy," asked Harry."Who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?"
"Oh... That's Professor Snape. He's the head of Slytherin house."
"What does he teach?" I asked from across the table.
"He teaches potions, but everyone knows its the Dark Arts he fancied. He's been after Quirrell' job for years."
I nodded. He looked quite........ collected? The professor next to him wore a turban and a scared expression.

Suddenly a ghost appeared from beneath the table. Ron shrieked.
"Hello there. Welcome to Gryffindor" he beamed. A lot of ghosts flew into the Great Hall.
"Hello, Sir Nicholas,"Percy said. "Did you have a nice summer?"
"Disturbed. Once again my request to join the Headless Hunt has been denied." He said.
"I know you," said Ron. "You're 'Nearly Headless Nick'!" He exclaimed.
"I prefer Sir Nicholas if you don't mind," he said
"Nearly Headless?" asked Hermione. "How can you be Nearly Headless?"
"By this," he said and pulled his head sideways. It ripped but did not fall off.
I closed my eyes in disgust.
Dessert appeared and I jumped at the sight of ice cream. I took at least five flavours. Mango, chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and mint chocolate.
I moaned while eating it. Harry, Ron, the twins and Parvati were laughing at me while Hermione gave me disapproving glances.

After the feast, we followed Percy. He was the Gryffindor perfect. "Gryffindor's follow me, please. Keep up"  the Ravenclaws were lead by their perfect in the opposite direction. We were lead up flights of stairs after the stair. I saw that tapestries and moving portraits adorned the walls. The castle was magnificent.
"This is the most direct path to the dormitories." He said "oh and beware of the staircases. They like to change."

I looked up to see hundreds of staircases.
"Keep up please. follow me. Quickly now. Now come on." We followed him to the castle. "I can't wait for the classes to start? Can you?" asked Hermione.
"Hardly"
"I think Transfiguration is my favourite subject"
"Is it? Personally, I think potions is a fascinating subject"
We followed Percy to a portrait of a Fat lady.
"Password?" She asked
"Caput Draconis" said Percy, and the portrait swung forward to reveal
a round hole in the wall. "Follow me, everyone. Keep up" he said.
We all scrambled through it and found themselves in the Gryffindor common
room, a cosy, round room full of squashy armchairs. "Quickly come on" he paused and turned around "Gather around our here"
I turned to look around. It was nice and warm and was thoroughly done in red and gold. It had a homely feeling too it. " Welcome to the Gryffindor common room. Boys dormitories upstairs and down to your left and girls the same to the right. You'll find all your belongings have already been brought up."
We went to the girls' dorm. I shared it with Hermione, Parvati and a girl named Lavender.
There were four four-poster beds. It had red drapes. Our trunk was kept in front of our beds. I saw that my robes' had red on its edges and the Gryffindor symbol on it and that my ties had red and gold stripes on it.
I had a red and gold striped scarf and my dark grey sweater now had a red and gold stripe along the neck and the waist. My shirt and skirt did not change colour. And nor did my hat.

There was a dresser made out of oak beside each bed with a mirror on it and the centre of the room had a heater. I unpacked my trunk and filled my clothes in the dresser. I pulled out a pair of pyjamas and a t-shirt.
I went to the bathroom. It had four sinks, two showers, two toilets, a bathtub and a rack to keep our toiletries. A few nice fluffy towels in red were there.
I washed my face, brushed my teeth and changed into my pyjamas. Just then Hermione entered the bathroom. I put my uniform in the laundry.
I saw that the rest of the girls were done unpacking as well and came into the bathroom. I gave them a small smile and went to bed.
The excitement wore off leaving me tired. I laid on my bed but could not sleep. After a few minutes, I gave up. I pulled out a spell book and started practising a few simple spells. I read their uses, proper incantation and origin. I saw Hermione was reading herbology. I couldn't help but grin at her. She smiled back.
"You know I have a feeling we're going to be good friends," I told her.
So grinned but shook her head"Best friends"

I quizzed her on herbology and she did the same on with spells.
After an hour of quizzing, we fell asleep.
I couldn't wait for tomorrow.